Moving to Algorfa

Moving to Algorfa is the subject of this week’s article from Matthew – an inland Costa Blanca town where expats and locals live side by side.

Develop a zest for life in citrus central

Moving to Algorfa: Ups

Its setting. Nestled, as Algorfa is, in the foothills of the Sierra de Callosa. It’s a colourful place with orange and lemon groves lining the roads leading into Algorfa. There’s also an excellent golf course plus easy access to many more in the surrounding area.

Moving to Algorfa: Downs

The home comforts of Torrevieja are near. But they feel far, far away. Which, depending on much you want to adapt on your new life in Spain, could turn out to be a good rather than a bad thing.

In and out
Via the A7 and AP-7, it’s just over half an hour drive from Alicante airport to Algorfa. There are no direct buses and you’ll have to get one to Torrevieja and then a taxi. Although a better alternative might be to take a bus to Guardamar and then jump in a cab.

Education
The nearest bilingual school’s just over quarter an hour away, in San Miguel de Salinas. El Limonar Villamartin’s housed in the urbanización of the same name. It educates pupils from three years old, all the way up to 18; from infants to A-levels.

Shop until you drop…
Wednesdays sees a small fruit and veg market hit town. Sunday’s Mercadillo El Zoco is an altogether bigger affair. 17,000 square metres of stalls sell fruit and vegetables too, but also clothes, household goods, and shoes, and pretty much everything else you associate with a mercadillo.

Property types
Property prices have bottomed out. There are apartments in Algorfa itself and villas in the urban developments which surround it. One of the most popular of these with expats is La Finca.

Market watch
Two-bedroom apartments €55.000+, Three-bedroom villas €200.000+

In Praise Of
“Algorfa, what’s not to love? Typically Spanish in many ways, the locals are also really happy to integrate with the expats. It truly is a little pueblo with a great big heart. “ Sandra Piddock (Sandra in Spain)

• Are you an expat in Algorfa? What do you like/dislike about it? Let us know below.

Downs
The home comforts of Torrevieja are near. But they feel far, far away. Which, depending on much you want to adapt on your new life in Spain, could turn out to be a good rather than a bad thing.

In and out
Via the A7 and AP-7, it’s just over half an hour drive from Alicante airport to Algorfa. There are no direct buses and you’ll have to get one to Torrevieja and then a taxi. Although a better alternative might be to take a bus to Guardamar and then jump in a cab.

Education
The nearest bilingual school’s just over quarter an hour away, in San Miguel de Salinas. El Limonar Villamartin’s housed in the urbanización of the same name. It educates pupils from three years old, all the way up to 18; from infants to A-levels.

Shop until you drop…
Wednesdays sees a small fruit and veg market hit town. Sunday’s Mercadillo El Zoco is an altogether bigger affair. 17,000 square metres of stalls sell fruit and vegetables too, but also clothes, household goods, and shoes, and pretty much everything else you associate with a mercadillo.

Property types
Property prices have bottomed out. There are apartments in Algorfa itself and villas in the urban developments which surround it. One of the most popular of these with expats is La Finca.

Market watch
Two-bedroom apartments €55.000+, Three-bedroom villas €200.000+

In Praise Of
“Algorfa, what’s not to love? Typically Spanish in many ways, the locals are also really happy to integrate with the expats. It truly is a little pueblo with a great big heart. “ Sandra Piddock (Sandra in Spain)

• Are you a non-Spanish foreigner living in Algorfa? Or are you moving to Algorfa? What do you like/dislike about it? Let us know below.

Matthew Hirtes

Matthew Hirtes, our resident broadsheet journalist, moved to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria back in 2004. He’s travelled extensively through Spain, covering it for such publications as Telegraph Travel, Metro, and The Independent. The author of Going Local in Gran Canaria: How To Turn a Holiday Destination into a Home, Matthew truly is a resident expert.

Matthew writes for two sections of Spain Buddy: Moving to Spain and Spanish Football as well as providing Reviews