Why I moved from Spain's Costa del Sol to the Costa Blanca 

Yes you can definitely tell there is a different attitude here, which seems to be working quite well for the city and it's residents.

Thank you. You are right about the humidity, it's been a hot and humid August here.

Which Costa is more humid?

@@lindanordinova the Costa Blanca is more humid, currently it's 66% in Alicante and 47% in Malaga

@@TheEmptyMiddleSeatTravel thanks for your quick answer! I always thought it was more humid in the Costa del Sol because of their tropical climate.

Been on both and definitely this. Been to Playa Flamenca my share of times as well as Fuengirola and good lord the oven of the Costa Blanca is something else, there's so much heat stored in the adjacent sea up around there compared to down near the straits plus no incoming breeze comparable to the Costa Del Sol.

It sounds like you have a nice and relaxed way of life. I have yet to visit Galicia, but it is on my list.

That is true, I always get surprised when I see a young person in my area

Hi, Carlos, where in Galicia would you recommend? I want authentic Spain not Benidorm.

@@normanseagull4027 If you like to live near the sea, there are two different areas, the "Rias Baixas", better climate, less rugged and with many Spanish tourists in summer and the "Rias Altas" worse climate, more rugged and less crowded. The "rias" are river valleys flooded by the sea. The interior of Galicia is very unpopulated, there is a beautiful area called the "Ribera Sacra" which is the valley of the Sil River, where there are various monasteries and wine cellars, there is also the mountain of Lugo, a beautiful area but with harsh winters. . In any case, it all depends on what you are looking for, inland, coast, cities, small towns, mountains, river valleys, highly populated areas or areas with almost no population and with many small abandoned villages.

Marbella is the place to be for me. Best restaurants and climate

It is a beautiful country, living anywhere here would be great

Thanks for watching!

We’re trying to figure out which coast we would prefer. In your opinion, what makes the Costa del Sol better (for you) then the Costa Blanca?

Fellow Canadian here (Winnipeg, Edmonton, Kingston, Ottawa and now Montreal/Mont Tremblant). We’re a retired military couple (late 40’s and early 50’s like you guys) and we’re looking for our own Spanish escape. We don’t know which coast we would prefer either so we will try both but as newbies, where would you recommend we start? We would like to try both coasts and stay in an area where it would be easy to walk and/or grab a train or bus to explore as much of each coast as possible. We’re really wanting to be there in winter as well so somewhere warm in the winters that is sunny with great beaches and shops and restaurants that are open year round with golf nearby would be our version of perfection. I know we can’t get it all but is there somewhere that comes to mind? Thank you in advance 😊

Hi, sorry for the delayed response I missed your comment. I prefer the Alicante region but the Malaga area is great too. Basically if in the Malaga region anywhere from Malaga city to Fuengirola. The train ends in Fuengirola. If out in the Alicante area I would say anywhere between Alicante city and Benidorm. The tram ends in Benidorm but you can transfer to another one that goes out farther. Both places have great beaches and lots of shopping, cafes and restaurants. The Malaga area is probably a bit warmer in the winter. Here is my email if you have any other questions. emptymiddleseat@gmail.com

@@KK-tv2idCanadians seem to prefer costa del sol. There was some Canadian blogger who wrote a pretty damning article on Alicante rating it a 1/5 and I guess that swayed the opinion of many. In reality I think it's definitely not as bad and also we don't have the water problems that Malaga area has. Fuengirola has no water from taps between midnight and 6 am currently. Costa Blanca is better because we have large desalination plants working to supply water. Quality of life is amazing in both places. There are amazing golf courses on the costs blanca and it's warm in winter. Most days this winter I went out wearing a light jumper or sometimes even in a t-shirt.

Benalmadena☝️🌞

Thanks, more videos are coming. Good luck it's a hard decision to make. Both are great places

Thanks. I'm just renting in Benidorm. When the time comes to buy it will most likely be outside of Benidorm, but in the Alicante area.

Thanks so much, appreciate it

Thanks. I guess safety is relative, coming from north America I find it quite safe compared to back home. We will be looking at all the surrounding areas when we get closer to buying. I would like to connect in the future, send me an email at emptymiddleseat@gmail.com

definitely 😊

Thank you very much.

Thanks, good luck with your move

Thank you, good luck with your move

Benahavis is a beautiful spot.

