Where in Spain (appointed, living, restaurants)

[davemahler]

I would like to take a trip to Spain for a few months.

Please advise as to the best place for me:

These are the things that are important to me:

Good year round weather (not too humid, mild temperatures)
Mountains / Beautiful outdoors
Modest Population Density (Less then 1,500 people per square mile)
Lower cost of living on average
Healthy / Fresh food
Friendly to Americans

We will plan on learning Spanish before we come if we ever get the chance.

Thank you.

[senoritacharlene]

Originally Posted by davemahler

I would like to take a trip to Spain for a few months.

Please advise as to the best place for me:

These are the things that are important to me:

Good year round weather (not too humid, mild temperatures)
Mountains / Beautiful outdoors
Modest Population Density (Less then 1,500 people per square mile)
Lower cost of living on average
Healthy / Fresh food
Friendly to Americans

We will plan on learning Spanish before we come if we ever get the chance.

Thank you.

If you dont want it to be too hot in the summer, you will need to head for the coast. Down here in Malaga it reaches around 42c in August, whereas inland it can reach 50 and the hot air is awful!

However, if you want somewhere with alower population and density, you may want to look at Ronda, it is on a hill, is quiet and isnt too far from Malaga for city life. The fersh fish and salads etc down here are amazing, and the cost of living is relatively low. As for friendly to Americans, you will find a mixture wherever you go. Most young people and families are very receptive, especially in Ronda, but there are a few bad eggs everywhere!

When are you coming over? Good luck!

[pigeonhole]

Down here in Malaga it reaches around 42c in August

On the other hand, I was there in February, it was 12°C and raining...so the Costa Del Sol is not pleasant either in winter...

[davemahler]

Originally Posted by senoritacharlene

If you dont want it to be too hot in the summer, you will need to head for the coast. Down here in Malaga it reaches around 42c in August, whereas inland it can reach 50 and the hot air is awful!

However, if you want somewhere with alower population and density, you may want to look at Ronda, it is on a hill, is quiet and isnt too far from Malaga for city life. The fersh fish and salads etc down here are amazing, and the cost of living is relatively low. As for friendly to Americans, you will find a mixture wherever you go. Most young people and families are very receptive, especially in Ronda, but there are a few bad eggs everywhere!

When are you coming over? Good luck!

I don't know when we will be able to come. I expect an economic collapse over here in America so it kind of depends on if that happens and for how long. We also need to save up money and learn Spanish.

I don't know if that is dry heat but that seems pretty hot. I prefer a year round temperature range between 1C and 30C if possible. I am from new England. I just don't like how cold it gets here in the winter.

[senoritacharlene]

Originally Posted by davemahler

I am from new England. I just don't like how cold it gets here in the winter.

It gets pretty cold in the winter here too!

[davemahler]

Originally Posted by senoritacharlene

It gets pretty cold in the winter here too!

Well I was checking Madrid and it seemed to have a range from about 2c to 32c. That is still better than New England. Our lowest is about -5.3c.

Any other suggestions for places?

[clongirl]

I really loved the area around Malaga (a coastal town called Nerja along the Costa del Sol) in particular. Fabulous food, beach, and sights. Granada also, very beautiful city.

[senoritacharlene]

Originally Posted by clongirl

I really loved the area around Malaga (a coastal town called Nerja along the Costa del Sol) in particular. Fabulous food, beach, and sights. Granada also, very beautiful city.

Nerja is great! Granada is beautiful, but it's much hotter there than along the coast. Avoid anywhere in-land if you dont like it being too hot. I'll have a think about where else to go...

[davemahler]

Nerja. Looks beautiful. Great climate. Looks like a winner. Anything else I should know about the area?

[clongirl]

Restaurants galore- very tourist friendly. Seafood is excellent in Spain- cheap and abundant! There are many English living around this area so if you're ever stuck for understanding the language (there's usually a very helpful Brit nearby to help translate!).

The town of Ronda is not too far of a drive and a definite must see- Incredible place.

I don't know about the consistency of the weather, but when we went at Easter time two years ago, it was freezing, rainy and hailed for most of our holiday (this was probably unusual though) but considering we were trying to get our yearly sun (coming from Ireland) it was very upsetting. It's a beautiful country and you won't be disappointed.