POLL: Costa del Sol - Reality in 2022 - Is it safe? Is it a place to be?

There are two parts of Costa del Sol, 'where the Spanish live' and where tourists seek to buy & rent homes, in good Spanish locations you will find hardly any apartments empty,. I think the rule being just like restaurants, 'if full of Spanish a really good one' and the prices will be reasonable, Spanish people know the nicest 'communities' to live in. You mention 'noisy neighbours' ? In Spanish communities always some noise, be it the 'sound of children' or motor bikes, people do not tiptoe around, that's part of the wonderful vibe. Many Brits who move to Spain want, Highcliffe On Sea in the sun, or a sleepy English village, where folks use baby sitters & leave the kids at home for their evening meal. The real heart of Spain is the people, in particular in the Towns & Cities &.folks should check out 'Old Town Malaga' and where Antonio Banderas has his penthouse on the 6th floor, above a restaurant, a stone's throw from the historic city monuments of the Alcazaba Moorish fortress and the Roman Theatre, his balcony has views of the Picasso Museum. That's the 'real Spain' & where the magic is, however, many Brits never even go into this magnificent city, they leave the airport & head down the coast and never see the real treasure of Malaga. 'My advice explore and understand Spain before you buy'. 

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I have always felt safe here. As everywhere in the world there are struggling people without support and also criminal activity. For me personally I feel safe where I live and wherever I go in Costa del Sol.  

As for the empty property alot of that is from the crash in 2008.  Squatting is a problem as the laws are not stringent enough.

Reading the history of the Spanish people will give you more insight into life here and understand the transition the Country is still in.  For me, I love it here but nowhere is 100% perfect.

Hi Kerri - "As for the empty property a lot of that is from the crash in 2008.  Squatting is a problem as the laws are not stringent enough"

.CONTRARY to popular belief there are no laws in Spain that grant squatters the right to illegally occupy a house.https://www.theolivepress.es/spain-news/2022/01/21/explained-the-laws-you-need-to-know-about-squatters-in-spain-and-how-to-evict-okupas/

Over building is a problem here & still building like crazy all over the Costa del Sol, one of the reasons the 'punitive taxes and social security' on income. Capitol gains tax is about 19% the lowest tax and on which no social security, for example people invest in futures, such as new builds at a discount. Also I note many northern Europeans like Scandinavians very active in refurbishments to sell on, knowing that capitol gains the cheapest tax level. However, it all amounts to a 'huge surplus and empty properties', in particular outside of the Spanish communities, where they buy into a life style, mostly close to friends family & facilities, where you will find few empty properties. 

With the climate here it could be the 'California of Europe', but the punitive taxes do not attract global investment, it's not a good place to employ people and run a business or even to be self employed, where unlike UK no cap on paying VAT (UK over 80K) Tourism and Property are king, what they need is investment and good jobs, unemployment the highest in Spain. Construction without economic growth is crazy and why so many squats, 

Like you I never felt unsafe & happy to walk the streets at anytime of day or night, however, I do life in a Spanish community. 😀     

'Have a nice day' - David