The gorgeous Spanish villages where you can live for UNDER £500 a month, picked by experts. That includes rent, resturants, wine and trips out - and you'll live by beautiful beaches and tranquil countryside. Don't move without reading this
By BEN WEST
Published: | Updated:
With rentals prices steadily rising and the cost of living increasing, many Britons are struggling with making ends meet in the UK right now.
So it’s no surprise more are looking abroad to relocate - and many of us are looking to the sunnier shore of Spain.
It’s possible to rent a property in the country for a fraction of what you’d pay in the UK. Living expenses are generally considerably lower, too - a beer commonly only a quid or so in bars - and of course there is the wonderful climate, beautiful beaches and countryside to enjoy. However, Brexit rules of course restrict the amount of time you can live there each year, unless you have sorted out a resident’s visa.
We’ve searched out a selection of places around the country where you can live for under £500 per month. We’ve averaged out typical living expenses using the online database Numbeo, but of course these may lower if you live very modestly, and will increase if you have a penchant for the likes of caviar and champagne.
* We’ve based monthly costings for one person, on six public transport tickets, two visits to inexpensive restaurants, four visits to cafes, 2 litres milk, 4 loaves bread, 1kg rice, 6 eggs, butter, jam, pastries, tea, coffee, 500g cheese, 500g chicken, 500g beef, fruit, vegetables, 4 bottles wine, 2 litres beer/soft drinks, utilities, mobile, internet and a cinema visit.
This attractive, historic city (population 75,000) is away from the tourist crowds and offers a great choice of shops, restaurants and bars. It is an ideal base for exploring Castile-La Mancha and its national parks such as Tablas de Daimiel and Cabañeros.
Madrid Airport is 180km away.
Typical living expenses - €175/£151
Rent it
This €360/£311 studio flat comes with a separate kitchen and bathroom and has original stone flooring
https://www.idealista.com/en/inmueble/96267248/
Arroyo del Ojanco (population around 2200) is ideal for those with a penchant for the outdoor life, offering a great base for hiking in the Sierra de Segura mountains. Water sports are popular at Guadalmena Reservoir nearby and you can discover the local cuisine at restaurants in the village and nearby towns. There are regular festivals to enjoy, as well as historical sites such as the Castle of Sierra de la Segura.
Albacete Airport is 146km away.
Typical living expenses - €286/£248
Rent it
This €250/£217 fully furnished second-floor apartment has a double and a single bedroom plus living room and enjoys a good location in the village with no other buildings nearby as well as beautiful views of the Guadalimar Valley.
https://www.idealista.com/en/inmueble/37575584/
The declining population - 189 in 2024 compared to 263 in 2011 - is a strong factor why the cost of accommodation is low. However, it is situated in a beautiful area, with the historic village of Monsanto and the Serra de Malcata Natural Reserve nearby.
Badajoz Airport is 75km away.
Typical living expenses - €302/£262
Rent it
If you want to get away from it all then this unfurnished three-bedroom country house on two floors may be just the ticket. It also has a terrace, storeroom and sizeable garden. And if you ever want to hit the city, it is well connected to Madrid via the A5 highway. €200/£173 per month.
https://www.idealista.com/en/inmueble/26902590/
Castralvo (population around 350) is an attractive village just south of the city of Teruel in eastern Spain. A mountainous region, there are a number of rural villages to explore nearby and as well as its numerous shops, restaurants, cafes and bars, Teruel is famous for its Mudéjar architecture, a style combining Gothic and Islamic elements.
Valencia Airport is 148km away.
Typical living expenses: €244/£213
Rent it
This €330/£287 three-storey village house has three bedrooms. Fully furnished, it has a terrace and great views of the village.
https://www.idealista.com/en/inmueble/82971212/
Ituero de Azaba is a picturesque, tranquil village with cobblestoned streets, traditional architecture and around 235 inhabitants. It sustains a rich cultural heritage, with regular events and festivals. The surrounding beautiful countryside is ideal for hiking and cycling.
