What is life in Alicante like?
When I lived on the Costa Blanca (in Moraira) I often visited Alicante for the day. But I never felt I really got to know what life in Alicante was like.
What makes this city so appealing to many expats? And if you are thinking about moving to Alicante: does this city have what you are looking for?
I interviewed Lynn, one of many expats living in Alicante, to find out more.
This interview is part of the Ask an Expat series. In this series I interview people living all over the world but outside of their home country.
I try to help paint an honest picture of the ups and downs of life abroad. In the interview the expat shares tips for anyone thinking about moving abroad and information about the city, town, or country the expat now calls home.
Expat Life in Alicante, Spain
Name: Lynn and Todd Knowles
Age: 58
Hometown: Flower Mound, Texas, USA
Their Story:
“Except for college (and a few misguided years Todd spent in West Texas), we both lived in the Dallas area all of our lives.
We did always talk about living abroad for a while. We stayed put though while our boys were young so they could be near the grandparents. And we were also locked in, job-wise, committed to our teacher retirement and making too much money (ha!) to change districts, even.
So, we had a plan. By 2020 our house would be paid off, we’d both have 30+ years in our jobs and the boys would be settled. Then we could move abroad.
But then the housing market boomed, so we moved it up to 2018. Then Todd came home in November 2015 and announced he was done. I asked if something happened at school (he was an assistant principal). Nope – just done. He could see himself not caring and didn’t want to become that person. So, we expedited.
Our retirement income is not enough to allow us to stay in Dallas, but Todd had done lots of research, and Spain is affordable.
Also Read: How to Retire Abroad Successfully and The Best Places to Live in Spain
We got rid of everything except one storage unit worth of family stuff. We made a killing on the house, did our retirement paperwork, and started couch surfing in June 2016.
Before this, we already had a scouting trip booked for late June, which then became a house-finding trip. We had to have an address in Spain in order to apply for a visa. Long story short, we saw only one apartment in Alicante and took it.
In October 2016 we moved to Alicante and we haven’t looked back. We actually talk to our kids more often than we did when we all lived in Texas.”
If you are from the USA and thinking about moving to Spain, also read: Things I Wish I Knew Before Moving to Spain as an American
Why Did You Move to Alicante?
“We chose Alicante for several reasons.
The weather is basically like the perfect weather in San Diego, meaning we don’t get extremes. It’s on the Mediterranean coast and has that typical laid-back vibe.
Alicante is a college town and the regional capital which means there’s something going on all of the time. And while Alicante attracts a lot of vacationers, it’s also a real city, so it doesn’t close up in the winter.
There’s an airport, and we’re four blocks from the train station, from where we can get to Madrid in just over 2 hours.”
Tip: If you are thinking about this part of Spain, also read the interviews about expat life in Moraira, Denia, Altea, and Valencia
What Do You Like About Living in Alicante?
“The fresh, high-quality food, friendly people, international vibe, and music is what we like most about life in Alicante.”
Also Read: Famous Food in Spain Worth Trying
What Do You Dislike About Living in Alicante?
“The easy pace of life in Spain comes at a price: try to get anything done!
The red tape makes me crazy, but it’s a small price to pay to live here.”
Also Read: Fun, Surprising & Shocking Facts About Spain
Is Alicante Safe as a Place to Live?
”Absolutely!
I never feel unsafe in Alicante. Sure, as in any city you’ll occasionally hear about pickpocketing, but just use common sense and you’ll be fine.
Crime rates are low in Alicante.”
What Is Your Favorite Thing to Do in Alicante?
“Just hang out and enjoy the Spanish way of life.
I’m writing this interview in a coffee shop across the street from our apartment. I hear Spanish, English, and German. And everyone is relaxed and happy!”
What Is Your Favorite Place to Hang Out in Alicante?
“There are so many nice cafes and restaurants in Alicante!
These are some of our favorites:
- Katana in the Mercado Central
- Casa Mia Italia for FABULOUS Italian food – it’s our go-to celebration restaurant
- New Delhi on the promenade for Indian food
- Xiringuito Postiguet for live music during the summer
- For coffee: Sip and Wonder Coffee House, Luceros Coffee, or Madness Specialty Coffee in the old town”
What Is the Expat / International Community Like in Alicante?
