Living in Marbella: England on the Costa del Sol

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    Who thinks that Gibraltar is the only bit of England you can find in the South of Spain, is mistaken. British expats and pensioners have been living in Marbella for many years now, and it has developed to be quite a hot spot of Brits. Considering moving to Marbella? Here are some things that will make you feel at home as a Brit on this luxurious stretch of the Costa del Sol.

    English Media

    Newspapers like SUR in English treat the international community in Marbella to quality local news in their own language. There are also numerous blogs and websites of expats and locals who keep you up-to-date about local news, events and, well, everything you need to know really. On top of that, an English radio programme has been launched recently, providing English people living in Marbella with information on current events and weekly interviews with well known local officials and personalities. So if you’re not a quick language learner, don’t fret. There are plenty of English media that will keep you well-informed.

    English Films

    Are you a film fan? Cinema Gran Marbella offers original English language movies (with Spanish subtitles) for you to watch. Located in the famous Puerto Banús, this cinema offers so called “VO” films, which stands for Version Original. Keep in mind though, that this is not a completely English cinema in Marbella. “VO” signifies that the films are shown in its original language, so only films that were originally shot in English will be in that language. But considering the amount of blockbusters coming from Hollywood each year, you should be fine!

    English Associations

    Especially when you’ve moving to Marbella permanently, a little help from fellow-countrymen can be quite useful to get yourself properly settled. Expat groups like the British Association Marbella organise social events such as excursions and weekly lunches to keep in touch with each other. They can help you fit into the community and give you practical tips about which events to go to and what supermarket is best for your groceries, for example.

    Food

    Talking about groceries, there are also speciality food stores that stock British food to cater for the ever-increasing English population living in Marbella. Favourites like Baked Beans will help you satisfy those cravings for good ol’ British grub, even when you’re living under the Spanish Sun. Shops like CostaLess Supermarkets and even Marks & Spensers can be found in Marbella and the surrounding towns and villages.

    Moving to Marbella

    The greater region of Marbella seems to contain just enough Englishness to make one feel at home, while also surrounding its residents with that warm Andalusian charm it is famous for. If you plan on moving to Marbella in future, why not have a browse through our selection of quality homes to get a feel for what’s on offer. Are you an English speaker who has already made the move? Help other newcomers and let us know about your ‘English’ tips in the comments below!