Living in Sotogrande: 20 Years Living Costa del Sol | Expat Life, Schools & Community Insights

Hear from a Sotogrande dentist who's lived in Costa del Sol for 20+ years, sharing honest insights about expat life, raising children at Sotogrande International School, and building a dental practice serving this unique international community. Perfect for anyone considering moving to Sotogrande or the Costa del Sol area. Eugene Marais, a South African dentist who established his practice in Sotogrande, shares his complete journey from arriving in 2004 to becoming deeply embedded in this Costa del Sol community. As both a healthcare professional and father of three who went through Sotogrande International School, Eugene offers unique insights into how the community has evolved, what attracts families from 55+ nationalities, and the reality of balancing work between the UK and Spain. He discusses the changing demographics he's witnessed through his dental practice, the advantages of the IB education system, sports opportunities for children, and the lifestyle that defines Sotogrande—from world-class golf courses to the remarkable fact that there isn't a single traffic light between Torreguadiaro and La Línea. This honest conversation covers what works, what could improve, and why Sotogrande continues attracting international families seeking quality of life on the Costa del Sol. 0:00 Introduction - South African dentist in Sotogrande 0:32 Journey from South Africa to Costa del Sol via London 2:00 Why choose Sotogrande over Portugal and South of France? 2:40 Arriving in 2004 with young children 3:03 Sotogrande International School: 20 years of experience 4:00 Golf as the main attraction: Valderrama, La Reserva, San Roque 5:10 First impressions of Sotogrande 20 years ago 6:05 Watching the community evolve as a dentist 7:00 From seasonal resort to year-round community 7:48 Community growth and restaurant scene improvement 8:01 International diversity: 55 nationalities at SIS 9:00 Alcaidesa living: Mediterranean views and development 10:24 New hotels: Fairmont and O Hotel reviews 11:06 Gibraltar Schengen treaty impact on Sotogrande property 13:03 All three children through Sotogrande International School 14:44 IB program advantages for global university placement 15:37 Children's sports: rhythmic gymnastics, paddle, football 17:00 Community sports facilities and costs 17:34 37 years in dentistry: UK qualifications and teaching 20:15 Running dental practices in UK and Sotogrande 21:14 Work-life balance between two countries 22:26 What luxury really means in Sotogrande 23:06 Zero traffic lights: symbol of peace and quality of life 24:44 Planning to work into your 60s doing what you love 25:35 Modern dentistry: non-invasive treatments post-COVID 27:05 Advice for newcomers moving to Sotogrande 29:31 Honest assessment: what Sotogrande could improve 31:44 Sunday opening hours and golf pricing discussion 32:37 Perfect day in Sotogrande: beach, golf, and barbecue CONNECT WITH CHARLIE! 📲 Mobile +34 607 911 661 ✉️ Email: [email protected] 🔗 Website: https://charlesgubbins.com/ STAY CONNECTED! 📸 Instagram:   / charlieinsotogrande   👤 Facebook:   / charlieinsotogrande   👨‍💻 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/charliegubbins 🎥 YouTube:    / nollsotogrande   🐦 Twitter:   / charliegubbins   📱 TikTok:   / charlesgubbins