Claudia1

Another ad hoc issue if you do not mind !

I previously read somewhere that maximum electricity a household can have in Spain is 5.5KW. Is that still applicable & if so what are the implications ??

Claudia

jackytoo

Not correct...ours was about 9.9. You can't run air-con/oven/pool etc on 5.

jdr

Ours is 10 also.

Claudia1

A huge thanks to you both for the clarification.

In terms of living costs, I read on the "spainexpat" forum they estimated it would cost minimum 3000 Euro per month for a couple to live "comfortably" (i.e. not over the top !) in Barcelona including holidays i.e. assuming dining out 2-3 days a week, own car, own home, liberal use of aircon. I assume living comfortably in Southern Spain (say Malaga or Mijas) should be cheaper.

Fully appreciate its a general issue & that everyone has different requirements. But, would appreciate any advice/comments on what it would take to live comfortably in say Mijas (after tax) ??

Claudia

jojojojojo

I live fairly close to Mijas and I would say that as a rule of thumb, what you would call comfortable in the UK and the amount you live on there, would be the same numbers here ie - if you need £3,000 in the UK, you'd need 3000€ here!! If its a little less then good, cos things are different here (different lifestyles), but its a good way to gauge it initially - if that makes sense!!?

Jo xxx

Claudia1

Do you mind if I ask what you consider it would cost for a couple to live in Mijas on above basis ?

Claudia

PS: my own rough "back of envelope" estimate was less than 3000 Euro per month based on visit last year !

jdr

You are right, we rent a 3 bed house for 700€`s a month, then there is food expences, car expences, etc and if you want to go out drinking and eating every night then add that on, but our spending is nearer 2,000€`s at a guess.

jojojojojo

Yes, I'd say thats a good figure to start with for two people!

Jo xxx

Claudia1

Hi JDR & JO,

Your feedback is very interesting since my own monthly estimate for couple on basis of owning (not renting) & excluding holidays was 2250 Euro for Mijas. Some of my main assumptions as follows & please feel free to comment/correct based on your own experience:

Food: 450
Electricity: 150
Internet/Land Line: 30
Cable TV: 27
Private Health Insurance: 120

Any idea what car license & comprehensive insurance might cost for say a newish 2 litre Passat !!!

I appreciate your advice on living costs.

Claudia

lynnxa

I'm not in mijas - but costs aren't so very different outside the big cities

there are 5 of us (3 adults a teen & a nearly teen)- my main supermarket bill isn't much more than that monthly - we don't live on caviar, but we don't exactly skimp, either!!

altogether I'd say food for the 5 of us is about 600

electricity is more than we spend - even with the tumbledryer going all winter - but with gas for heating & water as well it's probably about 200

internet/landline - ours is about twice that

cable TV - no idea

health insurance sounds about right

snikpoh

If you are owning rather than renting, then you may have forgotten some items - IBI (poll tax) & basura (rubish) can be quite a chunk, water (unless you are on a well), house insurance (if you think it's necessary), petrol ....

We pay about 350 per year for fully comp. on a 2003 2.0l car. Tax for the car is about 150 but this is a local tax so can vary from town to town.


PS. On the issue of potencia - Iberdrola have a 'cheap' house plan tariff which requires you to have at least 10KW!

Claudia1

Based on feedback it appears a couple can live quite comfortably in Southern Spain on 2000 - 2500 Euro per month, excluding holidays !!

Incidentally, what does a standard doctor & dentist appointment cost ??

Claudia