December 06, 2022

Jan & Ylva changed from Nerja to Málaga

Jan Agesand and Ylva Ljunggren from Stockholm moved into their apartment in the Limonar district east of Málaga city center this fall. They came here after having a house in Nerja for nine years where they spent part of the year. Felicity Estates interviewed them about their thoughts and experiences about the move and their new Spanish home.

You had a house in Nerja for nine years but chose to sell and move to Málaga, why?

- Above all because Málaga has such a much larger range of various things, including the cultural offer. More museums, more restaurants and a more international audience. That's what we fell for, says Jan.

- We kind of grew out of Nerja, Ylva continues. Nerja also changed during the years we had our house there. We felt that Nerja was more genuine, more Spanish, nine years ago.

The process of finding the right accommodation in Málaga took several years. What were you looking for and what did you get?

- Initially we thought we wanted to be right in the middle of everything, in the old town, but after a while we realized that what we wanted was to be close to the center but that the eastern parts of the town suited us better, says Ylva.

Jan continues:

- The fact that we gave up the city center was, among other things, because it was difficult to get a good terrace there. We visited some detached villas, but in the end we fell for an apartment after all, but with a great outdoor space.

Jan and Ylva's new home is a ground floor unit in a gated community with communal garden and swimming pool on Calle Apamares. They have a five minute walk down to the beach and four minutes to the bus. If they go the "backway" behind the mountain they are at Plaza de la Merced in 20 minutes. They never have to use the car, something they are very happy with.

- This was actually the only place we looked at where my heart began to beat faster when I entered, says Ylva. Here it is, I said immediately. And we have felt at home here since day one.

Jan, who had envisioned a more historic and spacious building had more doubts.

- This house is relatively new, but the apartment is well planned and very nice and we think it is perfectly located, close to town and close to the sea, even if we had to compromise with the sea view. But we got a mountain view instead!

How does it feel now that you have moved and settled in?

- We thought we would replace the kitchen and maybe knock out a wall towards the living room, but now we are surprisingly happy with it just as it is, says Jan.

- The neighbors are also so nice and friendly, Ylva continues. This is a hundred percent Spain, only Spaniards live here. 

What was it about Málaga that attracted you?

- The culture, the history, the atmosphere, the restaurants, the people, the sounds, the smells, that it is so international here, says Ylva. We feel at home and safe. It is clean and tidy, never any disturbance or drunkenness.

- It vibrates with life whenever you are here 24/7, Jan continues. We also experience the Spanish mentality as friendlier than the Nordic one.

- And we never feel discriminated, Ylva fills in. That could have been the case with 13 Spanish neighbors and us as the only foreigners. But it is exactly the opposite. They always put down their bags and come over to say hello.

What reactions have you received regarding the change?

- Among our friends in Nerja, we are the black sheep who have left. But among other friends there are many who are curious and say that they have also thought about Málaga, says Jan.

- I think people think we are a bit weird, says Ylva laughing. We're quite old, you can't move when you're that old, some people probably think!

You've been to Málaga a lot even before you moved here, which old and new favorites can you share with us?

- We have found so many nice restaurants since we moved here, says Ylva. Some of them we will keep a secret like a tapas bar in Soho that is so small we don't want to spread the word about it! But we can recommend El Refectorium Malagueta, which has the world's best sole. We also like La Taberna del Fraile in La Malagueta. La Deriva in Soho is very nice, we have been there several times. The Parador up here in Gibralfaro may not have the best service in the world, but what a view! 

- And we were at a wonderful concert the other day organized by Fundación Unicaja in an old monastery, Sala de conciertos María Cristina. An absolutely fantastic venue with an incredible ceiling painting. It is located in Plaza de San Francisco near Calle Carretería.

- We have also walked around in Limonar, to the hotel Castillo de Santa Catalina, the Colegio Oficial de Arquitectos de Málaga and the small local cultural center where they offer lots of activities for those who live in Limonar.

What recommendations do you have for others who want to buy in Spain or move to another place?

- Just go ahead and do it, don´t wait! And use Carin Osvaldsson!