Real Expat Story: Moving To Valencia, Spain, Was My Destiny
There is a scene in the 2003 movie "Under The Tuscan Sun" that I now can identify as the moment...
Read moreWelcome to what some consider the most beautiful, unspoilt part of Spain. Listed among the “Most Beautiful Bays in the World,” Santander has a stellar view of the waters off the coast. It’s also the capital city of the Cantabria region, along Spain’s northern coast.
What to do in Santander
Originally, Santander was a fisherman’s town. Today, its main activities are focused on tourism, port activity (fishing, passenger ferries, and industrial shipping) and nearby heavy industry.
There are plenty of sights throughout the city, including the cathedral, Magdalena Palace, the stunning Plaza Porticada, the imposing Banco Santander building, the Grand Casino, and several cultural centers, the most impressive of which is the Centro Botín. No one comes to Santander without visiting Magdalena Palace, located on the peninsula that juts out into the Bay of Santander.
If you’re looking for a nice beach day with gentle waves, try the beaches of El Sardinero, La Magdalena, Bikinis, and Los Peligros.
Health Care in Santander
In general, non-EU retirees will not be able to access the Spanish health care system and will have to take out private insurance. However, there are some good hospitals in the area, including: Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, hospital Santa Clotilde, and several other private clinics. Overall costs aren’t extremely high, so some expats choose to “go naked” and pay as they go.
Cost of Living in Santander
Penny-Pincher’s Budget for Santander, Spain
| Expense | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rent | €450 | Cheapest part of town, most basic kind of rental. |
| Transportation | €10 | Bus, taxi, etc. |
| Gas | €50 | Cooking and heating |
| Electricity | €52 | |
| Water | €37 | |
| Telephone | €42 | Bundled with internet and cable |
| Garbage Collection | €0 | Paid by owner |
| Internet | €0 | Bundled with telephone |
| Entertainment | €50 | Bare bones, eg. dinners at cheap, local places, etc. |
| Groceries | €215 | |
| Total Monthly Expenses | €1,816.00 | US$2,186.10 (as of 1/11/2018) |
Apartment or House Rental Budget for Santander, Spain
| Expense | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rent | €650 | This would provide a good quality apartment. (For luxury budget €1,000-€2,500/month.) |
| Community Charge (shared garden, pool, etc.) | €0 | Not included, as usually paid for by owner |
| Transportation | €10 | Taxi to airport: €20; town bus ticket: €1.30 anywhere within the city (€0.66 with resident’s pass) |
| Gas | €50 | Cooking and heating |
| Electricity | €52 | |
| Water | €37 | |
| Telephone | €42 | Bundled with internet, cable, and cellphone. Lots of options. This is with Vodaphone. |
| Household Help | €144 | Based on €12/hr, cleaning 4 times a month, once a week for 3 hours. |
| Entertainment | €85 | Movie ticket: €7.90; theater ticket: €20-30; museum entrance fee: €5-8; Tennis club: €50-75. |
| Groceries | €250 | |
| Gym Membership | €68 | Includes Pilates |
| Medical Appointment | €48 | Assuming no health insurance. If you qualify for state healthcare, there’s no charge. |
| Total Monthly Expenses | €1,436.00 | US$1,728.96 (as of 1/11/2018) |
Apartment or House Ownership Budget for Santander, Spain
| Expense | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mortgage | €0 | Not included (Large variation in price). |
| Community Fees | €90 | Includes: upkeep of grounds, pool, and tennis court |
| Property Taxes | €35 | Based on a two-bed condo/apartment |
| Transportation | €10 | Taxi to airport: €20; town bus ticket: €1.30 anywhere within the city (€0.66 with resident’s pass) |
| Gas | €50 | Cooking and heating |
| Electricity | €52 | |
| Water | €37 | |
| Telephone | €42 | Bundled with internet, cable, and cellphone. Lots of options. This is with Vodaphone. |
| Household Help | €144 | Based on €12/hr, cleaning 4 times a month, once a week for 3 hours. |
| Entertainment | €85 | Movie ticket: €7.90; theater ticket: €20-30; museum entrance fee: €5-8; Tennis club: €50-75. |
| Groceries | €250 | |
| Gym Membership | €68 | Includes Pilates |
| Medical Appointment | €48 | Assuming no health insurance. If you qualify for state healthcare, there’s no charge. |
| Total Monthly Expenses | €911.00 | US$1,096.76 (as of 1/11/2018) |
