Moving to Vélez-Málaga
Matthew’s article this week concentrates on moving to Vélez-Málaga.
Moving to Vélez-Málaga: Old-school Costa del Sol
Moving to Vélez-Málaga: Ups
Vélez, as the natives call it, is a municipality with plenty of history and a 25-km stretch of sumptuous shoreline. Beautiful beaches include the nudist Bajamar and buildings include the predictably palatial Palacio del Marqués de Beniel which dates back to the 17th century.
If you love older-style and traditional towns and villages in Spain, then you should definitely add Vélez-Málaga to you shortlist – especially bearing in mind its proximity to Málaga International airport (expanded upon below).
Downs
Youth unemployment currently stands at 43% in Spain (at time of publication). If you move to Vélez-Málaga with older children, you might find their future employment prospects rather limited. This goes a long way to explain why the area is more popular with retirees and digital nomads over those looking to put their feet on the first rung of the traditional career ladder. Of course if your youngun can speak Spanish – this will help them in their future career.
Ins and outs
Capital of the Axarquía comarca, Vélez-Málaga is home to La Axarquía-Leoni Benabú airport (LEAX). However, you can only depart and return here on the same day, on a pleasure flight. Landing at the international Aeropuerto de Málaga, you’ll reach Vélez-Málaga in just over 40 minutes by following the A-7 in an easterly direction.
Education
As opposed to the west of Málaga, the east of the province has a dearth of international schools. One of the better-regarded Spanish schools is the Colegio San Jóse, located close to the church of the same name. Bear in mind, however, that this is a semi-private concertado which means you will have to pay for your child’s education when they enter the sixth form. Although Spanish state schools aren’t perfect particularly with an emphasis on learning by rote, many expat children have flourished at them including the institutos in Vélez-Málaga.
Shop until you drop…
Torre del Mar’s Centro Comercial El Ingenio houses more than 100 shops, a supermarket, and a cinema. In Vélez-Málaga proper, on Lugar Arroyo Hondo, you’ll find Modas Guirado which dresses men well from young to old. Over on Calle Cristo, Sipecusa’s a great place to pick up gifts for family and friends.
Property in Vélez-Málaga
Apartments and villas are the main property for sale in coastal Vélez-Málaga. Fincas are thinner on the ground, though, as Vélez-Málaga is more of a built-up urban area than fruit tree country.
Market watch
Town houses and villas on the market in Vélez-Málaga can start from as low as €40k but rarely reach the millions.
In Praise Of
“Vélez-Málaga is authentic and very Spanish. Tourism is slower than in the west of Málaga, with a good balance between the numbers of locals and foreigners. What’s remarkable is the presence of lots of creative and artistic people from all over the world!” – Prisca Sinay (El Toko).
- Are you an expat living in Vélez-Málaga? What do you like/dislike about it? Let us know in the comments section below.
- Are there any additional areas of Spain that you’d really like to see featured? If so – drop a comment below, or email us on info@spainbuddy.com We may have already covered the area you are thinking of, but if not then it gives us another one to research for you.
Matthew Hirtes, our resident broadsheet journalist, moved to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria back in 2004. He’s travelled extensively through Spain, covering it for such publications as Telegraph Travel, Metro, and The Independent. The author of Going Local in Gran Canaria: How To Turn a Holiday Destination into a Home, Matthew truly is a resident expert.
Matthew writes for two sections of Spain Buddy: Moving to Spain and Spanish Football as well as providing Reviews
