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Where to Live in Costa del Sol – Spain
If you are deciding where to live in Costa del Sol, Spain, get ready for an avalanche of choices. Over many decades, this popular tourist destination has become home to many expats who choose Spain to retire. Belonging to the Andalucía region of Southern Spain in the Malaga province, the reasons why they move to the Costa del Sol are evident.
A long coastline hosts some of Spain’s best beaches and you can put aside the stereotypical tapas to enjoy a varied gastronomy scene. Expats can indulge in both past paced and quiet nightlife scenes and more than 300 days of sunshine a year. Bars and restaurants line each beachfront promenade, while further inland, quaint villages offer a traditional Spanish ambience. Let’s not forget the world-famous golf courses either. Choosing where to live will depend mainly on your lifestyle preference and property budget, but let’s look at the best places to live in the Costa del Sol.
Fuengirola, one of Spain’s most popular holiday destinations, is home to a large expat community who enjoy a picturesque seaside view and long summer months. Local landmarks include a Moorish castle and sandy beaches, but families, couples and solo travellers always find much more to do. One big reason for its popularity is because as this once small fishing village grew, the local municipality invested heavily into local transport links. As well as being near the train station with a frequent timetable, it is just 25 kilometres from Malaga airport, which is why many foreigners buy a holiday home here, with the aim to eventually move and live here.
Many of the best resorts in Spain host foreigners, but if you want to live somewhere less touristy and more traditional to live, Estepona would be a good choice. Sitting at the western end of the Costa del Sol, authentic Andalusia vibes are on every corner. Think of traditional whitewashed houses, while a stroll along the promenade throws out a decent selection of beach bars. For those who want the beach-front lifestyle, many await you, but La Rada and El Padron stand out as the best two. Plenty of neighbourhoods within walking distance to every amenity also exist, but Estepona serves as an ideal base for exploring the surrounding countryside.
Cosmopolitan Puerto Banus is where the rich and famous live. The property market features the best in modern living, whether this is a penthouse apartment or a luxury villa. Notable, it is where the famous golden mile starts, making the high-standard villas dominate the upper end of the property market. Otherwise, yachts from all around the world sail into the marina to enjoy the riviera lifestyle. Puerto Banus is a playground for summers where relaxation in style is the order of the day.
Torremolinos, another Andalusian hotspot that is perfect for a holiday in Spain, is many expats’ first choice when looking for somewhere to live. Sitting west of Malaga airport, enjoy the six main beaches to chill out on, as well as a 7-kilometre-long promenade lined with cafes. Torremolinos is famous for its nightlife scene, and alongside its urbanisation program, they made a considerable effort into keeping green spaces. Meanwhile, any hard-core golfer can swing their club on several golfing courses. Various nationalities living in Torremolinos promote a multicultural atmosphere that makes it easy to settle in.
If a decent golf resort is your preference when choosing somewhere to live, you will find them around Mijas. Separating into the coastal Costa district and traditional pueblo area, many expats fell in love with Mijas. It is not just for retirees, though. Several international schools sit within the area, making it an ideal family-friendly destination as well. Whether you want a traditional Spanish villa or a new apartment, the property market is thriving and offers excellent value for money. Thanks to the large, already existing expat community, settling in and making friends won’t be hard. Review the property market of Mijas.
Sitting about an hour drive from Malaga airport, Nerja remains a well-kept secret in some circles, yet, it has a significant expat population who enjoy the low-key ambience. When looking at property, explore the old part, new part and the Burriana beach district, where you tuck into the traditional paella dish. Buses run regularly to other places, but in the outskirts districts, owning a car is ideal. During summer, the nightlife kicks up a notch to become lively, but do not compare it to the likes of Torremolinos.
Heart of the Costa del Sol Of course, if you want a fast-paced lifestyle, then Malaga city is where you should live. As the birthplace of Picasso, this city has a delightful old part with traditional Andalusian vibes, while the port district offers a decent selection of shops and restaurants. There is always something to do in your free time, whether this is museums, art galleries, or exploring architectural wonders through the old landmark buildings. Despite being a city centre, Malaga offers up the Spanish beachfront ambience, where you can sample the local fresh fish dishes the region is known for.
Marbella is a great area to live in incredible luxury if that’s what you’re looking for, from massive villas in Nueva Andalucía to beautiful apartments close to the port of Puerto Banús; it’s 100% the place to be if you want to go full out and start a life full of indulgence and frill. Marbella is our number one option because of the quality and variety of the area’s beaches.
Calahonda belongs to the area known as Mijas Costa and offers many amenities, including green zones, numerous commercial centres, several excellent walking trails, great restaurants, tennis club and a 9 hole golf course at La Siesta Golf. As well as a fantastic place to live, it is also an ideal holiday destination for all ages. There is access to an amazing boardwalk which snakes along the shoreline all the way from Cabopino to La Cala de Mijas – not only great for some daily exercise but also with many good restaurants and Chiringuitos to stop at along the way. The perfect place for drinking/dining ‘al fresco’. For the prospective homebuyer, Calahonda has a wide choice of properties that are reasonably priced and close to Málaga Airport.
Moving to Spain: While we know of a few people who just packed their bags and moved to Spain, we find the most successful moves involve research and planning, especially if you plan to keep your property in your home country. In this article, we give our tips and advice on making your move to Spain a successful one.
Mistakes to Avoid: For most expats, their move is a successful one, but nearly everyone agrees they made some mistakes. Whether this is something small that can be rectified or a big mistake that involves a change, of course, we list them in this article and how to prevent them and what to expect if they do happen.
