The number of foreigners living in Spain officially stands at 6 million, representing an increase of 3.6% in the last year alone. And many of those expats who choose to live in Spain decide to make the Costa Blanca their new home. The continued popularity of the Spanish region of Valencia, and the Alicante province in particular, is down to the Costa Blanca being a great place for both families and those who want to retire in Spain, not to mention those who choose the Costa Blanca as the best place to buy a holiday home in Spain. But perhaps you're not quite sure where exactly on the Costa Blanca you want to live, and therefore where to start your property search in Spain. Where do most British expats live in Alicante? We're here to help with our selection of the best places to live on the Costa Blanca for expats.
Where to live on the Costa Blanca?
Orihuela
First up in our selection of the best place to live on the Costa Blanca is Orihuela, a town located at the foot of the mountains in Alicante. Great for a typical Spanish lifestyle, the town of Orihuela is for you if you want to be surrounded by history with cobbled streets, medieval influences and some of Spain's best traditional Easter celebrations.
For those who want a more cosmopolitan lifestyle, travel about 20km to the coastal area of Orihuela Costa which in recent years has developed to have its own amenities, nightlife and a considerable number of blue flag beaches. This is where the largest expat community in Orihuela is found, thanks to the ideal location, proximity to airports, train links to Alicante and Murcia, golf courses, several international schools and a large number of residential areas with reasonably priced villas and apartments. All of this makes Orihuela one of the best places to buy a holiday home in Costa Blanca.
- Property for sale in Orihuela and Orihuela Costa
- Long-term rentals in Orihuela and Orihuela Costa
Torrevieja
Torrevieja is a former fishing village that is now a multicultural town home to a large number of expats from the UK, Germany, Scandinavia and Russia. Torrevieja earns its place as one of the best places to live on the Costa Blanca for expats thanks to its miles of quality beaches and a protected Natural Park, not to mention its two salt lakes.
Torrevieja has a thriving expat community, with a large number of both pensioners and expat families, who have chosen to make the most of the town's pleasant weather, a lively culture scene and some of the cheapest property for sale on the Costa Blanca.
Benidorm
No ranking of the best places to live on the Costa Blanca for expats would be complete without Benidorm, a firm favourite with British expats and holidaymakers. Benidorm is located in the Marina Baixa region of Alicante, and despite its party reputation, Benidorm is actually one of the best places for expats to live in Spain. Benidorm is bigger than people first realise and because of this, has something for everyone.
Where do expats live in Benidorm? There are a wide range of areas for expats in Benidorm and each one has its own unique ambience. Spaniards tend to live close to the centre and close to the Poniente beach area, so if you want a more Spanish experience, then this is the perfect place to look for property.
On the other hand, the majority of expats tend to head towards the district of Levante which is often nicknamed "the English District'' thanks to the large number of British expats. In spite of the name, you'll also find a lot of other northern European expats here too, including the Dutch, Germans and the French. Another option is the outskirts of Benidorm or one of the close by villages, such as La Nucia, Polop or Alfaz del Pi, popular due to the fact that these areas are close to the international schools in Benidorm.
Rojales
Rojales has become a real draw for expats in recent years and it's easy to see why. This charming town on the Costa Blanca is located between the sandy beaches of Guardamar del Segura and Orihuela, and is just 35 minutes from both Alicante and Murcia airports.
Rojales is known for its unique cave houses which are located in the hills to the south of the town, while the area is a favourite with golfers thanks to a number of championship golf courses in the area. Close by is also Ciudad Quesada which, according to idealista statistics, is the most popular Spanish village among foreign buyers, and is a great place for those looking for an authentic, Spanish lifestyle, as well as being one of the nicest parts of the Costa Blanca.
Elche
Just under 30km outside of the city of Alicante, you’ll find the Elche (which is also known as Elx). This historic Spanish town is the third most populated in the region of Valencia (after Valencia city and Alicante) and you may have heard of it due to its famous palm tree groves. With its pleasant all year-round weather, Elche is a popular option on the Costa Blanca for families, as the area has one of Alicante's best international schools and the 5th best university in Spain (the Miguel Hernández University of Elche).
When it comes to buying or renting property in Elche, prices tend to vary greatly depending on the area. The best deals are found outside the centre, with villas in the outskirts starting at as little as 130,000 euros.
Marina Alta
The last destination on our list of the best places to live in the Costa del Sol is the Marina Alta area. This area of the Costa Blanca isn't for those after a peaceful and secluded spot, as the main coastal towns such as Calpe, Denia and Jávea (Xàbia) rely heavily on tourism. Nevertheless, Marina Alta is home to a large number of British and Northern European expats, and buying property has attractive options both in the coastal area and further inland. Marina Alta is especially good for those who enjoy a spot of golf, with several top golf courses, as well as cycling which is becoming more and more popular in the area.
Cost of living on the Costa Blanca
What is the cost of living on the Costa Blanca? Cost of living in Spain is on the rise, including the Costa Blanca. However, in comparison with the Costa del Sol, living in the Alicante province is cheaper in almost all aspects.
According to the Numbeo cost of living calculator, rent in Alicante is 27.23% lower than in Málaga, while the same is true for buying property. Other costs, such as restaurant prices, are also lower in Alicante on average, with a meal for 2 people in a mid-range restaurant costing around 35 euros.
Costa Blanca property for sale
Where to buy on the Costa Blanca? It's time to make up your mind and decide where you're going to live on the Costa Blanca. You might also be wondering: where is cheapest property in Costa Blanca? Remember that both buying and renting property in the Costa Blanca will be cheaper if you move a little further away from the main tourist areas and the coast, and this is great way to get more for your money.
At idealista we're here to help with a large selection of properties for sale on the Costa Blanca, and if you're not quite ready to buy, check out long-term rentals on the Costa Blanca.
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