Cost of Living
posted by Steven Bromley in Alicante forum
Hi Babs,
I hope all works out for you regarding your forthcoming move to these sunny shores.
You did not state if you are going to buy or rent as this will effect some of the costs associated with living here.
The council tax (IBI) is much cheaper than in the UK, with Urban 3/4 bed villas costing between 500-700€ per annum and rustic villas (country villas on very large plots) costing between 200 and 500€ per year, but costs vary depending on the town hall.
Electricity is comparable to the UK and the costs rise in the summer with the use of aircon and the pool pump working longer hours etc. You need to budget around 100€ per months for electricity. Gas is supplied by bottles unless you are in the middle of an urban area and is used mainly for hot water, cookers, portable heaters in the winter.
Satellite tv is free if you purchase a freesat box in the UK and already have a sat dish on the property, or you can bring your existing sky box with you (don't mention it to sky though).
Work is another situation altogether. I know many "English" teachers looking for work. There are as many people willing to teach English to the Spanish as there are Spanish looking to learrn. There are schools in Alicante city shutting down for the lack of work. Your daughter needs to check with the Spanish health authorities if her UK qualifications actually count for anything in Spain as she may have to retrain in Spain. There are lots of licenses and qualifications required to work in the health sector here.
There are some small local taxes for bins and sewers but these vary locally. I pay 104€ per year for these facilities, but some areas these are added to the water bills.
My website has a section on living in the area www.hondonvalleyhomes.com and my lawyers have a super site in English regarding the buying process.
Sorry to sound a little negative, but Spain to live and work in is a massively different prospect to the holiday Spain, especially in these trying times. It is a beautiful, vibrant, exciting and hot place to live and work, but without language skills and necessary qualifications you are competing with a struggling economy and millions of out of work people.
Regards,
Steven