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Victoria Adams moved to Marbella, Spain last year with her partner a few months before the birth of their baby girl.
There, she works as a nutrition and wellness expert, yoga and facial yoga instructor, and skin care creator. Victoria also manages the lettings of a large property in her local area.
She spoke exclusively to GB News about why she can’t wait to raise her daughter in Marbella, why it’s so much more than a party city, and why Facebook is a saving grace for expats.
Victoria told GB News: “We knew we wanted to live somewhere out of the UK, in a place that felt safer and better for us and our daughter.
“So now we live in Spain. It’s not the first place we’ve lived here. We used to live in Madrid, which we love and miss, but now we live on the Costa del Sol, very close to Marbella.
“And the thing that surprised us about Marbella is that we love it. We thought it was going to be ‘too expat’, ‘too Brits abroad’, but actually, we are just about close enough to enjoy all the things that Marbella has, and far away enough to enjoy something a bit more peaceful. There’s something for everyone.”
A far cry from the cold, rainy UK, Victoria loves the near guarantee that whether it’s summer or winter, she can go for a walk somewhere “and not have to worry about what the weather is going to be like”.
‘We really do love the good weather and being able to go for a nice walk’
Victoria Adams
Marbella is synonymous with lively clubs and bars – if you want to party, you certainly can.
But with its brilliant architecture, stunning beaches and gorgeous hiking trails, it can also provide a paradise for people wanting a quieter life.
Victoria told GB News: “We really do love the good weather and being able to go for a nice walk and drink a great cup of coffee.
“There’s beautiful nature here. You can walk along the beach, and there are some fantastic mountainous areas you can go for a walk in.”
The recent addition of her baby girl means she saves money on going out Marbs style.
But if you are a drinker and avid clubgoer, the expat warned that this part of the world can be rather expensive to live in.
Speaking about the major difference between her life in Marbella and her former life in East London, Victoria revealed: “I feel much safer here, and I’ve heard similar from other people who decided to relocate to this part of Spain from London.”
Victoria’s main piece of advice for those moving to Spain was to join Facebook groups for fellow expats and locals living in their chosen area.
She said: “It’s not always going to give you the correct information, but it is going to help you develop an understanding of what to do and what not to do from other peoples’ experiences.
“And I think as time goes on, as my daughter grows up and we start thinking about schools, Facebook communities and WhatsApp groups are going to be really helpful.”
Victoria has received a lot of insightful tips from other expats who have moved to Marbella. She said: “There’s a huge expat community here, which is not something I ever expected to appreciate.
“Here, if you added up the Brits, the Scandinavians, the Dutch, the Germans, the Russians, the Ukrainians, the Poles, you’ve probably got more expats than Spaniards per region.”
Victoria referenced Benahavís, where about 65 per cent of the population are expats – “and it’s wonderful because you meet so many people, not just the Brits”.
But despite its large expat community, Victoria has also been able to immerse herself in the Spanish culture and language.
She said: “I’ve lived abroad in a few different countries, but even as a teen I never wanted to go anywhere where English was the spoken language.
“I do get to use my Spanish here, and the best thing is that my daughter will hopefully grow up speaking Spanish without having to open a textbook.
“It took me years to enjoy Spanish at school, and if my daughter can learn it because she wants to communicate with the people around her, I just feel like that will be the greatest gift. Plus, I will save her several years of stress trying to revise.”
Because she is a confident Spanish speaker, Victoria has been able to make friends with Spaniards. She said: “We spend a lot more time working with the local community, working with tradespeople, and going to restaurants and cafes run by Spanish people, so those are the people we’ll stop for a chat with.”
But while learning Spanish is advisable if you’re moving there, Victoria revealed that many expats get by without it.
“In Madrid, you need to be able to speak Spanish,” she said, “but I’ve met people who have lived in Marbella for 20 years and all they can say is ‘Hola’, ‘Adios’ and ‘Cerverza’ – beer”.
However, the expat did issue a word of warning for those who cannot speak Spanish. She said: “The bureaucracy can be quite a challenge. Often you’re going from office to office filling out really complicated paperwork that’s hard enough to understand even if you do speak Spanish.
“If you don’t speak Spanish and you don’t have a gestor [who deals with administrative bureaucracy] it’s really challenging.”
Getting things done can be laborious too. To dispute an unfair parking ticket, Victoria and her partner were told they had to go to Malaga, which meant a round trip of two hours.
Victoria said: “Be prepared for lighter, longer days where everyone’s in a better mood, but also be prepared for things to take so much longer.
“You’ll find you have to book an appointment for something very simple, and things might not be resolved as quickly as you’d like them to be.
“And relying on people in this area can be difficult. If something goes wrong at home or you need a builder to come round, even if it’s really urgent they might say to you, ‘I’ll pass by’, and they might not turn up for seven days.”
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No place is perfect, and in addition to the bureaucracy and often lax approach to important tasks, Victoria noted that driving in Marbella can be hard work.
The expat said: “The traffic is shocking – especially in the summer – and you’ve got to have eyes in the back of your head.”
It can also be very difficult to receive post from the UK – “I dread when someone tells me they’ve sent me something”.
She said: “A lovely gift that someone’s thought to send us will probably be subject to import tax – and that’s if I’m even able to get the paperwork through to receive it. So much just doesn’t make it to us.”
Nevertheless, Victoria and her partner are loving life. “There’s something for everyone,” she said, “it’s just about coming here and finding your favourite places”.
“If you get a bit homesick, you can always pop to Gibraltar, – it’s like the UK in a 90s time warp. We love going there from time to time.
“I can imagine Marbella is a wonderful place to retire. We meet a lot of people who may have had a holiday home here and have decided to relocate permanently.”
Marbella is home to over 18 miles of beaches
GETTY IMAGES
Moving to Spain
What you need to know
Many Britons will be excited about potentially starting a new life in Spain. However, there are some things they must be aware of, such as how to procure accommodation and when you need to apply for a Spanish driver’s license.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has guidance on buying and renting accommodation in Spain on GOV.UK. This includes very important legal advice on Spanish notaries, British estate agents, promoters and lawyers, gestors and property disputes, plus guidance on mortgages and tax. Ensure you consult the Purchaser’s checklist.
The FCDO said: “We strongly recommended that you choose an independent lawyer who specialises in Spanish land law (urbanismo). Independent means that they work on your behalf only and are not also looking after the interests of the agent or developer.
“The Spanish property conveyancing system is different to the UK system so you should ensure that those involved in the transaction are qualified and experienced in Spain.
“Use extreme caution if an estate agent, promoter or lawyer urges you to cut corners to save money or time.”
The FCDO has also issued guidance on driving in Spain, urging Britons to read the necessary information on road travel in Spain and driving in the EU.
The FCDO said: “You cannot renew or replace your UK, Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey or Isle of Man driving licence if you live in Spain.
“If you have one of these licences, you can use it to drive for up to six months after becoming a resident in Spain. To continue driving after this, you must apply for a Spanish driving licence.
“The process for obtaining a Spanish licence depends on whether you have a UK, Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey or Isle of Man licence.
“You cannot use an International Driving Permit (IDP) instead of a Spanish licence.”
While English is widely spoken in Spain – particularly in places like Marbella – Britons will likely have a better experience if they learn Spanish. Seek out Spanish conversation courses once you get to Spain, or get ahead of the game and take a course in your local area. Language-learning apps can also help with everyday vocabulary, as can watching TV in Spanish with English subtitles turned on. Alternatively, grab some children’s books written in Spanish and make your way through these.
Best places for retirees
Why Britons choose to live in Spain
Possible pitfalls
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