How is cost of living in Alicante?

Hi, we have an apartment in the city which we visit from UK every month for a week or so. We find costs generally cheaper than in the uk, especially food- bought from the central market and supermarkets,  and eating out. Our quality of life is defiantly better in Alicante, probably due to value for money, wider choice re entertainment and better weather.

Internet seems to cost a bit more as does electricity, but that is in part to me not negotiating and shopping around as successfully as I do in England. Dealing with the authorities can be a drag, but hopefully you dont have to do it too often. Home delivery is in my experience very inefficient  and frustrating and we generally buy household goods in the Uk now and take them over ourselves or with the help of a man with a van.

We have been frequent visitors to the city for 20 years and have had our flat for two. Its looking likely we will soon make Alicante our base for much of the time as it is such a nice place to be. Happy to answer any questions if I can.

Simon.

Hello Simon,

Thanks for your reply.   Yes I agree Alicante has everything to make it a great place to live.   We travel everywhere by public transport.  So cheap and accessible with the various apps and real time notices at bus stops etc.  

We need to sort out a good heating system as we notice those very cool temperatures in winter.  

You must have witnessed many changes in the city during past 20 years.   We’ve noticed improvements to transport and building work in just the few years we’ve been exploring the area.  

We have experienced a little of  “dealing with the authorities” especially attending Suma offices to pay our tax.  City hall was helpful and we are now set up to pay the annual taxes through our bank for future years.  Phew !! 

Thank you again for your offer to help with questions we may have.  

Just moved back in to the city from San Fulgencio. Apartment in Sant Joan d’ Alacant. Shops, banks, Suma, restaurants, buses everything I need is on my door step.

I find electricity to be cheaper. My bills have dropped 20€ per month. I put that down to a modern property with low energy bulbs. Same with water. I have plumbed in gas, before it was bottled.

Internet is about the same price with an upgrade to fibre optic.  Pay 25€ per month for 100mb.  Use to pay the same for 12mb WiMax down the coast. The options are to go 1GB internet, thats far too much. Faster than most PC hard drives can read/write the data.

Public transport: I can go most places in Alicante by bus. Connect with the tram to go up the coast. I don’t need my car unless I go to the Digital District (near the airport). Then I use the car, join the motorway and be on the other side of the city in 15 minutes. I used to miss a lot of Chamber of Commerce events due to the drive up the N332 from San Fulgencio.

It’s the little thing that make city living better. Before my car sat out in the sun. Cooking inside at 50 degrees Celsius. Now it’s in the underground parking in the shade. When I need the car it’s not a toaster oven.

Dealing with the authorities is not a problem when you are set up with digital certificates. Most things can be done online. I was dreading attending the National Police in Alicante. Change of address for my residencia. All I have to do now is attend the town hall. Register for the padron, wait a few weeks and then change my address on-line. 

I find the city a great place to live. Everything is on your doorstep.

Hi. We will be moving to the city next year. We will long let. My husband will be commuting. Will we require to do any documentation with the Spanish authorities?

Hi

Firstly, very best wishes on your move to Spain.  Short answer to your question is yes.  But you probably have a lot of specific questions.

A very helpful member of this forum has produced a guide.  Please read it as it will help.  

Jim's guides - your complete guide to Spain

Regards

Maria

Many thanks 😊