Newby

It's Estepona. Always helps to spell it properly. It's a nice, in fact some might say fabulous, town, the gem of the costa del sol. It's not a war zone. It has shops, supermarkets, restaurants, bars, doctors, dentists, hospitals, the beach, sea, mountains, whatever you are looking for really. And an airport at Malaga and Gibraltar. As with anywhere where there are people it also has drugs, hookers, crime. But you have to go looking for it. Normal people living normal everyday lives rarely run into it and are largely unaware of it. Just like in most places. My advice would be to come and see if you agree. As the saying goes, one man's meat.....

Thank you for the the spelling lesson.  I will remember.  I appreciate your response, sounds very positive. Looking forward to the adventure.

Do you know yet where you will be staying or based?

We want to look in the Estepona area. We see that a number of the agent will collect from airport and escort etc.  I have looked at reviews of several Agents and have shortlisted a couple that appear to be first class. And advice appreciated.

I have no experience of that aspect in terms of being collected from the airport and suchlike I'm afraid. I could be off base in saying this but I tend to think that by doing something like that you are almost sort of trapped in that you are completely in the hands of that agent and what they are trying to promote. Personally I would opt for a more self sufficient way, get yourself an easyjet or ryanair flight to Malaga, rent a car or get the bus to Estepona, rent an apartment or stay in a hotel for a few days and get out and about so that you get a feel for the area in general, on your own terms and according to your own timetable. I am more than happy to recommend a knockout & highly professional agent who, in my opinion, is head & shoulders above all others on the coast, but I'll only do that if you want me to. That said, if you are comfortable with the planned/escorted viewing trip that you are suggesting then go for it....as I say, I have no personal experience of that so I wouldn't want to be either positive or negative about them. There is a lot of development in the area, especially now that Estepona seems to have stolen Marbella's crown, so you have a choice of new build or resale property across a fairly wide range of budgets....

Thank you.  That’s most helpful.  Watch this space.

I'll keep an eye open for you and how you progress and if you do need any recommendation just yell, always happy to help where I can :)

Thank you

Yes, Andy is completely right ! do it your own way like I did a couple of weeks ago.