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Hello people,
Have just joined this site in order to try and gain more extensive knowledge of Malaga.
I am flying out there beginning of August to live and work for a couple of months then hopefully if all goes well, i'll be off to another country depending if Malaga is a success for me.
What i would like to know is, are there many jobs anywhere in Malaga or close by? I have heard that construction is fairly easy to get into??
What is the community like, nightlife etc.
All in all if any of you could give me some advice, anything at all, i would most appreciate it, as this is the first time i have done something like this before so am a little nervous lol.
Many Thanks
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Not sure where you heard it was easy to get a job in construction! The whole industry is in tatters with thousands having been laid off. You'll be luck to get a job in that industry unless you have a very specialised skill which there may be some demand for.
Jobs in general are very difficult to get. Unemployment is increasing all the time now so you will, in all honesty, find it very difficult.
Justin
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Schools in Spain Guide | The Expat Files | Learn Spanish | Earn a living in Spain
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Ahh right,
Well i must have heard wrong then!
Where would you recommend me to go to start with? because i said i have never travelled alone before and really want to see the world, im choosing Spain because my friends have travelled there, including Malaga so they advised me to go.
Am just a little stuck thats all, need a small guide in the right direction.
Thanks for your reply Justin.
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The World is a big place. Actually, so is Spain, so without knowing a tad more about you, it would be very hard to really recommend where you should start.
Justin is spot on about construction - forget it!
Malaga is a lovely city, but unless you speak Spanish, forget work all together. Head along the coast instead, to resort land. Torremolinos is the first resort you'll come to. You'll find it friendly and very cosmopolitan. You may, if you're lucky, pick up some work in a bar or restaurant, but it's by no means easy. The nightlife is quite lively. I'm guessing from your handle that you are a 20 something male, probably used to the clubs of Romford or Southend? Unless you are gay (no offence meant), you'll probably find the scene in the next resort, Benalmadena, more to your taste, though! (On the other hand, if you are gay & single, you'll think you've arrived in heaven!!)
Failing that, keep going down the coast to Fuengirola and beyond until you find something. You'll meet plenty of other young people out to see the world, there are plenty of reasonably priced hostels to stay at and pick up tips from other travellers, and you are sure to have a great summer.
If all goes well and you manage to pay your way and save a bit, I'd suggest heading off to Morocco afterwards. Once you leave European shores behind, you'll really feel like you're on a journey of discovery, and the memories will be with you for the rest of your life.
Mmmm.........wish I was young and carefree again! No damned credit crunch to worry about. 
_______________________
"Get your facts first, then you can distort them as you please"
Mark Twain
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Roberto, that was a great help!!
With little knowledge you know about me, you almost had my age correct but you were out by 1 year! I am 21 coming on 22, and feel that i need to see the world while i'm still young. With the Romford/Southend Scenario, yes you are 100% correct on that, i love to party but at the same time i have to pay my way. Especially now i will be travelling to Spain, i will need every penny i can get my hands on! I am hoping when i arrive at Malaga, i 'could' find something job wise that will tick me by, i am not bothered about what i do, just so long as i get paid for it, and helps pay my way. I understand it will be hard finding a job, but i am very determined to do this as travelling is something i have always wanted to do.
I am currently living in 'sunny' Essex, working for a health and botanical company which is ok if you just want to earn a few pounds to pay for a few clothes but it is to be honest a dead end job with no excitement nor career progression. Ok i am not saying Spain will be the complete answer to my dreams but i know from my heart that it would be one of the best moves/decisions i have ever made. Not long ago i had a girlfriend who in my view was holding me back on the things i wanted to do, but did not have the courage to go do it as i am not the type of person to break someones heart just like that.
Anyway on more of a positive note!! I will be arriving at Malaga Airport 7th August, but the thing is, is that i am finding it difficult to find a hotel, i mean i don't want no posh hotel with gold taps and a jacuzzi, all i need is a bed, bath and a toothbrush. So.... if you know of any hostels/hotels you would recommend along with prices (if you can provide) then i would be very grateful. Also what is the public transport there like? are any good places within walking distance etc? All in all, if you could tell me anything that would be of benefit to me i would appreciate that too! Who knows, i may even but you a nice cold pint if i see you!!! lol
To be honest i am pretty nervous going it alone but if i don't do it now, then i never will.
Thanks for your help so far Roberto
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"i may even but you a nice cold pint if i see you!!! lol"
Ha!! You got me! 
First bit of advice, get a decent guide book. OK, Spain is not that hard to figure out (I landed in India at your age without a clue, or a guide book), but whilst plenty of people (like me!) will offer advice, a bit of impartial info never goes amiss. Try Lonely Planet or Let's Go. Also, although you've found a great website here, it's mainly aimed at property buyers in Spain, so it may be a good idea to surf a bit more for a travellers / backpackers site and forum where you'll be able to communicate with other like minded individuals.
But for now, here's a bit to help you on your way.
From Malaga airport, there's a good train service along the coast as far as Fuengirola. It also will take you into Malaga itself in the other direction, and you'll find plenty of hostels there. I think you'd really enjoy Malaga - it's got a lively student scene, but like I said before, for work, it'll be tough.
