Costa del Sol
 The Costa del Sol is one of the most popular holiday haunts for British tourists and residents and runs from Nerja to Gibraltar. Miles of sandy beaches, rows of hotels, and over 320 days of sunshine a year. There is definitely something for everyone. The most popular coastal resorts are Torremolinos, Fuengirola, Benalmadena and Marbella. Further down the coast are quieter areas, such as that of Estepona, a quaint town with a wonderful beach and promenade and a prosperous future in the holiday & property marketplace.
Since the 1950's this area has been a popular destination, attracting more and more people each year. The airport, roads, rail and other facilities have grown in accordance with demand. The dream to live here is now becoming a reality for 10000s of people a year. The lifestyle is 'ideal' and the weather is perfect. Golfers who wish to play on first class courses in dry, sunny weather will find all that they want on the Costa del Sol. There are in fact some of the best courses in the world. If sight-seeing is part of your agenda then this wonderful area has much to offer. Within a short distance are major cities worth seeing and on the other extreme are tiny white-washed villages clinging to the mountain sides. Not far from  the crowded beaches are true Spanish villages such as Casares, Ronda, Manilva and Sabinillas, all locked in time and offering 'true Spain'. Along the coast, tourists of all nationalities are made welcome and there are few places that do not understand English.
The Costa del Sol is the number one place in Spain for British tourists to holiday and emigrate to. This opens up a wide variety of options for running a business in Spain.
This part of Spain is also one of the best places to buy a property if you are looking for an investment. There are still many inland areas which are yet to be discovered but are still within a short drive from Malaga airport.
Here is a short guide to them major resorts:
Torremolinos is one of the original Costa del Sol resorts, established in the 60's and still a popular destination for British tourists. The beaches are lovely and there are ample bars, restaurants and hotels. The resort has a wonderful nightlife. Torremolinos is just 10-15 minutes from the airport, linked by the main coast road. The train also passes through on its way from Malaga to Fuengirola.
Benalmadena Costa is located between Torremolinos and Fuengirola and is a long time favourite with families. A very popular resort, well known for its award winning marina. There is every kind of activity here and ample hotels of varying star rating. The beaches are very great and safe for children. There is a huge expat community here, divided between the three main areas; Benalmadena Pueblo (a quiet village), Benalmadena Costa (the coastal area) and Arroyo de la Miel (based higher up the hill).
Arroyo de la Miel is a lovely, peaceful village with a mixed nationality community. Still keeping is Spanish Village feel yet offering foreign expats a wonderful haven. Famous for its theme park, Tivoli World where you can also take a cable car to the top of the mountain.
Fuengirola is the most wheelchair friendly area of the Costa del Sol. With its 7km promenade, beautiful beaches and scenery, the town has something for everyone. A favourite for British, Spanish, Scandinavian and German tourists and residents. The beaches are long, wide and clean, they all boast the award of the Blue Flag and offers water sports, sailing and boat trips.
Los Boliches & Torreblanca Within the postal town of Fuengirola are two small towns, Los Boliches and Torreblanca. In the past Los Boliches was a small fishing village but today it is a thriving town with three 4* hotels, fabulous beaches and an abundance of bars and restaurants. Torreblanca is a more residential town which now extends way up into the mountains.
Mijas is divided into two main areas; Mijas Pueblo, the traditional white village, perched on the mountain site, quiet, picturesque yet now a major tourist attraction. Mijas Costa, which includes Calahonda, Riviera del Sol, Torrenueva and La Cala de Mijas, is the coastal area of Mijas. Very built up with a huge expat community, more and more hotels and plenty of bars and restaurants.
Marbella is divided in 4 main areas, Marbella Town, Puerto Banus, San Pedro de Alcantara and Estepona. Marbella Town is made up of the luxury residential urbanizations, where many famous people live, a wonderful high street offering a wide selection of shops selling designer wear and expensive jewellery, and a quaint old town which boasts the most beautiful plaza called Orange Square.
Puerto Banus has been given the nickname 'The playground of the rich'. This is due to the Marina where breathtaking yachts and liners are moored. A magnet for the rich and famous and definitely the place to be seen if you're young and gorgeous.
San Pedro is predominately a residential area with a very good selection of extremely fine restaurants.
Estepona is also a residential area, very popular as the place to buy your holiday home. Still tranquil yet offering fantastic beaches, enough nightlife for any age group and a lovely harbour where the market is held weekly.
So what is it really like living in the Costa del Sol ?
