The NOEMA relocation handbook
Moving to Málaga with Kids
Costa del Sol Edition
The story-led handbook for international families relocating to Spain — from the visa appointment to the first ordinary Tuesday.
Written by a mother who moved from Boston to Málaga with two young children, this guide collects the practical, emotional and logistical decisions every family faces when building a new life on the Costa del Sol.
Sold and shipped by Amazon. You'll be taken to your local Amazon store when possible.
What's inside
Twelve chapters that take you from decision to daily life
- Visas, NIE and residency — step by step
- Choosing schools in Málaga: public, concertado and international
- Finding and renting a home without a Spanish payroll
- Healthcare, paediatricians and emergencies
- Real cost of living for a family of four
- Neighbourhood guides to Málaga, Benalmádena and the Costa del Sol
- The emotional side of moving: loneliness, identity and building community
- Printable checklists for every stage of the move
Who this is for
Built for families at every stage of the move
Still deciding
You're weighing Spain against other options and need honest, lived context.
Planning the move
You have a timeline and need a checklist-driven plan for paperwork, schools and housing.
Already here
You're navigating the first year and want practical answers without scrolling forums for hours.
Choose your format
Kindle or paperback
Kindle Edition
Start reading tonight. The Kindle edition travels with you and is ideal if you are still in the decision phase or living out of suitcases.
Get it on KindlePaperback Edition
The full handbook in paperback, designed to be annotated, bookmarked and passed between parents during the move.
Get Paperback on AmazonFirst 90 Days Guide
A companion paperback focused on the critical first three months: what to do week by week after arrival.
Get Paperback on AmazonWhat readers say
Families who made the move, in their own words
“It felt like sitting down with a friend who had already done the hard part and was quietly handing me the map.”
“The school section alone saved us weeks of confusion. We finally understood the difference between concertado and international.”
“Honest, warm and unexpectedly calming. Exactly the tone we needed during a stressful move.”
Common questions
Before you buy
- Is this only for families moving to Málaga city?
- The book uses Málaga as its anchor, but the chapters on visas, schools, healthcare and cost of living apply to most of the Costa del Sol, including Benalmádena, Fuengirola and Marbella.
- Will the Kindle and paperback content differ?
- The Kindle edition and the main paperback are the same complete handbook. The 'First 90 Days Guide' is a separate, shorter companion focused on the arrival period.
- Can I buy it outside Amazon?
- Amazon is the only current seller. The links on this page take you to your local Amazon store when possible.
- Is there a Spanish edition?
- Not yet. The book is written in English for international families relocating to Spain.
Free sample
Get the First 30 Days in Málaga Checklist
A practical, printable checklist with the first steps every family should take after arriving — and a preview of the book's approach.