If you decide to make Torremolinos your first port of call (it's only a few stops and about 10 mins on the train from the airport), you could try this hostel: http://www.theredparrot.net/ It's bang in the centre of town, has a bar and small pool, and now that I know you're more likely to be breaking girls hearts on this trip, you won't feel uncomfortable there at all!!! In fact, just around the corner is Tina's Bar, where I think you'll quickly find the kind of people you'll be looking to meet up with. You may even get to hear of any jobs going. On the jobs front, have a look at the sits vac in the local English language papers like Sur in English, to get an idea of what may be available: http://www.myservicesdirectory.com/Category/recruitment/situations-vacant/
Good luck, enjoy yourself, and ¡buen viaje!
_______________________
"Get your facts first, then you can distort them as you please"
Mark Twain
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Haha!!
Yeah i will be buying a guide book friday as i have a day off. Ooo India!! What was it like? i bet the culture was sort of breathtaking wasn't it? I have been researching the whole of last weekend and this week so i am pretty prepared but still need a little more guidance as i don't want to go out there and think 'ohh no why have i come here' attitude you know. 'I think you'd really enjoy Malaga' glad you said that as it has put alot more confidence in me now!! My friend who i work with is spanish, he has family from Malaga - Marbella, was asking him what it's like out there, he said it's excellent!
As for the touring side of it, my friends have been advising me to go to Torremilinos, i have read up on it, and looks very good from what i have seen and read upon. All i want is to arrive there, find my feet for a few days, then ask around of any jobs there maybe, even if its collecting pint glasses etc, i really am not bothered as i see it as it's a start. I will look at the sites you have given me in a little while, at current i am just writing out my plans, ie; costs, places to go etc etc. I was meant to have gone to Switzerland last September to work for an offshore company called Devere & Partners but they was not a company who they made out to be, so that all mucked up for which i sold everything to go. Which to be honest is one of the reasons as to why i am nervous about going to Spain, but on the otherhand i haven't got anyone to answer to for the time being until i find a job.
'' I know you're more likely to be breaking girls hearts on this trip, you won't feel uncomfortable there at all!!!'' that got me!!!!!!!!! :) lool.
With regards of meeting other people out there, i don't think i will have any problem with that as that is another reason why i am there.
How long have you been out there? if you don't mind me asking? Are you spanish? Ohh and yes i need to learn abit more spanish, that is my main concern, my friend has been trying to teach me which i am sort of getting the hang of but seem to forget how to say the words lool.
Anything else you think you could advise me on would be very much appreciated :)
Ohh and one last thing, what are like,, the food costs etc? roughly?
gracias mi amigo!!
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I have lived in Spain for 11 years. No, I'm not Spanish, in fact, half of me has roots going back to Sarfend! 
But I came here to live and work permanently (as much as anything is permanent), whereas you have stated that you want to get out and see a bit of the world. Do not lose sight of that goal. I see many young lads who come to Torremolinos and such places with all good intentions of broadening their horizons, only to get caught up in the "scene", spending all their cash on partying and never saving enough to move on to seek out new adventures. It's good that you're not setting your sights too high(collecting glasses etc.), because it will be tough to find anything more rewarding at first, but try to avoid getting stuck in a rut. Spain will seem exciting at first, but it can quickly become Southend with sun if you forget why you set out in the first place.
Do try to learn a bit of Spanish, and sample as much of the culture as possible. It will make it so much more rewarding when you look back in the future. For example, try to get to Granada to visit the Alhambra Palace - it's right up there with the Taj Mahal for wow factor, but so much easier to get to!
If you are around Torremolinos still during September, you'll be able to experience a true Spanish Feria - a week long party the likes of which you'll never find down at the pier on a Friday night!
On food costs, obviously if you can self cater you will save, but if not, it's possible to eat quite economically from take aways, and there are also many typical Spanish eateries where you can get a decent 3 course midday meal (menu del dia) for around 6 or 7 euros, including a beer or wine.
¡Mucha suerte!
_______________________
"Get your facts first, then you can distort them as you please"
Mark Twain
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Good old Saaaafeeend!!
O right i was going by your name 'Roberto' which i first thought ahh he must be spanish lol! Very weird that you're from Essex, as you're the first person i have spoken to since joining this site! But it's all good because you have an idea of what i am talking about regarding 'sunny Essex' etc. But moving on swiftly. How was is for you when you first moved out there? Did you find it difficult finding work? Yeah my dream is to see more of the world as while all this is still fresh in my head i am determined to take a crack.
Yeah the 'spending all my cash' is one of the things i will HAVE to be very careful of, i am a bit of a party animal. But i know once i am out there 'alone' i will need to be money orientated, in other words make it last until i find work.
Collecting glasses does probably seem abit daft but as i said previously i am not fussed do something like that to start with. WHEN i find work out there, i will be saving up enough cash to travel somewhere else. BUT if i really enjoy it in Spain then i will stay much longer!
Learning spanish is a concern but my colleague is spanish for which he has been teaching me a few things, but seem to forget the next day of how to pronounce the words lol!!!! ****slaps head****
As for visiting Granada, i will have to go and see how good it is, if i don't like it then i'll come looking for you!!!!!! lool.
