Any advice on the Nerja/Almunecar area

Hi,

My fiancee and I are planning to move to Spain around October/November, and wonder if anyone could give us some advice on the Nerja area? We are drawn to this area due to the year round climate, and also the fact we are skiers, and Nerja is in close proximity to Sierra Nevada, giving us winter activities.

I work away from home fairly often, so I would be grateful if anyone has any advice on the safest areas to live in, and also if there is a good community feel. Also is there much crime?

We are coming over at the start of October for a look around, so if anyone has tips on places to see, that would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Paul

lots of illegal builds in that area.

If buying do not use any lawyer recommended by the estate agent

Hi Paul,

If you are happy to consider inland as well as the coast, the Lecrin Vally or the western end of the Alpujarras (Orgiva, Lanjaron etc) may suit you.

The climate is great (more altitude so "slightly" reduced summer temperatures) and even closer to Granada and the skiing at Sierra Nevada.

Obviously a lot more rural, but lots of fully legal properties and significantly reduced prices at the moment.

Regards

John

Thanks for the advice.

I am not looking to buy, so not too worried about the illegal builds.

Also I think we would prefer to stay by the coast, but thanks for the tip anyway.

Hi Paul,

I suggest you might consider a trip to Lanjaron some time. A very charming place with lovely architecture..

Well worth a visit or stop over.

Cheers,

Jon

Nerja is stunning and calm! It is a lovely place to live all year round, not like other areas of the coast which become ghost towns, cost of living is cheaper than other areas of the coast.

People are very nice and welcoming.

I would highly recomend Nerja as a place to live.

Joan

Re Nerja and nearby coastal areas...what are the winter temperatures like?  I am liking the look of Figiliana as a winter retreat. Although it is only a few kilometers inland from the coast, it is situated at a higher altitude.  Is it colder in the winter here than on the coast itself?

 If you ask me i will see everywhere is cold once you have been here long enough! If you are only going to be over in winter you will find the temperature in those areas more than satisfying.

Joan

Hi there

I trust you have chosen where you are going to live by now, hopefully around the Nerja area. My house is in LaHeradura which is just east of Nerja. I love the area, my son and his family live in Almunecar which is a little further on. Wonderful places to eat in the area and I find there is a lot to do. If you look at our website you will find some very useful information about the surrounding areas.

Good luck.

Julie

Nerja is very well comunicated with Malaga, maybe 40 minutes to the airport, it is an area very visited by foreing people, many germans and english there, that is good because the local population its used to see people from other countries and you will not feel strange there, its not a dangerous area, but if you go to an isolated area on the mountain you will have to take special care protecting your house while you are away, but if you plan to look for an apartment in a populated area you will be safe

General recomendations: Don´t leave valuable things in your car, lock the door of the house, close the windows while away, avoid lonely streets and poor areas, mistrust anyone trying to help you if you didn´t ask for help, don´t be shouting i am a rich english tourist with a lot of money in my pocket, just be discreet, common sense.

This part of the coast its less crowded than Marbella, less rich people than in Marbella means also cheaper prices, but it´s a very well developed area, many new buidings where will be easy to find new cheap apartments to rent.

If you plan to go to Sierra nevada and return in the same day you will feel very tired, because you would have 1:40 hours to arrive there and also the heigh diference could give you a headache 0 metres to 3000 metres and 3000 to 0 metres in the same day makes a lot of different pressure the same day. Avoid Sierra nevada on saturday or sunday it is crowded, watch the snow report in Sierra nevada web before going.

Have fun

A brilliant reply, Anthonyo. We, too, are interested in checking out the Nerja region and your post is very informative and full of good advice..particularly the bit about going to the Sierra Nevada region.  I hadn't even thought about the effects of travelling from the coast to the Sierra and back again in a day. This is probably just what we would have done! By the way, I wish my Spanish was as good as your English.