Has Marbella always been top of your Costa del Sol wishlist?

In this episode, we break down why Benalmádena has gone from underrated to in-demand and why more and more serious buyers are choosing Benalmádena

After almost a decade living and working here, we share what we’ve seen buyers get right about the Costa Del Sol in 2026 and where expectations still need a serious reset.

You’ll learn:

• Why Benalmádena has gone from “underrated” to “in demand” with families, investors, relocators, remote workers and retirees
• How the lifestyle really compares: Benalmádena vs Marbella, beyond the glossy headlines
• Why the train line, airport access and walkability are game-changers for both living and investing
• The key differences between Benalmadena Costa, Arroyo de la Miel, Benalmádena Pueblo and El Higuerón.
• What’s actually happening with prices in 2026, and why holding out for a “better moment” can end up costing you more
• A real price example from 2017 to today, and what it tells us about waiting vs acting

For anyone seriously considering buying property in Spain, especially on the Costa del Sol, this conversation will help you decide whether Benalmádena or Marbella fits your goals, your budget and your lifestyle best.

Book a complimentary consultation with WL Costa Properties:

https://calendly.com/wlcostaproperties/property-consultation?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=audio&utm_campaign=consult_call

Resources:

📘 Download our Buyer’s Guide (costs, legal checks, timelines & more):
https://wlcostaproperties.net/our-comprehensive-digital-course/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=buyers_roadmap

📩 Email our team: info@wlcostaproperties.net

📱 Call / WhatsApp: +34 602 42 89 28

📍 Visit our office:

Avenida Bonanza Local 21, Arroyo de la Miel, Benalmádena, Málaga
Walk-ins: 10am–2pm | After 2pm by appointment

Want to simply keep in the loop about life in Spain?

• If you want honest, expert advice about family life, relocating or property on the Costa del Sol, be sure to Follow us on Instagram or visit WL Costa Properties for insights on life in Spain.

Related Episode

#70 Leaving Málaga for Benalmádena After 10 Years - What Surprised Me Most (with Hanni Martini)

Enjoying the Podcast? Leave Us a Review!

We know life is busy, but if you’ve been loving the podcast, we’d really appreciate it if you could take just a minute to leave us a review.

Tell us:

✔️ What’s been your favorite episode?

✔️ What’s the most helpful tip you’ve learned?

✔️ What do you want to hear more about?

Every review helps us reach more people just like you who are dreaming of a new life in Spain.

Just head over to Apple Podcasts, hit the rating, and drop us a quick review.

Thinking about moving to Spain on the non-lucrative visa (NLV)?

In this episode, Sandra sits down with WL Costa Properties client Vicki Owen, who has just completed the full UK → Spain NLV process while juggling a wedding, a house sale and a relocation to Benalmádena on the Costa del Sol.

She walks us through the paperwork, the costs, the three-month wait with no passport, and the emotional side of surrendering to a process you can’t control, plus why despite everything, she’d still do it again.

You’ll learn:

• Who the Spain non-lucrative visa really suits and why it was Vicki’s only viable route.
• How long the process actually took from first documents to visa approval.
• The real upfront costs: private healthcare, legal help, translations, apostilles and more.
• How a Spanish lawyer helped navigate BLS requests and consulate curveballs.
• Why Vicki and her husband chose Benalmádena for long-term life on the Costa del Sol.
  
  

For serious relocators and buyers, this is a real life look at what it takes to secure Spanish residency, plan your move and position yourself to buy property confidently on the Costa del Sol.

Book a complimentary consultation with WL Costa Properties:

https://calendly.com/wlcostaproperties/property-consultation?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=audio&utm_campaign=consult_call

Resources:

📘 Download our Buyer’s Guide (costs, legal checks, timelines & more):
https://wlcostaproperties.net/our-comprehensive-digital-course/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=buyers_roadmap

📩 Email our team: info@wlcostaproperties.net

📱 Call / WhatsApp: +34 602 42 89 28

📍 Visit our office:
Avenida Bonanza Local 21, Arroyo de la Miel, Benalmádena, Málaga
Walk-ins: 10am–2pm | After 2pm by appointment

Want to simply keep in the loop about life in Spain?

• If you want honest, expert advice about family life, relocating or property on the Costa del Sol, be sure to Follow us on Instagram for insights on life in Spain.

Related Episode

#78 Brexit, Visas & Red Tape: Is It Still Easy for Brits to Relocate to Spain?

Enjoying the Podcast? Leave Us a Review!

We know life is busy, but if you’ve been loving the podcast, we’d really appreciate it if you could take just a minute to leave us a review.

Tell us:

✔️ What’s been your favorite episode?

✔️ What’s the most helpful tip you’ve learned?

✔️ What do you want to hear more about?

Every review helps us reach more people just like you who are dreaming of a new life in Spain.

Just head over to Apple Podcasts, hit the rating, and drop us a quick review.

What actually happens when you stop dreaming about Spain and finally get on the plane?

In this episode, Our client & Dublin entrepreneur and wellness practitioner Gracie Mahady shares her first four weeks living in Málaga on the Costa del Sol , renting in a Spanish neighbourhood, building community and slowly moving her yoga and reflexology business from Ireland to Spain.

You’ll hear:

• Why renting first can save you costly mistakes when you eventually buy in Spain
• Adapting to Spanish culture, language and lifestyle in those first few weeks
• How to make friends fast and find genuinely supportive communities in Málaga
• What it’s like to start from scratch professionally (with humility and hustle)
• Safety as a solo woman living in Spain and using your instincts wisely
• Bringing a wellness business to the Costa del Sol (yoga, meditation, reflexology)
• Practical tips for learning Spanish and networking so life and business feel easier

If you can see yourself in Gracie’s story, this is a real-life look at what it’s really like to take the first step towards buying property in Spain by renting and testing areas first.

👉 Ready to explore whether a move ( and eventually a purchase ) on the Costa del Sol is right for you?

Book a complimentary consultation with WL Costa Properties:

https://calendly.com/wlcostaproperties/property-consultation?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=audio&utm_campaign=consult_call

Resources:

📘 Download our Buyer’s Guide (costs, legal checks, timelines & more):
https://wlcostaproperties.net/our-comprehensive-digital-course/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=buyers_roadmap

📩 Email our team: info@wlcostaproperties.net

📱 Call / WhatsApp: +34 602 42 89 28

📍 Visit our office:
Avenida Bonanza Local 21, Arroyo de la Miel, Benalmádena, Málaga
Walk-ins: 10am–2pm | After 2pm by appointment

Want to simply keep in the loop about life in Spain?

• If you want honest, expert advice about family life, relocating or property on the Costa del Sol, be sure to Follow us on Instagram or visit WL Costa Properties for insights on life in Spain.

Related Episodes

#51 Home on the Costa: How 2 Women Made Spain Their Dream Life (And How You Can Too)

Enjoying the Podcast? Leave Us a Review!

We know life is busy, but if you’ve been loving the podcast, we’d really appreciate it if you could take just a minute to leave us a review.

Tell us:

✔️ What’s been your favorite episode?

✔️ What’s the most helpful tip you’ve learned?

✔️ What do you want to hear more about?

Every review helps us reach more people just like you who are dreaming of a new life in Spain.

Just head over to Apple Podcasts, hit the rating, and drop us a quick review.