Spain is probably one of the most historically significant countries because they played an important role during the age of discovery. Their expeditions back in the 16th century gave rise to the discovery of various places in the globe that they were considered to be the only empire wherein the “sun never sets”. They brought a lot of civilizations into the world’s notice and has a significant influence on several nations today. If you are retiring, wouldn’t it be great to go to the land that had so much influence in the life that you grew up in?
About The Kingdom Of España
Spain used to be a great empire that encompassed a lot of territories across the oceans. But that time had come and gone. After a tumultuous revolt of the nations they colonized, they are now a peaceful and resilient country that is steadfast on their own.
Their current territory is not 505,000 square kilometers – which is a bit smaller than its neighbor, France. Contrary to what others may believe, Spain is not just about beaches. They have snowy mountains, meadows, pockets of deserts and marshes. The mainland of Spain is noticeably mountainous with several mountain ranges like the Sierra Nevada and Pyrenees. Apart from the mainland this country also have island territories in the Mediterranean Sea (Balearic Islands), Atlantic Ocean (Canary Islands) and other isolated islands along the Strait of Gibraltar. Retirees will find both summer and winter destinations when they come and live here.
This exotic country is home to more than 47 million permanent residents – a number that bloats every now and then as 50M-60M annual visitors come and go at various seasons. It is usually on the top 10 popular places for tourists to visit. At the same time, it is also a popular retirement option for those seeking warmer climates.
Just like in France, the climate in Spain will depend on where you are specifically located. They have the Mediterranean climate that have warm and dry summers. In some areas, extreme heat and cold is experienced come the right season. The other climate condition is the oceanic that is mostly influenced by the nearby ocean. On the mountain regions, cold climate prevail on higher areas.
Life of the Spaniards
Spain, like its neighbor France is a popular tourist destination. It is perceived to be exotic because of its excellent cuisine, amicable residents and the somewhat relaxed way of living. They have a rich cultural influence around the world that retiring individuals may find themselves identifying with a couple of their traditions.
The language in this country is mainly Spanish or Español but both English and French are studied in schools. The food is mainly light but you will see that they love vegetables and various meat on their dishes.
Spanish people love to celebrate and this is marked by the many festivities that they celebrate like the “Running of the Bulls”. The metro has a thriving nightlife and the streets full of life – especially in the capital city of Madrid or in the well known island Ibiza. Anyone will love the beautiful architecture of the Andalusian cities or if you prefer a life filled with the sun, sand and seas, Barcelona is a wonderful coastal city to retire in.
Life in Spain had been hard hit by the recent recession but that only makes it a lot convenient for outsiders coming in. The locals will welcome the business that retired individuals will require of them and you can expect that they are very friendly with most foreigners.
Cost of Living
Living in Spain is relatively cheap compared to its European neighbors. Like most countries in Europe, their currency is in € or Euros.
Based on the Numbeo website, here is an estimate of the basic prices in this country. This will allow you to estimate if the costs can fit your retirement budget.
Food: Inexpensive restaurant (€10/meal), Fastfood (€6.5/meal), Beer (€2/0.5 liter), Soda (€1.70/0.33 liter), Water (€1.20/0.33 liter), Milk (€0.8/liter), Rice (€1/kg), Chicken (€6/kg), Fruits (ave €1.25/kg), Egg (€1.5/dozen), Vegetables (ave €0.8/kg), Wine (€4.5/mid range)
Transportation: Local transport (€1.45/one-way, €45/monthly pass), Taxi (€3/start, €1/km), Gasoline (€1.4/liter)
Home: Utilities (€100), Internet (€35/Unlimited Data, 6Mbps), Rent City Centre (€500/mo/1bd, €900/mo/3bd), Rent Outside of Centre (€400/mo/1bd, €700/mo/3bd)
Sports and Leisure: Fitness Club (€45/month), Cinema (€7.50/seat)
Clothing: Jeans (ave €90/pair), Dress (ave €30/pc), Shoes (ave €85/leather, €80/rubber shoes)
All in all, Spain makes for a great retirement destination because of the lifestyle, rich culture and affordable prices.