In Nerja, though, I'd also been able to walk to the nearest café for my morning brew. And my leisurely daily stroll to catch up on people watching had begun almost at my doorstep. The La Herradura condo was nearly a mile from the town center and the beach and accessible only by a steep, curvy road (steep enough that I decided early on not to walk unless my car broke down). Yet I soon realized the location was the ideal spot to relax and recharge, and thus the perfect place for me. After a busy day hanging out at the beach, sitting back in a small café, or walking about town, getting back to the condo forced me to relax. Yeah, I'll admit it. Mine isn't the most stressful job in the world, but walking around a picturesque seaside town certainly can be tiring, and we all need to relax after a tiring day.

My only real concern, in fact, was that the condo lacked internet service. Driving into town just to connect could become a real hassle.

As a residential beach town, La Herradura is visited by few tourists, at least in the off season. I did stumble across a handful of British vacationers seeking respite from England's winter chill, but that was about the extent of the non-locals I saw around.

Another thing you won't find in La Herradura are endless streets and alleyways teeming with touristy shops. Trinket shops don't exist here, just markets and businesses geared to the locals. The butcher shop, the fish market, a fruit stand in the center of town. La Herradura is a working man's hamlet. This is Spain's version of Seal Beach--compared to Laguna--and, trust me, that's not a bad thing.

Sidebar: Vantage Point: Home for a Week

When my boyfriend and decided to vacation in Spain, friends recommended staying in La Herradura and Torremolinos. La Herradura, where we had a room reserved for two nights, was first. As soon as we arrived in Torremolinos, we realized we had already fallen in love with La Herradura. We returned to stay in La Herradura for the rest of our vacation--and we've never regretted the decision.

Unlike most elsewhere, development in La Herradura has been restricted so there are no high-rise buildings. You can still enjoy the geographic contours of a natural setting and the area's laid-back lifestyle.

Bars and restaurants line the promenade, so you can sit, and grab yourself a cool beer and free tapas, and watch the world go by. Each establishment offers a unique menu, including the best-tasting pizza I've ever had. And the fresh fish and wonderful wines are sure to satisfy the most demanding palette. From the farmer's market to a local bakery where you can buy fresh bread, there's really no reason to leave town--except to sight see, of course.

Locals are friendly and, with numerous Europeans from outside of Spain living in town, this small community has an international feel. People greet each other, strangers included, like old friends. We felt comfortable from our first day here.

After returning to Los Angeles, we knew this beautiful, peaceful town had found a permanent spot in our hearts. With retirement in the back of our minds, we bought a two-bedroom apartment (which we rent to visitors these days) in a nice community with a swimming pool and tennis court. After a day of exploring this peaceful seaside town, we can relax on our terrace, taking in the views of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the Mediterranean Sea.--Irina Samofalova