ABOUT
Ross is originally from Fraserburgh which is a town 40 north east in Scotland. He works in Brazil for 28 days on rotation then gets 28 days off which he spends in Marbella. He speaks a little bit of Portuguese due to working in Brazil.
tell us about your story
First, I left school and I went fishing. We went away for several days on a prawn trawler. It was very dangerous and hard work. Then as soon as I was 18 I went into the oil and gas industry which I still do to this current day. I moved here 2 years ago, you get the sun over 300 days a year and it’s also close to the UK for flying back and forth.
Moving to Marbella
How did you get set up?
Mostly everyone speaks English here so I was lucky. I had to use an agency to set up an NIE number which in Spain you require for phone, internet and banking.
Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance?
I am lucky enough, I have private healthcare through my work so this was not an issue.
What did you bring with you?
Very little to be honest, a suitcase of clothes. I have a house back in the UK that I rent out so I left almost everything behind.
How did you find an apartment in Marbella?
I used an agent
on http://www.marbellapads.com the rent is 1500 euro a month now and we have to pay upfront by a year. Most agents do that, and you get a discount.
Living in Marbella
What surprised you about life there?
If you go down Banus port area which is 5 mins from Marbella the amount of wealth some people have is surprising and there’s lots of them. Every 2nd car is either a Ferrari or another high performance brand. Also Louis Vuitton and Gucci and people are shopping for real, not window shopping.
What should people consider before deciding to move to Marbella?
Ensure you have good accommodation and you visit it prior to securing it, more so in the summer months. It’s getting nearly impossible to find good accommodation at a normal price. Some agents are charging 2,000 euros plus a month for a small apartment.
What specifically is Marbella famous for?
Marbella is famous for a lively night life, luxury beach clubs and resorts.
What apps do you find useful in your daily life in Marbella?
Google translate as my Spanish is not that great. I also use the Uber and Bolt apps for transport.
What languages do you need to speak to live in Marbella?
Spanish and English. I am lucky, everyone speaks English.
What are your favorite places in Marbella?
La Sala Restaurant: You get amazing food, live music and it has a good vibe.
What is the most recent thing you've read in the news about life in Marbella?
Due to not much rain there is a water shortage and in some regions private pools and some shared pools are not allowed to be filled. Also in some places they turn the water off from midnight to 5am.
Final Thoughts
How do Spanish people compare to Scottish people, in your opinion?
I think they are similar, very easy going and friendly.
Do you feel safe in Marbella?
It’s mostly safe. I don’t get drunk and walk about the streets at 4am with anything like watches or what seems to attract crime. There is a lot of watch theft here.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in Marbella?
It honestly depends on the lifestyle but I would say life is good at about 3000 euros a month which would give you a decent apartment and spending money. If you were working in Spain it would be hard to get that monthly salary. You often see people sharing their apartments.
What's on your list of favorite restaurants and cafés in Marbella?
The 3 Monkeys bar about 10 mins from Marbella does amazing food, drinks, live music and also it’s got a good bunch of expat regulars.
Can you tell us something else about Marbella that we might not know?
Marbella was voted Europe’s best destination in 2024.
What are some disadvantages to living in Marbella?
It’s expensive for accommodation, in the summer it can be extremely hot and everywhere is packed with tourists.
Was it easy making friends and meeting people?
It’s been very easy. I am a very sociable guy. I have met some amazing friends. There are heaps of bars run by expats. They normally have an expat regular crowd.
What are your plans for the future?
My plan is to keep working offshore and save up for an apartment of my own here in Spain.
Thank you so much Ross for sharing your story, it’s quite incredible that you basically live on two different continents! I wish you all the best for the future! His IG Here 🙂
