Anja from the east of Holland has been living full-time on the Costa del Sol since the end of 2024 in search of cosier climes.
Once a professional physiotherapist and later an HSE official with a holiday home in the sun, she finally decided to make the move south, on her own, and sold her house in Holland. She bought her apartment and installed herself in the Calahonda community, in Mijas. A giant step, but the right one.
EWN: How are you getting on with the change of culture?
Anja: It’s very bureaucratic here, but luckily I have an excellent “gestor” who has helped with the residency, ID cards, health card and so on. But I feel very welcome here, especially with all the social groups and friends I have made.
EWN: If there was one thing you could change about life on the Costa del Sol, what would it be?
Anja: Maybe the language.
EWN: Spanish?
Anja: No, the English! Everything here is in English. The bars, the restaurants, even the music. I would like some more Spanish. But, I suppose you have to move more in land for that.
EWN: How is your Spanish?
Anja: I’m taking classes. I think it’s easier for nationalities, like Dutch or Danish, because we are often already bilingual. English speakers usually find Spanish more difficult, especially the pronunciation.
Anja was trying to decide between Spain and Italy for the big move and finally decided that Spanish is more familiar in that it’s more of a global language.
EWN: Can you ever see yourself moving back to the Netherlands?
Anja: No! Never! I sold everything to move here. I left everything in Holland. Even my daughter lives here now.
There is something about the magnetic allure of the Costa del Sol that often ensures there is no turning back for those who move here. However, it seems it’s not the “local” language.