Leaving Spain after 10 weeks — here’s the honest debrief on what life on the Costa del Sol was really like.
I’m Shellie Bailey-Shah with International Living. My husband and I are two Americans in our 50s spending the next two years living in eight countries — no visas, no residency requirements, no permanent home base. Spain was our first stop on the “Schengen Shuffle,” and before we head north to Scotland, I’m sharing the unfiltered version: what delivered, what didn’t, and the lessons we’ll carry forward.
0:00 Arriving with a dog and four suitcases
0:38 What lived up to the hype
2:10 Exploring Spain
3:00 What didn’t deliver
4:40 The downside of a soft landing
5:13 Lessons learned
6:00 Would we go back?
Next stop: Scotland. Subscribe to International Living’s YouTube channel so you don’t miss the next chapter.
#spain #costadelsol #schengenshuffle Video Rating: / 5
Moving to or visiting Costa del Sol, Spain? 🇪🇸 Here’s the real truth about living on Costa del Sol, Marbella, Estepona or Malaga: weather, costs, safety, friends, expat life, beaches & more.
🎬 VIDEO CHAPTERS
0:00 Intro to Costa del Sol, Spain – The Truth Nobody Tells You!
0:28 Winter Weather in Costa del Sol – Is it Worth Coming Outside Summer?
3:21 Winter vs Summer Vibe in Costa del Sol – Is it Really Boring in Winter?
7:49 Beaches in Costa del Sol — Are They Really as Good as Everyone says?
11:03 Costa del Sol Layout — Linear Coastal Towns & Areas Further Inland.
14:13 Cost of Living – Is Life in Costa del Sol Cheap?
15:57 Spanish Feeling — How Spanish Does the Costa del Sol Really Feel?
18:53 Safety – How Safe is Costa del Sol?
21:15 Transportation – How Easy is to Travel Around Costa del Sol?
22:57 Road Safety – Are Roads in Costa del Sol Safe?
25:45 Making Friends in Costa del Sol – How Easy is it to Make Friends + Tips
29:00 Final Thoughts – Is Costa del Sol Worth the Hype?
In this video, we share the honest experience of life on the Costa del Sol. Whether you’re planning to move to Spain, retire, work remotely, or visit on holiday, this guide covers the things most people don’t tell you about living or traveling along the Costa del Sol.
This video is your ultimate guide if you’re thinking of moving to Costa del Sol, retiring, buying property, or exploring expat life in Spain’s Mediterranean coast.
Topics we cover that most guides leave out:
Winter vs Summer Vibe — how life changes with the seasons
Cost of living — property prices and eating out, and what’s more expensive than expected
Safety & crime — how safe the Costa del Sol really is?
Making friends — why connecting as a newcomer or expat can be tricky
Layout & urbanizacion structure — linear coastal towns with residential areas further inland
Transportation & roads — getting around by car or public transport
Beaches — are they really as good as everyone says?
Spanish Feeling — how Spanish does the Costa del Sol really feel?
This guide covers the whole Costa del Sol, highlighting both popular destinations like Marbella, Estepona, Fuengirola, Benalmadena, Torremolinos, Malaga, and Nerja, as well as lesser-known spots, giving you a complete picture of the region.
Whether you’re thinking of moving to Costa del Sol, buying property, or just visiting on holiday, this video will give you an honest look at life along Spain’s Mediterranean coast, helping you make informed decisions about expat life, lifestyle, and local culture along the Costa del Sol, from Marbella to Nerja
Who this video is for:
Expats planning a move or relocation to Spain
Digital nomads exploring remote work options on the Mediterranean coast
Retirees considering the Costa del Sol for its weather and lifestyle
Travelers wanting the real story behind the popular resorts and towns
By the end of this video, you’ll know what to expect from weather, costs, safety, social life, urban layouts, beaches and the Spanish feel of Costa del Sol life — giving you the confidence to make an informed decision before visiting or relocating.
