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Altea, Spain
An expat in Altea, Spain advises newcomers to be methodical and organized, seek input from other expats, live in a neighborhood short-term before committing to a long-term home rental or purchase.
Altea
After almost three months, I am still waiting for my third and final box to clear the Spanish postal service and customs. It has been so long, I can't even remember what items are in it. Besides those three boxes, I only brought two suitcases, so I brought very little. I was surprised I could not find US size wash cloths in Spain. And I would have brought quality zip-lock plastic bags. They are practically useless here.
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Be methodical and organized. Have a time-line with goals. Seek input from people who have made similar moves. Test drive the town and neighborhood before committing to a long-term lease or purchase. In Spain, for example, there are numerous vacation rental apartments, homes, villas, etc. where you can stay for several weeks or months (at far cheaper rates than most hotels) to get a feel for the area you are considering.
In Casco Antiguo, the old whitewashed buildings are joined together, often with more than one floor. The apartments or "pisos" range from studios to very large, multi-storied places. Mine is a spacious 3 bedroom with a full galley style kitchen, and the washing machine is in its own room, as opposed to its typical placement in the kitchen. I am pleased to have air conditioning during the hot, humid summer. I was surprised to learn that air con is not very common. Glad I asked for it.
I first rented in Casco Antiguo, scenic old town. I was glad I did, as the noise and vibration of the twice hourly tram travelling though a tunnel nearby my place, led me to move to another area in Casco Antiguo, just near the heart of the action. I suggest you go to the place you are considering at various times of day to check out things like noise, neighbors and neighborhood, etc.
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My rent is 400 Euros per month, plus about 40 for electricity and 5 for water. My mortgage in the Central Coast of California was $4000, granted for a larger house, but an equivalent size home on the edge of the Altea with land, would still be far cheaper than my home in California.
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Expats move to Spain from all over the world. People of all ages move there to work, retire, or just enjoy the culture and Spain's natural beauty. With so many places to choose from, our tips for moving to Spain will get you started on picking the perfect place for you.
Hello! I am thinking of moving to either Portugal or Spain. Do you have your long term visa? was it hard to get? would love to hear more about your experience as you are from USA. would you mind emailing me? thanks
dawnstarrDear gypsy1951: On my blog you will find a lot of info on my experience in getting a visa in Spain. The requirements can and will change. It's just part of the Spanish bureaucracy. www.starrtreks.com. You can also leave a comment there so I can respond.
jrk944I am 75 and my wife is 72 and living in Atlanta, GA. US. Still have the urge to travel and live some place interesting and different and taste different flavors. I have health care in the US. What is the healthcare like in Spain? What can an Expat do for healthcare in Spain ? Can't afford the private health insurance because I have a preexisting heart problem. The wife Is basically in good health.Is there a universal healthcare program in Spain that an Expat like me/ us can join an be covered just for major medical events? In Mexico they do not accept someone 75 or older into their IMSS program. What about Spain? Will they accept me/ us?
Get a quote for expat health insurance in Spain from our partner, Cigna Global Health.
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Expats in Spain share their experiences with healthcare and overseas medical insurance in Spain.
Support your favorite restaurants in Altea as they recover from the pandemic. Submit a free listing for them on Expat Exchange to help spread the word about them to the expat community.
An expat in Altea, Spain shares her experiences with expat health care and insurance. Topics covered include costs, medications, quality of health care, medical procedures abroad and more.
An overview of how to move to Spain and immigration options for non-EU citizens. Covers different long-term visa options.
Expats Living in Spain offer their advice for others making the move to the nation on the Iberian peninsula. From what to bring, to learning Spanish, culture shock and more, read on to learn how to settle into your new life as an expat in Spain.
Expats in Spain discuss the pros and cons of living in Spain. Topics discussed include lower cost of living, taxation on worldwide income, friendliness of Spaniards, LGBT community, slower pace of life and more.
Expats in Spain have a lot of opinions as to the best places to live in Spain. It all comes down to preferences, resources and where you are in life. Here's a good start in your research for deciding where to live in Spain as an expat!
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