moving to Spain; where to ?
Sep 5th 2013 | 12:55 am
#31
Thread Starter
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 42
From: babylondon
Re: moving to Spain; where to ?
We get around 6mbps, we have had the service for about 18 months now and it has been very reliable. Once it was off for about 24 hours because their wireless mast had suffered a lightning strike, but I couldn't really blame them for that! Being a large town, getting a Telefonica landline isn't usually a problem either (although we don't have one, have never bothered with it) and I believe they now do 10mbps ADSL broadband, I know a couple of people who have it and are very pleased with it.
Oh, and you mentioned earlier that you are an artist. A new Contemporary Arts Centre is to open in Velez-Malaga on the 14th of this month, and there are quite a few painters living and working here. This lady's studio and gallery, for example, is about 20m from my house:-
https://www.facebook.com/lacasadelapintora
Oh, and you mentioned earlier that you are an artist. A new Contemporary Arts Centre is to open in Velez-Malaga on the 14th of this month, and there are quite a few painters living and working here. This lady's studio and gallery, for example, is about 20m from my house:-
https://www.facebook.com/lacasadelapintora
thanks for advice in advance!
Sep 5th 2013 | 7:23 pm
#32
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Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,833
From: (Ex Liguria)
Re: moving to Spain; where to ?
if you can find the time and inclination I would suggest you visit a few places for a week or so and get them fixed in your mind
everywhere has pluses and minuses, living in Andalusia it can have the extremes of weather of 40+ for the past 4-5 weeks, although now down to more acceptable mid-low 30's. In the past winter even the coastal strip got down to zero in a few places, although further inland we had snow and -5 or so. Rain was also a problem earlier this year, with reservoir's being at 95% capacity - almost unheard of.
but you are going to have to seriously consider your location as the internet and associated communications facilities are important for the job. And the majority of the high broadband locations are in places like Madrid and Barcelona, where you can get 50mb whilst down the south many people get by with an actual 1.5mb or less
food wise, the Spanish export their rejects to places like the UK, the quality here is excellent, the prices really low. Where you are paying 80p/£1 each for a small hand held pepper we pay €1.80 a kilo, sometimes that can only 2 or 3 peppers.
but be careful, all utilities - water, electricity are expensive, gas is only limited to certain parts of very large locations so you have to have a canister, rubbish is usually communal bins serving a number of houses as you can't get UK style bins into the houses. And they empty at midnight, so don't live near too near a bin.
so long as you can meet the "wealth" check and prepared to pay for private medical then there are many places you may find will meet your needs.
best of luck
We find that the choice of vegetables is limited but the quality is Good.
On the fruit side we (us and our acquantances) find that the fruit is of poor quality, almost never ripe, cannot be kept to ripen because it goes mouldy within 48 hrs, and more importantly without ANY taste. We only buy from the large supermarkets and local greengrocers. We often go to Italy and the fruit comparison is like night and day.
Sep 5th 2013 | 8:41 pm
#33
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 7,749
Re: moving to Spain; where to ?
We live in Torremolinos and are regularly in Benalmadena and Fuengirola.
We find that the choice of vegetables is limited but the quality is Good.
On the fruit side we (us and our acquantances) find that the fruit is of poor quality, almost never ripe, cannot be kept to ripen because it goes mouldy within 48 hrs, and more importantly without ANY taste. We only buy from the large supermarkets and local greengrocers. We often go to Italy and the fruit comparison is like night and day.
We find that the choice of vegetables is limited but the quality is Good.
On the fruit side we (us and our acquantances) find that the fruit is of poor quality, almost never ripe, cannot be kept to ripen because it goes mouldy within 48 hrs, and more importantly without ANY taste. We only buy from the large supermarkets and local greengrocers. We often go to Italy and the fruit comparison is like night and day.
There is a local market at the back of El Corte Ingles on Saturday mornings that has excellent fruit, most of which is grown locally. This has nothing to do with the terrible fruit in the supermarkets down there
There are a couple of good fruit and veg shops in Arroyo de la Miel which have great local products very cheap. There is also a small indoor market in Los Boliches that has two good fruit & veg stalls.
The other option, but one we rarely used, is to go to Hipercor. They always have two fruit and veg areas. One where you help yourself and the fruit is of poor quality, and one with a guy behind the counter where the fruit is excellent quality. The problem here is that you pay a big premium e.g. 3 euros 50 for 1kg of bananas or 15 euros for a kg of cherries
The quality of everything is a bit hit and miss in that part of Spain, but there is a lot of good quality food, but you must seek it out! Good luck
Sep 8th 2013 | 10:21 am
#34
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 12,053
From: In the middle of 10million Olive Trees
Re: moving to Spain; where to ?
We live in Torremolinos and are regularly in Benalmadena and Fuengirola.
