Hello everyone, my husband and I officially retired last year. We always dreamed of finding a place by the Mediterranean to spend our days soaking up the sun and enjoying leisurely coffees. After looking into several places like Greece and Portugal, we were ultimately captivated by the warmth and vibrant lifestyle of Spain and decided to spend our golden years here.
Budget and Area Selection
Our total budget was around €300,000, and our goal was to find a move-in ready home that didn’t require major renovations. We focused our search on the southern Costa del Sol, especially the towns around Malaga. Initially, we were charmed by the ‘white village’ feel of Nerja, but considering daily conveniences, we eventually narrowed our focus to Estepona and Mijas.
Some Thoughts from Our Property Viewings
The process was quite an ordeal; the agent showed us at least fifteen properties. Some looked like fairytale cottages in the photos, but in person, we’d find obvious water stains and mold in the corners—something you really have to watch out for in coastal areas! We initially considered buying an old house in the hills to renovate ourselves, but we soon realized the amount of work and the complexity of the approval process were too much. For people like us looking for a hassle-free a retirement home in Spain, it was better to give up that idea.
To organize our thoughts, we made a simple comparison table, which we’re sharing here for your reference:
| Property Type | Pros | Cons |
|---|
| Apartment | Low maintenance costs, good community amenities | Smaller space, less privacy |
| Villa | Large space, has a garden/pool, good privacy | High maintenance costs, time-consuming to manage |
| New Build | Modern design, energy-efficient, no renovations needed | Higher price, relatively fewer options |
| Resale Property | Good locations, price is negotiable | May require renovation; risk of hidden issues when buying property in Spain |
In the end, we bought a two-bedroom apartment in the new district of Estepona. It has a large terrace with a sea view, and the complex has a swimming pool and garden. The community fees aren’t too expensive either. We’ve been living here for almost three months now, and our daily life consists of strolling through the old town and walking along the beach—it’s incredibly pleasant. We wanted to share our humble experience in the hopes that it might help others who are also considering this step. Feel free to ask any questions you might have!
