Is Alicante a good place to live as an expat?

Yes — Alicante has an established international community, English-speaking services, good healthcare access and the Costa Blanca's mild Mediterranean climate. Most expats find they're settled within their first three months.

How much does it cost to rent in Alicante?

Long-term rentals typically start around €700–€900/month for a 2-bed apartment and €1,200–€2,500/month for a villa with a pool, depending on location and season. Holiday-let prices are 2–3× higher.

What's the nearest airport?

Alicante-Elche (ALC) is the main international airport for the Costa Blanca with direct flights to most major European cities. Valencia (VLC) and Murcia (RMU) are useful alternatives for the north and south.

Do I need to speak Spanish to live in Alicante?

English is widely spoken in coastal expat hubs. To deal with admin (banks, town hall, healthcare) and to integrate properly, basic Spanish is a big help — and starting before you arrive pays off quickly.

Can I work remotely from Alicante?

Yes. Internet is generally fast (fibre is widespread), and the Digital Nomad Visa now makes it straightforward for non-EU remote workers to live in Spain legally for up to five years.

Moving to Central Costa Blanca

Moving to Alicante

The capital of the Costa Blanca

Alicante is the provincial capital — a vibrant Mediterranean port city of palm-lined boulevards, a magnificent old quarter climbing toward the Santa Bárbara castle, a 7 km city beach and a modern, well-connected lifestyle. The international airport, AVE high-speed rail and university make it the most practical base on the Costa Blanca.

Population

≈ 340,000 (metro 760,000)

Climate

Mediterranean · 320+ sun days · mild winters

Airport

Alicante–Elche (ALC) — 10 km

Known for

Santa Bárbara castle, Explanada, Postiguet beach, gastronomy, AVE rail

Property prices in Alicante

Apartments in the historic centre and around Mercado Central, modern blocks in PAU and Vistahermosa, beachfront in San Juan, villas in Cabo de las Huertas.

Property type	Typical price range	Rental (per month)
City apartments	€150–500k	€700 – €1,400
San Juan apartments	€200–600k	€700 – €1,400
Cabo villas	€600k–3M	€1,500 – €4,500+

Strong year-round rental demand from students, professionals and digital nomads.

Best areas to live

Beach + city access

Playa San Juan

7 km of sandy beach with modern apartment blocks, tram to the centre in 25 min.

Historic centre living

Casco Antiguo (El Barrio)

Restored townhouses below the castle — tapas culture, walk to everything.

Coastal villas

Cabo de las Huertas

Detached homes near rocky coves between San Juan and the city.

Modern family blocks

PAU 1 / Vistahermosa

Newer apartment districts with parks, schools and shopping.

Schools & education

Spanish public network plus international schools (King's College Alicante, ELIAN'S, Newton College).

Healthcare

Major public hospitals (HGUA, San Juan, Vinalopó) plus private (Vithas, HLA, Quirónsalud, IMED).

Getting around & transport

ALC international airport (10 min), AVE high-speed rail to Madrid (2h20), TRAM along the coast, full bus network and tram. AP-7 motorway.

Safety

Safe for a city of its size; standard urban precautions in the port at night.

Pros & cons of moving to Alicante

Pros

Real Spanish city with full urban amenities
AVE high-speed rail to Madrid in 2h20
Mediterranean climate with 300+ days of sunshine
Established international community and English-speaking services
Excellent public and private healthcare access
Strong food culture, beaches and outdoor lifestyle
Direct flights to most major European cities from ALC
Property still good value compared to the French or Italian coast

Cons

Urban scale means you trade beach-village charm for city amenities
Long-term rentals can be tight in peak summer
Spanish bureaucracy (NIE, residency, taxes) takes patience
Some coastal areas feel touristy in July–August
Spanish is essential for serious inland integration

Who Alicante suits best

Year-round residents who want city amenities
Digital nomads and remote workers
University students
Travellers using ALC airport and AVE

Want the full lifestyle deep-dive? See our Alicante town guide for beaches, restaurants, things to do and events.