Murcia is a sunny university city in south‑east Spain, ringed by fertile market gardens and within easy reach of the Costa Cálida. Tapas bars spill out around Plaza de las Flores, and serious produce flows through Mercado de Verónicas. Living in Murcia means hot summers, mild winters and a day‑to‑day life that is great value.
Pros and cons of living in Murcia
Murcia has an easy rhythm, a strong food culture and plenty of sunshine. It draws families, students and remote workers and is also a solid base for coast‑and‑mountain weekends without paying coastal premiums.
Pros – some of the pros of life in Murcia include:
- Affordable everyday costs and housing compared with Madrid or Barcelona, with lots of newer builds.
- Outdoor lifestyle: riverbank strolls, leafy parks like Jardín Floridablanca, hiking in the Sierra de Carrascoy, and beaches a short drive away.
- Food from the huerta: tapas circuits, dishes like zarangollo and paparajotes, and the buzz at Verónicas market.
Cons – a few drawbacks to keep in mind:
- Heat is intense in high summer, so good air‑con and shaded streets matter.
- Smaller international job market; Spanish helps for most roles and admin.
Cost of living in Murcia
Eating out stays wallet‑friendly: a cheap main course is about €14.50, a mid‑range meal for two is around €44, a beer is €2.50 and a cappuccino or café coffee is €2. A monthly public transport pass can cost as little as €0.30 per journey with a residence card, a gym membership is roughly €35 per month, and basic utilities for an 85 m² flat average about €120 per month across the year.
On housing, as of October 2025, property prices in Murcia averaged around €1,473 per m². That’s well below pricier parts of the province, such as Torre‑Pacheco at €2,477 per m² and San Pedro del Pinatar at €2,260 per m². Rents averaged €9.3 per m² in the same month, so an 80 m² flat would be about €744 per month.
Best place to live in Murcia
For the nicest part of Murcia, locals often point to modern, tram‑served neighbourhoods north of the centre and leafy pockets south of the river. Your choice comes down to whether you want newer builds with lifts and parks, or villa‑style living at the foothills with quick access to trails.
La Flota and Juan Carlos I/Juan de Borbón
This corridor north of the centre is modern, well‑planned and family‑friendly. You get apartments with lifts and parking, pocket parks, and cycle paths. Tram lines zip up to shopping areas like Nueva Condomina and out towards the universities. It’s handy for hospitals, gyms and everyday errands, and café life runs along the avenues.
Vistalegre and Centro–Santa Eulalia
Close to Hospital Morales Meseguer and the historic core, this mix of older character flats and newer builds keeps you near everything. You’ve got markets, theatres such as the Teatro Romea, and the ornate Real Casino de Murcia for a bit of grandeur. Streets are lively but manageable, with good bus and bike connections.
El Carmen and Infante Juan Manuel
South of the river, these residential areas sit by Jardín Floridablanca and Murcia del Carmen station for rail to the coast and Madrid. It feels more local, with schools, shops and shaded squares, and tends to be better value than the northern tram corridor. The walk into the centre is straightforward across the bridges.
Santo Ángel and La Alberca (Sierra de Carrascoy foothills)
At the city’s southern edge, the foothills bring low‑rise homes, villas with views and quick trail access in the Sierra de Carrascoy. You’re a short drive from the centre and close to El Limonar International School (ELIS) in Montevida, which is a draw for families who want space and schooling within reach.
Where do most expats live in Murcia?
Expats split between city life and the coast. In the city, professionals often settle in La Flota, Vistalegre and along Juan de Borbón for the tram, hospitals and newer stock. Along the Mar Menor and broader Costa Cálida, you’ll find sizeable communities in San Javier, San Pedro del Pinatar, and around Mazarrón.
British expats in Murcia often rally around Los Alcázares, Camposol and the golf resorts, with bowls clubs, golf societies and charity shops doubling as social hubs. Golf resort living is popular year‑round at Mar Menor Golf, Roda Golf, La Torre Golf Resort, Hacienda Riquelme and Condado de Alhama, where English‑speaking services are common.
Living in Murcia as a foreigner
Getting set up is straightforward once you know the order. You’ll sort your padrón at the Ayuntamiento de Murcia, apply for NIE/TIE at the national police offices, and register for healthcare with the Servicio Murciano de Salud (SMS).
The universities—UMU and UCAM—add language exchanges and international events, and there’s a steady flow of Erasmus students through term time.
Schooling is well covered for English‑language curricula. El Limonar International School (ELIS) in Montevida and King’s College Murcia at La Torre Golf (Roldán) are the main anchors. Some families also look to Alicante for a wider choice if they don’t mind the commute.
Alicante or Murcia to live
Both offer sunshine and value, but they feel different. Alicante is coastal, more international and has its airport on the doorstep. Murcia is more affordable, feels more traditionally Spanish, and the Costa Cálida is an easy hop on the A‑7.
On prices, Murcia tends to undercut Alicante on both sale and rent for similar stock. Property prices in Alicante in October 2025 averaged €2,509 per m², and rent prices were considerably higher, at €13 per m².
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