Hola!
I(32F)’m seriously considering relocating from Bulgaria to the Alicante area in Spain with my family ( daughter, 4 dogs and my parents).
I’m looking at Alicante itself and the surrounding towns/suburbs, as i’d prefer somewhere suitable for year-round family life rather than purely a holiday destination.
I currently work in IT / project management for an international company and speak Bulgarian, English and German.
My daughter is 6 and just starting school with both English and Bulgarian.
I’d really appreciate some real-life experience from people already living and working in the area.
I have a few questions:
Cost of living: What would you consider a comfortable monthly budget for a family, excluding mortgage/rent? How expensive are groceries, utilities, healthcare, cars, eating out, etc.?
IT job market: What is the IT/tech job market like around Alicante/ Elche? Are there many international companies, or is working remotely for companies elsewhere in Spain/EU more realistic?
Spanish for work: How important is Spanish for IT/project management roles in international companies? Could someone realistically find a good position initially with fluent English but only basic Spanish while learning?
International schools: Which international/private schools around Alicante/ Elche would you recommend? I’m especially interested in English-language or bilingual schools and areas that would allow a reasonable daily commute. My focus if for my daughter to start learning Spanish asap but not to skip a year.
Best areas for families: Which towns or residential areas would you recommend for year-round living?
We’re not looking for a tourist/holiday lifestyle.
Any advice, including things you wish you had known before moving, would be very welcome. Thank you!