Bob,
The area we are very keen on is pretty close to you then, specifically Alcaidesa.
I mentioned Soto, as not many people know of Alcaidesa. I have friends in San Roque.
We were there last week & saw the smoke & fires, when we went to Estapona. Yes, the rain would have been very welcome for the affected people.
Our take on it is not “living on the cheap”, but rather living a better quality of life for the same money.
The People, traffic levels, quality of produce in the shops & yes the weather, even if July/Aug is a bit too hot for me.