Why move to Alicante
A historic location with all the amenities you’d expect from a modern city, in Alicante you’ll find the right mix of beach, city and nightlife.
Alicante is the arrival point for most people arriving in the Costa Blanca. Those in the know don’t want to leave. You’ll find busy beaches big enough to find your own spot and a twisty turny old town where you can gaze on the gorgeous gothic architecture.
Climb the imposing Castillo de Santa Bárbara, a medieval fortress that appears to be carved out of the mountain itself and you’ll immediately appreciate the full spectacle of Alicante. Laid out below you is the large natural harbour, an elegant palm lined promenade and the narrow and the shady streets of the old town, Barrio de la Santa Cruz.
You’ll find all kinds of life here, from parties of excited tourists to culture vultures in search of a rare Picasso at the contemporary art gallery. This is the city that began the tourist boom on the Costa Blanca and it has reaped the rewards without losing sight of its own, classically Spanish identity.
Community
As well as having the region’s busiest airport, Alicante also has a bustling port, something reflected in its ever changing social mix. In this medium sized city of 330,000 people you’ll be mixing with people from the UK, Europe and as far afield as South America and Russia.
Property
Whatever you seek, you will find in Alicante. For beach living head to the north of the city and the San Juan beach with its mixture of high and low rise apartment complexes and luxury villas. For a touch of classic Alicante, townhouses and apartments can be found in the colourful buildings and sandstone blocks of the old town.
Employment
Like most of the Costa Blanca, Alicante is reliant on the tourist trade to support its economy, but there is more to be found here. A university town, it also has one of the largest film studios in Europe, a commercial port and many other businesses and office work besides.
Transport
One of the busiest airports in Spain will connect you with locations all over the world, while ferries leave daily for the Balearics and south to Algeria. If you just want to get around the region the city is excellently served by train, tram and bus services.
Health
You’ll find a range of health care providers here, including three public health hospitals with emergency rooms and many more private and specialist clinics.
Schools
Another benefit of moving to Alicante is the wide range of educational institutions to choose from including two bilingual international schools in Alicante itself as well as many excellent Spanish speaking state schools.
Amenities
Shopping is excellent in Alicante. As well as the usual hipermercados, there are excellent boutiques, speciality shops and regular street markets. The city is something of a sports destination and is home to two 18-hole golf courses, an athletics stadium and municipal sports arena. Along the beaches you can make use of volleyball facilities or take part in a multitude of watersport opportunities.
Living costs
This is a great place to settle if you want to enjoy all the benefits of living in a cosmopolitan Spanish city but don’t want to pay the high prices you’d expect in somewhere like Barcelona.