Ohh did you mention a WEEK long PARTY?!!!? well i think i will have to have some of that! Would be very rude not to go wouldn't it just! haha.
Sorry if i have just blabbed on abit but it's early in the morning, i have so much to say but i don't want you to get annoyed of these extra long essays lol.
What do you do for work? if you don't mind me asking, do you have family there with you? etc etc.
gracias mi amigo!!
Yo necesito ir al trabajo!
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Hi Essexlad! Good luck with your move - I hope everything works out well for you. As Roberto has mentioned, you will probably get work in a bar along the coast but the pay will be terrible. If I was you I would look a bit further along the coast down towards Gibraltar. There are lots of cheap hostels and you may well find construction work in Gibraltar - there is still a hell of a lot of construction going on there. Many people work in Gibraltar but live in Spain (I do), as the pay in Gib is considerably more than in Spain. Plus, you have the bonus of English speakers and so it could be a little easier for you at first! There are literally hundreds of young people just like yourself so I would imagine you could easily find a flat-share or something similar. Anyway, just thought I would give you something else to consider - good luck and happy travelling.
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BusyLizzie! Thank you for the positive comments!
I hope everything works out for me too! Just a little nervous lol! Considering im only 21, i have always since i left school wanted to go travelling. My friend Nick went to Malaga last January to start his travels, he found some bar work and worked as a waiter too. But i understand how hard it will be finding work but isn't everywhere?
Yeah as Roberto mentioned, i will most probably find some bar work along the coast or something, i don't care what i do to start off with, as long as i get paid for it! Was thinking of going Gib but have been recommended Malaga by alot of my friends so my mind is set lol.
How long have you been out there? What made you go? How far is Gib from Malaga?
Currently i am learning Spanish, (no joy as i keep forgetting how to pronounce the words the next morning!!) lol.
Anyway, this site has been a huge help! So thanks to you and Roberto for all the advice you have given me so far! :)
Hows the weather anyway? Raining in good old SUNNY England!! haha
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Essexlad and Roberto - I really enjoyed that little interchange! Didn't have you down as an Essex boy Roberto - do you have bling and a Ford Escort (with blacked out windows)?  Haha. Sorry for stereotyping!!! Good luck Essexlad, hope all goes brilliantly for you - sure it will.
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Haha! Well you know what Essex is like Vick!!! well if ever you have been there that is!! lol.
See Roberto and i like to drive around in our MK3 Ford Escort XR3i, blacked out windows, a huge dustbin size exhaust and a blonde bimbo in the passenger seat smoking Sovereign superkings! haha only messing.
Where you originally from Vicki?
And thank you for the kind gesture! maybe we could go for a drink! hahaha.
Adios!
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I'm a Bournemouth bird - could probably do the bimbo thing though......
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Hi again Essexlad!
Well, Malaga is a great city with lots of things going on. If you don't mind what work you do (I had to work in a bar for almost two years until I found a "decent job") I'm sure you will enjoy it and have no regrets about making the move. I moved out here around 15 years ago with my then husband but we split about 5 years ago. I literally started my life again here in Spain with a few euro coins in my pocket! Yes, it was difficult at times, but I have no regrets whatsoever. I simply love Spain and the way of life here, and couldn't bear the thought of having to move back to UK. I have now made a very nice life for myself, I have a lovely new house, nice car, partner and lots of friends. I thank my lucky stars every day for my lovely life but I have worked hard (& still do) to get where I am today. Spain is not for the work-shy unless you have lots of dosh!
If you can speak a little Spanish as Roberto says it will help you immensely. The Spanish really appreciate that you are trying and they will often help you out. Far too many people arrive here and expect everyone to speak English! Although, of course, if you are along the coast in the Torremolinos/Fuengirola area you may never use your Spanish lol!
The public transport in Spain is excellent. You can get a bus from Malaga to Gibraltar (well actually the bus stops at La Linea and you have to walk accross the border into Gibraltar (passport essential or you will not be allowed into Gib). It is worth a visit. I think most people either love it or hate it. The buses in Spain are very reliable and very cheap, although sometimes a little slow. For instance I think the journey by bus from Malaga to Gib/La Linea is around 4 hours although you can drive it in a car in around 1 and a half hours.
And the weather ..... well that is a BIG bonus! We probably won't see rain now for a few months, just the sun smiling down on us everyday.
I know you will love it here in Spain. Just forget your nerves (we all have them) and really enjoy the experience and all that Spain has to offer, i.e. the culture, weather, great food, cheap drinks (mostly) and the beautiful countryside too. And, as well as the Alhambra, Granada has some pretty good skiing in Sierra Nevada too so you really will have the best of both worlds here. I am sure you are making a move which you will not regret.
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blonde bimbo = rubia tonta 
That's my name from my other half! Nice eh? 
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Shouldn't that be Tonta rubia....??
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Thinking about it, I think either could be correct, depends which one is the article - La Rubia or La Tonta (I've been called both!!  )
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VickiT many thanks - my other half would not have been able to explain it so simply!
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