Cost of living

We live in a 3 bed finca +pool =hot tub, on the edge of a village. Internet 23E pm Electricity (Iberdrola) 70E pm gas bottles about 17E each Council tax 18E pm water 20E pm . We do not have a land line. Food 75Epw (Lidl) and I try and cook main meals from scratch-does not include food for our 4 dogs. Private HC about 750E each (or if a state pensioner-free through S1) Wine/beer/spirits cheap! Menu del dia and tapas amazing value. Vets about the same. Not sure about personal taxes-we are about to find that out. We run 2 cars- VW golf and Renault Clio-insurance about the same Linea Directa. Cost of buying second hand cars here- very depressing. My husband had his UK car converted to Spanish reg-not too bad apart from the tow bar. We think about 2000E pm for a good standard of living- we do not pay rent or have a mortgage.We do try and "put something away for a rainy day" eg Brexit. Everyone is different-I am just happy being outside in the garden. We have enjoyed a couple of short breaks in Murcia-you can get some good deals using the Internet- we went to the Sierra Espuna twice-beautiful. There are lots of free guided tours around here. I wonder what our standard of living would be like back in the UK? We have lovely views of the almond blossom across the valley at present. waking up to that and sunshine is priceless-oh and we are 30min from beautiful Cartagena and the sea. ( slightly better than Skeggy!)

Hi

Thank you very much for taking the time to reply to us it’s much appreciated

Although we have stayed on the Costa Blanca several times starting up in Calpe and coming all the way down to Hacienda Requelmie in Murcia we really haven’t decided where would be best for us yet

It sounds like you have found somewhere you really like and I think the Villa option is the one we will go for rather than an apartment so that’s why we are just setting out stall out and make it a permanent move rather than an holiday home

Again many thanks and if you have any more useful info please forward it to us

Regards

Jon & Julie 

Hi J&J,

We loved the are of Jávea.

The prices up there were prohibitive , so looked at Murcia. 

So glad we did. We have bought on Hacienda Riquelme Golf Resort.

Love the area and Resort. Lovely views over the course , with bar, shop and restaurants a short walk away.

Sucina is a lovely Spanish town with all daily requirements. Banks,supermarkets, garage and lovely bars and restaurants.

Some good value Villas around the Town.

Best bit is that you are 15 minutes from San Javier Airport, or a 20€ ride in a locals car.

If you can afford to live in the UK, Spain will be a bargain😎

Good Luck, P

Hi

Many thanks for your reply

Yes I know what you mean, the area around Calpe is beautiful but the property prices reflect that don’t they.

We have stopped in Requelmie and nearly bought an apartment there but got cold feet as I am still working  at the moment and would only be able to get out for 5 weeks in the year and thought the community fees were too much to do that

It is a lovely place though and we really like Sucina but are a little concerned about the problem with excessive flies in the summer , how do you find this?

Have you moved there permanent if so is there enough to keep you occupied living on a gated community?

I appreciate what suits one person doesn’t always suit another but it’s good to get other views

By the way which company did you buy through ? There are so many !

Best regards

Jon n Jue

Hi,

The flies are an issue in the main summer months , as in lots of Spain. A definite minus but not a deal breaker in our eyes. Mossy nets do a good job! 

We are retired and had 11 weeks there last year. July/August far too hot😎

Our apartment is a fabulous lock up and leave. Particularly if you put a large shed in your underground garage space.

Costactiva are great. Best prices, lots of bank repos. Tina Durán extremely helpful and honest.

If we were to move there, then yes, a villa / townhouse would be possibly better.

😎 prices can only rise I feel👍

Enjoy🍷

Hi thanks for that

Yes we did meet up with Tina and have kept in touch with her ever since, she really does seem very nice

Will bear in mind all your advice and keep our options open

We are going back over in April to continue our quest 😀 

Thanks again and best regards

J & J