The "BEST" Expat City in the WORLD! (Malaga Spain)

InterNations released the survey results for The Best (& Worst) Cities for Expats in 2023 and we were fortunate enough to arrive in the best city (according to the survey) just a few days later.
Join us as we walk around the beautiful seaside city of Málaga in Southern Spain and share the pros & cons of living there. We can definitely see why expats love it so much, but it has a few drawbacks that might make you think twice about moving there.
Here's the link to the InterNations Survey Results: www.internations.org/expat-in...
Helpful Resources:
Our Blog: ameliaandjp.com/
Unconventional Newsletter: ameliaandjp.com/newsletter/
Ecuador Relocation Guide: bit.ly/3CbS6fA
Online Income eCourse: bit.ly/3oNUFBk
Taxes For Expats: www.taxesforexpats.com/clt/JS655
Traveling Mailbox: travelingmailbox.com/?ref=994
LingoPie: lingopie.com/?ref=ameliabasis...
Surfshark VPN: get.surfshark.net/SH19F
Charles Schwab: www.schwab.com/public/schwab/n...
Insured Nomads Global Insurance: www.insurednomads.com?ref=AmeliaAndJP
Wise Money Transfers: wise.prf.hn/l/xnPXLdj
SiteGround Web Hosting: www.siteground.com/index.htm?...
Airalo eSIM: airalo.pxf.io/c/2208666/12684...
(Some of these are affiliate links. Read our Affiliate Disclosure here: ameliaandjp.com/affiliate-dis...)
Our AMAZING Unconventional Supporters:
Joe Stratton
Leif Brogren
Jennifer Hughes
Susan & Rick Joyce
Byron Jacomo
Jose and Alexandra
Stephanie Davis
#ameliaandjp

[@AmeliaAndJP]

Planning a move abroad? Check out our NEW 12-month, action-oriented, Live Abroad Program (for any country)! We're going to launch it soon so join the waitlist today and we'll notify you when it's available. Plus, you'll get a MASSIVE discount if you're on the waitlist! ameliaandjp.com/lap-waitlist/

[@carkawalakhatulistiwa]

The best Live as imigran

[@robschmitt9745]

We moved here about 3 months ago and live in a neighborhood in the outskirts, which is almost completely Spanish and very friendly. We made a great decision.

[@ROBERT-bq1bw]

Then...Why aren't you living there ? What' s an extra half..1/2 day travel if it beats where you are currently living.

[@photopro100]

You’re able to communicate well there too?

[@pinkiepinkster8395]

How much are you paying for rent? Can I rent a tiny house outside of town for $500 per month?

[@MsLudam]

We are living here too, in Teatinos. I love this city. We are here almost 2 years, everything is very good and comfortable.

[@ash9x9]

@rob - Care to share the name of this neighbourhood?

[@MFQuinnCyclist]

Been here a month after two months in Medellin and Cuenca before that. OMG. I love this place. I feel so safe here. I’ve ridden my bike almost 700 miles and the motorists are so friendly it’s amazing. Did I mention I love this place?

[@tomlarson713]

Would love to connect with you to compare notes!

[@MrJx4000]

Nice review. That whole peninsula becomes an oven in the summer months and burns like hell, literally. I'd say, stay there for a month to see how long you can tolerate that heat--it's relentless, but it is beautiful.

[@calgal5752]

We were blessed to live in Southern Spain for 4 wonderful years, have returned often and plan on staying permanently. It’s my happy place. Glad you escaped Ecuador, sad what’s going on there. Enjoy your visit!

[@AmeliaAndJP]

We didn’t escape Ecuador. It’s still our permanent home. We’ve been planning to slow travel for several years once both our dogs passed. It’s not as bad there as the media makes it seem.

[@calgal5752]

@@AmeliaAndJP That’s good to hear. So sorry about your dogs. I lost both my chihuahuas this past year, I know how hard it is.

[@fluffy5534]

New fiber optic speed in my Cuenca condo is 450 meg up and down. Rent in the best condo in Cuenca is $700 for 2 bad, 2.5 bath. This includes home owner association and all the utilities. Love Cuenca.

[@AmeliaAndJP]

Cuenca Ecuador or Cuenca Spain?

[@Juanfernandez-sm8jl]

In Spain we reach upto from 100 to 1000 meg for personal use!!@@AmeliaAndJP

[@janewatkins9801]

Really enjoy your videos ❤. I lived in Andalucia for many years and your comments about Malaga are spot on 😊, except the metro does go directly to the airport now. When the xmas lights are on it can get ridiculously crowded on the metro, in fact I'm surprised no one has been crushed yet. Malaga is beautiful and is one of my favourite cities. It does get roasting in the summer but it's not as hot as Seville, which often gets to more than 40 degrees. The Botannical Gardens, on the outskirts of the city, would make a great day out. They are vast and full of all kinds of plants, flowers, trees and shrubs. The wisteria is fabulous in April and the black bamboo forest is amazing.

