Hi I'm sure this question has been asked before, but I can't find any recent posts. We're looking at moving to Spain early next year, and wanted a rough idea of monthly expenditure ie utilities, Internet etc. Initially we will be renting a property before we buy, just to make sure we love the area. So it really is regular bills not rental costs we're after. Thanks for taking the time to read this post.

Rents are generally quite a bit lower per sq. meter (unless you are determined to live in a British expat community, where things are always higher), utilities/internet/ phone are generally a lot higher. Especially electricity and water. If you have your own well, water is a lot cheaper. Electricity is government-controlled. Not much you can do about it. But you should avoid electric heating. It will bankrupt you.

Hi and a warm welcome to the Spanish forum on BE. Myself and Fred James are the moderators for the Spanish forums whilst BEVS moderates Europe. Moderators are there to ensure that the site runs smoothly within the rules of BE. This is so that members gain the information that they are looking for and find their experiences on the forums to be friendly and worthwhile.

Problems and complaints should always be addressed to a moderator who will look into the matter and deal with it efficiently and fairly. Our members who post in the Spain Forums are usually friendly and helpful with a wealth of knowledge about the issues of living in Spain. I hope that you enjoy your time participating in the forums.

Please let me know if you need any further help.

Rosemary

Things like the Spanish equivalent of council tax are a lot cheaper, and so is car tax. Unfortunately such as Phone and internet are more expensive, and internet speeds are, in general, a lot slower than in the UK.

Spanish council tax (IBI) is only cheaper out in the sticks, but not in the cities

The IBI on our flat is 200 euros per month for example

It does very much depend where you want to be, everyone is correct re electric and internet/phone being dearer, but I would like to say water seems to be dependant where you are, ours is metered and much cheaper than UK, plus we run a pool. Car tax is not set by central government but your local area for example our 2.5 Diesel Discovery is 109€ a year, fuel is cheaper then UK. re IBI or rates, ours is 550€ a year and considered in our area as high, but the house is low bracket but we pay a lot as garden is urban.
We live quite well on our pensions, don't dip into savings run 2 cars, don't go on holidays except days away in Spain or back to visit family in UK, oh and we scuba dive so take into account fills and kit etc.

Our ADSL is beamed from the village & is 10mg for 15eu a month unlimited.. (most houses here have it now)
Phone is under 10eu a month for caals/internet via Hits Mobile.
We often heat via aircon & do not find it expensive, when it gets to cold we fire up the central heating (oil fired) instead.
Water is around 50 a quarter.

Electrical product prices have come down over the years and are not that far off UK prices now (IMO)
Car spares/tyres used to be expensive a few years back but that is also changing/changed & of course garage prices for maintenace are a lot cheaper than the UK.

I find that some things cost more and others less and MY cost of living in Spain is comparable to my expenditure in the UK.

Hi

We find that the cost of living is about the same as where we live in the UK.
Some things are more expensive some things less expensive, so it evens out to about the same.

We find Spain is way cheaper, but we were living in London in the UK

Rent on a 3 bed flat. 3,000 euros in London, 800 euros in Spain
Private school. 2,000 euros/month in London, 500 euros in Spain
Eating out once per week. 400 euros in London, 200 euros in Spain
Trip to cinema. 50 euros London, 25 euros in Spain
Food per week. 130 euros London, 100 euros Spain
2 hours of tennis. 50 euros London, 15 euros Spain

So for us, life is around half price - or less

Thanks for all your help and information. Plenty of info to get us started with budgets etc

in the Costa Blanca (Cabo Roig) its way cheaper than the UK and much warmer.

For those of you who live in Spain can you tell me why the authorities are messing around with Gibraltar? I read occasionally that they seems to harass the boats around Gibraltar. Comments?

New around here, eh, pilgrim?

There's a thread for this:

Gibraltar2

With IGIC (Purchase tax) at only 7%, the Canary Island economy and climate, might be one to consider if you really do want a better life.