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Living on the Costa del Sol
The Costa del Sol in Spain is one of the most popular destinations for UK expats and retirees. And for good reason – residents of the Costa del Sol enjoy a beautiful coastline, relaxed lifestyle, vibrant nightlife, world famous festivities and an interesting and varied expat community.
However, over recent years, the situation for expats in the Costa del Sol has changed, and some would argue not for the better – with the Spanish government imposing a 2.5% tax on worldwide assets among its residents.
As such, it is essential for expats in the Costa del Sol to receive first-class wealth management advice from specialists such as Blacktower who understand all the important details and structural variables.
With offices in Malaga and Mijas, and years of experience providing our clients with innovative wealth management advice, Blacktower can help you with the financial aspects of living on the sunny Costa del Sol.
Benefits of living on the Costa del Sol
Whether you’re moving to the Costa del Sol to soak up the sunshine in your retirement, or to discover Spanish culture, you’ll find that there are plenty of benefits to living in this beautiful part of Spain.
Plenty of sunshine
Costa del Sol literally means ‘coast of sun’, so it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that you can expect beautiful weather from the sunniest area in Spain. The Costa del Sol has more than 320 days of sun each year – more than even the Canary Islands. The Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters makes this region a huge hit with British expats looking to enjoy warmer weather than their native climate.
Incredible beaches
The beach is the perfect place to soak up all that sunshine, and the Costa del Sol is famed worldwide for its beautiful coastline. Along the Costa del Sol, you’ll find breath-taking white-sand shores, stretching for miles. In fact, there are more Blue Flag beaches in Andalucia than anywhere else in Spain, with most of them found along the Costa del Sol.
Quality of life
Spain offers expats a great quality of life. You’ll find excellent value for many properties, and the cost of living in the Costa del Sol is very reasonable in Spain. Spain has one of the world’s most efficient public healthcare systems, and ranks in the top 10 for life expectancy. There’s great connections to the rest of the world too, with the international airport in Malaga offering plenty of global routes so you can still make time to travel and see family.
Best areas to move to on the Costa del Sol
The Costa del Sol is a hugely varied coastline, offering something for everyone. No matter where you settle, you can expect excellent weather, a lively social scene, and a welcoming community of expats across the region.
Malaga
- Pint of beer: 2.25 EUR (£2.02)
- Cappuccino: 1.52 EUR (£1.36)
- Meal in a restaurant: 10 EUR (£8.79)
- Monthly public transport pass: 39.95 EUR (£35.85)
- Population: 571,026
The capital of the region, Malaga is one of the oldest cities in the world – but in modern times, it’s become a hub of culture and business. Offering a gateway to the region, Malaga brings together both the romance and history of the old quarter with new and revitalised areas like the sleek port and gleaming boutique stores offering designer goods.
Malaga has established itself as a cool and cosmopolitan port city, with an exciting culinary scene, rooftop cocktail bars and art galleries to enjoy – but there’s still plenty of tradition here, and from the boardwalk to the botanical gardens, it’s a beautiful city for expats to call home.
Property prices can be higher here than elsewhere on the coast, especially in much sought-after neighbourhoods like La Malagueta or El Limonar, but if you’re looking to invest, areas outside of the city centre like Paseo Marítimo de Oeste offer a good place to start your property search.
Benalmadena
- Pint of beer: 2.00 EUR (£1.79)
- Cappuccino: 2.17 EUR (£1.94)
- Meal in a restaurant: 14.25 EUR (£12.79)
- Population: 66,900
One of the prime holiday spots on the Costa del Sol, Benalmadena is an ideal pick for expats who want to enjoy the culture of Spain, with a large English community and a wide array of amenities. From most of the higher areas in the city, you’ll discover fantastic views of the mountains and the city, sloping down to the coast with miles of Blue Flag beaches.
There are three major districts to choose from in Benalmadena. For anyone looking for a bustling, metropolitan lifestyle, Puerto Marina is one of the best marinas in the world, with many shops and restaurants. Further into the hills, Arroyo de la Miel is a traditional Spanish town with a more sedate pace of life. This area is especially great if you have children or grandchildren, with the Tivoli fun park and Selwo marina to keep them entertained. And for those looking for an easy introduction to expat life in Spain,
Benalmadena Pueblo is a traditional Andalucian district, offering small-town life while still being well-connected to the centre and to the motorway.
Marbella
- Pint of beer: 4.00 EUR (£3.59)
- Cappuccino: 2.30 EUR (£2.06)
- Meal in a restaurant: 111.50 EUR (£10.32)
- Population: 143,386
Marbella is a highly sought-after area for expats living on the Costa del Sol. A bustling tourist town with all the amenities of a city, Marbella is set alongside some of the most beautiful beaches on the Costa del Sol, with the Marbella promenade offering a tour along this stunning coastline. Well-known for its luxurious nightclubs, venues, and restaurants, living here might be the right choice for you if you value the finer things in life – but there’s something for everyone in Marbella.
There are plenty of expats in Marbella, and lots of options for places to live. For property buyers looking for luxury, there’s the gated communities of Sierra Blanca and El Madroñal, or the glamorous hotspot of Puerto Banus. If you’re looking for a more traditional way of life, San Pedro de Alcantara is just 10 kilometres west of Marbella, and offers both stunning beaches and a traditional way of life in the old quarter’s cobbled streets. Nueva Andalucia boasts some of the most accessible property prices, making it a popular pick with younger families and keen golfers, as it’s also known at the Golf Valley for its many greens and courses.
Managing your finances on the Costa del Sol
Here at Blacktower, we work to ensure that our clients receive the financial products and services to help them best achieve their financial objectives.
Based in various locations across Spain, including multiple offices across the Costa del Sol, our representatives are on hand to provide expert expat wealth management services including pension planning, pension transfer scheme advice, tax planning and more.
Get in touch with Blacktower today for expat financial advice ranging from tax and inheritance planning to wealth and asset management.
Contact our Mijas office for information from financial advisers who speak your language. You can fill out our contact form and arrange a call at a time to suit you, or phone our Costa del Sol office directly on + 34 952 816 443.
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Residents of Spain with UK Pensions.
Financial advice in Spain
Financial advice in Marbella.