Someone else mentioned Villamartin to me, sounds like a great place

Thank you

Nerja is a wonderful spot. That's great advice

That's a great way to do it. The Costa Blanca is a wonderful place

Neither Madrid nor Barcelona are in the South.

Alicante is a great region and still reasonable. Thanks for the sub

Thank you, glad you are enjoying the videos. We really like living in Benidorm. It's been a great place to live and there is always something to do.

Thanks. Yes it's definitely not cool at the moment, a lot of humidity too.

Unfortunately it's happening in a lot of areas.

Thanks for watching. Sounds like you have found your dream home, congratulations.

Thanks. Sorry to hear that. Benidorm is a great place to live, good luck.

I agree, it's a great place to live no matter where you are at

Thank you, glad you found it helpful

Beautiful spot

Almeria is less humid

Thank you, it is definitely humid at the moment here in Benidorm.

Thanks for watching. The Costa del Sol is full of older North American, UK and northern European expats. The Alicante area has a younger feel to it, a better mix of ages, definitely more people in their 40s along the Costa Blanca.

That's surprising to hear. I never had a problem with them in any of the places I lived.

Torreblanca is a beautiful area, I used to spend a lot of time down that way. I really enjoyed Fibbers pub.

So true! I live in Fuengirola, and there is dog shit everywhere. It’s like I am playing ‘walking hopscotch.’ Make sur3 your trousers and dress hems are not too long. I am also 63 years old … a very youthful 63! Night life is rubbish here, seems to happen more in Torremolinos. I don’t get much of a social life, therefore looking to move in a couple of years. I’ll be 65 then 🤫

Thank you. The beaches in Benidorm are busy at the moment. But August is the month the Spanish head to the coast for vacation and there are lots of tourists from France and Italy at the here. In September everything goes back to normal we are told. I have not been to Valencia, but it is on the list. Are you planning on moving over at some point?

@@TheEmptyMiddleSeatTravel Yes, my plan is to move with my family. The only problem is that my current employer here in London won't allow me (yet) to WFH from abroad. But that may change. Life here in Britain is becoming so rubbish, even for higher earners like me. A damp 3-bedroom shoebox house would cost you around £500,000...The whole quality of life here has become so low compared to even countries in Eastern Europe. Anyway, you mentioned that you plan to buy your property at some point. Do you also consider buying off-plan? Will you be looking for a house or apartment?

@@SycAamore hopefully you get the opportunity to move over. It's a similar situation in Canada, maybe not as bad , but it's getting there. I will probably not buy off plan. I would like to buy a house, but we are really open to anything. My wife would love to have a garden.

Enjoy your holiday

I have never been to Mazarron, but I hear it's a great place. Expats seem to love it there. Thanks for watching

It's a tough decision. Malaga is a wonderful city, it's still one of my favorites in Europe. My one issue with Malaga is that it is quite small for the amount of people passing through the centre. It's great as a tourist, but I found I visited less and less the longer I lived in the region. A lot of North Americans have settled in and around Alicante, I have heard so many great things about the area. Good luck with making your selection.

I personally think Malaga city is a little nicer than Alicante city but that in itself shouldn't matter that much. The costa blanca is an amazing place to live

@@TheEmptyMiddleSeatTravel we settled on Torremolinos, in a quieter, more residential area, still walkable to the center and beach, slightly closer to Benalmadena Arroyo de la Miel on foot than to Torremolinos center.

@@MikeS29 That's fantastic, congratulations!

Hi, it is definitely cooler in the winter compared to Mexico. The Malaga region is a few degrees warmer then the Alicante region. Overnight and early in the morning it can get cold, there were a few days were I had to put on gloves. In Malaga you can still go to the beach for most of the winter as the temperature will be in the low 20s in the afternoon, but not too many people are in the water.

Thanks for the reply. Sounds like the Malaga area would make sense, what months does it start to cool down and then warm up again typically? @@TheEmptyMiddleSeatTravel

There is definitely a party scene here. We don't live in that end of town, we are about 15 minutes away from there. We do enjoy the shows though. There is a lot more to Benidorm than just that area of course.

@@TheEmptyMiddleSeatTravelwhich is the party town area ?

@@aljohn6803 it is in the new town calle Gerona is the main area. It's only a few blocks

That's the beauty of Benidorm, it has that aspect but there's also lots more to do, so you can make it what you want... On one day, you can go to the old town for a quiet drink and tapas or the next day, you can go to the British new town area to see bands, shows and party... I used to be snobby about Benidorm but now I love it.

