7 Things Expats in Marbella Learn Quickly (That No One Tells You)

21/12/2025 124 37 5

Moving to Marbella or the Costa del Sol sounds like a dream. Sunshine, sea views, long lunches, and a slower pace of life. And most of that is true. But let’s be honest: the first few weeks can be a bit… surprising.

If you’re new here, or even just thinking about moving, these are the things I wish someone had told me before I unpacked all 27 boxes.

1. Life Runs on Spanish Time (Even If You Don’t)

Shops close when you least expect it.
Appointments start “around” a certain time.
Lunch at 3pm is completely normal.

If you’re used to clocks being… well, accurate, it can feel frustrating. My advice? Lean in. Plan with flexibility, keep a coffee handy, or take a little beach walk. Spain works best on its time, not yours.

2. You’ll Spend More Time in Your Car Than You Think

Marbella looks small on a map, but life spreads out surprisingly fast:

School runs
Gym
Supermarkets
Meetings across the Costa del Sol

Most newcomers underestimate the hours they’ll spend behind the wheel. My survival tip? Keep something familiar playing, an English radio station like Chilli.fm is perfect. It’s just enough comfort to make navigating roundabouts and A7 traffic tolerable.

3. Community Matters More Than You Expect

Here’s a shocker: you don’t really need a huge social network at home, but in Marbella, it suddenly matters.

Friends and local contacts make life easier
They recommend trustworthy services (mechanics, doctors, builders)
They help you avoid those “oops, I should have known that” moments

Even something as small as a Facebook group or a school WhatsApp can save hours of frustration. And yes, your favourite radio station counts as part of that little community too.

4. English Is Common. But Spanish Still Helps

Marbella is international, but not everywhere speaks English. Even if your Spanish is minimal, learning:

Numbers
Days of the week
Directions
Polite phrases

…will make life smoother. Locals notice and appreciate the effort, and you’ll get fewer awkward “I have no idea what’s happening” moments.

5. Music Really Sets the Mood

One thing most expats don’t realise: music becomes part of your daily life here.

Morning school runs
Working from home
Evening wind-downs or sunset drinks

Having a consistent, feel-good soundtrack makes everything flow better. Many people stick to Chilli.fm, a non-stop English music station. No chatter, no drama, just reliable tunes while you navigate life on the coast.

6. Summer Is Amazing… and Slightly Chaotic

July and August are beautiful and a little overwhelming.

Traffic increases. Parking becomes a game of patience. Temperatures soar.

Most of us adjust by:

Driving earlier or later
Taking midday breaks
Shifting routines instead of fighting the heat

By September, life resets and the Costa del Sol finally feels like home.

7. You’ll End Up Loving the Balance

Despite all the quirks, most expats stay. Marbella offers something rare:

A genuinely international mindset
Family-friendly lifestyle
Outdoor living all year round
Work-life balance that actually works

Once you find your rhythm, favourite cafés, regular routes, familiar voices and music, the Costa del Sol stops feeling like a holiday and starts feeling like home.

Living Life on the Costa del Sol

The little routines are what make life here work: the commute, your café stops, the music you play while doing errands. For many expats, having a friendly, familiar radio station like Chilli.fm becomes part of that rhythm. Reliable, cheerful, and just part of the background of everyday life.

Written by: Chilli FM

Costa del Sol English radio Marbella expat tips expats Life in Marbella Living in Spain Marbella