What actually happens when you stop dreaming about Spain and finally get on the plane?

In this episode, Our client & Dublin entrepreneur and wellness practitioner Gracie Mahady shares her first four weeks living in Málaga on the Costa del Sol , renting in a Spanish neighbourhood, building community and slowly moving her yoga and reflexology business from Ireland to Spain.

You’ll hear:

• Why renting first can save you costly mistakes when you eventually buy in Spain
• Adapting to Spanish culture, language and lifestyle in those first few weeks
• How to make friends fast and find genuinely supportive communities in Málaga
• What it’s like to start from scratch professionally (with humility and hustle)
• Safety as a solo woman living in Spain and using your instincts wisely
• Bringing a wellness business to the Costa del Sol (yoga, meditation, reflexology)
• Practical tips for learning Spanish and networking so life and business feel easier

If you can see yourself in Gracie’s story, this is a real-life look at what it’s really like to take the first step towards buying property in Spain by renting and testing areas first.

👉 Ready to explore whether a move ( and eventually a purchase ) on the Costa del Sol is right for you?

Book a complimentary consultation with WL Costa Properties:

https://calendly.com/wlcostaproperties/property-consultation?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=audio&utm_campaign=consult_call

Resources:

📘 Download our Buyer’s Guide (costs, legal checks, timelines & more):
https://wlcostaproperties.net/our-comprehensive-digital-course/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=buyers_roadmap

📩 Email our team: info@wlcostaproperties.net

📱 Call / WhatsApp: +34 602 42 89 28

📍 Visit our office:
Avenida Bonanza Local 21, Arroyo de la Miel, Benalmádena, Málaga
Walk-ins: 10am–2pm | After 2pm by appointment

Want to simply keep in the loop about life in Spain?

• If you want honest, expert advice about family life, relocating or property on the Costa del Sol, be sure to Follow us on Instagram or visit WL Costa Properties for insights on life in Spain.

Related Episodes

#51 Home on the Costa: How 2 Women Made Spain Their Dream Life (And How You Can Too)

Enjoying the Podcast? Leave Us a Review!

We know life is busy, but if you’ve been loving the podcast, we’d really appreciate it if you could take just a minute to leave us a review.

Tell us:

✔️ What’s been your favorite episode?

✔️ What’s the most helpful tip you’ve learned?

✔️ What do you want to hear more about?

Every review helps us reach more people just like you who are dreaming of a new life in Spain.

Just head over to Apple Podcasts, hit the rating, and drop us a quick review.

In this episode of The Costa Property Podcast, Warner sits down with Lynsey and Jacqueline to unpack what really happened in the 2025 Costa del Sol property market – in Q4 and what it means if you’re planning to buy in 2026.

From serious international buyers (UK, Ireland, Europe, US, Canada) to low supply, “Wild West” listings and the rise of non-lucrative visa moves, this is an insider briefing for anyone serious about buying in Spain.

You’ll learn:

• How Q4 of 2025 really played out: enquiries, viewings and offers
• Buyer behaviour and what surprised us the most about international demand
• How we prepare buyers months before they land
• Real client stories: the Denver couple who hated their first area, the California buyer purchasing a new build remotely, and UK clients using the non-lucrative visa to move to Spain
• The reality of portals, overpricing and photoshopped listings
• Why listings and infrastructure are such an advantage for 2026 buyers

If you’re planning to relocate to the Costa del Sol or buy a lifestyle or investment property in 2026, understanding how buyers behaved in 2025 will help you avoid costly mistakes, set realistic expectations and choose the right partners on the ground.

Ready to talk about your own move?

Book a complimentary consultation with WL Costa Properties and get tailored guidance for you.