[@goldvideo]

Hey guys, I can assure you that Internet speeds in Spain are amazing. Most cities have fiber optics with up to 1000 mbps upload and download. That being said, I find that Spaniards can be quite frugal when they rent out their Airbnbs, so they order the worst level of service. Also 5G is readily available on your mobile phone and many companies have unlimited data and hot spotting doesn't cost extra. If you lived in Spain, you would have some of the best Internet, but renting Airbnbs can be dicey in that regard.

[@AmeliaAndJP]

We also checked restaurants and coffee shops to see if they were faster. They were not. Most were 10mbs. Seville was super fast but Granada and Malaga were slow in the city centers. A coworking space with 50mbs says it all.

[@goldvideo]

@@AmeliaAndJP Wow, that's incredible. While I'm in people's homes in Madrid I was getting speeds of between 500 and 1000 Mbps. And I just did a speed test on Movistar's LTE and 5G Network, and the reported speed is 279 Mbps download and 87.4 Mbps upload with 28ms ping time. And the Movistar plan has unlimited data and hotspotting for a very reasonable price.

[@fernandoperezdeayala1058]

Hey there! I can confirm what the op said. Even the smallest cities in Spain have fiber optic cable providers since REALLY long ago, Im talking more than a decade ago, possibly two. Its simply unfair to declare otherwise because it is false. Definitely you got unlucky with places where they provide the cheapest possible bandwidth. I can definitely even remember the merger of many companies that started installing the infrastructure back in the 2000s. I live in Huelva, a much smaller city and have 950 mbps both ways.

[@danielmurphy4429]

I was in Malaga a few years ago and enjoyed it very much. It is very walkable with much to do, including wonderful museums. Malaga has many fine eating establishments at very reasonable prices. The Spanish wines are excellent and inexpensive. I’d go back in a heartbeat.

[@davidgalvez5341]

If you're not super invested on having lots of activity options outside home, you should try some of the smaller cities in Northern/Central Spain, like Galicia, Asturias, La Rioja, Navarra, Aragon or Castilla y Leon. There are cities in those areas which don't get as hot in Summer and, although they can get quite cold by Spaniard standards, don't usually get as cold as the Northern cities in the US.

[@antonioperezosorio7647]

Hi From Puerto Rico. Great one guys. You could not choose a better time to Move some where else outside Ecuador. Love for you guys. Bendiciones y éxitos.

[@melissaalmodovar8938]

Hi! Boricua here too! Me encanta este canal!

[@catherineroth0945]

JP and Amelia we miss you guys soo much! ❤Come back to Cùmbayork!! 🙌

[@AmeliaAndJP]

Thanks! 😊

[@francois3475]

Good overview. I have friends who just sold their place in Malaga because of the summer heat (very valid point you make). I worry about you guys in Ecuador, given the recent developments. I can see why you're exploring Europe.

[@Marilu0121]

Ecuador is fine Our president is taking good care of the situation

[@dmorenol01]

Just a side comment. Frutos Secos are different from Frutas Deshidratadas, not only in Spain but also in many other spanish speaking countries. Frutos secos is the generic way of referring to nuts (or any other hard seed covered by a shell) and the like since they are naturally dry, not dehydrated. Frutas deshidratadas would be the apple, banana, pineapple or whatever other fruit you take the humidity off. I hope this clears this out for you.

[@ateneia]

In Brazil is the same thing! 🙂

[@jeromevered6535]

Just a note about the dry River. You might notice that there are three or four very large reservoirs (embalses) Above the city, including the one surrounded by El Caminito Del Rey, or the other one near the botanic Gardens, embalse Del Limonero If it’s not the rainy season, that is where the water is. If there were no dams, it would flow almost year-round. I say that living in California where we also depend on Reservoirs a great deal.

[@michaelc5769]

Another comprehensive, informative video that puts Spain on my list to at least visit. Considering recent events in Ecuador I know I (and probably many of your subscribers) would appreciate knowing you''re safe and well and your informative take on the unfortunate events in that lovely country, as well as your future plans. I'll be looking for an update as you're able.

