Hello All-
My husband and I are off to Spain in 2 weeks and will start in Barcelona and then make our way down the coast via train. Our first trip was many years ago in other areas so this is more focused on warm, coastal regions. The goal of the trip is to find cities/towns where we can see ourselves living. After Barcelona (purely vacation as we don't think we could afford to live there!), we will go to Valencia, Alicante, and Malaga; perhaps Estepona as well. We have two weeks planned as my vacay time is limited.
Does anyone have any recommendations along the way that might have creative communities- both Spanish and expat- where you've seen people living a cultivated but simple lifestyle? High heat is not an issue since we are currently in the central valley of California where temps last summer topped 110 for over two months. I suppose AC will be a must and that presupposes no extended blackouts. So much to think about and any thoughts you may have are welcome!
Posted by
Surrey, UK
321 posts
First things first - the train only goes as far as Fuengirola once past Malaga going west.
I lived on a boat for 12 years just the other side of Estepona, so my experience is that side of Malaga.
There is a fair amount of coastal development, but it is not high rise or spreading too far inland.
Estepona is charming and largely unspoilt.
There are white towns inland from there that have a creative expat community eg Gaucin.
Going back eastwards , from Marbella all the way towards Malaga it is high rise tourism.
From my point of view, most unattractive.
The possible exception is Mijas Pueblo (not Costa).
Older houses have thick walls and small windows to keep out the heat.
Modern places and apartments have (largely) individual ac.
Power supplies are pretty good (except for last week!).
Properties inland can be quite good value, as older people are moving down to the coast for modern houses and access to hospitals!
The British expat community has shrunk a bit post Brexit.
You will obviously be doing your homework about residency and taxes.
This forum may help: https://www.costadelsolforum.com/
Or this:https://www.expatforum.com/forums/
Posted by
new york
449 posts
We spent five nights in Denia last November and I imagine that small city would be a lovely place to live.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thank you both for your replies! Duly noted and will report back once we've explored!!
Posted by
North Italy
502 posts
We stayed in Denia for a few days and that area in general seemed very pleasant. In particular in Denia there's building going on - smart apartment blocks but not high rise. Here's some information on places we saw in that area:
https://slowtravelitalyspain.blogspot.com/2025/04/denia-calp-altea-or-javea.html?m=1
Further south Almuñécar where we spent a week one November had a very cosmopolitan feel although a lot of high rise