Thanks. That would have been great, good luck with your retirement move

If you are ever up this way, send me a message

@@TheEmptyMiddleSeatTravel I will thanks

I am looking forward to exploring Alicante city and it's surrounding areas. I have heard a lot of good things from people who live there. I will renting for a couple years before buying.

Is alicante very hilly walking around it ?

@@irishman6124 not hilly around the city but if you walk up to the Fort then there is a big hill climb. You can get the lift up from the Postiguet beach or us the Sightseeing bus drop off if you don't fancya hill climb.

@@irishman6124 Alicante is not overly hilly

Alicante is way better, classier, prettier, more Spanish. Benidorm: cheap thrill, cheap experience, ugly buildings. The buildings are cheaply built. Old town of Benidorm reminds me of Gaza Strip.

Thanks!

The CDS is getting really expensive. In Benidorm, our apartment is 1250 euros. There is an apartment tour video on the channel if you want to see the place.

Here is the link to the apartment tour. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-To4Kk-lQJ6o.html

@@TheEmptyMiddleSeatTravel That's not bad, Was seriously thinking about either Torrevieja, Villajoyosa or the Benidorm area. I did find though that Orihuela, La Zenia and that area are kind of dirty, Benidorm looks like it's cleaned itself up. And there is a ton to do there.

They sure know how to have a good time

We took that into consideration.

Ok.

Agree with this .. sadly it’s a nonstarter for me. Hopefully other regions will follow Andalusia

@@aljohn6803 it would be nice if they followed Andalucia

I am attracted to Andalusia for this reason. Anyone else ?

Hi, yes I remember speaking to you in the comment section. I heard Denia is great. I haven't been there yet. There are lots of available rentals all over the Costa Blanca. The Costa del Sol is becoming very crowded and getting pricey from what I hear. Definitely worth taking a trip up here to check things out

@@TheEmptyMiddleSeatTravel Thank You Sir, Glad you remembered me, Yea The Costa del Sol is getting crowded, property prices are going thru the roof here, I’ve been to Almeria? But it’s not for me, Been in a hotel for months, decided this morning to head up to the Costa Blanca and see will I have any luck, Best Regards.

Hi, when I started my process it was 750 euros. It has probably gone up a bit overtime. But that should give you a ballpark number. They are very nice and good at what they do. I highly recommend them.

Yes definitely it was shocking how everything just closes on a certain date.

A lot of people complain about mosquitoes on both Costas, but I have not had any problems here in Spain. Although back in Canada they used to eat me alive.

they are here

Idealista is probably the best website

Yes, I haven't purchased yet, still renting

What ?. Are you serious ?. The spaniards are among the most civilized people when it comes to animal rights. Where are you from , by the way?. It´s funny the topics about Spain , flamenco music , even if you are in Bilbao , vigo , barcelona or Valencia (it´s like hearing bagpipes in Alabama), flamenco music is just in the south of Spain and the other topic is when you hear ex-pats to call an inmigrant... Now with the Brexit there is no ex-pats anymore.

Imagine that occurring in your country with people who speak another language ? You would be like : they should integrate, learn our language and culture, bla bla bla, yet when you go to another country you think you’re special because your country used to be the biggest genocides and colonizers in the history ?

We like the Costa Blanca quite a bit more than the Costa del Sol.

@@TheEmptyMiddleSeatTravelyeah I’ve found a house in punta prima half the price of my house I’m going to sell up I think

There are people in their 40s50s there. Might depend where you are going , neighborhood. Calpe is beautiful. It's definitely a great place to live.

I don't file my first Spanish tax return until May/June of this year. Here are a couple of things I have come across. The taxes are generally higher in Spain. Spain will tax your global income (except public pensions), including property sales abroad. Andalucia has removed the wealth tax, but it remains in most of the country. I will be using a tax professional in Spain to file my taxes.

Am I reading it correctly that even if you are there on a Visa, as long as you stay less than 183 days you don't need to file taxes in Spain?@@TheEmptyMiddleSeatTravel

@@dividenddepot yes that is correct, you only become a tax resident after 183 days. But on the NLV, I believe you can only be out of Spain for 10 months over a 5 year period.

