Why are so many americans moving to Malaga?

Many Americans are moving to Malaga, do you know why?

More and more Americans are moving to Malaga because it is known as an ideal city for “digital nomads” working abroad, or to enjoy a new life in retirement. In fact, Malaga has become the first city in Spain to receive the Digital Nomad Destination certification, issued by AENOR (an entity dedicated to the development of standardisation and certification in all industrial and service sectors) and has been named as the second best city in the world for digital nomads in the Savills ‘Executive Nomad Index’ ranking, only behind Dubai and also one of the best in terms of quality of life.

Over the last few years, a high volume of American citizens have been moving from the USA to Spain and Malaga being one of the most popular destinations to live.

Because of this and a few other things that we will list below, to give an example, the number of US residents in Spain grew by 13% from 2019 to 2021, and home sales to those people soared 88% between the first half of 2019 to the same period in 2022.

Advantages of living in Spain versus the US

Spanish State healthcare system

Spain’s healthcare system is widely recognised internationally for its quality and accessibility. Spain is a good option if you are elderly, dependent or have any kind of health problem.

In addition, more than 30 health units in the province of Malaga are certified by the Regional Ministry of Health for the quality of their services. This is a tribute to the good work of our Spanish professionals and their daily efforts.

Considered more affordable and efficient compared to the American system, it is an important motivator for those americans considering a move to the Costa del Sol from America.

Facts and figures about the Spanish national health system

Around 90% of Spaniards benefit from the National Health System, while 15% have private health insurance. Thanks to this network (National Health System + Private Health Insurance), Spain enjoys universal care that reaches 99% of the population.

Thus, Spain is a reference in terms of organ transplants; according to the World Transplant Registry, Spain performed 20% of organ donations in the European Union and 6% of those registered worldwide. The Spanish transplant system is studied and applauded all over the world, it is a very supportive country in this sense.

This is why the Spanish healthcare system is ranked among the best in the world by the World Health Organisation. The country has a high life expectancy (83.2 years) and a low infant mortality rate.

Comparative analysis of the US vs Spanish healthcare system

The Spanish healthcare system in Malaga offers several advantages compared to the healthcare system in the United States:

• Shorter waiting times. The average wait time to see a GP in Spain is 8.8 days, compared to 26 days on average across 15 major US cities. While wait times to see specialists may be longer in Spain, the primary care access is much faster.
• Universal coverage. The public healthcare system in Spain provides universal coverage, with access to free or low-cost care for legal residents who contribute to the social security system. In contrast, the US healthcare system does not provide universal coverage, and many Americans struggle to afford private insurance or access care.
• Lower overall costs. The average Spanish resident pays around €2,000 per year for healthcare, while costs are much higher in the US.
• Ability to choose providers. Those with private insurance in Spain can choose their own doctors and medical facilities, without being limited to a specific network. This provides more flexibility compared to many US insurance plans.
• Multilingual services. Private hospitals and clinics in Malaga often offer services in multiple languages, including English, making it easier for expats to access care. In summary, the Spanish healthcare system in Malaga generally provides faster access, universal coverage, lower costs, and more choice for patients compared to the US system. This makes it an attractive option for expats and those seeking high-quality, affordable medical care.

Lifestyle and climate:

Malaga is undoubtedly best known for its 300 days of sunshine a year and only 50 days of rain. It combines this spectacular climate with its well-kept beaches, in fact, its beach season starts in March and ends in October and is maintained assiduously.

In addition, there is no winter or extreme cold. Malaga has a mild climate that invites you to be outdoors, socialise and do outdoor activities. It has a great natural setting in its mountains that makes the combination of mountain and beach a perfect match for its climate.

If you want to know more reasons why Malaga is one of the best international destinations, read the following article: Malaga: Ranked 5th worldwide for second home buyers

Cost of living

According to the SmartAsset study, on average, the cost of living in the United States is $2,508 per month per adult person. In Europe it is 1,746 dollars per month. In Spain, the cost of living is 1,719 dollars per month. This makes it undoubtedly a good option for anyone who is thinking of moving from the United States.

Individual incomes in the United States are more than twice as high as in Spain, 2.4 times higher. Since the cost of living is quite similar and wages are twice as high, the consequence is that the purchasing power of Spaniards is essentially half that of Americans. This difference makes it more affordable for Americans coming from abroad to buy a house in Spain than in their own country. Moreover, for people who work from home, it is a significant day-to-day saving.

