Javea Life

Plenty of expats move here, learn the etiquette, and settle into a comfortable routine. Work, groceries, a nice view. Years later, some of them still feel like a visitor.

Knowing how to behave and actually belonging are two different things, and only one of them happens on its own. Integrating takes real, ongoing work on your part and it doesn't happen automatically just because you moved somewhere beautiful.

Most of daily life in Spain will feel familiar. People are polite, helpful and generally happy to see a new face around. But a layer of everyday habits works differently here. Social customs in Spain can be different. They won't cause real problems if you get them wrong, but they make life smoother once you know them.

Costa Blanca weather is just all sun and fun. One morning you wake up and the light looks wrong. The sky is a dull orange-grey. The sun looks filtered. Your car, clean yesterday, is now coated in reddish dust. You didn't imagine it. This is calima, one of a handful of weather events that catch new residents off guard on the Costa Blanca. Knowing what they are and what to do when they hit, saves you a confused call to a neighbor and a ruined pool cover.