Why move to Torre del Mar
Torre del Mar is a family friendly seaside town with an international melting pot of residents built along a long sandy beach front.
Originally a Phoenician and then later a Roman village built around the mouth of the river Velez, Torre del Mar was a successful trading port for fishing and agriculture for centuries. From 1796-1991 it was a major sugar producing area with a working mill and sugar factory that is now an industrial heritage site, museum and exhibition centre. It also served as a bastion against naval attack; there are no less than 5 watchtowers of Moorish descent standing tall today.
These days most people come for the beach. A 4 kilometre stretch of straight, palm-lined, pale sand that offers everything a family could need. There is disabled access, a children’s playground, fitness areas, a wide range of chiringuitos, water sports facilities, deckchair hire and lifeguards.
It is complemented by the Paseo Maritimo beachside promenade, which stretches all the way to the marina at Caleta de Velez. This walkway is brimming with restaurants, cocktail bars, market stalls and unique shops. Behind it, in the summer, a night market operates until the early hours and a row of clubs and bars on El Copo plays music into the small hours.
The Weekend Beach Festival starts in early July. This contemporary music festival draws crowds of up to 40,000 revellers to the town. For those that want to get away, the rural beaches of Chilches and Benagalbon are tucked behind craggy rocks. Caleta de Velez has a fish market and boasts a host of traditional seafood restaurants. The Baviera golf course is well known for its beautiful views and shoppers can find international high street stores in El Ingenio Shopping Centre. Explorers might appreciate trips to Malaga, Nerja, Torrox and the town of Velez-Malaga.
Community
This is still a Spanish town, attracting Spanish tourism. However, it has become popular with northern Europeans, especially with Germans and British families.
Property
There are several different districts within Torre del Mar: El Tomillar and the Jardines del Rocío are all close to the beach and amenities whereas El Capitan and Los Toscanos are further out along the river. You will find apartments in abundance in all of the areas. Those willing to part with more might opt for a townhouse, villa or duplex.
Amenities
The Paseo de Larios and the Avenida de Andalucia are where you’ll find the majority of shops. El Ingenio Shopping Centre is one of the largest in Malaga and there is a police station as well as high street banks, pharmacies and hairdressers in town.
Transport
The ALSA Bus Company runs local services around the town and into Velez-Malaga, La Herradura, Granada, Molina, Orgiva, El Palo and Torre de Benalgalbon. Malaga Airport – which is the closest international airport, is a 40 minute drive or just over an hour by bus.
Employment
Although like many tourist-led resorts, jobs in the services are what are generally available to job seekers, Torre del Mar’s proximity to Malaga means that there’s plenty of city jobs open to newcomers.
Health
There are several hospital outposts, medical centres and private healthcare providers in Torre del Mar, most of which are adjacent to the N-340 route that runs through the centre of town. The Hospital Comarcal Axarquia is in the north east urbanisation of El Tomillar.
Schools
The Blas Infante School provides education for primary aged children and the IES Miraya Del Mar, IES María Zambrano and IES Joaquín Lobato are all secondary level schools. Those looking for a British education will have to travel to international schools in Malaga.
Cost of Living
If you are happy to eat fresh, locally-grown seasonal produce, source Spanish brands at the supermarket and eat and drink with the locals, you can live considerably well for very little. Property in East Malaga is relatively low in price when compared with the western Costa del Sol.