We find that the choice of vegetables is limited but the quality is Good.
On the fruit side we (us and our acquantances) find that the fruit is of poor quality, almost never ripe, cannot be kept to ripen because it goes mouldy within 48 hrs, and more importantly without ANY taste. We only buy from the large supermarkets and local greengrocers. We often go to Italy and the fruit comparison is like night and day.
We find that the choice of vegetables is limited but the quality is Good.
On the fruit side we (us and our acquantances) find that the fruit is of poor quality, almost never ripe, cannot be kept to ripen because it goes mouldy within 48 hrs, and more importantly without ANY taste. We only buy from the large supermarkets and local greengrocers. We often go to Italy and the fruit comparison is like night and day.
what vegetables are you missing ???
tomatoes, peppers (red & green), onions, potatoes, cabbage, "coliflor". "Pepino" etc
are all available without problem - they are staple diet for the local Spanish;
if in any doubt - shop where they shop, just learn a few Spanish words first.
my local fruiteriar stocks at least 3 different types of tomatoes, apples and other fruit etc as well as 2 or 3 types of lettuce....
you just have to get out there with the locals, put up with the queue's as it is always a social gathering, but find what they are offering, what price and just give them the money.
it is really much cheaper than UK
Sep 9th 2013 | 5:45 am
#35
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Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,833
From: (Ex Liguria)
Re: moving to Spain; where to ?
We went to a little village shop above Cartama today, Quality of the local fruit was excellent and very cheap, The Figs were 2 Eu a Kg eg.
I think that Mercadona/Supersol/Carrefour/Lidl etc have seen the last of us for fruit etc and we will be heading inland regularly. As for missing Veg;- Choice of greens and decent potatoes, Fennel, turnips, Jerusalem artichokes, fresh Ginger, choice of Funghi, To name but a few of those that we were used to in Italy through the year.
I think that Mercadona/Supersol/Carrefour/Lidl etc have seen the last of us for fruit etc and we will be heading inland regularly. As for missing Veg;- Choice of greens and decent potatoes, Fennel, turnips, Jerusalem artichokes, fresh Ginger, choice of Funghi, To name but a few of those that we were used to in Italy through the year.
Sep 9th 2013 | 5:55 am
#36
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,426
From: Velez-Malaga
Re: moving to Spain; where to ?
We went to a little village shop above Cartama today, Quality of the local fruit was excellent and very cheap, The Figs were 2 Eu a Kg eg.
I think that Mercadona/Supersol/Carrefour/Lidl etc have seen the last of us for fruit etc and we will be heading inland regularly. As for missing Veg;- Choice of greens and decent potatoes, Fennel, turnips, Jerusalem artichokes, fresh Ginger, choice of Funghi, To name but a few of those that we were used to in Italy through the year.
I think that Mercadona/Supersol/Carrefour/Lidl etc have seen the last of us for fruit etc and we will be heading inland regularly. As for missing Veg;- Choice of greens and decent potatoes, Fennel, turnips, Jerusalem artichokes, fresh Ginger, choice of Funghi, To name but a few of those that we were used to in Italy through the year.
Sep 10th 2013 | 12:03 am
#37
BE Enthusiast
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 373
Re: moving to Spain; where to ?
On the topic of buying fruit and veg in the towns and villages around Malaga, the best places are often the weekly open markets or sometimes depending on season the local small family run shops where it was often picked that morning from their parcel of land and surplus is then sold. When shopping it is a good idea to buy where the price is displayed clearly, get a general idea of what the going rate is that week supply and demand will dictate, if there is no price showing always ask price per kilo before making selection.
Nov 14th 2013 | 2:02 am
#38
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Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 42
From: babylondon
Re: moving to Spain; where to ?
ok,
I was in Malaga, Granada and Cordoba 3 weeks ago, really enjoyed Spain, such a beautiful country!
I came to the decision, after my short 9 days visit - I want to stick to coast, or close to the coast, as the climate/weather is very appealing.
Granada and Cordoba (although I like both cities) are not for me
, I presume in summer it's madness there..
So now, my plans are aimed at Spanish coast, let's say from Malaga, to Xabia, east direction (although again I could be wrong)
I really love Malaga, beautiful city, sunny, not too busy/noisy, 15 min trip to airport, just by the sea (although the beach was nasty..). I think that moving a bit further from big city, could be good idea to rent a villa/finca cheaper, and also less noise, less buzz and maybe nicer beach.any thought on this ?
I was in Malaga, Granada and Cordoba 3 weeks ago, really enjoyed Spain, such a beautiful country!
I came to the decision, after my short 9 days visit - I want to stick to coast, or close to the coast, as the climate/weather is very appealing.
