Cost of living in Los Alcazares

Hi,  I do not live in L.A. yet but have lived many years in Spain.Of course the simply answer is it depends on how often you use your electricity etc. but I think you will find it is cheaper than in UK.You will need private health insurance unless you are paying into the system in Spain either operating a business or covered by your employers contribution if you are working.You would also be entitled to the excellent NHS here if you are in receipt of a retirement pension & registered here.If you have taken early retirement you will not be covered.Sorry can't help with costs of private health as I had a business & therefore am entitled by my contributions paid in Spain.

Thank you Alice

Regarding your paragraph on retirement and entitlement to Spanish NHS, how does this work and what are the general thoughts on changes after brexit?

What are the latest Spanish government reports on property owners and future owners wishing to stay living there and moving there in the future ?

Steve

Hi Steve,  You have not said what your status is when you relocate here.But just a short summary which others,I am sure can add to or disagree.Early retirees after 1 year can apply for "Convenio Especial" which gives Spanish NHS for 60 euros(each)a month,then on retirement you apply for S1 for free Spanish NHS,however this was stated in 2013.If you are resident on exit day that should remain BUT like everything else said by our Govn.this appears to be ambiguous,not set in stone.As I said,I can sit on the fence as I have both a Spanish & British retirement entitlement but I was on the Committee of the British Legion in my area so I like to give advice if I can or direct to other sources.In my town next week we have the British Consul coming to take questions regarding our concerns as ex-pats after Brexit.Maybe I am a cynic but I do not think she will be able to tell us anything we cannot read or hear from British newspapers or TV.Actually I believe the Spanish Govn.are happy to keep things for us as they have done in the past since they joined the EU.My family came before that time having had a successful business on the south coast of England but prospered again & I am still here after 30+ years.I have owned several properties since selling my business,now in process of selling up where I live north of Alicante to a new life in the Mar Menor area.I could tell you that like thousands of others I would dread having to go back to the UK,yet the same amount want the security of the welfare state that is lacking here but available back in their home country especially when,like me,you are an old wrinkly.Only you can make a decision & then you have to stick to it.

Thank you

I used to rent out an apartment here,when it was empty I found that the standing charges for utilities was quite high! So I can imagine you had that amount to pay.I was with Iberdrola also.If you are away for several months I personally wouldn't think you would gain by having things turned off.Perhaps you would even need to reapply for a new contract,but not sure about that.One time my tenant missed his electricity payment & had to pay(I think) 30 euros to get re-connected.It seems you can never win whatever country you are in.

Yes, electricity is a lot more expensive in Spain but its not the rate per kw its the "standing charge" and the IVA at 21% on the total wheras in Uk the Vat on electric and gas is only 5%, so big differrence. Check which potencia(amount of power) you are on, if you are on 5.5kw then could you manage on less? In Spain they give you a maximum of power usage at any one time, ie. I,m on 3.5kw which means if I try to use more all at same time my fuse cuts out and I have to reset it after switching something off to lessen the power consumption. If I increase my contract to 5.5kw, yes less power cuts but then my "standing charge"(contracted power) increases too. The differrence is the number of days x 3.5 x (42€yr per kw) compared to number of days x 5.5 x (42€yr per kw). I get my bills every 2 months but some areas are monthly so mine is 60days x 3.5 x (42€yr per kw) you can then work out if its worth changing down, especially if you only use as a holiday home. However remember if you want to go back up there may be charges incurred so check first with Iberdrola. They are superb to deal with in english by email. Also consider the day and night tarif and time your pool to come on only during the cheap rate of 6c/kw, opposed to 14c/kw, and run your "machines" and water heater in the cheap times. I cook most of my evening meals in the morning to be reheated quicker later in the evening,( my hubby loves his chips twice cooked) or even use a slow cooker. I do question at times whether life is really cheaper in Spain to the Uk, I believe expats from south Uk where council tax is a lot higher than the north do find Spain a lot cheaper, but for myself, while my council tax at £1500yr is compared to Spain at 350€yr the differrence can be swallowed up in other ways, ie. Solicitors you never needed in Uk, translators, extra tax and someone to do it for you including renewing driving licences yearly over 70 plus medical, (Uk 3yrly no medical). Dearer fuel and water and medical cover if under pensionable age, it all adds up. We are not residents as I,m unsure it would be the best for us, and I honestly dont find food cheaper, My local market is no dearer than Spanish fruit and veg and items out of season in UK supermarkets definitely cheaper in UK. However weather deplorable, and thats the real differrence!. Hope I,ve helped over your electric query, you,ll see your actual usage is a small fraction of your bill.

Hi again, even though we,ve had house 12yrs, I,ve never bothered to work it out what the differrence was between the potencias as I told you earlier, but I just have(maybe you have already done it too). We get our bills alternate months, so our bill is  :-                                                      60days at 11.5c(42€yr)x3.5kw=24.15€ with iva(21%) added thats 29€ per 2mnths standing charge.ie 14.5€ mnth.

If we increase contract to 5.5kw(without looking at website could be 5.75kw)

60days at 11.5c x 5.5kw= 38€ with iva added thats 45.5€ ie. 22.7€ mnth.

If 5.75kw, 60days at 11.5c x5.75kw=40€ plus iva = 48€ mnth ie.24€ mnth.

So you see what a  differrence it is approx 10€ mnth which we have only found difficult to manage on our evening meal not using oven and hob together, and we never use electric heaters ever.You have to think about what you're using high rated at 1 time, ie. kettle, electric hob and oven, toaster, washer, dishwasher, electric water heater, pool pump, vacuum. Thankfully tv,s ok.lol.

I dont think i,ll be upgrading just yet.

Cheers

Pauline.