Living abroad help - marbella

[jonah35]

Hi all,

I’m considering moving abroad full time for the better weather and lifestyle.

I like Marbella as it is close to home in case I need to pop back to sort business interests in the U.K. but.....

Has anyone done it and can they offer any advice?

Is it busy year round?

Thanks

[sunbeam alpine]

It may help people to give you good advice if you give a bit more info - for example, are you looking to work over there or retire?

I've been out of the UK for more than 20 years now. Despite the fact that I spent the 2 years working overseas prior to leaving, it's different when you actually make the move and live in another country.

In your place, I think I would wait and see how Brexit plays out - it could impact on quite a lot of aspects of life in Europe as an expat.

[V8covin]

This would be a good place to start

https://britishexpats.com/forum/

[ApOrbital]

Well said sunbeam.
Apt name.

[Duke of Kidderminster]

learn the language and integrate, don't move over and try to recreate your UK lifestyle of Eastenders and fish and chips. it's a different culture, country, laws, rules, customs, people and everything else.

The Brits there that complain the most are the ones that hang around with ex-pats and can't speak a word of Spanish. They then complain when they try to book their car in for an MOT and the mechanic doesn't speak any English, as if it's his fault.

it's a great place, great weather, great people, great everything. Do it, but do it properly or don't bother.

[SeeFive]

Not exactly sure about precisely Marbs, but there are quite a few PHers contributing to this thread on buying property and life in various areas of Spain.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Might be worth introducing yourself and asking on that thread?

Good luck with it by the way.

[Algarve]

Duke of Kidderminster said:

learn the language and integrate, don't move over and try to recreate your UK lifestyle of Eastenders and fish and chips. it's a different culture, country, laws, rules, customs, people and everything else.

The Brits there that complain the most are the ones that hang around with ex-pats and can't speak a word of Spanish. They then complain when they try to book their car in for an MOT and the mechanic doesn't speak any English, as if it's his fault.

it's a great place, great weather, great people, great everything. Do it, but do it properly or don't bother.

So he should do it the way you prefer, or don't do it at all? That doesn't make sense.

There are 1000's of expats out here (across the border in Portugal but same thing really) that are perfectly content living their British lifestyle, but for less money and in the sun.

Its not for me but I know plenty people out here who don't have one single Portuguese friend, can't even handle a menu in Portuguese and they've been here for years. They just move in little expat bubbles. Obviously they all live in the coastal resorts. You don't need to speak any Portuguese at all to live here, if thats your thing.

[Robertj21a]

jonah35 said:

Hi all,

I’m considering moving abroad full time for the better weather and lifestyle.

I like Marbella as it is close to home in case I need to pop back to sort business interests in the U.K. but.....

Has anyone done it and can they offer any advice?

Is it busy year round?

Thanks

Before actually moving abroad, isn't it a good idea to have 2-3 short breaks out there at different times of the year to see if it's what you want ?

[Algarve]

Robertj21a said:

Before actually moving abroad, isn't it a good idea to have 2-3 short breaks out there at different times of the year to see if it's what you want ?

That would definitely be a sensible idea if you're talking about moving somewhere thats very seasonal. Either in weather, in crowds, or both.