[@AmeliaAndJP]

Our Thoughts About Ecuador Right Now… ameliaandjp.com/our-thoughts-about-ecuador-right-now/

[@curtisk595]

I lived in the Malaga area for 3 years - and after watching your video I felt there were a number of things I could expand upon. Good video and so much is true … I hope my comments add to the discussion/ learnings In 2020 I had internet that was 75 Mbps and I’m sure it’s been upgraded many times since then - with cell phone included I think it was around 60 euros a month. Internet companies/ deals could provided more information to availability and speeds beyond your unfortunate experiences. The local suburban train along the costa del sol stops at the airport and does connect with the local metro system having joint stops/ transfer points. I never experienced a stinky smell in Malaga so I’m not sure what was transpiring at the time you were there. Water is an issue/ drought shortages are real … and are likely to get worse. Also, did you hear about calimas - rains storms that have sand from the Sahara trapped in them and it rains mud … different degrees of severity and frequency, but good for a couple of them a year. Very true about slippery tiles/ marble/ walkways after rain. Hot - yes A/C is needed as throughout most of the summer high near 30 and overnight low at 6 am is about 24 and it is consistent like this throughout the summer with little change of weather. I used to say the weather was either hot and sunny, or really hot and sunny in the summer. In Malaga you at least can get breezes from the Mediterranean whereas inland (Granada, Seville) you do not get the breeze and it is much hotter inland. Just wanted to point out a Spanish cultural thing about children playing outside late at night often close to midnight (frequently with their grandparents) as too hot during the day … it took me a couple of years before I learnt this was normal (related to your safety at night video comments). I’ve been following your posts for awhile now and have really enjoy them (even more so your European exploration as I have checked out much of what you are now reviewing, and I had considered Ecuador as another adventure but not now) - looking forward to your continued Unconventional story

[@AmeliaAndJP]

Thanks for sharing! 👍

[@hmq2007]

Great information. Thanks!

[@ashvoj]

Thanks for the great info! Question about language: from your experience did you notice that most expats speak Spanish? How difficult is it to live there with just English?

[@lydian.773]

I was just visiting my friend there in September. ❤️ Yes. Very affordable and pleasant. A bit too hot for me in summer. But everything else was wonderful. Easy to make friends and enjoy life.

[@AmeliaAndJP]

Thanks for sharing!

[@chrisjuza1249]

The news coming out of Ecuador is scary, I hope your friends back there are safe.

[@AmeliaAndJP]

We heard from all of them yesterday. They’re fine. Lots of misinformation online and panic offline, but life is the same for most.

[@debraspence3559]

@@AmeliaAndJP have you left Ecuador or are you just on vacation?

[@robgilbert3395]

We were there for 10 days in November, just south of Cortes Ingles. No "stink" whatsoever. I think you may have experienced a backup.

[@surf01er66]

Beautiful, clean city !!! Great information .......Aloha

[@thurianknight]

My wife and I will be visiting/scouting Malaga in February -- can't wait! We deliberately planned a winter trip to see just how chilly it actually gets.

[@anorexicpitbull4714]

it´s chilly on some days, but pleasant on other days. Gets chilly at night, but overall pleasant temperatures. The winter is short. By march it is already quite warm again

[@Bartrum]

I think it's just cheap Airbnb owners for the slow internet because I live in Sevilla and have 800Mbps internet, mobile phone, and Netflix for 55 euros with Pepephone. I've been to Malaga about 7 or 8 times and haven't noticed the smell so not sure if something happened with the sewers while y'all were there. I am thinking about moving there, it does get hot in the summer but I have noticed it is usually 10-15 degrees F cooler than Sevilla. Anyway, another great video, thanks!

[@AmeliaAndJP]

We had fast internet in Sevilla (275mbs) but the co-working space in Malaga was only 50mbs.

[@ascendmeditation134]

Great video--thank you!

[@mohammedsharif2651]

We are from Southern California. We spent 4 weeks in Malaga to check it out (starting in September 2023) and your take on the city is SPOT ON. Great review guys 👏👍😀. It is for sure much cheaper than California (about 50% of the cost) but we concluded that it is not for us. We enjoyed Madrid much more than Malaga. Thank you for an excellent video.

[@twowheels222]

Curious ... what were some of the things that gave Madrid the edge over Malaga?

[@cachecow]

Those streets reminded me of Valencia. Have you been watching the news from Ecuador?

[@marcuscole4394]

Thanks for another interesting video post. A/C a definite must during the Summer. So many wonderful places that you've been to so far, it would be a hard choice. I can hardly wait to hear the place that just makes perfect sense to you. Happy travels, happy adventures.

[@RJ-go3sn]

Thank you so much, Amelia and JP! Your videos for expat's are so informative and filled with the kind of details that matter (like the odor!)! I have been considering Malaga, and gratitude to you for helping fill in some blanks for me! Safe travels!

[@JMoroccoMisterBoy]

Amelia and JP : Tks., much appreciative.

[@SHgeneral]

Excellent episode. Very interesting information.

