Torremolinos was the first town in the Andalucian region to be developed for tourism in the mid twentieth century and as such is probably one of the best known. Like most towns on Southern Spain´s Costa del Sol, Torremolinos was once a fishing village before the developers moved in and concreted so much of it. There is now a move away from overdevelopment and the local council is replanting and regreening the area.

Getting There

Malaga is the closest airport, which is heavily trafficked and acts as a base for a number of budget airlines as well as offering connections to other Spanish airports. Trains run between Malaga and Torremolinos every half an hour.

Expats

More frequented by tourists than expats, Torremolinos can still lay claim to its fair share of expats, particularly those from the United Kingdom. Thanks, too, to its popularity with UK tourists, Torremolinos has a good number of English-speakers, which can make life a lot simpler for those who have just arrived and are yet to learn the language.

There are good State and Private schools in Torremolinos, but no international schools. The closest internationals are close by in Malaga (about 17 km away). International schools in Malaga proper are the Mayfair Academy (http://www.mayfairacademy.com/), Sunland International School (http://www.sunland-int.com) and St. Anthony's College (http://www.stanthonyscollege.com/). Waiting lists can be long, so enquire as soon as you can.

Getting Around

Thanks to Torremolinos´ strong tourist history, public transport here is frequent and reliable. Buses run to Malaga every half hour and there is an extensive (and regular – a rare and wonderful thing) network in and around other nearby towns as well. Trains are equally efficient, making Torremolinos one of the few Spanish towns you can live in without immediately needing a car.

Settling In

It is so important for an expat to begin learning Spanish as soon as possible. While classes and other tools are great, it is good to expose yourself to the language as much as possible. Keep a radio on during the day, or Spanish TV, and just let the sound of the language wash over you. It is amazing how much you will absorb without being aware of it and this subconscious learning enhances your more formalised studies.

Property

Torremolinos property is more expensive than other Spanish towns and even more expensive in summer when it is at its enchanting best. Renting a two bedroom apartment will set you back 750 Euro per month and buying a two bedroom apartment is a huge block of flats will cost around 150,000 Euro.