Overview
Moving Your Family to Marbella
Marbella is often seen as the more exclusive choice for families moving to the Costa del Sol. Many people know it for Puerto Banús, the luxury boats, and its upmarket tourism. But living here with a family is a different experience from what the holiday adverts suggest. Away from the glitz of the Golden Mile, you will find a very well-organised town. It has excellent facilities, perhaps the most international schools in southern Spain.
Families here have plenty of choices. You can access over 15 international schools, excellent sports centres like the Manolo Santana Tennis Club, and desirable residential areas, for instance, Sierra Blanca, Nueva Andalucía, and San Pedro de Alcántara. This range of options, however, does come with a higher price tag compared to other parts of the coast.
Schools in Marbella
The number of schools available is a big reason many international families consider Marbella. You will find British curriculum schools (like Swans International School and Aloha College), bilingual options (Colegio Alborán), and specific International Baccalaureate programmes. There is a good selection.
However, getting a place can be quite competitive. The best schools often have waiting lists, sometimes for as long as 18 months. Fees are also notably higher than schools further along the coast, in Mijas Costa or Benalmádena. Many families actually sort out school places before looking for a home nearby. If you prefer a more central base, like the Almitak development in Las Lagunas de Mijas, Marbella's schools are only about a 22-minute drive via the A-7. This means you can still use Marbella's school system, but without the higher property costs of living right there.
Family Areas
If you are set on living inside Marbella itself, families generally gravitate towards a few particular areas:
- Nueva Andalucía: Known as the 'Golf Valley', this area sits just behind Puerto Banús. It is very popular with Scandinavian and British families. You will find large villas, quiet streets, and it is right next to Aloha College.
- San Pedro de Alcántara: This is a more traditional, flatter, and very walkable town, just to the west of Puerto Banús. Its boulevard is excellent, with playgrounds, making it truly suitable for families.
- Las Chapas / Elviria: These areas are to the east of Marbella centre. They offer some of the municipality's best beaches and convenient access to the English International College.
A Look at the Costs
Marbella is certainly the most expensive area on the Costa del Sol. While groceries and utilities are much the same as elsewhere, housing and school fees can rise very quickly. A four-bedroom family villa in Nueva Andalucía, for example, will cost you considerably more to buy or rent than a similar property in Mijas Costa.
This difference in price is why many families take a combined approach. By buying a modern, A+ energy-rated home at the Almitak development in Mijas Costa (with prices starting from €296,010), families can significantly lower their housing expenses. From Almitak, they are then well-placed to enjoy Marbella's lifestyle – La Cañada shopping centre is only 20 minutes away – while keeping a much better grip on their daily spending.
Legal and Money Matters
When you buy family property in Spain, wherever it is, solid legal protection is crucial. BlancaReal, a company established in 1969, makes sure all purchases meet Spanish law completely. For off-plan buys, we check that developers provide the compulsory individual bank guarantees (aval bancario) that Ley 20/2015 demands. This protects your deposits. Our own legal team manages the details, so your family can concentrate on settling in.