Hi Paul & Dianne
See this is your 1st posting, welcome to the forum! I haven't driven yet from Alicante airport to the Condado but I will need direction soon so I kept a posting Lyndsey Cullens posted back in July - hope that helps!
As for an apartment to rent, I supprised you haven't had your "fingers snapped off" yet there are quite a few apartment ready to rent now on the Condado. God luck with your completion!
Directions from Airports
From Alicante airport take the A7 towards Murcia, Stay on it and you pass round Murcia. Stay on it until you see sign for Autovia Alhama De Murcia - Cartegena which is the RM02 towards Cartegena. Take the second exit which is signposted Mazarron and is the RM03. Condado is about 2 miles on the left.
From San Javier take the AP7 towards Cartegena, take the exit for Torre Pacheco. Follow this road and you will see Polaris Mar Menor resort on the right with new building works. When you reach the road island immediately after this construction works ( you will also see a red hotel with white dots opposite ) honest, anyway turn right at that island and follow that road till you reach the next island. Here take the exit signposted A30, you will then come to the RM02 at a new island at the junction with the A30. Joint this new motorway RM02 for quite a few miles, passing Hacienda Del Alamo resort on your right. Take the exit signposted Mazarron RM03(?) and Condado is about 2 miles on the left.
Lindsey