[@NomadBroncoFan]

Hello JP and Amelia: I live in Greece and in November I visited many of the same cities you did. I loved Granada and fell in love with a Flamenco dancer. I will marry her one day, but she does not yet know this. 😂😂 Not sure if you made it to Rhonda, but I really liked that town as well, not that I could live there. Malaga was awesome and so is Alicante. Could live in either one of these cities. The VISA process is a pain with that silly 90 day rule on all documents, but I could get it done I guess. Thanks for your great videos and keep on walking. Hope the violence in Ecuador subsides. Gunmen crashing the television station during a news broadcast is not good. Take care and be safe. Best regards, William

[@estelamino6356]

Thanks for sharing

[@tomlarson713]

Malaga is a lovely city. English and Spanish spoken everywhere. Frist class city in southern Spain. Very safe, very clean, nice people...

[@skaidimusic]

I visit Malaga many times a year as I live only 30 minutes away. I don't recognize myself in stinky areas, I never noticed that. When it rains, which it rarely does, it's probably slippery to walk here like elsewhere. The internet is incredibly fast where I live and I end up saying that I agree that it is very hot a couple of months a year but you have aircon and centers you can drop in etc. Yes, it can be crowded in some places in Malaga since Malaga is a tourist destination. Living about 30 minutes from Malaga means a much more reasonable price level for rent as well. Anyway, very good video presentation of Malaga even I disagree with a few things you commented on.🙂

[@paulsteinberg521]

I live in the province of Malaga. We are experiencing the worst drought in 150 years. This would explain the smell. Malaga city is just one city along the Costa Del Sol. Visit Nerja, Fuengirola, Benalmadena, Torremolinos and Marbella they are all on the Coast. There are many stunning cities just 30 minutes inland. Have fun

[@radioactivebanana6774]

What are your thoughts on choas in Ecuador? Any on the ground news?

[@tracimorgan3695]

We visited a few years back and loved it, especially Rhonda that place was amazing and then got to take a day trip to Morocco, we want to go back and stay longer.. thanks for the video!

[@petek5523]

I’ll be in Malaga, and Madrid, mid September. Really looking forward to it. 🎉😊

[@Juanfernandez-sm8jl]

😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍Muchas gracias por el Video,, maybe you forget to talk about Picasso´s museum a place that deserve a visit!!

[@shuegottschalk]

My information is pre-pandemic. I visited Malaga for a week following an Easter 2019 week in Seville. April weather was perfect - sunny but not too hot. Great walking and street art tours, biking path along the beach (el Dedo) and lovely people. I also visited Ronda (lovely!) and Cordoba but as a short-term visitor I found Malaga the most relaxed, affordable and easy to navigate. Didn't notice a sewage smell, maybe that becomes more noticeable in the heat of summer. From Malaga I bussed to Valencia which I also found quite lovely, relaxed, and much cheaper than Madrid and Barcelona (which I spent time in back in 2010). Granada Spain was probably my favorite stop from that 2010 trip ( but I'm a small town girl at heart 😊). I'm glad to hear that y'all also bonded with Malaga, b/c it was my fave in 2019 😍

[@nala3038]

I guess Ecuador is off my retirement destination list.

[@KeithandPamBilyeu]

Pam here….I wonder if Starlink is available in Spain…goodness that internet speed is HORRID!! My sister in law lives in the NorthWoods of WI and Starlink is the bomb!! The upload speeds are insane!! Many countries I think are not going to ‘invest’ in upgrading fiber infrastructure if Starlink can do so well.

[@rickardjohnson4524]

I'm sorry and appreciate all your really good info, but I've been told or learned from the inner web that I'm a week end worrier and would like some info for short stays?... Love your content and learn a lot! Thanks...

[@joanfelt8069]

Hi love following you two since we were living for a few months in Mazatlan last year . We are now renting in Rincón de la Victoria for a month and agree with all you said .we have no internet. Very frustrating . Managed to find a couple of stores that sell a chip for my iPad and husband has 1 for his cell.. we also do not have a smart TV so only get a handful of Stations . All in Spanish .. Learning to not complain and be thankful . Our little town is 30 mins by bus to Center of town . Difficult to connect buses or to Metro to transfer without having to walk several blocks … We will be here for a couple more weeks. Thanks for your observations . You are spot on . Safe travels .

[@robindorrell9347]

It's good to know that you two are out of Ecuador right now.

[@DerekZing]

In Spain "fruto" = nut "fruta" = fruit

[@vmoses1979]

Thanks for that.

[@jerryharanczyk]

la muchacha= Fruta , el muchacho= Fruto

[@RetireandGo]

Portugal looks wonderful I have not been there for over two decades. Beautiful!

[@MyLatinLife]

Good intel!

