Ideal Climate
The province of Malaga is blessed with a subtropical Mediterranean climate which lends itself to very mild winters with little rainfall and hot summers with very little to no rainfall. Summer to Autumn tend to be fairly humid because the sea water is at its warmest and feels apparently warmer than the actual temperature, especially with little wind. Malaga famously enjoys plenty of sunshine and can boast over 300 days a year of sunny days and only 40-45 days of rainfall. All these factors make the province a fantastic option for those who enjoy an active lifestyle, love the outdoors, and appreciate nature.
Fun fact: Malaga experiences the warmest winters of any European city, so it’s no surprise that 6 in every 10 new residents is an expat.
Did you know that the largest community of foreigners in Malaga is British? Followed by Moroccans, Italians, and then Ukrainians.
Affordable Cost of Living
If you compare Malaga to the well-known Dutch capital of Amsterdam, you would find that average rental prices are 55% lower, and that average grocery prices are also 30% lower. Malaga is the sixth most populous city in Spain with a population of 578,000, and the entire Costa Del Sol has a total population of around 1.4 million.
With the demand of a population this size it does mean that prices are not the cheapest in Andalusia but when compared to other European cities it is relatively much more affordable.
As with most places, there are cheaper and more expensive areas to live, for example, property to buy in Marbella comes with an average price tag of €2,506* per square metre, whereas in the town of Coin, a mere 30km inland from Marbella, you’ll pay around €1,406psqm* for a property there.
*calculated Dec 2022
A big part of Spanish culture, particularly in Andalusia is eating out and it’s something that most people do on a fairly regular basis - this is where you get a real bang for your buck!
A plethora of eating options awaits, whether it’s a churreria, café, tapas bar, or Michelin-star restaurant, you are undeniably spoilt for choice. If you’re a foodie at heart this makes the province of Malaga an excellent choice as restaurant prices are 68% lower when compared to London.
Culture
Malaga is one of the oldest cities in Europe with a recorded history dating back over 2,800 years. Many different tribes including the Bastetanis, Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans and Moors have invaded and conquered Malaga over the years and this has heavily influenced its heritage, architecture, and cuisine. You only need to look at the Roman amphitheatre in central Malaga, and the Moorish citadel of Alcazaba to see that history is all around. Nowadays as a Catholic country, many traditional festivals linked to the church are a big part of local people’s lives, but perhaps the most famous are the Easter processions which attract huge crowds and run over the course of a week known as Semana Santa (Holy Week). Each city or town carries out its own festivities and it is free to attend for all interested.
Cuisine
Closely tied to its heritage is food – famous foods on the Costa Del Sol include olives, almonds, grapes (and wine!), fish, churros, paella, shellfish, sweet wine, and local fruits and vegetables. It is no surprise that Spain has one of the healthiest diets in the world, all thanks to its homegrown produce and fresh seafood found in abundance here and its attitude to eating as a family or group and also the smaller portion sizes, also known as tapas.
Fun fact: The Phoenicians named Malaga after malac (to salt) as Malaca since the town used to be a Phoenician port used in the export of salt fish.
Did you know that Andalusia is home to some of the oldest cities in Spain including Seville, Granada, Cordoba, Cadiz, and Huelva?
Lifestyle
Many people who live on the Costa Del Sol are fortunate to lead an active lifestyle, in part thanks to the agreeable climate, and also that it is second nature here to enjoy an outdoorsy lifestyle with most people making the most of the abundant natural beauty, beaches, mountains, and cities.
An array of activities is on offer should you wish to indulge.
Golfing
The Costa Del Sol or otherwise known as the Costa Del Golf has established itself as a golfer’s paradise, with near perfect climate meaning that most days are ideal for indulging in a round of golf. Over 70 golf courses are on offer with world-class hotels and resorts to boot. Rest assured, you are never very far from a golf course if you are on the Costa Del Golf.
Padel
This type of sport is very popular in Spain but it in fact originates in Mexico, it is most similar to tennis and squash and is played within an enclosed court and usually in doubles. Padel courts can be found in abundance and are spread across the Costa Del Sol so if taking up a new hobby is something that you would like to do, go ahead and try it!
Hiking
Thanks to the various mountain ranges, from Malaga to Mijas, to La Concha in Marbella there is no short supply of hiking trails. In fact, it is a Spanish tradition to go on a family walk on the weekend and end up at a rural eating place known as, a venta and you might even get lucky to find one with a roaring fireplace, sure to warm the cockles on a cold winters day.
Cycling
Andalucia is one of the top cycling destinations in Spain and the natural mountainous topography lends itself well to this particular sport. There are over 5,000 annual cycling races held in the country but perhaps the most well-known is La Vuelta which is held in a different region every year.
Did you know that 20% of people who live in Spain list their bicycle as their main form of transport?
Aquatic Sports
Life is lived very much around the beach or ‘costa’ many months of the year, and some of the nautical activities you can enjoy are sea swimming, pool swimming (indoor or outdoor), SUP, diving, playing in aquatic parks, fishing, boating, sailing, kayaking, water-skiing, kite surfing, surfing, windsurfing and snorkeling.
Fun fact: The water temperature around the province of Malaga is 19C, with highs of 25C in the summer months.
Running & Walking
Perhaps the most popular place to walk on the Costa Del Sol, besides the mountains is at the ‘Senda Litoral or coastal path which is established in many municipalities on the Costa Del Sol including Marbella, Mijas, Fuengirola, Benalmadena, Torremolinos, Estepona and Malaga. However, there are grand plans in place to link over 200km of trails following the entire coastline from Nerja to Punta Chullera at the border of Cadiz.
We have already helped numerous families relocate to this beautiful part of the world and we can guide you with our trusted network of English-speaking professionals to help you and your family do the same.
Contact us to find a property on the Costa Del Sol today!
