Moving To Cadiz
This week, we are darting to the south-west corner of Spain, and looking at moving to Cádiz. Thanks to Matthew Hirtes for his latest in the “Go Expat In…” series.
Blue is the colour in the capital of Cádiz province
Ups
The light of the Costa de la Luz in this part of south-west Spain. Even when it gets dark, the sky can remain blue instead of becoming black like elsewhere. The absence of hi-res developments, because of coastal protection laws and the fact the city’s located on a sandspit, make 21st-century Cádiz’s skyline remarkably similar to its medieval one.
Downs
Cádiz’s a dying city. Between 1995 and 2006, it lost nearly 10% of its population. As well as being the oldest continuously-inhabited city in western Europe (founded as it was by the Phoenicians), it’s also the Spanish metropolis with the most elderly population and highest unemployment..
In and out
Jerez airport (XRY) is also known as La Parra airport. It lies around 45km to the north of the city, which will take you around half an hour to drive. Cádiz’s also a port with regular ferry services to and from the Canary Islands.
Education
Despite its Cádiz province postcode, Sotogrande International School, an International Baccalaureate establishment, is 90 minutes away. An hour closer to Cádiz city’s El Puerto de Santa María’s El Centro Ingles who run buses from Cádiz bay to the school and back. Ever so slightly further away is Laude El Altillo School in Jerez de la Frontera.
Shop until you drop…
Head from Plaza San Juan Dios towards the cathedral and you’ll find Cádiz’s most eclectic selection of shops. Your options on the city’s Calles Ancha and Columela are rather more high-street ones. Head to the Plaza Libertad’s Mercado Central for foodstuffs including fruit, vegetables, meat, and seafood.
Property types
There are bargains to be had on the property front, particularly regarding commercial properties. If you’ve got between €45.000 and €1.6 million to invest, you can pick up anything from a local magazine to a hotel on the Costa de la Luz. Contact Cadizcasa for further details.
Market watch
One-three bedroom apartments, €20.000-€340.000. Detached Villas, €90.000-€975.000. Townhouses €26.000-€895.000.
In Praise Of
“Cádiz has a rich culture and history of Arab and Roman rule; of music and flamenco. Of suffering and joy. Of the simple pleasue of sunkissed tomatoes and glistening olive oil.” Anne Manson (Annie B’s Spanish Kitchen)
“Cádiz, and the Costa de la Luz in general, has more hours of sunshine per year than any other area of Spain. It also has some of the most beautiful beaches and wonderful natural parks, teeming with rare birds and plants. As well as low-density build with miles of sunflowers, grapes and cotton, but most important of all, it has a laidback, unspoilt Spanish way of life.” Lesley McEwan (Cadizcasa)
“Cádiz province is the place that the rest of Spain decamps to in the summer – it’s the Spanish version of Cornwall. But for the people who live here, life’s very much built around family and friends. There’s a great sense of community. And just when you think it’s getting a little bit too quiet in the winter, along comes a fiesta to liven things up.” Linda Frost (En Buenas Manos)
• Are you an expat in Cádiz? What do you like/dislike about it? Let us know below.
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
January 14, 2015 @ 3:51 pm
My wife and I will hopefully move to Cadiz later this year (2015) and we will visit Cadiz a few times in the meantime. Is there an expat resident with perhaps the time to give some insight to life in the city or perhaps meet there sometime?
Many thanks in advance, Simon and Claudia
January 14, 2015 @ 11:28 pm
Hi Simon and Claudia. Perhaps try contacting one of the three Cadiz based expats at the base of the article. Do mention where you saw them too so they don’t think you’re an odd-bod ;)
Good luck with the move.
Elle x
July 12, 2015 @ 4:46 pm
Hi Simon and Claudia,
My partner and I are also planning to move to Cádiz, from Ireland, in early 2016; we’re visiting for a week this September. I just wanted to ask if you have moved already, and if so, how you’re finding it? Would love to hear your thoughts!
Thanks,
Tracy & Conor
June 24, 2016 @ 2:05 pm
Hi Tracy and Conor,
Did you move to Cadiz? i have been living in Ireland for 33 years and my daughter has recently moved to Seville. She is begging me to relocate to be nearer to her. I was originally looking at the Malaga province but she suggested Cadiz as being less of a drive from Seville. I would love to hear from you!
Donna currently in West Cork
March 23, 2017 @ 9:28 pm
Hi Donna,
So sorry I’m only seeing this now – I didn’t have notifications turned on for replies! Please feel free to contact me directly through my website – soulambition dot com – and I’ll be happy to chat!
Tracy
February 19, 2015 @ 6:40 am
Hi my name is Kip and I am looking at traveling to Cadiz in the next few years to live for a year or more.
