Moving from Ireland to the Costa del Sol: What Justin Learned About Life and Property Here

Why choose life on the Costa del Sol?

Honest insights from an Irish expat who has spent 21 years in Spain

If you’re considering life on the Costa del Sol, it’s worth listening to someone who has walked that path.
Justin Parks moved from Ireland to Spain in 2001 and has stayed loyal to the Marbella area ever since. His story gives a clear picture of what to expect when choosing this lifestyle.

How one trip turned into a permanent home

Justin’s journey started by accident. He arrived in Marbella with a friend, planning to travel across Europe. Within a few days he realised there was no reason to continue.
Sunshine, the coastal atmosphere and the contrast to Ireland’s dark winters made it obvious this could be a place to build a new life.

He came with nothing, created everything from scratch, and later started a family here. Today he feels fully integrated – his work, community and friendships are all rooted on the Costa del Sol.

What makes life here special?

Three strengths stand out from the moment you spend your first year here:

300 days of sunshine

Bright mornings are not just a pleasant extra – they change your mood, energy and daily rhythm.

A lifestyle where people are truly present

Local culture encourages shared meals and slowing down.
Family-centred values and time spent around the table are a natural part of everyday life. Compared to the pace in Northern Europe, life here feels calmer but just as productive.

A region that offers everything

Surfing in Tarifa, skiing in Sierra Nevada, a day trip to Morocco – all of it is within a few hours.
Together with strong infrastructure and reliable healthcare, the area feels complete.

What requires adjustment?

Any move comes with challenges. Justin highlights three things to be ready for:

Bureaucracy

Today things are far easier than in 2001, but paperwork is still part of the process.
Digital services have made most steps straightforward, and the community helps newcomers get oriented quickly.

The tax system

It works differently from what Northern Europeans are used to, but with local guidance you adapt fast.

The language barrier

In Marbella you can live your everyday life entirely in English.
The real challenge is the opposite — because everyone speaks English, learning Spanish takes longer, simply because you don’t need it.
In cities like Seville, Valencia or Madrid you’d be fluent in two to three years because daily life requires it.

Community and safety: strong values that matter

Many newcomers are surprised by how safe and child-focused the Costa del Sol is.
In parks, everyone keeps an eye on the children; in the healthcare system, kids get priority. The sense of community is real and present.

Where do Irish residents tend to live?

Years ago, Irish expats concentrated mainly in Marbella.
This has changed. Estepona, La Cala de Mijas and Fuengirola have grown quickly, offering modern new developments, strong infrastructure and often better value.
Today Irish residents — just like other Northern Europeans — are spread across the entire coastline.

Why should someone from Northern Europe consider moving here?

Justin sums it up clearly:

• A strong sense of community that forms quickly.

• Good opportunities for anyone who is entrepreneurial or works remotely.

• Easy access to home countries — short flights to Dublin, Cork, Stockholm, Helsinki or Oslo.

• A lifestyle with two homes, which often becomes one: the “holiday home” slowly turns into the main home.

What about the property market?

Justin has watched the region through multiple cycles and sees the Costa del Sol as a market driven by international demand.

Key points from his view:

• prices have increased together with interest rates,

• demand in this region does not disappear,

• economic shifts affect each area differently,

• Marbella remains stable because life here is active all year,

• Estepona is following the same path with rapid development and strong growth.

Justin wrapped up the conversation in a way that fits him perfectly — light, relaxed and with a hint of humour.
“Let’s grab a beer — everything will sort itself out,” he said with a smile.
It’s the kind of easygoing attitude many Northern Europeans eventually grow into once they settle on the Costa del Sol.