Table of Contents
The simple way to choose a zone
Javea
Most people start with a town name.
Moraira. Javea. Altea. Torrevieja.
That is normal.
But it often creates confusion, because towns can look similar online and feel totally different in real life.
A better approach is
Pick the zone first. Then pick 2–3 towns inside that zone. Then pick micro-areas (neighborhoods and urbanizations).
Here is a “zone filter” in 2 minutes
Step 1: Set your main goal (pick one) A) Lifestyle first (you want calm, views, and a “nice feel”) B) Mixed (you want lifestyle but also easy access and services) C) Value first (you want space for the money, and you are okay driving more)
Step 2: Pick your comfort level with crowds (pick one) A) I want quieter most of the year B) I am fine with busy summers C) I do not mind tourist energy if the area works
Step 3: Decide what “daily life” you want (pick one) A) Mostly villa living (privacy, garden, pool) B) Mixed (apartment or townhouse is fine) C) Golf community / resort-style living is a plus
If you chose mostly A’s, you will usually like North. If you chose mostly B’s, you will often like Mid. If you chose mostly C’s, you will often like South.
This is not a rule. It is a shortcut.
It helps you avoid the biggest mistake…
picking a town based on photos instead of fit.
If you are buying on Costa Blanca, your first big decision is not the town. It is the zone.
North Costa Blanca
Altea
If Costa Blanca was a “product”, North is the premium version.
It is known for
A more “upmarket” feel in many towns
Scenic coastline and coves
More villa-led markets (more detached homes, more private plots)
A calmer vibe outside peak summer
Who North is usually best for
Buyers who care about feel and quality more than bargain hunting
People who want a villa lifestyle (pool, garden, privacy)
People who plan to spend a lot of time here, not just a few summer weeks
A simple price reality check (per m²)
What this means in practice North can feel easier to love.
But you often pay for it.
That is not “bad”. It is just the trade-off.
If you have a fixed budget, North may mean
Smaller property
Less walking distance to the beach
Less “wow factor” than the photos suggest
A good mindset for North is:
Pay for the location and the feel.
Be realistic on size.
Mid Costa Blanca
Benidorm
Mid Costa Blanca is a bridge.
It can give you
More variety (apartments, townhouses, villas, some new builds)
More urban options
Big-name beach areas and high-energy zones (and also calm pockets)
It is also where you find places that are easier for “normal life”: schools, hospitals, shopping, services.
Who Mid is usually best for
People who want a mix of lifestyle and convenience
Buyers who want to be closer to a city (or at least city services)
People who want options: apartment now, villa later
Price reference points (asking prices per m²)
Altea: 3,476 €/m²
Benidorm: 3,362 €/m²
Alicante/Alacant (city): 2,670 €/m²
Balcon de Finestrat – Terra Marina: 3,096 €/m²
(Nov 2025 Idealista)
What this means in practice Mid gives you choice, but you need to be more specific.
Because “Mid” includes very different vibes.
One area can feel calm and residential. A few minutes away can feel like full tourist mode.
If you are the kind of buyer who wants
airport convenience
strong services
a bit more year-round activity
Mid is often where you should start.
South Costa Blanca
Torrevieja
South Costa Blanca is often the “value and lifestyle” blend.
It is popular with
holiday-home buyers
golf community buyers
people who want strong infrastructure, beaches, and a big international scene
South can feel more practical: more housing stock, more communities, more choice in certain budget ranges.
Who South is usually best for
Buyers who want more space for the money
People who like golf areas and planned communities
Buyers who are okay with a less “boutique” feel than the North
Price reference points (per m²)
Torrevieja: 2,336 €/m²
Orihuela Costa: 2,933 €/m²
(Nov 2025 Idealista)
What this means in practice
You can often get:
newer builds
more “community features” (pools, gardens, gates)
more options under the same budget
The trade-off is that some areas can feel more seasonal, and you may drive more for certain things.
If you want to make South work well, your micro-area choice matters a lot.
A quick “scouting trip” checklist
Altea
If you do one thing right, do this
Visit in the morning and again at night.
Photos hide problems. Time reveals them.
Use this simple checklist during viewings and area walks
Noise
Is it quiet at 9:00 and also at 22:00?
Do you hear bars, traffic, dogs, building sites?
Walking vs driving reality
Can you actually walk to what you need?
Or is it “walkable on Google Maps” but steep and uncomfortable?
Parking
Where do guests park?
Is street parking realistic in summer?
Sun and wind
Where does the sun hit in winter hours?
Is the terrace exposed to wind?
Micro-location
Is the property on a busy cut-through road?
Is it under power lines?
Is there empty land next door that could be developed?
This sounds basic.
But it is how people avoid expensive regret.
Visit in the morning and again at night. Photos hide problems. Time reveals them.
Common mistakes (and how to avoid)
Mistake 1:
Choosing a town name instead of a lifestyle
Fix: Start with “how you want to live”, then select towns.
Mistake 2:
Underestimating total buying costs In Spain, you usually need to budget an extra 10–15% on top of the purchase price for taxes and purchase costs (varies by region and whether it is new build or resale). (Lawants)
Mistake 3:
Ignoring demand pressure Alicante province has extremely high foreign participation. In Q3 2025, foreigners represented 43.29% of purchases in Alicante province. This can mean:
good properties sell quickly
pricing can stay firm in prime pockets
preparation matters (finances, legal support, decision speed)
Mistake 4:
Only visiting in peak summer
Fix: If possible, do at least one “normal month” visit. If you cannot, ask locals and agents very direct questions about winter life.
Mistake 5:
Forgetting that every zone has micro-areas
Fix: Once you pick a zone, shortlist 2–3 towns, then shortlist 2–3 micro-areas in each town.
Next steps (1-4)
If you are early in research, do this
Step 1: Pick one zone as your starting point (North, Mid, or South).
Step 2: Pick 2–3 towns inside that zone.
Step 3: Pick 2 micro-areas per town (so you are comparing real options, not dreams).
Step 4: Plan a 2–3 day scouting trip built around walking the areas, not just viewing houses.
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Key takeaways
Pick the zone first. It makes everything else easier.
North is usually premium and villa-led.
Mid is mixed and often best for convenience and variety.
South is often better value with strong golf and community options.
Alicante province has very high foreign demand, so good homes can move fast.
Budget for purchase costs, not just the list price.