[@brendacollinsdeeks7268]

We were in Malaga this past October and it was lovely. Good weather, good food and great experience. We think we’ll go back again for a longer stay.

[@debabanerjee9131]

glad that you guys left Ecuador in a timely manner ...look at the horrible lawless situation now

[@DondiniMontefusco]

Ecuador is safer than Malaga. 😜

[@Patrick_Ross]

@@DondiniMontefusco- if you really believe that, I have a bridge you might be interested in buying!😂

[@phatmonkey11]

@@Patrick_Ross I was in Ecuador during a coup in the 90's. People rolled massive boulders into the highways, blocking all travel and commerce. I could write a paragraph about everything that happened. I was never so happy to leave a country.

[@Marilu0121]

Ecuador is fine

[@missmomus]

You didn’t mention the suburban train which connects Malaga to the rest of the Costa del Sol for very reasonable prices. I was there last month and there was an ongoing government scheme which would allow for free trips if you took the train regularly- I think they have extended this to next year. Malaga city is ok but the beaches further out are a lot nicer.

[@curtisk595]

This suburban train also goes to the airport, Plaza Mayor (a great outlet mall) and down the coast to Fuengirola - and like mentioned, currently super cheap government subsidized travel option

[@stevebachmanrealestate143]

We are planning a trip in April. Starting in Madrid, then off to Malaga and then on to Estepona which is really where I have my heart set on.

[@davidchilton4301]

Great video. Malaga is definitely on our list. Interesting point about the internet. We experienced none of those problems when we were in Madrid and Barcelona last year, nor in Portugal the year before.

[@Juanfernandez-sm8jl]

In Spain we reach upto from 100 to 1000 meg for personal use!!

[@deborahkirkle9047]

Ecuador is so sad right now. You were not the first that made me aware of how gentle the people in Ecuador were.

[@suetrublu]

No, it's not. Cuenca is paradise. I guess it will stay that way if lots of folks focus on how "unsafe" based on what they hear on MSM.

[@mtm4a]

It's so good to receive complimentary comments about our city. Your fellow blogger Rick Steves was far from complimentary when he visited Malaga, and many people in the area took great exception to his dismissive attitude to the city. But well done to you!!

[@michaeljarrett8246]

Just spotted video on Malaga, I am there now, since New Year’s Eve. I certainly agree with all of your comments both positive & negative, except your experience of the central area being smelly. I am staying there now and have not any experience of bad smells. Slow internet is very frustrating though - seems to be quiet a common feature in Europe. I traveled extensively in Germany, Austria and France last summer, overall internet speed was poor in hotels and apartments I rented. Your channel is great, keep up the good work.

[@jerryc6999]

Enjoy your your videos! seeing the world through your videos! Wondering what the more rural. Subberb areas are like in Spain? Less odor I hope!! Less cost, too.

[@Accrecon]

Hello, from Atlantic Canada, I watch a lot of your videos and enjoy them . We have travelled to Fairmount in Spain and Portugal since 2016. We have found lots of great places in Malaga, certainly close to the top of our list. We flew there from Tenerife on the 1st of March and can I use that as a base for travelling around for the next six weeks, and then we went to the Algarve for the last two weeks while we’re in Europe . We absolutely loved Malaga. We stayed in the old part then walked out of her flat and there is a gelato store in a coffee shop . We spent a lot of time who won the waterfront, her in the old part of Malaga in the surrounding towns and white villages . Although there are lots of great places, I have to mention Nerja about 45 minutes to the west of Malaga, it has a wonderful cave system that you can explore. It’s very easy working as it is well laid out one of the best I’ve ever been to in the world. Enjoy your stay there if you’re still there and I look forward to your continuing adventures and hope your friends are safe in Ecuador.

[@Juanfernandez-sm8jl]

Welcome to my city!! good luck in your next journey!!

[@RichFerreiraIns]

Very nice pic of you two.

[@travelaroundlife]

thanks

[@cindyk3076]

That is a really pretty area!

[@roxyvelez3483]

I have not been to Malaga but I've been curious about it, so I enjoyed your video a lot :D thank u! Now regarding the negatives. Comparable to Valencia (where I got to live for a few months): We did not experience odors in the streets at all, we were there during winter too. And we did have very good internet! We work remotely for creative agencies, video production, etc. So this would have been very bad if we didn't have good internet! You guys should definitely visit Valencia....! BUT something in common of the low side is that like other south countries, it can get crazy hot in the summer.

[@dontbanmebrodontbanme5403]

I've never been to Málaga, but we were in Lisbon not too long ago and the slippery cobblestones everywhere were nuts. I'm very sure footed and in good shape and I was still struggling at times. We asked locals and one lady said she slips all the time on them when it rains. Btw, frutos secos, even though it translates to dried fruit, usually means nuts. I'm not a native Spanish speaker, but that's what I've always been told it means. Maybe a native speaker can chime in.