Interesting, that would be a hurdle for sure. Sounds like limiting stays to 90 days might be best for our personal situation. Thanks@@TheEmptyMiddleSeatTravel

@theemptymiddleseattravel I was researching the areas of Malaga versus Alicante and one of the reasons I had rolled out Alicante or anything north of it was due to the fact that my American Social security (once I hit that age) and all retirement investments would be taxed at the Spanish rate versus American. And then on top of that there is a wealth tax. So I was trying to avoid additional taxation so that I would have more money to live on. Thoughts of how to get around any of this? Thanks! This is my first video that I've seen of yours. I love how you just talk as if you're just talking to us. And I noticed you actually reply to messages! Thanks!!! @TheEmptyMiddleSeatTravel

1250 euros/mo I have an apartment tour video on the channel if you want to see what it's like.

A lot of the coast is quite busy during high season, but it tapers off after September

It is cooler on the Costa Blanca during winter

Thank you

According to Spanish met office figures average winter highs for Alicante and Malaga are virtually identical but Alicante is slightly more ‘continental’ in that it has the occasional burst of winter heat but conversely the occasional cold snap which doesn’t occur on the south coast. Apparently Almeria is the only city of over 100,000 people in the whole of Europe to have never recorded an air frost.

The Benidorm area is Spanish. The tourist area is really only a few blocks in the new town. The Finestrst, LA Cala, old town all very Spanish. If you have seen the news, a lot of Spanish people do not want us there. There's protests and attacks on tourists across the country. That's not all of the Spanish people, though. Some love having us here. So I'm glad I did not move to a completely Spanish town.

⁠yeah I was just worried about it being too touristy if that makes sense. We are thinking of moving to Alicante area.

Hi, I have two videos covering the cost of the apartment the first being "Spanish Apartment Tour" the other being "Cost of Living" My apartment on the costa del sol was 700 euros/mo in Benidorm it's 1250/mo.

The Costa del Sol is definitely more green and lush.

It ranges, you can get a 1 bedroom starting at 600 euros and goes up. On average you can get a 2 bedroom for 800-900 euros. 3 bedrooms from 900-1500

There are quite a few smokers, but no more than other European cities.

@@TheEmptyMiddleSeatTravel that's a strange and misleading reply. How many European cities have you been to? There are really many smokers in Spain, and in Benidorm. The worst part is that the awful smell of cannabis is felt everywhere on streets. More smokers I have seen only in Türkiye, Italy and in Balkan countries.

​@@jurgita_4832I have been to about 25 European cities. I have not smelled cannabis that much at all. Cannabis is much more prevalent in North America.

It is a person who lives outside their native country.

It's on the list, I have heard a lot of great things about the falls

@@TheEmptyMiddleSeatTravel pick the hottest day you can.the water is co co cold

😂

You are entitled to your opinion, I would disagree

Have you been to Fuengirola, disaster

They keep the shitheads in check around here

I did, I lived in Canada and the weather was horrible

@@TheEmptyMiddleSeatTravel Then build yourself a sunscreen shower in your doorway :D

I'll be sure to avoid Mallorca because of people like you. Rude comment

They play bagpipes in Montana and Illinois. It's a free country, his video, he can put any music he likes. Jesus so many rules, chill out dude

On the non-lucrative visa you cannot work in Spain.

And for the people that could work? Do you think is it easy to get a job there? I’m Spanish and we are thinking to move to Spain with my husband (UK) but I’m worry for him 😅

​@@belensnakedepends on the industry you are in. Many technical or professional jobs will require a certain level of Spanish. But there are lots of jobs around. Benidorm is the place to get an English speaking job. Try some of the local Facebook groups. Some have job postings or can point you in the right direction

@@TheEmptyMiddleSeatTravel thank you!! You are the best ☺️

Yes, we like Benidorm quite a lot

There are some fantastic beaches in the region

Hi, thank you. You don't need a car, there is a train and also a bus. But it would make it easier to get around both sides of Benidorm and out to Calpe. Not sure if you know, but you will need an international license, you can get one at your local CAA for about $25 I definitely agree the country changed very fast. Good luck with your future plans moving to Spain.

@@TheEmptyMiddleSeatTravel thank you so much for the reply. Keep up the great work. I look forward to more videos on your experiences in Spain :)

Alicante has bullfighting on streets which sucks.. nonetheless it's a great country

They start as low as 650-700. An average two bed that's nicely done will run about 800-900. You can get a really nice large apartment or townhouse for 1000-1200. Typically the farther you head away from the centre the price will drop.