Moving to Málaga

The Journey Begins

Our family and friends were surprised when we announced that we were packing our belongings and leaving Florida to live in Spain. It happened in a little over a month, and while it may have seemed sudden, it had always been part of the plan; we just hadn't decided when. Being close to family was a major factor in our decision, but after visiting Malaga on the Costa del Sol for the past eighteen years, we chose to settle there.

Costa del Sol is the perfect destination for retirement or digital nomad living. Golfers and beach-goers alike will find paradise here! There are plenty of properties to choose from, ranging from beachfront locations to mountain-top homes with stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea.

On January 14, 2022, Fortuna and I - together for twenty-five years - boarded an Iberia flight from Miami International with ten suitcases and our two dogs: Chichi, a Maltese that needed to be renamed Chiqui (as Chichi means something else in Spain), and Buddy, a Toy Poodle.

After a week at my brother-in-law's house, we rented a villa in Benalmádena, a five-minute walk from the beach. Life has never been so wonderful for the four of us - thanks to a new law passed by the Spanish Parliament declaring pets as part of the family.

Cost of living in Spain's Costa del Sol

Compared to living in Houston and Miami, where we spent the last fifteen years combined, Spain wins for many reasons. Cost of living is far lower here, and wages are too (the minimum monthly salary is a bit over Euros 1,000). Fortuna and I collected grocery bills from both Miami and Malaga and realized that we could save a lot of money here and eat much healthier than in the US.

Petrol (gasoline) is more expensive in Spain, but most cars are smaller here anyway. Parking is a challenge for big cars, since the parking spaces are mostly designed for small vehicles. Public transportation is more efficient than in the US and very low cost. People older than 65 ride free on the city buses and get 50% discount on transportation to other cities. Spain is the second country in the world with the most kilometers of high-speed trains after China (over four thousand). You can get to Madrid from Malaga in a little over two hours on the AVE (Alta Velocidad Española) for just 85 Euros round trip. With my “Gold Card from Renfe” (the railroad entity special membership card to people older than 65), I get from 25 to 40% discount on train tickets.

Electricity is surprisingly more affordable here than in Florida. We chose Costa del Sol not only for the cost of living but also for many other ways in which living in Spain is far superior to any place in the US. Spaniards are way more laid back and go at a relaxed pace. It is not unusual here for people to take two-hour lunches and enjoy a glass of wine or a beer with their meal. Most small businesses open at 10:00 am and shut down between 2:00 and 5:00 pm to reopen until 8:30 pm. However, malls and supermarkets are open at lunchtime.

Eating out is a bargain if you know where to go. White cloth restaurants and Tapas Bars are very affordable. Most have a wine list with excellent Spanish wines at a price that you wouldn't find elsewhere. Nothing better than a nice bottle of Rivera del Duero Crianza for which you will pay anywhere from eight to twenty Euros at the most in a restaurant. We like to accompany the seafood with a nice bottle of Albariño, the white wine from Galicia. I don't miss the wines from other countries of Europe or from the New World, nor paying more when I can get 90+ rated Spanish wines here for much less than half the price.

Food

When we want something refreshing other than beer, there is

"Tinto de Verano" (which translates to red wine for summer). It is a version of sangria already mixed with soda, available in bottles at the supermarket. We love the lime-flavored one served cold on ice.

Talking about ice, don't expect to be served much of it with your drinks like in the US. A cube or two will do.

Spain has some of the best cuisine in the world. Start with "Jamón Serrano", but you should also try the luxury version of "Jamón ibérico de bellota", which is from pigs fed acorns and natural herbs. Tapas bars or cafes with advertised combos (tapa with wine or "caña" - a small glass of beer) are everywhere, and people will sit and chat for hours.

You should try "huevos rotos", a dish of French fries with a fried egg (over easy) on top. Or Patatas Bravas, the local version of home fries served with a spicy sauce, so famous here that McDonald's has them on their menu at select locations. Don't forget the internationally acclaimed "Spanish Tortilla", an omelet with potatoes and onions that has nothing to do with Mexican tortilla. You can have a paella marinera as a meal or in a small plate as a tapa.