Generally, life is slower in Spain than in any other country. Things certainly do not happen overnight and ‘yes’ the ‘Manana syndrome’ is true. Everything is done tomorrow. The Spanish work hard but also play hard. They enjoy life to the full and every moment of leisure is spent wisely. You too must fit into this lifestyle. Life in Spain, especially if you are going to be working, is not an extended holiday. There will be times when you will suffer with the intense heat. Your diet will change for the better. Diet in Spain is based around fresh foods, especially fruit and it’s so cheap. On most days you can rise and guarantee the weather is going to be fine. Rain is rare but when it rains, it rains!
Because of the language and culture differences, things do take longer in Spain and official procedures are more complex. With the appointment of a good gestor you shouldn’t have much trouble. Crime is very low (apart from the obvious opportunists that target the holiday makers) and the police have a great respect for foreigners, providing you give them the same.
You will probably want to keep in touch with your homecountry and this shouldn’t be a problem. Telephone calls are cheap as is internet connection for emails. Flights back are also bargain priced if you know where to look. Due to the amount of foreign people set in the coast, lots of international schools host children from different nationalities, especially English and Scandinavian, so that they fit better in the educational system.
International Schools on the Costa del Sol
You may want to consider an International School for your kids. Some of these schools have boarding facilities. Some schools offer a system of English and Spanish curricula which enables students to be qualified for either Spain, or the UK, or any other country. Some International Schools offer the International Baccalaureate which is the internationally recognised qualification for Europe. It is now becoming acceptable to many nation's universities, including special higher educational institutions.
There's a wide range of private schools in Spain and a variety of foreign schools such as German, Swiss, Swedish, Norwegian, French, American, British and other nationality schools.
Most private schools in Spain are co-educational and many are bilingual. Most private schools operate a Monday to Friday timetable. Private schools in Spain teach a variety of syllabi, including the British GCSE and A-level examinations, the American High School Diploma and college entrance examinations, the International Baccalaureate (IB) and the Spanish Bachillerato.
Most Spanish private schools, schools teach entirely in Spanish, are state-subsidized and follow the Spanish state-school curriculum. Some international schools are also subsidized and follow a totally bi-lingual (English/Spanish) curriculum and are authorized to accept Spanish pupils. They must teach the Spanish curriculum including primary and secondary education, and the Bachillerato. They provide the opportunity for children to become completely bi-lingual and to choose between a Spanish and English-language university career.
Private International Colleges throughout the Costa del Sol provide an English curriculum taught in English. Fees are generally much cheaper than the private schools in Barcelona or on the Costa del Sol. Some English International schools offer the Spanish speaking student the opportunity to take the national Spanish "Bachillerato" exams.
Many international private schools have mixed Spanish and foreign student bodies, e.g. one-third American or British students, one-third Spanish and one-third other nationalities, even though they may be called American or British. French, Swiss and German private schools have Spanish pupils as well as pupils from many other countries.
Most of the schools on the Costa del Sol, if not all them follow the British Curriculum and work towards IGCSE and A level qualifications, herewith giving students the required standard for entry into any European or American University.
When choosing an international school the whole costs should be considered:
School fees
School materials
Travelling by school bus or with one’s own car to and from the school
School lunch
Extra-curricular activities
School uniforms
Excursions
Private lessons
Summer program (free of chose)
If you have to work hard to afford an international private school, you may consider the future risks of your business (or job) as well as the alternatives: a Spanish public school (today as good as in any other Northern European country) .
You will be need to be registered on the local electoral roll at the town hall, providing all childs details, like record of childs education records, passport details, birth certicifate, proof of immunisation and proof of residency. Every school has a catchment area and you will be requiered to a school within the area where you live. The Education follows the spanish rules and with 14 years, students recieve an school-leaving certifikate which determinates the course of the future education. the advantage of a Spanish School are that your child will become easyly become fluent and perfect in a second language and is probaly most suitable for a younger child.
English Schools on the Costa del Sol
Swan's International Primary School
Calpe School
Saint George's School
Urb. Cortijo Blanco s/n, 29670, San Pedro de Alcántara. Tel. 952 786 606
Benalmádena International College
The British College
Sunland International School
Mayfair Academy
St Anthony's College
St. George's International School of Málaga
English International College
Swan's International, Sierra Blanca
Aloha College
Laude San Pedro International College
Sotogrande International School
Sunnyview
More international Schools :
German School - Colegio Alemán Juan Hoffman
Bus from Fuengirola and Marbella/Estepona
Norwegian School - Colegio Noruego/Den Norske skolen
Schwedish School - Colegio Sueco/ Svenska Skolan
Finnish School - Escuela Finlandesa
Costa del Sol International Schools Marbella |
