Hi People
Am new here but have had a quick look round some threads and you all seem like an informed bunch, so hoping you might share some wisdom

We are looking to relocate to Spain but are quite limited in our area knowledge and so am hoping for suggestions as to areas we could explore...

My partner would ideally like to be 20 mins or so away from Calahonda due to family having property there and because there also appears at least on paper to be a Montessori school in Marbella but happy to consider anywhere with a coast, schools and a good climate (we're not into surfing)- is there anywhere so close to Costa Del Sol that isnt like Britain dumped in Spain? Given what we've read about Del Sol, am not sure we'd be offering the children any better quality of life than now (a polluted sea, little job prospects, high crime rate etc) but do those living there find it different?

Last thick question of the day - we've always found Del Sol to be hotter than Blanca, but everything online seems to say not; is crime high around all the Costas?

Cheers

Try researching the east of Malaga - Axarquia. Are you looking to live near the coast or inland. I am sure there are many areas with low crime levels if you are away from major tourist areas.
We are here with children and are so glad we made the move.

Will give it a google thanks Doh seem to have lost a chunk of my message somehow (luckily am not hunting an IT job ) I thought I had mentioned would ideally like to be upto 20 mins away from coast, possibly more for a fab location iykwim.

Thanks re the crime - everyone I have mentioned it to has just said avoid the Costas as crime is rife; have never had any problems personally and to be honest my biggest concern is violent crime as is on the increase here in the UK. If you dont have great Spanish knowledge though it feels a bit like sticking a needle in a haystack to locate areas that does have an English community without being "Little Britain".

Thanks again

There is quite a lot of info. on the area. Try this website as it is quite good.
www.absoluteaxarquia.com
For coastal areas look for Rincon De La Victoria, Chilches, Benajarafe, Almayate, Torre Del Mar, Caleta De Velez, Torrox, Nerja. Places that I have heard about or visited inland are Competa, Sayalonga, Frigiliana, Vinuela. But there are (obviously) many others.
We are living in a village near the coast and were surprised that there were quite a few British people here. We are very close to the towns of Torre Del Mar and Velez-Malaga. It amazing how quickly you meet people. There are few bars owned by Ex-pats which makes it easier to meet people than in areas where there are lots of British bars. We haven't heard about any crime in this area though as with everywhere it must happen but certainly nothing violent.
Feel free to PM me if you want anymore information.

Thanks again, that was the site I had found via googling and it looks lovely. Are mosquitos a problem in that area? Am sure I remember my parents visiting Nerja and saying it was mosquito attack, but could be getting mixed up with Algeria LOL

Will do further googling and no doubt take you up on the PM offer
Cheers

I was attacked daily when we arrived in August (so I suppose there is some violent crime here!). But my children had about 5 bites between them and my partner hasn't been bitten once! We are quite away along the coast from Nerja.

I second the recommendation of Axarquia - especially the area round Rincon de La Victoria. Very Spanish in character. It always surprised me that you could still see undeveloped green fields next to the beach!

I lived in Competa for a bit and it is a wonderful beautiful place and only 10mins drive to the beach

Hi, Why not do a Google on Cadiz province and the Costa de la Luz! You might like what you see and read!

Hi Mama May, I live in Torrox village with my wife and children and work in Nerja. The best move we ever made and should have done it years ago.

Shep.

HI
WE HAVE A HOUSE IN BENAMARGOSA IN THE AXARQUIA AREA, LOVELY PLACE, GREAT WEATHER, AND THE HOUSES ARE STILL QUITE CHEAP.

Thanks everyone, its much appreciated and I'm checking them all out, thing is now theres so many to choose from

HI
WE ARE A FAMILY FROM WALES, WHO HAVE A HOUSE IN BENAMARGOSA IN AXARQUIA, WE ARE LOOKING FOR FRIENDS FOR OUR 11 YEAR OLD SON, WHO GETS A BIT FED UP OUT THERE, WE GO OUT MOST SCHOOL HOLIDAYS, thumbsup:

Removed email address to stop you getting spammed, they can contact you by clicking your username. jdr

I too am Welsh and used to live in Triana, down the road from you.
Small world.
Yechud Da!!!

hi keddyboy
what made you leave triana ? and wats life like in alhaurin el grande.
take care
DEB