- Michele Bennett, feeling drained by work, sought a more laid-back lifestyle.
- In 2024, she made the leap to Málaga, Spain, leaving her job, house, and possessions behind.
- In an interview, she expressed how this change transformed her life unbelievably.
This narrative recounts a chat with Michele Bennett, who moved from Phoenix to Málaga, Spain, in 2024. The conversation has been edited for brevity and clarity.
After spending over ten years in sales, with the majority in the mortgage sector, my work-life was beyond exhausting. During my busiest six years, I clocked 80-hour weeks, and often at least 55 hours weekly. I was completely worn out.
Visiting Europe had always been a dream for me, especially Spain, since it’s part of my heritage.
What fascinated me most about Spain was its relaxed lifestyle; it seemed much less about endless workdays. In contrast to the US’s intense work culture, I noticed that in Spain, life isn’t just about responding to work emails at late hours—the focus is on enjoying life. This thought was incredibly appealing to me.
My home was in downtown Phoenix, which felt progressive, yet the surrounding area was conservative, making me feel uneasy as a queer woman. Add to that the gun culture in Arizona, and I often found myself on alert. I craved a new place that would provide me with safety and less stress.
After intensive planning, I sold my car and everything I owned, and I was off to Spain.
Choosing Málaga Over Barcelona
I did my homework before making the move but was still anxious about flying out—who wouldn’t be when relocating to a whole new country?
However, my desire to escape the US outweighs any pre-flight jitters.
I initially contemplated a life in Barcelona, aiming for a bustling city by the coast, but thanks to a friend’s recommendation, I discovered that Málaga had the vibe I was looking for. I definitely made the right choice.
Málaga boasts a growing art scene as the birthplace of Pablo Picasso, featuring fantastic attractions like the Picasso Museum and his historical home.
Living here showcases some incredible architecture that’s a stark contrast to what I was used to in America. A casual walk to the grocery store could have me passing monumental landmarks—it’s still a thrill even after a year!
I reside right in the heart of Málaga, just around the corner from Alcazaba, an impressive palatial fortress. The area is lovely, and while tourist crowds can be challenging, the beauty remains striking.
The locals here are incredibly kind. My Spanish? It still needs plenty of work, but they assure me, “Your Spanish is fine,” which is pretty touching, even if it might be a stretch!
Housing Challenges in Spain
I used Idealista, an affordable real estate platform, to track down my apartment. Thankfully, I got lucky! I reached out to around 30 listings before finding a response.
My new place is a cozy two-bedroom with AC, a dishwasher, and a spacious terrace—about 900 square feet. Quite often, I find myself relaxing on my couch with an amazing view of the Santa Iglesia Catedral Basílica de la Encarnación—it’s simply breathtaking.
The rent is around €1,325 ($1,545), which seems reasonable for what you get. Nevertheless, I’ve noticed an uptick in housing prices recently, though it’s nothing compared to the steepness I saw in the US.
Sometimes, I feel guilty knowing that I sold my house for around $525,000 and with my savings, I’m living in a city where local residents struggle to afford rents. To give back, I’ve started volunteering to help with a stray cat population in my neighborhood.
Navigating New Social Circles
I’m here in Spain on a student visa, which my attorney advised me to obtain. After I settled in, I applied for it and enrolled in classes. Eventually, I picked a school in Málaga.
My studies are set for 48 weeks, followed by an additional 48 weeks for more language learning. I aspire to be nearly fluent by next summer; that will aid my goal to eventually attend law school here.
Making genuine connections with locals is a challenge—my Spanish is far from perfect. Nonetheless, I’m enjoying a classes where I’ve started to form friendships, plus I attend local meetups and engage through Facebook groups.
Finding dating prospects is another hurdle—特别是对于 queer женщин, это обычно труднее за границей. Лесбийское сообщество в Малаге довольно маленькое, и, хотя Торремолиносы (20 минутах от Малаги) считаются гей-столицей Коста-дель-Соль, ситуация там в основном предназначена для мужчин—нет лесбийского бара.
The Upside of My Big Move
Relocating here has been a fantastic decision—my present life compared to my former is worlds apart.
Last year, I dealt with extreme stress, manifesting as terrible eczema. Yet, just a month after arriving in Spain, all that disappeared.
While I still lean on my savings, I’m on the lookout for online work opportunities. I prefer not to connect with US companies, so I’ve been focusing on growing my social media presence and tackling virtual assistant gigs.
Living within a stone’s throw from the beach has brought a much-needed sense of calm to my life. They take siestas here, and even though it’s not my norm, I’m embracing those afternoon naps!
A city girl at heart who used to rush everywhere, I’m learning to slow down—there truly is no rush here.