“There are a lot of expats living in Alicante.
Primarily through InterNations we’ve made friends from all over: the U.S., Canada, Great Britain, Germany, Sweden, Norway, South America, Scandinavia, South Africa, and Spain.
Some are retired and other expats in Alicante have found jobs here.”
Any Tips for Moving to / Living in Alicante?
“Do your homework. And check out the city before you decide moving to Alicante is what you want. Center-city living isn’t for everyone.”
Also Read: A Moving Abroad Checklist – Things to Do Before You Move Abroad
Any Resources You Found Useful During the Process of Moving to and Building a New Life in Alicante?
“Internations.org is a good place to start.
There is also a useful Facebook group called Expats Alicante where you will find a mix of expats living in Alicante and people still thinking about moving to Alicante.
Additionally, there are also several Facebook groups for expats in Spain where you can find a lot of helpful information and ask questions.
To get an idea of what property costs in Alicante (both to rent and to buy) check out Idealista.com, which is one of the main property portals in Spain”
Also Read: Things Nobody Tells You About Life in Spain
Is There Something You Just Have to See or Do When You Are in Alicante?
“The Alicante castle, Castillo de Santa Bárbara, is amazing – and it has an elevator!
Alicante is located on the Costa Blanca and there are a lot of cute coastal towns to explore in the area. Altea, Javea, Moraira, and Denia, to name a few. Inland the Guadelest castle is a popular place to visit.”
Lynn writes a blog about her life in Alicante and her adventures in Spain called Operation Alicante. Do check it out if you want to know more about what living in Alicante is really like!
About Alicante
Alicante is a port city on Spain’s Costa Blanca. It’s the capital of the Alicante province and a popular destination for people to visit and people to move to.
Alicante is known for its nice sandy beaches, great climate, and laid-back vibe.
With numerous parks, a cute historical center with narrow streets, colored houses, and a lively nightlife scene, it’s a city that offers a good quality of life.
Alicante’s medieval castle, Castillo de Santa Bárbara, is the city’s most famous landmark. It is set on a hilltop boasting gorgeous views of the Mediterranean coast.
The airport just outside of Alicante offers flights from a lot of low-budget airlines which makes it an easy city to fly in and out of.
If You Are Thinking About Moving to the Alicante Region, Also Read:
- Interview With an Expat About Living in Valencia
- Interview With an Expat About Living in Moraira
- What to See & Do in Moraira, Costa Blanca
- Moving to Spain as an American – Things I Wish I Knew
- Interview With an Expat About Living in Altea
- Interview With an Expat About Living in Denia
- Teaching English in Spain as a Non-EU Citizen – Things to Know
Or check out an overview of all articles about Spain
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Hi Sanne,
Thank you for the article which was very insightful.
I am planning to live in Alicante with my two sons (14 and 12) and attend one of the British schools there.
I would like to learn some more, from parents, about the schools and communities where families live.
Could you help/point me in the right direction?
Many thanks
Bill
Hi Bill,
I would recommend joining the Facebook group called Expats Alicante: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1455382261387356
It’s a reasonably active group and I am sure that if you post any questions you have there about moving to Alicante with kids you’ll get some useful replies.
Alicante is a great place to live, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it! 🙂
Hi,
I am planning on living for a year or longer in Spain. I live in the USA and have US citizenship. I also have EU citizenship. Would I have to worry about medical care? I am retired.
Thanks for all the good advice.
Hanne Palmer
Hi Hanne,
For as far as I know state healthcare is free if you become a resident in Spain. But you might still want private healthcare (which is what I always did) because it’s inexpensive and gives you access to more English-speaking doctors.
Hi! It is so inspiring to see people follow their dream. I hope things are well there. I’m emailing you from San Francisco, California. My husband and I have been thinking about moving, or at least buying, property in Spain. We are both in our mid/late 40s and have an 8 year old. I was just wondering if you have any ideas about real-estate; price, demand etc. I know it seems like a weird time to look into it since things are on hold around the world but wondering if you would have a good suggestion on a real-estate agent or a relocation specialist we can consult.
