Nerja is one of the most popular places on the Costa del Sol of Spain that expats consider moving to.
We interview locals and find out just what living in Nerja is REALLY like.
Should YOU move to Nerja?
We attempt to answer all your most popular questions to help you decide if Nerja is the place for you or not. Some people have certainly moved to Nerja and not enjoyed their new life in Spain.
For other related advice, see our popular moving to Spain page and our jobs & work in Spain page.
Moving to Nerja
If you are thinking of moving to Nerja, then you must read our expat interview with Terry Tweedy of Villasol Real Estate below:
Terry, what would you say would be the advantages to living in Nerja compared to other Costa del Sol towns?
Nerja has sometimes been called the jewel of the Costa del Sol, as it still retains the friendly Spanish village atmosphere as there are no high rise buildings allowed.
What proportion of the local population are Spanish?
The local population are predominantly Spanish with several nationalities having a sizeable presence including people from the UK and Ireland, Germany and Sweden.
Would the area not suit certain types of people, i.e. are there any possible downsides?
Although there is an abundance of bars and restaurants in the area and a designated night spot area in Plaza Tutti Frutti, it would probably not suit the jet set type of person as there are no up market expensive night clubs in the town, and there are no big chain fast food outlets allowed.
What are your favourite things to do in the area?
There are various clubs and associations in the area catering for all types of hobbies and interests from Petanque, to amateur dramatics, to photography, to bridge clubs and of course there are two 18 hole golf clubs within a 20 minute drive, and in the winter time there is skiing in the Sierra Nevada’s and then of course there are several beaches to relax and swim. And of course if you wish to socialise there are many Spanish tapas bars offering a superb range of delicacies.
Are there many facilities such as doctors and dentists, shops etc?
The area is well catered for with regards to medical assistance, as there is a medical centre which is manned 24/7 plus many private doctors and dentists. The area boasts several large supermarkets, hairdressers and many shops supplying everything you would expect in a thriving town.
Are there smaller villages nearby that you might also recommend?
Within a 20km radius there are many white villages to visit like Frigiliana which has won several awards for its appearance and character and many other white villages set in the hills.
What are the nearest international schools and how good are they?
There are several good Spanish schools in the town together with two private International schools, one in Almuñécar and the other in Malaga both with their own coach service for the pupils.
Is crime an issue for expats?
In my years of living in Nerja and surrounding area it has got a good reputation with regards to crime, mainly with opportunist thieves and petty theft. I do not recall any gun crime.
Coming onto buying property, what is the market like now in terms of prices going up, or down or staying the same?
With regards to property purchase, there has been a steady increase in value over the last 12 months albeit a moderate one. Confidence has returned to the market, and well presented properties in the range between 85000 Euros and 400.000 Euros are selling quite well. But above this threshold the market is still quite slow.
Is this a good time to buy and are there any repossessions or very cheap properties still available to buy?
A lot of British clients are concerned at this time because of the UK’s pending departure from the European Union. With regard to repossessions this part of the Costa del Sol was not so badly affected by the recession and very few properties have come on the market as a result.
What urbanisations are there and can you describe each one and how they might differ from each other?
There are many urbanisations around the town with the majority being well kept and maintained.
Any tips and advice to people looking to buy in Nerja or surrounding area?
When buying, it is necessary to check the fees before making a decision, because the urbanisation fees can vary from urbanisation to urbanisation considerably. And one of the most important things to bear in mind is to get a good and trusted Spanish lawyer to act on your behalf who also is fluent in your own language to guide you through the legal maze of buying a property here in Spain. Property prices are in line with most other coastal towns on the Costa’s, with Nerja being a little more expensive than Torrox or Frigiliana, with prices decreasing the farther one goes from the coast.
Terry, thank you so much for taking the time to help our readers with your experiences in Spain. If you want to contact her, you can find her details below.
Villasol Real Estate
Calle Antonio Millon 10
29780 Nerja
Malaga, Spain
Tel. +34 952 527 201
Email: info@villasolrealestate.com
Website: www.villasolrealestate.com