Life After the Move
What Has Surprised Me Most Since Moving to the Costa del Sol
After 19 years in the UK, a family of three chose Benalmádena — and found the transition far gentler than they expected.
After living in the UK for 19 years, my husband, our 6-year-old daughter, and I made the big decision to move to Benalmádena.
Like many families, we wondered whether such a major life change would be difficult, especially with a young child. To our surprise, the transition was much smoother than we expected.
An International Community That Welcomes You In
One of the biggest reasons for that was the incredible international community here. The Costa del Sol attracts people from all over the world, and we quickly met many families who had relocated around the same time as we did and were at a very similar stage in life.
Sharing the same experiences, challenges, and excitement helped us build meaningful friendships very quickly, and it made us feel at home almost immediately.
We have now been living here for 11 months, and we have no desire to move back to the UK. In fact, we've decided that this is where we want to build our future.
The Beauty and the Climate
What has impressed me the most is the beauty of this area and the lifestyle it offers. The scenery is stunning, the sea is always nearby, and one of the greatest luxuries is the climate.
The winters are incredibly mild, and it's wonderful to enjoy sunshine and warm weather for most of the year. Spending more time outdoors has had a positive impact on our family life and overall wellbeing.
The Culture Shock Nobody Warns You About
Of course, not everything has been exactly as we expected. The biggest challenge has been adapting to the Spanish way of doing things. Coming from the UK, where systems tend to be highly organised, efficient, and fast, it was quite a culture shock.
In Spain, life moves at a much slower pace. Whether it's paperwork, appointments, or customer service, things often take longer, and people seem much more relaxed — even in situations where, from a British perspective, you might expect more urgency.
People genuinely value quality of life, family time, and enjoying the present moment.
At first, that slower rhythm was frustrating. Over time, however, I've started to understand that it's part of the culture. While I still miss the efficiency of the UK in many situations, I've also learned to appreciate the healthier balance that this lifestyle offers.
Looking Back
Moving to Benalmádena has been one of the best decisions we've made as a family. It has given us a different perspective on life, introduced us to wonderful people from many cultures, and provided our daughter with an amazing environment in which to grow up.
It truly feels like home.
— Elena Ghita
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