[@AmeliaAndJP]

Yes. Lots of people are chiming in on the mixed nuts. We know what frutos secos means. We said it in the video. But it’s a misnomer and confusing for us non-native speakers. The literal translation of mixed nuts is nueces mixtas.

[@photopro100]

I was in Lisbon last week and raining often on the cobblestones. Fortunately I anticipated this before the trip and purchased Under Armor (UA) walking/running shoes with non-slip bottom soles and I did not slip, even when testing them on the wet surfaces.

[@jakemorgan9275]

I've been to Malaga more times than I can count (having lived nearby for 6 years) and it's never had a bad smell. I think maybe there was a problem with the sewer system when you were there.

[@AmeliaAndJP]

Sounds like it wasn’t a common experience.

[@enjoystraveling]

Never been there, but it reminds me of Cadis Spain, the scenery and streets.

[@Layla51]

Valencia is on my wish list. Are you doing a video from there?

[@trentintampa9328]

Same! Going in March to compare Sevilla, Málaga, Valencia, and Barcelona. (I like bigger cities near the beach.). 🇪🇦

[@Juanfernandez-sm8jl]

Málaga, Valencia, Alicante, Granada, Sevilla, Barcelona, Madrid are the cities expaxt prefer!!

[@xen0_m0rph]

Slow internet is kind of a dealbreaker for KZbin creators. Thanks for detailing how bad it is there. Mbps = megabits per second, not megabytes per second. Keep the great videos coming! 🤩

[@jdtravels5140]

Sounds much more expensive than Southeast Asia. I’ve vacationed many times in Spain…mostly Costa Brava/Costa Del Sol.

[@davidahunt4699]

Hey I love your channel. I heard recently about the extreme violence in Ecuador. Are the both of you doing okay? Have you given everyone an update on your safety and situation?

[@RetireandGo]

I hope we get some updates I want to visit this year I’m keeping positive

[@sinnombre3855]

They're in Spain, have you seen the last videos? 🤣

[@LuisMartinez-ft9or]

My parents are from Ecuador and they tell me to avoid Ecuador at all costs. It's sad what's happened down there.

[@pierrepinard1066]

We were in Andalusia in April 2011 and we really loved it. So many places to see. I remember that while we were there we thought that it would be a nice place for us to retire. We enjoyed everything even less known places such as Ronda which we'd like to see again with Granada, Cordoba, Seville and Cadiz.

[@Juanfernandez-sm8jl]

Granada, Córdoba, Sevilla, Cádiz, Málaga, and Jerez de la Frontera!! 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

[@moonchild7456]

I know it must be work as well, but you guys are living the dream!

[@dinnerandamovie]

I agree for expats that speak minimal Spanish but if your Spanish is good then anywhere in Andalucia is Ideal. IF, you can deal with all the bureaucracy and government corruption. That being said southern Spain is still worth it.

[@kenswindle4860]

Beautiful video! This makes me want to visit Spain too. I just saw that Spain is the second most visited country in the world. I was shocked! Glad you both are staying safe.

[@imagesinla8575]

@@user-hq6hb2xv4n I am kind of surprised as well because whenever I talk to people who've travelled to Europe it's always England, France, Italy, Greece . . . rarely do I hear from folks who even desired visiting Spain. Well, that's people in Southern California anyway. I personally loved Spain when I visited.

[@Maria-js9ou]

@@imagesinla8575 But, do you know, there are more people in the world than North Americans? And these people visit Spain!

[@imagesinla8575]

@@Maria-js9ou No, I didn't realize that. Wow! Learn something new everyday.

[@Maria-js9ou]

@@imagesinla8575 Glad I was helpful!

[@phatmonkey11]

@@user-hq6hb2xv4n Not everyone has that on their radar. I had no idea either. My travels take me elsewhere. My guess is most people feel the same. Unless maybe you're European or travel there frequently. I even went to Europe once. It was crowded, stank, and people were rude. Never again.

[@photopro100]

I was in Malaga last early October and the weather was a bit warm but not summer hot. It is a nice city.

[@AugustoLugo1983]

I love Malaga, best fried calamary ever. wine is super cheap and delicious, another great video by Amelia and JP

[@nunyabidniz2868]

When I return to Spain in a couple of years, I'll be visiting perhaps the furthest point on the peninsula from Malaga, that being Galicia. But I'm sure there will be plenty of time to visit Malaga & points between as well... 🙂

[@davidryder3374]

My wife and I spent 10 days in Andalusia last month, likely around the same time as you guys. We loved the weather in Malaga, but the prices were ridiculous in the popular tourist areas. We found a suburb about 15 minutes away that was much more reasonable, but still well within easy driving distance to Malaga. It was largely populated by people who worked in Malaga.

