Hi Burgers - love the name but its made me feel hungry now!
Im near the Calahonda area - 150k sterling should give you a195,000 euros at a rate of 1.3 and you should get yourself a nice 2 bed property for that an still have enough to pay purchase costs.
As you are Im sure aware, the property market is not good at all for sellers, but good for buyers if you know what to look for and are careful! A 65 sqm metre apartment plus terrace and parking and storeroom should be in the region of 160-180,000 euros - not beachside where they are more expensive but you can pick those up from around 260k euros.
It does depend on what you want.
Crime isnt as bad as its made out to be - if you leave your car door open or house front door then its likely an opportunist will grab what they can. Violent crime is very rare. Just ensure you lock up when you leave the property and you will be fine.
Pickpockets haunt people at markets mainly and bag snatchers will grab form anyone in bars, supermarket parking areas and go for easy targets, so all just common sense really.
Enjoy your trip and we are all still living here so either mad or enjoying it! Ive been here 13 years, no plans to move away at all and luckily never beena victim of crime. Good luck