📞 Book a complimentary property consultation:
https://calendly.com/wlcostaproperties/property-consultation?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=consult_call

📘 Download our Buyer’s Guide (costs, legal checks, timelines & more):
https://wlcostaproperties.net/our-comprehensive-digital-course/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=buyers_roadmap

📩 Email our team: info@wlcostaproperties.net

📱 Call / WhatsApp: +34 602 42 89 28

📍 Visit our office:
Avenida Bonanza Local 21, Arroyo de la Miel, Benalmádena, Málaga
Walk-ins: 10am–2pm | After 2pm by appointment

Want to simply keep in the loop about life in Spain?

• If you want honest, expert advice about family life, relocating or property on the Costa del Sol, be sure to Follow us on Instagram or visit WL Costa Properties for insights on life in Spain.

Related Episodes

#89 Buying Property in Spain? Here’s EXACTLY How to Protect Your Budget from Exchange Rate Movements

Enjoying the Podcast? Leave Us a Review!

We know life is busy, but if you’ve been loving the podcast, we’d really appreciate it if you could take just a minute to leave us a review.

Tell us:

✔️ What’s been your favorite episode?

✔️ What’s the most helpful tip you’ve learned?

✔️ What do you want to hear more about?

Every review helps us reach more people just like you who are dreaming of a new life in Spain.

Just head over to Apple Podcasts, hit the rating, and drop us a quick review.

When most people picture the Costa del Sol, they picture beach bars, sangria, happy hours and pubs. But what if you’re sober, sober-curious, or you just don’t want your whole social life to revolve around alcohol, can you still move to Spain and enjoy it?

In this episode, Sandra talks with Emma and Louise, co-founders of Sober Socials, a growing community on the Costa del Sol for people who want connection, fun and belonging without alcohol.

You’ll hear:

• How Louise went from fully embracing the Costa del Sol “happy hour” stereotype to pausing drinking in 2019 and why that change still feels right years later
• Emma’s route from the UK to Australia, Costa Rica and finally Benalmádena – and how her view of Spain completely shifted once she lived here
• Why hot weather, “holiday mode” and expat culture can build habitual drinking habits and how to create new rituals instead
• Practical tips for January resets, nights out, handling “just have one” pressure and creating a simple “game plan” before you go out
• What actually happens at Sober Socials events (Mocktail & Mingle evenings, charity walks, meetups) and how to join whether you’re already on the Costa del Sol or still planning your move
  
  

If you’re thinking about moving to the Costa del Sol and you’ve also promised yourself you’ll drink less, take a break or just live a little differently, this conversation is a reassuring look at how you can do both.

Connect with Sober Socials
Website: https://sobersocial.es

Work with WL Costa Properties:
📞 Book a complimentary property consultation:
https://calendly.com/wlcostaproperties/property-consultation?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=consult_call

📘 Download our Buyer’s Guide (costs, legal checks, timelines & more):
https://wlcostaproperties.net/our-comprehensive-digital-course/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=buyers_roadmap

📩 Email our team: info@wlcostaproperties.net

📱 Call / WhatsApp: +34 602 42 89 28

📍 Visit our office:
Avenida Bonanza Local 21, Arroyo de la Miel, Benalmádena, Málaga
Walk-ins: 10am–2pm | After 2pm by appointment

Want to simply keep in the loop about life in Spain?

• If you want honest, expert advice about family life, relocating or property on the Costa del Sol, be sure to Follow us on Instagram or visit WL Costa Properties for insights on life in Spain.

Related Episodes

• #52 The Emotional Rollercoaster of Moving Abroad: Overcoming Fear & Finding Community with Florence Reisch

Enjoying the Podcast? Leave Us a Review!

We know life is busy, but if you’ve been loving the podcast, we’d really appreciate it if you could take just a minute to leave us a review.

Tell us:

✔️ What’s been your favorite episode?

✔️ What’s the most helpful tip you’ve learned?

✔️ What do you want to hear more about?

Every review helps us reach more people just like you who are dreaming of a new life in Spain.

Just head over to Apple Podcasts, hit the rating, and drop us a quick review