Malaga offers a relatively more affordable cost of living compared to many regions of the US:

• Housing. The rental prices and costs of buying a house in Malaga are diverse. You can find very affordable options on the outskirts and around the historic centre, even real bargains in well-connected rural villages.
• Food: The food is of very good quality and cheap. On an individual week you can spend around 60 euros with quite healthy and Mediterranean options. Another option is to go out for dinner, in normal restaurants you can eat from 10 euros for a set menu to 30-40 euros if it’s something a bit more elaborate.
• Transport. Spain and Malaga in general have very good transport connections and are very well connected. A monthly transport pass can cost 40 euros.
• Leisure. Spain is known worldwide for the amount of leisure it has, it is often said that in Spain people live in the street in reference to the fact that Spaniards like to go out a lot to eat, to talk in their parks, to do sports outdoors…. And this is undoubtedly due to its incredible climate. In addition, it is cheap to eat out, go to the theatre (being one of the best countries in the artistic field, you will really enjoy the works inspired by the Mediterranean Sea), cinema, concerts and other activities.

American services and sites in Malaga

We all know that even if you want to live in another country, it is nice to have somewhere to enjoy your native culture. Malaga, being a province so open to foreigners, tends to have plenty of places for every culture. That is why you can enjoy American places in Spain.

Estos son algunos sitios que puedes visitar:

• Ronda is a must-see. A city that Ernest Hemingway and Orson Welles fell in love with for its lifestyle, culture and gastronomy. In fact, a street in Ronda is named after Hemingway, who was always a much-loved figure in this town. The American filmmaker Welles lived many years in Ronda and left in his will, in 1987, that his ashes should remain in this city that saw all his life pass, in the Recreo de San Cayetano, owned by the famous bullfighting family Ordoñez. In addition, many Americans say that the mountains on the way to Ronda remind them of Colorado.

• The Obama Route at Selwo Aventura. In 2010, Michelle Obama and her daughter spent a holiday on the Costa del Sol and had a VIP experience at Selwo Aventura Estepona, a paradise for watching exotic animals. Since then the VIP route is called the Obama Route. You can enjoy a unique experience to discover exotic animals and wildlife.

• American restaurants. You can go from more internationally known restaurants like Carl’s Jr, Foster’s Hollywood, McDonald’s… to local American inspired restaurants like: Black Label, Gottan Grill, All Grill, La Calle Burguer, Nomad Burger Ok Chicken, Taxi-Angus Burger, Rib Shack Marbella, Jacks Smokehouse, iFood…

American Education in Malaga

You have two options for the education of your children according to the American method in Malaga.

• Atlas American School of Malaga. A newly established, modern and well-equipped school. It has entrepreneurship programmes and its education goes from nursery to high school, following the American curriculum. It is very focused on sports.
• The American College. It has been in operation for 10 years, with college, high school, university, sports program and courses. It offers a fully accredited American curriculum and has +90% scholarships to study in the USA afterwards.

If you want to know more about international schools in Malaga we leave you the following article: List of International Schools on the Costa del Sol

Sports for Americans in Malaga

American Football

American football exists on the Costa del Sol, with two teams: Potros and Corsairs. The stronger team is based in Fuengirola. Founded in Coín in 2011, Fuengirola Potros play in the Spanish top division.

It is a sport that started with low popularity and today has many fans on the Costa del Sol.

Polo in Sotogrande

Polo was introduced to Estepona by Enrique Zóbel 70 years ago from India, making Estepona a pioneer in the sport. It is one of the few places where, internationally speaking, it is possible to play polo all year round.

Sotogrande boasts some great trophies, most notably the “Sotogrande Gold Cup“, which has been played since 1971. As a venue, Sotogrande can be considered a cross between Venice and Miami, with the high class qualities of both.

Of all the polo clubs in the region, the Santa María Polo Club is probably the most renowned, and a top venue on the tournament circuit. Be sure to also visit the Sotogrande Polo Academy, the world’s first polo academy to combine polo training with a first-class education.

Golf in the Costa del Sol

Undoubtedly, one of the things Malaga is known for is its golf courses. Active all year round due to the good climate that we have in our land. In addition, many of the existing golf courses in Malaga were created by American golf course architects.

En el año 2023, tuvo lugar la Solheim Cup en el lujoso complejo Finca Cortesín, en Casares. La Copa Solheim es una competición bienal por equipos entre las mejores golfistas profesionales de Europa y Estados Unidos.

In this article we leave you more information about the best golf courses in Marbella.

Daily direct flights Malaga-New York

United Airlines offers daily flights to Malaga every summer as a result of a commercial agreement between Malaga and the United States. These are non-stop flights, with 176 seats. Making it possible for you to get to and from the United States easily.

The route makes Malaga United’s 5th Spanish destination, in addition to Madrid and Barcelona (which operate year-round) and Palma de Mallorca and Tenerife (available in summer).

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At Malaga Solicitors, we help all our clients to secure their future in Spain, we formalise purchases and sales of real estate in Spain, advise them on visas to apply for, provide information on taxes and much more.

Contact us if you want to know how to move to Spain the right way, without taking risks.

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