[@fdm2155]

I'm looking to do a Spain discovery trip within the next year or so. I'll add Malaga to my list of cities to visit. I'm hoping to spend 5 or 6 weeks bopping around.

[@Juanfernandez-sm8jl]

Cantabria, Santander, Asturias ,Gijón, Galicia, Coruña, Pais Vasco, San Sebastián try it!! you´ll never forget!! 😘😘😘😘😘😘

[@JB-uw5yh]

Looks like a great spot if you like walkable city type activities and culture, the ocean, that is safe, affordable, and civilized.. Everybody has different criteria and there are always compromises, but way more stable than South America!

[@TheWolfyDaddy]

Have you considered Graz, Austria? I grew up there and it is a fantastic place with lots of variety close-by. World-class skiing a bit to the North, excellent vineyards to the South, hot springs to the East, and beautiful forests and lakes all around. Graz itself is a vibrant city with a world-heritage city center, 3 universities, and a great local cuisine.

[@ChristopherX30]

I don't think they are into places that get cold like Austria does. Also, is Austria nearing the expense of living in Germany? I just can't see these two going for that.

[@phatmonkey11]

@@ChristopherX30 But it does sound nice.

[@NomadBroncoFan]

You are right about Austria. Have spent time in Austria in 2023 and it is just too expensive for the average Expat. Nothing a few million $$ would not cure IMHO 😊

[@AmeliaAndJP]

Austria is where my family is from so I would love to spend time there, but they have no visa options for most people so it’s lower on our list of places to visit.

[@NapoleonDynamyte]

@@AmeliaAndJPVisit or live?

[@josephaugello1527]

Rainfall is 21inches a year ave high low 60s in jan that similiar to LA

[@WoJackHorseman24]

I'm close to getting a German passport. I was thinking of staying in Germany for the spring and fall, going to Estonia for the summer, and Spain for the winter. Keep the weather mild for most of the year 😊

[@SandraHof]

Nice review of the city! I was in Malaga and Benalmádena about 6 years ago. I enjoyed them both very much. Malaga felt a bit like where I was born and raised near the ocean in Southern California. But I could not do the heat in the summer and the expense of air conditioning it would require. I am perfectly happy being an expat in Poland, enjoying my cold and dark winters!❤ Plus we have fast and cheap internet!😉

[@gabip412]

Do you really enjoy Winter in Poland? The short, cold, grey days? That’s quite impressive!

[@NapoleonDynamyte]

That sounds horrible

[@SandraHof]

@@NapoleonDynamyte For me it is the best time of year. I hate warm or hot weather. I hate bright sunlight. Spring/summer are the worst seasons for me . Hey, someone should be in a good mood in winter and that would be me!

[@SandraHof]

@@gabip412 Yes, I look forward to the winters here! I thrive physically in colder temperatures. My body hyper responds to the least bit of warm weather. If it is above 60°F it is too warm for me. Plus I hate bright sunlight. I hate summer weather and I am not thrilled about spring because it is leading to summer. I used to love heat and sun as a So Cal beach girl. But things can sometimes change with age. I am 68 years old now and have Hashimoto’s Disease. That messes with the body’s internal thermostat. Plus, winter clothing is more fun for me as I love boots, wearing layers, scarves and hats. If I could, I would live in Finland.😄

[@photopro100]

@@gabip412 🌥️🌫️💨I wonder about that 🤔

[@magnolya8]

Ecuador 😞 After being in Mexico for a year, I’m considering Thailand/Cambodia/Malaysia. It is another world away from my daughters, yet I know providing them with options outside of the states is the most important move I can make at this time in our lives.

[@LawrenceStevens01]

I would reconsider Thailand. The air quality is not good December through March in Chiangmai and Bangkok area.

[@tobyo99]

Ah, me encanta Málaga....and we had hoped to retire there. We were supposed to be gone by 2020. Yep the year that changed everyone's lives. Now we're even older and have decided not to move there. BUT, loved this video as it's one of my favorite cities in Spain and we're going back in May. Yay!

[@ivanpojdl1620]

The importance of safety is an American way of thinking. Always concerned if other places are safe even if coming from one of the unsafest places.

[@LiMuBai]

Seems nice, but I think all and all I'll keep my faith in Ecuador improving, I'm tired of the unbearable summer heat in TX, so Malaga is not a good option for my family, and slow Internet is a no go. I went to Ecuador during the summer and the Netlife plan where I stayed was 600 Mbps, and I was able to work perfectly.