📌 RELATED VIDEOS
Marbella, Spain – https://youtu.be/Wrb9uUHREng
Estepona, Spain – https://youtu.be/WgF2GauoNiw
Fuengirola, Spain – https://youtu.be/vIz7Ti8XcZ4
Benalmadena, Spain – https://youtu.be/9DVi24LPogc
Torremolinos, Spain – https://youtu.be/rnMJSDovwk0
Malaga, Spain – https://youtu.be/AewzutGb344
Nerja, Spain – https://youtu.be/BzFABHqpkoQ
Manilva, Spain – https://youtu.be/vBJJWRg-pCc
Costa del Sol (Full Guide) – https://youtu.be/0N2ottlWgmE
Costa de la Luz (Full Guide) – https://youtu.be/BqTJqoZHsQ8
Costa de la Luz vs Costa del Sol, Spain – https://youtu.be/34DOtfk9z_Q
Cadiz, Spain – https://youtu.be/gdsbd5TFJYg
Tarifa, Spain – https://youtu.be/p-Pq6clobaA
Conil de la Frontera, Spain – https://youtu.be/aIbwE8TCmas
🙏 HELP & SUPPORT
If you enjoyed this video, don’t forget to like, subscribe and hit the notification bell to follow our journey across Costa del Sol, Andalucia and Spain. We post weekly videos exploring towns, lifestyle and expat life to help you plan your move or next holiday!
Everyone thinks the Costa del Sol is paradise 🌴
Endless sunshine, beach life, relaxed living… but what’s it really like once the holiday ends?
In this video, I share the real truth about living on the Costa del Sol — the good, the bad, and the parts nobody posts on Instagram.
I talk about:
The lifestyle positives that attract people here
The real cost of living (rent vs wages, rising prices, tourist inflation)
What working here is actually like — Spanish salaries, remote work & language barriers
The bureaucracy nobody warns you about (NIE, residency, healthcare, slow processes)
Social life, making real friends & integrating with locals
How different the Costa del Sol feels in summer vs winter
Who this lifestyle is perfect for — and who will probably struggle
This isn’t meant to scare anyone off — just to help you come with realistic expectations.
For some people, the Costa del Sol is an incredible place to live. For others, it can be frustrating.
👉 Thinking of moving here?
👉 Already living on the Costa del Sol?
Let me know your experience in the comments.
Would you move here after hearing this?
These two coastal regions are among the most popular places for people relocating to Spain. Both offer sunshine, beaches, and a relaxed Mediterranean lifestyle, but when you start looking at them as places to live year-round, the differences become much clearer.
In this video, I compare the Costa Blanca and the Costa del Sol based on climate, property prices, lifestyle, infrastructure, and the overall feel of daily life.
Before moving to Spain, I spent several weeks travelling along both coasts, exploring towns from Torrevieja and La Mata on the Costa Blanca to Nerja, Marbella, Estepona and Manilva on the Costa del Sol. I wanted to understand what living in each region might really feel like beyond the holiday experience.
One thing many people don’t realise is that the Costa del Sol is incredibly varied. Much of the international media focuses on Marbella, but the coastline stretches around 150 kilometres, and life can feel very different depending on where you are along it.
In this video we look at:
• The key differences between the Costa Blanca and Costa del Sol
• Climate and winter weather
• Property prices and affordability
• Lifestyle and international communities
• My experience travelling both regions
• Why I ultimately chose the Costa del Sol
The reality is that neither coast is objectively better. They simply suit different lifestyles and priorities.
If you’re considering moving to Spain or deciding between these two regions, I hope this comparison helps you understand which one might suit you best.
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📍 Topics covered in this video
Costa Blanca vs Costa del Sol introduction
Geography and overall feel
Climate differences
Property prices and affordability
Lifestyle and communities
My scouting trip along the Costa Blanca
Why I chose the Costa del Sol
Which region might suit you best
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If you’re currently researching places to live in Spain, you might also enjoy some of the other videos on the channel where I explore different towns and aspects of relocating to Spain.
If you have experience living in either the Costa Blanca or Costa del Sol, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments — it’s always interesting to hear different perspectives. Video Rating: / 5
