Top 5 best places to live in Spain for expats

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Top 5 best places to live in Spain...

Moving abroad can be daunting, with a new country, culture and language to discover. Finding a sense of community amongst the chaos can make all the difference in the first few months and we understand that! Spain has long been a popular place for expats to move to and because of this, there are pockets of thriving international communities across the country that make the transition that slight bit easier. To help you out, we’ve outlined the best places to live in Spain for expats:

Costa del Sol (Málaga and surrounding area)

Boasting year-round sunshine (over 300 days of sun per year!), there is no wonder why the Costa del Sol is a top pick for expats, particularly British, Scandinavia and German communities, moving to Spain. Excellent healthcare, golf courses and a wide range of international schools only add to its appeal. Málaga international airport also offers great connectivity across Europe.

Where is best?

There are lots of towns to choose from along the Costa del Sol, including Marbella, Fuengirola and Estepona which each offer something slightly different.

Marbella is best for glamour and luxury seekers, with high-end villas, Michelin starred restaurants and Puerto Banús marina, filled with superyachts and perfect for a Saturday night on the town.
Fuengirola is more family orientated with excellent schools and is more affordable
Estepona is a quieter alternative to Marbella, with charming streets, great beaches and a more classic ‘Spanish’ feel

Barcelona

Barcelona is the city that has it all: a cosmopolitan feel with a relaxed Mediterranean vibe. A hub for startup culture and international businesses is complemented with a vibrant nightlife and even its own beach. Barcelona has large communities of French, Italians, Latin Americans and Northern Europeans living in the city and surrounding area.

Where is best?

Eixample Right is popular among professionals and families, with a central location featuring Gaudi architecture dotted throughout the neighbourhood and access to some of the best restaurants in town
Gràcia is a bohemian area in the north of the city where many young professionals and creatives choose to live, with streets filled filled with independent boutiques and thriving bars
San Cugat is just 20km from Barcelona, and the suburb is perfect for families with international schools and quieter surroundings, whilst being a hop skip and jump to the city centre

Costa Blanca (Alicante and surroundings)

Known for its picturesque coast line, affordable property prices and relaxed lifestyle, the Costa Blanca offers a slower pace of life in the sunshine. It is a well-trodden path and is home to a high concentration of British, German and Scandinavian expats along with other Europeans. Expats on the Costa Blanca tend to be older than those who relocate to Madrid and Barcelona.

Where is best?

Alicante is great for younger expats and families wanting access to restaurants, shops, nightlife and schools. It offers a mix of urban convenience and coastline and the city’s airport is a major hub for low-cost European flights making it feel just that bit closer to home
Javea is a picturesque coastal town that is known for its safety and has a large British expat community
Torrevieja is best for those on a budget, with affordable housing and lower cost of living

Madrid

Spain’s capital flew under the radar for years, but is finally receiving the recognition it deserves with swathes of expats from Latin America, the US and across Europe moving to the city. With worldclass museums, internationally renowned universities and excellent job opportunities, it is fast becoming a top choice for expats all over the world. An extra plus is that its central location makes it the best place for exploring the rest of the country.

Where is best?

Salamanca is an upscale neighbourhood known for luxury shopping, dining and elegant architecture. Perfect for affluent expats and families
Malasaña is the place for young people who want to party. A trendy area in the centre of the city with a busy nightlife and creative buzz
Pozuelo de Alarcón is a quieter suburb ideal for families looking for spacious homes and international schools

To explore these neighbourhoods in more detail and discover others, take a look at The best neighbourhoods in Madrid: where to live or visit in style.

Valencia

Valencia is rapidly becoming one of the best places to live in Spain for expats and is a more affordable option than cities like Barcelona and Madrid without compromising on a buzzy feel. Renowned for its gastronomy (paella originates from here!), beaches and futuristic architecture, it offers the perfect blend of city life and relaxed beach vibe and is popular with British, Dutch and American expats.

Where is best?

Ruzafa is a vibrant, artistic neighbourhood with a mix of local and expats. If you’re big into food then this is the place for you
El Cabanyal is a historic fishing district close to the beach, it is becoming more well known with renovated homes and restaurants
Campanar is a quieter, family friendly area with plenty of green space and access to schools

If you are interested in moving to Spain, contact our dedicated experts who can help with everything from where to go, how to do it and finding your dream home.