Hi Ana,
It might actually be a good time to look for property since we are all expecting prices to go down soon.
I’d recommend using Idealista.com to get an idea of what’s available in the area and what prices are like. Most properties you’ll find there are listed through a real-estate agency so once you find any you like I’d contact the agency and go from there. Once you seriously consider buying a property I highly recommend getting a lawyer that’s independent of the estate agent, but I wouldn’t worry about that until you’ve visited Spain and the property you want to buy.
I am on my way to Alicante, hopefully by this August. I am recently retired and having already visited there in November I confirmed my research about what a better way of life I will have. I will shortly begin collecting docs for my non residential visa and hopefully all will go smoothly. I had the pleasure of meeting many expats living there and I sense that being another “stranger” in a strange land will give me a valuable support system should I need advice and counsel and new friendship when I set anchor.
Hi. I’m considering retirement in Spain, particularly Alicante. Could you post more about how it’s going?
Hello,
Hope you are well.
We are thinking of visiting Alicante to check out this year as we are looking at either Alicante or Algarve in Portugal to buy a home.
We don’t mind closer to the city but would much rather live somewhere with more like a countryside view than water.
What area in Alicante would you recommend?. Looking at renting first before buying and would prefer a detached home.
Looking forward to hear back from you.
Rachelle
Hi Rachelle,
For a countryside view and a detached home you’d definitely want to be outside of the city of Alicante.
I personally think the area around Altea is really nice, and if you prefer countryside then places such as La Nucia and Polop are popular.
But you might find that too far from Alicante city.
If you’re looking for something on the outskirts of Alicante I’d recommend basing yourself in or very close to Alicante for your visit, renting a car and just driving to all the smaller towns around Alicante. In the end, it’s a lot about what feels right to you so just visiting as many places as you can will give you a good idea of what suits you.
The cost of living in Spain in general and in Alicante in particular should be shown in figures. A couple can get good housing between 300 to 400 euros a month. Food, depending on taste and circumstances, can cost as much. That brings us down to 600-800 euros a month.
Public transport is very affordable. Buses have special prices for senior citizens. Access from towns in the periphery to the main city is fast and easy. Plenty of private cars at every price level.
The main problem US citizens will be confronted with is getting a residence permit that gives access to the public health system. There are, though, private clinics, that give service at low price (50-70 euros/month) for simpler medical care, like an insurance. Further treatment and surgery is something else.
I know that since I have lived in Spain as a resident, being a EU citizen.
Formalities were a lot simpler. Things are different for US citizens but a residence permit can be obtained under special conditions, like having a certain retirement income.
Red tape takes time, but it can be done.
Good luck. Buena suerte.
Hi,
I’m former DFW too. Lived in Hurst and Euless. Before that lots of time in Houston at the now defunct Compaq computer Corporation.
The weather fact in Alicante piqued my interest. After 60 years, weather and daily cost of living are about all you care about. I don’t speak Spanish but Spain, France (coastal), and Italy have always been places I thought I might love to live. As it is, I’m in Oklahoma and I wonder if this is my final destination.
I would like to have read about cost of living in Alicante, housing (universities cause rents to be inflated to meet demand), finding a place on the first floor or with reliable elevator service, medical coverage when you need it, what you need to know about driving and owning a vehicle.
Thanks.
Hi Albert,
Cost of living very much depends on your lifestyle. Many Spanish people live off less than 1000 Euros a month and that is possible. But it really depends on your specific situation and wants in life. For example, there are plenty of 1 million Euro+ villas for sale around Alicante too and I know several expats who chose that lifestyle.
The medical system in Spain is very good but again it depends on your specific situation, what type of visa you would obtain, etc.
Owning a car in Spain is possible, but you will have to get a local drivers license if you decide to move to Spain. To get an idea of prices check out autoscout24.es. Renting a car in Spain is very cheap however (if you can drive a manual) so you could decide to first rent a car for several months.
Check out this article about moving to Spain as an American:
https://www.spendlifetraveling.com/moving-to-spain-from-the-us/
And for further answers that fit your specific situation I’d recommend joining the Facebook group mentioned in the article. It’s a very supportive group that can help you get all the details you want.