Salamanca Airport is 70km away.
Typical living expenses - €302/£262
Rent it
This €250/£217 per month one-bed ground floor apartment has an open-plan living room/kitchen and is furnished.
https://www.idealista.com/en/inmueble/108674300/
Located by the river Miño, Ourense (population 107,000) in northwestern Spain is known for its hot springs. It has an old town with plenty of historic buildings including an impressive cathedral and a good range of restaurants and bars. There are numerous medieval villages to explore in the vicinity too.
Vigo Airport is 90km away.
Typical living expenses - €196/£170
Rent it
This attic studio flat is compact, but who’s complaining when it is just €230/£200 per month? Centrally located, it’s near main squares and a pleasant park.
https://www.idealista.com/en/inmueble/105776290/
Villanueva de los Infantes (population around 5700) is a very attractive town and has some outstanding architecture from the 16th and 17th centuries. It has a thriving culinary scene and is surrounded by vineyards, olive groves and lovely rural landscapes. However, bear in mind that public transport here is limited.
Granada Airport is 184km away.
Typical living expenses - €175/£151
Rent it
This bright €275/£237 two-bedroom flat is close to the centre of Villanueva de los Infantes and its restaurants and supermarkets. It is on the first floor and has two bathrooms, including one ensuite with shower.
https://www.idealista.com/en/inmueble/102411249/foto/15/
This town with a population of around 3600 offers the best of both worlds. It has a vibrant nightlife, with a number of restaurants and bars, but is surrounded by beautiful countryside offers great hiking opportunities. Its attractive medieval architecture acts as a perfect backdrop for the numerous festivals it holds each year.
Seville Airport is 170km away.
Typical living expenses - €214/£186
Rent it
This bright one-bedroom first floor apartment is furnished and has a generous-sized living room. It is €270/£235 per month to rent.
https://www.idealista.com/en/inmueble/104449040/
Overlooking the Sierra de Quesada Mountains and olive groves, lovers of the outdoors will enjoy discovering the large areas of open space, such as Las Villas National Park. With a population of around 2600, the town has a smattering of restaurants and bars and other facilities.
Granada Airport is 89km away.
Typical living expenses - €286/£248
Rent it
This bright, red-themed small one-bedroom flat is in good condition and enjoys a central location. It is €250/£217 per month.
https://www.idealista.com/en/inmueble/108876876/
Surrounded by mountains, meadows and plains in a farming region, Zarza de Granadilla (population of around 1800) dates back to the 16th century and has numerous historical sites including a 16th century church and 18th century hermitage. Situated close to the Gabriel y Galán reservoir, there are beaches, fishing and water sports to enjoy.
Salamanca Airport is 90km away.
Typical living expenses - €272/£236
Rent it
This €295/£256 ground floor one-bed apartment within a terraced house is well presented and furnished and has a garden.
https://www.idealista.com/en/inmueble/108489765/foto/1/
Built on the slope of a volcano, with the crater now a lagoon, Almodóvar del Campo (population around 6000) has Arabic origins, such as the Nuestra Señora de la Asunción church, which was originally built as a mosque. It’s an attractive town, with municipal gardens and a neoclassical town hall in an elegant square. There’s a good choice of restaurants and bars.
Granada Airport is 172km away.
Typical living expenses - €170/£148
Rent it
This €300/£260 furnished one-bedroom flat is on the first floor but a lift is available. It has air-conditioning for those hot days.
https://www.idealista.com/en/inmueble/29345267/
This large town boasts a well-preserved historic centre, with impressive medieval, Renaissance and modernist buildings. With a population of 35,000, there is naturally a widespread choice of shops, restaurants cafes and bars.
Reus Airport is 64km away.
Typical living expenses - €218/£188
Rent it
This 302/£350 newly renovated apartment is close to the centre of town and the charming River Erbo and offers a separate bathroom, separate bedroom and strong WIFI.
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