Menu
Expat.com

Work out a budget for living expenses

Post new topic

Xanthia

Hi, I'm new to expat and just trying to get as much info/advice as possible. I'm hoping to move early next year, but this very much depends on me getting a job. I'm going to try and learn Spanish in the meantime. I'm considering house sharing, how much am I likely to pay for rent, water etc? If I can work out a budget for living expenses, then I know the minimum I need to live there.
I was thinking of the Malaga area in particular, probably in the tourism business, but I understand the wages are not very good.
Lovely reading the various comments and wish you all well 😄😄

Priscilla

Hi Xanthia and welcome to Expat.com :)

I have created a new thread with your post on the Spain forum for more visibility and interaction with the members.

I invite you to have a look at the cost of living thread, you might find some interesting information: https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=652562

Thanks,

Priscilla
Expat.com team  :cheers:

Dogeared

You do realize that Brexit is happening don't you?

While you can currently move from Wales with no problem, there are some serious issues as to what your status would be in regards to several things after Brexit is finalized in 2 years.  So what are your longer term plans?  Are you actually thinking of staying in Spain and furthering a career there?

Tourism jobs in popular tourist areas like Malaga, pay about enough to survive on for a 'worker' and no more.  It is the same in all the tourist areas of Europe where tourism, 'workers' from other EU countries, are a dime a dozen.

As a summer job for a young person, they're fine.  The objective is not to get a 'real' job or start a career, it's just a way to try and pay for a summer living in a tourist area.

If you get a job working in a bar or restaurant and share a place to live with other workers, you would get by but that's all.  If you plan to then stay on for the winter, the 'off season', it gets more difficult.  All of this also assumes you can find a job.  Not everyone who shows up in these areas in say May does find a job before the funds that had when they got there, run out.

Articles to help you in your expat project in Spain

  • Working in Tenerife
    Working in Tenerife

    Are you looking for a job in Tenerife? While there are certainly opportunities, especially for fluent Spanish ...

  • Internet in Spain
    Internet in Spain

    Whether for work or play or keeping in touch with friends and relatives abroad, getting online will most likely be ...

  • Working in the Canary Islands
    Working in the Canary Islands

    The Canary Islands is Spain's southernmost autonomous community, an archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean, more ...

  • Popular neighbourhoods in Seville
    Popular neighbourhoods in Seville

    Once you have decided to make the beautiful city of Seville your home, the next order of business is finding a ...

  • Accommodation in Madrid
    Accommodation in Madrid

    Madrid, the bustling capital of Spain, is a popular destination for thousands of expatriates each year. With its ...

  • Customs in Spain
    Customs in Spain

    Before traveling to Spain for your new life abroad, you will need to be aware of the country's ...

  • Developing your social circle in Seville
    Developing your social circle in Seville

    For many people, building a new circle of friends is one of the most daunting aspects of being an expat. Missing ...

  • Working in Valencia
    Working in Valencia

    Valencia is the capital of the autonomous community of Valencia, an attractive port city with beautiful beaches, a ...

All of Spain's guide articles