Is La Marina a good place to live as an expat?

Yes — La Marina 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 La Marina?

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 La Marina?

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 La Marina?

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 South Costa Blanca

Moving to La Marina

Forest-backed beach and Belgian-favourite urbanisation south of Guardamar

La Marina is a coastal village within the municipality of Elche, tucked between Guardamar's pine forest and the saltflats of Santa Pola. Its 2 km of Blue Flag dune-and-pine beach (Playa La Marina / Les Pesqueres) is one of the most natural stretches on the southern Costa Blanca. Inland, the sprawling La Marina Urbanisation has grown into one of Spain's largest Belgian and Dutch enclaves, with around 70% of its 13,000 residents being expats.

Population

≈ 3,500 (village) + 13,000 (urbanisation)

Climate

Mediterranean · 320 days of sun · avg 18–19°C

Airport

Alicante–Elche (ALC) — 25 km

Known for

Pine-dune beach, Belgian/Dutch community, low-rise urbanisation living

Property prices in La Marina

Detached single-storey villas on individual plots dominate the urbanisation (often called 'chalets' or *casitas*), with bungalows and townhouses near the centre and beach apartments at El Pinet.

Property type	Typical price range	Rental (per month)
Bungalows	€110–200k	On request
Villas	€180–450k	€1,500 – €4,500+
Large detached villas with pools	€350k–800k+	€1,500 – €4,500+

Strong long-let market from year-round Belgian/Dutch residents; healthy summer short-let.

Best areas to live

Walk-to-everything

Town centre

Apartments and townhouses with all daily amenities on foot.

Villa & holiday living

Coastal urbanisations

Detached homes with pools, sea views and easy beach access.

Space & nature

Inland villas

Larger plots, mountain views and excellent value for money.

Schools & education

Public CEIP school; Phoenix International School (Elche) and ELIS Murcia within 25–35 minutes.

Healthcare

Local health centre in the urbanisation; Hospital General de Elche (20 minutes); Quirónsalud Torrevieja (20 minutes).

Getting around & transport

Bus to Elche and Santa Pola; N-332 access; airport 25 minutes; no rail or TRAM service.

Safety

Very safe — quiet residential resort with active local police and a permanent year-round community.

Pros & cons of moving to La Marina

Pros

La Marina has a strong, year-round expat community
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

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 La Marina suits best

Belgian, Dutch and French buyers wanting a familiar community
Retirees seeking flat, walkable urbanisation living
Families wanting a quiet pine-backed beach
Buyers of affordable detached villas with private pools

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