Granada and Cordoba (although I like both cities) are not for me
, I presume in summer it's madness there..So now, my plans are aimed at Spanish coast, let's say from Malaga, to Xabia, east direction (although again I could be wrong)
I really love Malaga, beautiful city, sunny, not too busy/noisy, 15 min trip to airport, just by the sea (although the beach was nasty..). I think that moving a bit further from big city, could be good idea to rent a villa/finca cheaper, and also less noise, less buzz and maybe nicer beach.any thought on this ?
Nov 14th 2013 | 2:22 am
#39
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 7,749
Re: moving to Spain; where to ?
[QUOTE=imissun;10991160 I think that moving a bit further from big city, could be good idea to rent a villa/finca cheaper, and also less noise, less buzz and maybe nicer beach.any thought on this ?[/QUOTE]
Sure, although the whole of the Coast that way is basically one big built up urban area, there arent really any peaceful areas.
If you want a detached villa/finca with gardens then you will have to go inland somewhat unless you have a very large budget
I really liked Malaga city because it feels real. It is a proper city and there are some nice but expensive places to rent in Malagueta or just East of there. That is where I would choose to live
Once you get to Torremolinos, Benalmadena, Fuengirola, some bits are nice enough (there are also really ugly terrible bits) , but there is much more of a tourist atmosphere and lots of "us and them" with the 100,00s of foreigners keeping themselves to themselves and not really mixing and doing what the Spaniards do.
Sure, although the whole of the Coast that way is basically one big built up urban area, there arent really any peaceful areas.
If you want a detached villa/finca with gardens then you will have to go inland somewhat unless you have a very large budget
I really liked Malaga city because it feels real. It is a proper city and there are some nice but expensive places to rent in Malagueta or just East of there. That is where I would choose to live
Once you get to Torremolinos, Benalmadena, Fuengirola, some bits are nice enough (there are also really ugly terrible bits) , but there is much more of a tourist atmosphere and lots of "us and them" with the 100,00s of foreigners keeping themselves to themselves and not really mixing and doing what the Spaniards do.
Nov 14th 2013 | 3:44 am
#40
Thread Starter
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 42
From: babylondon
Re: moving to Spain; where to ?
thank you for information,
by Inland do you think 10 km is Inland or it is still 'coast' ?
what kind of prices I should be prepared for for renting average size 2 bed finca/villa in that area ?
thank you for answer in advance
by Inland do you think 10 km is Inland or it is still 'coast' ?
what kind of prices I should be prepared for for renting average size 2 bed finca/villa in that area ?
thank you for answer in advance
Nov 14th 2013 | 6:16 am
#41
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,569
From: Finally now living in Lo Marabu, Rojales, and it feels like home
Re: moving to Spain; where to ?
You can find some amazing places with Sea views quite far inland, we have a view of some salt lakes but there is no boats there but you could fool many into thinking its the sea.
After we signed up to our place, we found some more and there is a guy down the road who has a two bed villa with a underbuild, own pool, nicely gated and driveway, its €450 without a deposit or contract, I do think its possible you could get that down further.
After we signed up to our place, we found some more and there is a guy down the road who has a two bed villa with a underbuild, own pool, nicely gated and driveway, its €450 without a deposit or contract, I do think its possible you could get that down further.
Nov 20th 2013 | 7:52 pm
#42
Just Joined
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2
Re: moving to Spain; where to ?
Hi,
Can anybody recommend a good lawyer/ conveyancer in the cartama area of andalucia?
Kind regards
N.x
Can anybody recommend a good lawyer/ conveyancer in the cartama area of andalucia?
Kind regards
N.x
Nov 20th 2013 | 8:12 pm
#43
Moderator
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 15,149
From: Costa Valencia
Re: moving to Spain; where to ?
BE is a very large expat website, so if you have problems finding your way around we have concierges who will try to direct you. The moderators for the Spanish forums are Mitzyboy and Fred James, moderators are there to ensure that the site runs smoothly within the rules of BE. Problems and complaints should always be addressed to a moderador who will look into the matter and deal with it efficiently and fairly. Our members who post in the Spain Forums are friendly and helpful with a wealth of knowledge of the issues of living in Spain. At the top of the page you will find a quirkily named thread called Free Beer which is full of important and useful information. Hope you enjoy your time participating in the forums.
Please let me know if you need any further help.
Rosemary__________________
Nov 21st 2013 | 1:02 am
#44
Just Joined
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2
Re: moving to Spain; where to ?
Thank you Rosemary.x
I can't see your suggested thread called free beer. Could you help? Sorry to be a pain. I'm still a learner.
I can't see your suggested thread called free beer. Could you help? Sorry to be a pain. I'm still a learner.
Last edited by nealube; Nov 21st 2013 at 1:07 am.
Nov 21st 2013 | 2:47 am
#45
Moderator
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 15,149
From: Costa Valencia
Re: moving to Spain; where to ?
Rosemary
