Marbella is a city in Andalusia, Spain, by the Mediterranean, situated in the province of Malaga, beneath La Concha Mountain. Marbella and the nearby Puerto Banus are important beach resorts of the Costa del Sol. The town is famous for being a playground for the rich and famous. Marbella is famed as an exclusive destination for wealthy tourists from Northern Europe, as well as for the well-heeled from the UK, Ireland, Germany and the US.

Nobody is a foreigner in Marbella. A cosmopolitan town inhabited by 137 nationalities, with a very well-balanced size and population, over 30% of the inhabitants are of international origin and the majority from outside of Marbella. With all the charisma of a large city and the attributes

of a convenient town, Marbella is, without any doubt, one of the best places in the world to live.

If you’re thinking of moving to Spain but golf is not on your list of favourite activities then don’t panic, there is more to life in Marbella. Because the climate in this part of Spain is so fantastic for the majority of the year there is a great deal of emphasis on sporting and outdoor activities…you can swim, play tennis, go diving, learn to sail, fish or snorkel. There are also many gyms, spas and health clubs available for those who want to keep young and beautiful - or if you’re retiring to Spain and want a slightly slower pace of life, how about bridge, bingo, or bowls?

The majority of expatriates moving to Andalusia in Spain and Marbella in particular choose to live in ‘urbanizaciones’ of the city rather than in the hustle and bustle of downtown Marbella. Popular districts include Elviria, Mijas, Las Chapas, El Rosario, Cabopino and more recently La Cala has become very popular. Each suburb or district has its own feel and architecture and Spanish property prices vary depending on the proximity of the suburb to the airport and city centre for example.

The quality of life achievable in Marbella is second to none, the climate is idyllic, the scenery is stunning and the cost of living can be kept quite low. What’s more, because Marbella is so well located and a relatively short drive from locations such as Granada, Sotogrande, Seville, Madrid, Malaga and even Gibraltar (and Morocco if you include a short boat trip) you can discover other worlds, cultures, sights, sounds and flavours from your new home in Spain.