Natalie If you are asking is Marbella a good place to live, our answer is wholehearted yes. But don’t just take our word for it either. A newspaper report in 2020 said that roughly 35,500 ex-pats lived in Marbella and made up 24% of the population.
That certainly proves its popularity. Belonging to the Andalusian area of Spain and sitting within the famous Costa del Sol, nationalities living in Marbella varied from the French to Brits. Indeed, Marbella is just one big melting pot of cultures and an excellent place to move to in Spain. We can also back up our answer with reasons why.
Why Marbella is a Good Place to Live
1: Ideal Weather and Summer Vibes
Marbella sits on Spain’s southern, eastern coastline, ensuring one of the country’s best weather climates. This is the number one reason expats live there, or many foreigners also own holiday homes. Expats in Marbella can expect roughly 320 days of sunshine a year, as well as mild winter weather. All year round, expect temperatures to be approximately 15% and higher, no lower.
2: Discover the Beaches of the Costa del Sol
The name Costa translates into the coastline, and the Costa del Sol, which Marbella is home to, is known to have some of Spain’s best beaches. Expats in Marbella can use 24 named beaches covering 18 miles of coastline. Guadalmina, San Pedro, and Nueva Andalucía are the most popular, where local expats enjoy the sand, view, swimming, and a relaxing walk along the promenade.
3: Social Network and Places
Living in Marbella means tapping into an extensive social network. This comes in handy for first-time expats since they have a sizeable community to turn to for advice, hints, and tips regarding daily life in Marbella. It also gives you a good opportunity to expand your social network by joining clubs and groups to meet people with like-minded passions and pursuits in life.
4: Marbella Food, Drink and Nightlife
Of course, living in Spain introduces expats to the alfresco style nightlife after dark. This is where Marbella lives up to its name by offering a wide selection of cafes, bars, restaurants, pubs, and nightclubs. From low key to painting the town red, everyone will find their local watering hole. Do you know that Marbella also has several Michelin Starr restaurants for food lovers who want to take their palette on a whirlwind tour?
5: Getting to Marbella and Around
Expats in Marbella use Malaga airport to visit friends and family back home. As Spain’s fourth busiest air travel hub, Malaga airport has frequent flights all around. Marbella has also invested heavily into their transport network, albeit the Metro system is a 30-minute drive away. Regardless, reaching your chosen destination is quickly done, and many expats also choose to be car drivers.
6: The Spanish Language
Many expats in Marbella do not speak Spanish. This is because as a strong tourist hold, locals speak a variety of foreign languages. So, for expats who worries their lack of Spanish will hamper their lifestyle. Don’t. However, we advise that you try to learn at least one word a day because it will significantly enhance it.
7: Sunshine and Outdoor Lifestyle of Spain
Did you know golf fans head to Marbella because it has the most golfing courses on the Costa del Sol? Additionally, being a seaside destination, sailing and yachting are favoured pastimes, and it is not unusual to see the odd mega yacht or two sailing by. Couple this with the beautiful climate, and you have a multitude of outdoor hobbies and pastimes to indulge in.
8: Shopping in Marbella
Mediterranean Marbella also steps up to the podium for anyone who likes spending cash. Head to the old part of town, for traditional, local and artisan shopping or for high brand fashion, head to Puerto Banus. The best shopping malls, Marina Banus, Centro Plaza, La Canada, and Biovardi, also presents hundreds of stores and shops for the whole family.
9: Real Estate Market
When it comes to buying property in Marbella, expect a comprehensive portfolio with various architectural styles and prices. From your budget homes to luxury villas, homebuyers in Marbella can take their time to find the home of their dream. See what is currently on the market by browsing our portfolio of apartments and villas for sale. Then, use the contact details to find out more via email or arrange a viewing.
Where to Live in Marbella
So, as you can see, living in Marbella presents the ideal opportunity to have a good lifestyle in Spain. However, if you are still uncertain, try it for six months before committing and making the final move. Then, the only thing you need to decide is where to live. Including the city and the larger region, there are many towns and villages to choose from.
Nueva Andalucía is a good place if you want to live in a gated community or like golfing. The golden mile is the best place to head to if you have an unlimited property budget. Benahavis offers an authentic Spanish ambience because of its strong cultural heritage. Seaside San Pedro is near the centre but still far away to provide a more low-key pace. Find out more about the best places to live in Marbella here.
Also Read
Costa del Sol: Living in Marbella means tapping into the delights of the Costa del Sol region that includes other hotspot destinations for expats. This area guide talks about Fuengirola, Torremolinos, Mijas, Benalmadena, and Estepona and explains why they stand out.
Blog About Spain: Anyone looking to live in Spain will find our blog full of helpful information and advice. Covering the destinations, buying property, and the expat lifestyle, we have taken our teams’ collective knowledge and experience to ensure that homebuyers can navigate a smooth move and transition into Spanish life.
About Us: We are Spot Blue international estate agents. We hope we answered your question about whether Marbella is a good place to live. If you have any more questions or would like to speak with an agent about buying property in Spain, call us today. In next to no time, you could be living in Marbella and enjoying the Spanish lifestyle.