I am a surfer and looking at the combination of surf in Cadiz and the Snow in Sierra Navada.
Anyway I was wondering how bad the work front is and what is the average wage per week.
Thanks.
Kip
June 2, 2015 @ 10:38 am
Hi, taking my car to Lanza, ferry booked from cadiz, my itv has run out and plan to renew in lanzarote, will I have prob getting on boat
June 3, 2015 @ 11:31 am
Hi Bernard. You should be okay. The port authorities aren’t interested in stuff like that. But… they may flag it up to a copper mate over their morning coffee – so get it done back in Lanzarote as soon as you can.
If you’re worried though – book the ITV appointment online and then print out the confirmation or a screen grab to prove you’re booked in before travelling. E x
October 15, 2015 @ 8:13 pm
My daughter and her husband (who is in the US Navy) are being transferred to Cadiz,
and I want to know how safe it is.
Have enjoyed reading all different info. on the city.
Thank you
October 17, 2015 @ 4:24 pm
I would say far, far safer than your average US city as would be all/most cities in Spain.
February 9, 2016 @ 3:36 am
My husband and myself are thinking about moving to Cadiz or somewhere near that region next year as we are English but currently live in Australia and want to be nearer our family again
Can anyone let me know what the cost of living is there and what it cost to rent a 2/3 bedroom house. also is the employment market good for English speaking only or should we learn Spanish ?
Simon or Tracy have you moved there yet as I would be interested to know how the move went .
Thank you.
June 4, 2016 @ 7:17 pm
Hello.I an looking for a property in El Puerto Santa Maria and wondered if anyone could tell me the good area’s and ones to avoid.We do like City center life so happy to take inner city property .
June 5, 2016 @ 12:15 am
We’ve only got one property for sale in El Puerto Santa Maria on our property section. I’m sure that if you dropped an enquiry through – they may be able to answer your questions about specific areas… and perhaps have other properties to show you.
Or here’s a link to Cadiz province properties
Happy househunting!
Elle x
November 25, 2016 @ 2:06 am
As I am reviewing opportunities to move to Cadiz, I am wondering how feasible it may be to be able to find a room or a 1 bed flat to rent by the month in Cadiz town (without having to sign a 6 month or 1 year rental contract). Any suggestions for rental agencies or landlords who may have properties to rent on such a basis?
I work in tourism, so I am looking to set up as a tour operator and to do some English teaching or nanny work to pay the bills. I already work in all these capacities here in Oxford.
November 25, 2016 @ 11:46 am
Hello Alasdair. You may find it difficult to rent by the month because here in Spain property is designated as short term or long term let and the two require different paperwork for the landlord to prepare and different property standard requirements. But I’m sure it’s not impossible. You’re better enquiring in Cad’z itself. I imagine you’ll need your best Spanish lingo for that one as it could by a little grey legally. Have a look at AirBnB though – there may be places on there that are already set up for both. Our Cadíz contacts are geared up for sales rather than rentals or we’d recommend a specific agency for you.
If setting up as an operator, you’ll need to set up an SL (similar to Ltd in the UK). Chat to http://www.slcompanies4spainonline.com as they’ll be able to sort it remotely for you and help with the liability insurance etc. Or… you can just get your NIE number and then do it using other operators on a fee share basis. For English teaching, approach the language schools in Cadíz direct – a Google search will tell you if there are any.
Good luck!
March 30, 2018 @ 11:04 pm
We r looking to move over .We wanted to rent outside the town as we have a dog and like open spaces. My partner is a builder groundsmen decorator so would be looking for work in that field. And I have run my own pubs. Any help and advice would be helpfull
August 5, 2018 @ 10:40 am
I am moving to Spain in 2020 from Florida. Want to be near the southern coast.
December 10, 2019 @ 4:40 pm
Hey everybody in this rubrique :) did any of you eventually make it out to cadiz? Because i’m planning on doing so myself. I’m from switzerland, but my boyfriend is from cadiz and for me it’s no question: you can’t take a surferboy away from his beloved ocean.
So to maintain our relationship the next step has to be moving to cadiz, sooner or later.
I’m currently finishing my studies and would be able to move there in spring 2021, bit i’m planning on sending my summer there. ( june – august )
Im sure i can organise a lote whilest spending summer there, but it’s still important for me to exchange with other expat residents about their experiences.
I feel like the workingsituation / economicalsituation has improved since 2015, but still i’m scared i couldn’t be able to afford life there.
Are people still able to save up money working there? Are you able to visit your original country and maybe go on vacation elsewhere too?
thanks in advance for every constructive answer
Sophia
July 10, 2020 @ 4:55 am
Are there any English speaking Gestors in or near Cadiz?