Lifestyle

Expat guide to living in Sierra Blanca

June 11, 2021 by Paramount Digital

From stunning scenery and weather, to local amenities and leisure facilities, to schools and healthcare, here’s what you need to know about moving to Sierra Blanca.

Sierra Blanca is an exclusive and sought after location for expats seeking to retire to the sun or those seeking a reliable investment opportunity.

If you’re looking for somewhere safe and secure to enjoy your retirement then Sierra Blanca’s range of gated communities and luxury mansions or villas will give you the quiet privacy you’re looking for.

If you’re looking for somewhere quiet, but still within a short distance of the hustle and bustle of city life, Sierra Blanca also has you covered with the likes of Puerto Banus and The Golden Mile a short distance away.

In this guide we look to give you a flavour of what expat life is like for those living in Sierra Blanca.

Come for the weather

Sierra Blanca sits in an elevated position up in the foothills to the north of Marbella. This means it is protected from extreme weather and high winds by the surrounding mountains while benefitted from shelter from the warmer temperatures.

This gives Sierra Blanca its own microclimate which benefits from the warmer weather you’d expect from Marbella, while helping to keep things cool on a Summer evening. On average, temperatures sit around 19 degrees Celsius with an average 320 days of sun a year.

No wonder it’s so popular.

Leisure

Sierra Blanca offers an array of leisure activities.

Because of its location in the mountains, it offers some of the best trails for hiking or bike riding in Marbella with stunning views of the city on one side and the Mediterranean on the other.

Plus, with the Mediterranean on its doorstep, there’s plenty of beach activities or you can get out on the open water with a bit of sailing.

If you want something a bit more leisurely, you won’t find it hard to find some of the best golf courses in the Costa Del Sol like La Quinta and Los Naranjos.

Dining and nightlife

Sierra Blanca has a bit of everything for you whether you want something authentically Spanish or something that reminds you a bit more of home. It’s local bars and restaurants cater for the local communities and match the exclusive look and feel of the rest of Sierra Blanca.

Plus, with Marbella’s Golden Mile just a short distance away you’re never far from some of the best, most exclusive dining and nightlife destinations in the Costa Del Sol.

Transport

You can get to Sierra Blanca directly on the A7 highway (Marbella by-pass) while central Marbella and Puerto Banus are a short distance away by car, so you’re easily connected with popular destinations and resorts on the Costa Del Sol.

For international travel, Sierra Blanca is conveniently located for Malaga Costa Del Sol Airport.

If you drive, then Sierra Blanca and the surrounding resorts are well connected and never more than a short distance away from local amenities (although peak time traffic can get pretty busy).

The area also has a reliable network of public transport to get around without a car.

Healthcare

As an expat living in Spain, you may be eligible to receive free state healthcare.

You’d be entitled to this if:

You’re a state pensioner
You’re living in Spain temporarily and have a European Health Insurance Card or Global Health Insurance Card for temporary stays
You live and work in Spain and pay social security
If you’ve lived in Spain for 5 years and are deemed a permanent resident

Schools and education

If you’re moving to Sierra Blanca with a young family, you’ll want to know that there are quality schools nearby. And you can be reassured that there are.

The Swans International School is one of the best and longest established international schools on the Costa del Sol, while there’s also The British School of Marbella and The English International College. And there are also several good state schools in the area too.

Ready to make your dream move to Sierra Blanca?

If your heart is set on retiring to the sun kissed Sierra Blanca, Bromley Estates is here to guide you through the process of buying the perfect retirement property.