Living in Malaga is all about enjoying life in the sun, surrounded by thousands of years of history. As a modern city cloaked in historic architecture, Malaga appeals to a wide range of residents and investors:
- International technology companies and their employees in search of a stable tax environment
- Digital nomads – The Executive Nomad Index report stated that Malaga was voted the 2nd best city in the world for remote working, after Dubai.
- Families looking to introduce their children to a new language and culture
- Retirees looking to enjoy a round of golf in the morning and a glass of their favourite tipple in the afternoon
- Investors -Malaga is the most searched city in the world on Airbnb for 2023
Malaga is the sixth largest city in Spain with 1.1 million residents in the metropolitan area and 580,000 in the city itself. 1 in 6 residents are foreign nationals who have chosen Malaga to live, work and retire. It is always good to learn some Spanish but it is certainly not necessary.
Malaga Coordinates: 36°43′10″N, 4°25′12″W
Living in Malaga Capital of the Costa del Sol
The Costa del Sol has been associated with sun and beaches for decades yet Malaga City has often been overlooked. Things, however are changing quickly. Malaga is has always been home to fantastic tradition, architecture, an open culture, and world renowned gastronomy. Finally it is being recognised as a world class destination.
Living in Malaga provides a host of benefits for residents of all ages. The cafe culture, the midnight ice-cream visits, the infamous afternoon siesta are great things to become part of your daily routine. There are sporting opportunities throughout the city and all over the Costa del Sol.
Investing and living in Malaga
Since 1992 when the Technological Park was established, growing numbers of multi-national companies have moved to Malaga. In recent years we have seen big names such as Google, Oracle and Amazon bring division headquarters to the city.
In turn, these companies also attract high salaried employees who need a home. Those that plan on living in Malaga for a period of years will buy a property. Short term contract staff will tend to rent a property and this has led to increased rental prices.
Whether you are looking to start a company, manage one or work in one, living in Malaga could be an ideal solution. Property investors will also be able to take advantage of the very strong rental demand.
There are a number of professional groups that have been established to encourage investment inn Malaga. Some provide guidance and advice, others can provide financial incentives.
Culture and History
Malaga boasts the highest concentration of museums per square kilometre in Europe. The Picasso Museum, Carmen Thyssen Museum, CAC Museum and the Pompidou Centre are just a small selection of the 42 museums in Malaga. The vast majority of these are in or very close to the city centre.
Malaga’s metropolitan area offer residents an exceptional quality of life, good health services and sun throughout the year.
Rich in culture, Malaga’s history goes back some 3,000 years and every corner offers a glimpse of it’s past.
Quality vs Quantity
This September, Malaga set out it’s plan to encourage more 5* hotels and properties. Having witnessed other cities becoming tourist traps, Malaga intends to become a sustainable destination which attracts wealthy families who appreciate it character and traditions.
in 2021 Forbes declared Malaga as one of the best cities in Europe for Americans to live, invest and work in.
In recent years thousands of North Americans have arrived in the city on vacation. Many now intend to purchase a property here. The direct flights between Malaga and New York have already far busier than last year. Bookings through 2024 are already showing a substantial increase. Malaga’s mayor, Francisco de la Torre is pushing to double the number of five star hotels within the next four years. If you are not yet ready to make the move, we have a range of pre-construction properties in Malaga available.
Gastronomy
When you are living in Malaga you will quickly get used to eating the famous ‘espetos’. These are sardines on sticks cooked over a log fire. You will often see these at the beachside bars and restaurant which are known as ‘chiringuitos’. Freshly caught sea food is a joy to eat in and around the city throughout the year.
We know that sea food is not for everyone and you can rest assured you will find some great alternatives. Malaga has a thriving gastronomy scene and new restaurants seem to be continuously opening their doors. From humble family restaurants offering an excellent value ‘Menu del Dia’ at lunch times through to eight (8) Michelin star restaurants. Whatever you budget you will definitely be well fed in Malaga.
The Arts
Malaga has always been a centre for the arts. Artists, authors, poets, sculptors, actors, singers and dancers have a long heritage in here. One of the most well known names is undoubtedly Antonio Banderas, who has become an inspiration for the city. He has invested heavily into the cities theatre and arts scene as well as opening numerous excellent restaurants. Prior to Antonio, Julio Iglesias lived nearby and for many years promoted Malaga and the Costa del Sol.
Nowadays there is a vast amount of filming done by major companies in Malaga, They are drawn by the architecture, the history and culture, but also by the city’s open arms to welcome them. This in turn has led to a growing number of agents opening offices and advertising for cast members.
Getting to Malaga
As of October 2023, Malaga and Madrid will be linked by two more AVE high-speed trains every day. This brings the total to 174 trains each week between the two cities. Once in Madrid you can also tie up with the rest of Europe.
Malaga’s Pablo Picasso International airport welcomes flights from over 170 destinations worldwide. in 2022, the airport welcomed 18.5 millions travellers. Number for the first 6 months of 2023 are considerably higher.
Malaga Port will see 117 cruise arrivals in 2023 which will bring hundreds of thousands of visitors to the city, albeit for only a short time.
Below is an aerial video of Malaga port which shows cruise liners at dock, ‘Muelle Uno’ with its shops and restaurants. The second half of the video show the commercial side of the port and the ferry terminal.
Sports and Hobbies
Love it or hate it, golf is a huge attraction. Within a short drive there are now over 70 golf course on the Costa del Sol. There is no wonder it has been dubbed the Costa del Golf.
With marinas dotted up and down the coast, there is a thriving leisure boat scene which caters for boats of all sizes.
Nature walks are a really big thing here on the costa. There are hundreds of miles/km’s of walking trails which can take you through the mountains behind the city or along the Mediterranean coastlines.
Football (soccer to you Americans) is huge. The local team Malaga FC has a massive following and even an expats group which follows the team on match days.
Basketball is also immensely popular the local Malaga team, named ‘Unicaja‘ after it’s sponsors, is always in the news.
A couple of hours to the west, there is a thriving windsurf scene at Tarifa, which is just the other side of Gibraltar.
Scuba diving is popular thanks to the warm waters and good visibility throughout most of the year.
Education
As befits a multinational city,Malaga boasts an array of excellent educational facilities. These include The British School of Malaga, La Colina, El Limonar, Europa, Leon XIII School and Malaga University. There are also a number of non-secular schools in the city. The Engineering campus of Malaga University has an excellent reputation.
With so much investment into Malaga by international companies there is a high demand for a well educated workforce. Many of the educational institutions are beginning to cater for these new, better paid careers.
Is living in Malaga for you?
Having read our overview of living in Malaga, is it right for you and your family? If so you can take the next step a look at some of the new developments for sale in Malaga …..click here it view Malaga properties
Where would you like to be?
Off-Plan Properties in Spain by Area
Malaga | Benalmadena | Reserva del Higueron | Fuengirola | Mijas Costa – Calahonda/Riviera | East Marbella | Marbella | Puerto Banus – Nueva Andalucia | San Pedro – New Golden Mile | Estepona -La Duquesa | Sotogrande