[@CoddiwomplewithGloria]

Thank you. I was just up the coast at Playa Vera for a month. It was perfect for getting work done. Good internet and very, very, VERY quiet. The weather was perfect, the beach was beautiful and there were almost NO people. I understand it is a big summer vacation/second home area for Eastern Europeans. The 90 day rule drove me out. I am in Egypt now, where I can stay as long as I want ( over 60 rule) but the heat will drive me out just about the time I can return to the Euro zone.

[@Patrick_Ross]

The U.S. Department of State recommends against traveling to Egypt due to ongoing terrorist activities. Hopefully you are taking extra precautions!

[@daniel385]

Helpful advice. Thanks!

[@robvann]

We are snowbird Canadians living near Malaga in Fuengirola for a few months. In trying to "live like a local" we are mostly walking and using public transport, and have enjoyed the SENIOR discounts for bus and train if you look hard enough. We love the vibe of this old style part of Spain, combined with modern amenities. Our internet in the AirBnB is 120MBS here. We also write a non-monetized yesRetired blog, and would love to meet you while you are in the area. Drop us a note if that could work for you. We will buy you a coffee.

[@Buckaroo801]

How do you deals with visas if staying longer than 3 months?

[@Mark-vx5xm]

Hey guys, it might be interesting to see any alternative living arrangements to apartments/condos such as RV parks or possibly even marina living if those are viable options in your travels, especially since JP talks about living out of a backpack, lol. It is quite common in the USA as you most likely know. Thanks for your content, good information.

[@alipainting]

I've never seen a US style RV park in Europe, but lots of campsites. RVs are not driven in Europe due to lack of space and the cost of gas. Campervans exist though.

[@annaartesana2622]

RVs are called motorhomes in europe and they are everywhere.Many are the size of citybuses especially those from Germany and Netherlands. They are extremely common with a well and long-established network of parking options both free and paid, as well as campsites.

[@RedSinter]

Whats the US Safety Raing I'd be interested to get the overall stats for Countries etc.on Safety and Health Stats...

[@BaintonTV]

Excellent job, guys, very nicely produced! My only concern with Spain is its tax situation vis-a-vis Portugal (which I know is eventually dropping its attractive tax scheme for Americans moving in), and, of course, there's Italy, given the fact that my wife is Italian, and we go back and forth. Am surprised about the smell and the Internet, as Italy, typically, does NOT these two problems, though, any time you're in Southern Europe, you're going to find very dry, hot weather during the summer...at least you don't have the horrid mosquitos which drove us nuts while living in Boca a few years back. So happy to see the both of you thriving, happy, and 'youthening'! P.S. JP, you're making me jealous as your Spanish is improving remarkably...after 40 years married to an Italian, I'm an absolute imbecile with foreign languages, just getting by. God bless, and safe travels!

[@naiman4535]

Seems like a very beautiful and enchanting seaside city! Sorry I didn't have the patience to sit through this long video - I just got to the part in which you said that it had a low cost of living - but that's all relative, I suppose. Another thing, maybe the biggest thing when we're talking about the European Union, is the possibility of getting a long term visa there - not so easy in the EU...

[@pabs8]

Your channel has improved tremendously. Now it reminds me the Rick Stevens show, minus the wine drinking :)

[@williamwuolo8926]

Wow! It's been a while. You guys look great never age. I guess that good Expat Vegan living is working for your guys!

[@AmeliaAndJP]

Thanks! 😊

[@juankmaney6872]

Why "expats" if you all are inmigrants?... What's the problem to use the word "inmigrants" if you relocation to any country is attending the immigration offices in those countries?

[@enjoystraveling]

@@juankmaney6872 Just curious, why do you think the word Expat is not a good word to use? Why can’t a person use either or of those words immigrant or Expat ?

[@jmyonan]

Hi JP...love your videos. Very good information and presented well. However, one heads up for accuracy...there is a big difference between Megabits and Megabytes. The Internet speeds you are referring to should be quoted as Megabits or Gigabits. There are 8 bits in 1 byte. I hope this helps! Take care!!!

[@AmeliaAndJP]

Yes. I think you're number 32 to point that out. It was a simple mistake and I'll never get that mixed up again or the internet might break.

[@jmyonan]

@@AmeliaAndJP It's the OCD in me... 🙂

[@elvico2216]

Every time i go to Spain, the first thing i can smell is the drains but you get used to it. Great vid

[@diradeb]

I'm in Realejo in downtown Granada and it stinks to high heaven. Old plumbing and sometimes sloppy new plumbing too.

[@RK456-tj1ie]

wonder about medical there? Local insurance possible or are prices at hospitals reasonable like Mexico? etc. Thanks