When you want more sophisticated cooking, restaurants in Spain are much more affordable than in Miami and the food and service far superior. Tips are usually included in the prices, but you can always reward great service with an extra tip.

Atarazanas Market in Malaga is the perfect place to shop for ingredients to cook a delicious meal. Prices are more affordable than Whole Foods, yet the market is spotlessly clean. You'll find everything from fresh fruits and vegetables to the best cuts of meat and all kinds of seafood from the Mediterranean Sea.

The "pescaderias" offer some of the strangest looking marine species you won't find anywhere else. Don't worry about people cutting the line, as there is a strictly followed honor system. Some stand owners even let you try a tiny piece of their fruits before you buy. Many customers are on a first name basis with the merchants, making the market feel like a big family gathering.

Most people visit the market at least twice a week to shop and meet friends. They bring their own shopping carts and bags.

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Shopping and culture

Shopping in Malaga is a far superior experience than at chain retailers in other countries. Products are more natural, free of chemicals and preservatives, and food packaging is earth-friendly. If you don't bring your own bag, you'll have to pay for store plastic bags - but these are re-useable.

Recycling is commonplace in Spain. You won't find individual bins outside each house, but rather huge community bins on every street or major avenue, with separate ones for organic trash, glass bottles, paper and cardboard, and containers.

People in Malaga walk more than in other places. Taking the bus is a viable option, as they run like French trains - on time. There are also trails and beachfront broad walks for those looking to do their daily routine.

Spaniards live longer than Americans, partly due to their diet. Extra Virgin Olive Oil is a key factor for longevity in Spain, so many people replace butter with olive oil on their toast for breakfast, accompanied by slices of fresh tomatoes, avocados and sometimes fresh cheese or turkey. Despite indulging in beer, wine and great food every day, most people here are fit.

You'll find hundreds of great places along the A7 coastal highway from Malaga to Marbella. Enjoy fabulous food and refreshing cocktails while you relax during winter or after a swim in the summer. The Costa del Sol is full of well-maintained, clean beaches with crystal-clear waters. You can even spot fish swimming by in the busiest marinas. With 300 days of sunshine a year, beach-going is a favorite pastime of locals.

Golfers, take note: the Costa del Sol has more golf courses than any other region in Spain, and some of the best international championship courses are in Marbella. No wonder it's called the Costa del Golf!

If you'd rather take in the ocean view from the top of a mountain, head to Benalmádena. There you'll find plenty of tapas bars to meet friends or make new ones.

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Why we love Málaga

My wife and I were born in mountainous countries, so living in Andalucía is our dream come true. We enjoy driving around the peninsula, admiring its mountains and many Unesco World Heritage Sites. We highly recommend visiting Sevilla, La Alhambra in Granada, Cordova, Ronda, Balcon de Europa in Nerja, Gibraltar, Tarifa, and more – all within a two-hour drive from Malaga via excellent highways or scenic routes.

Once there, you can witness the legacy of the Iberians, Celtics, Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Visigoths, Romans, Jews, and Muslims – the last colonists to be expelled by the Catholic Kings, Isabel I of Castilla and Fernando II of Aragon, after their victory at Granada.

For a country whose main source of income is tourism, Spaniards are fantastic hosts. Spain is the second largest tourist destination in the world, with 89 million visitors in 2019, dropping to 19 million in 2020 due to Covid 19, and bouncing back to 31 million in 2021. It is the world's second country with the most World Heritage cities, the third in terms of natural areas declared Biosphere Reserves, and the country with the most Blue Flag beaches in the Northern Hemisphere.

Spain is also the premier retirement destination, with a booming real estate business. To learn more about real estate investment opportunities in Spain, please contact Philippe Bellande at +34-638-839-545 (in Spain) or +1-786-747-7936 (in USA)