Explore One Of The Best Places To Live - Spain
Spain is a very popular retirement destination because of the climate, breathtaking vistas and scrumptious cuisine. Her scenery is varied, her climate probably the best in Europe, with the possible exception of the Greek islands, there is a wide Anglo-American population which guarantees companionship if you cannot find it among the Spaniards, and the luxuries as well as the necessities of life are available. Spain is located on the Iberian Peninsula in the southwest of Europe. It borders Portugal, Gibraltar, Andorra and France. Find out more about what makes Spain one of the best places to live and retire.
Living in Spain is also a pleasure with many everyday living expenses far lower than you would find in the UK. Eating out is a way of life, affordable and outdoors. There are so many restaurants you really are spoilt for choice with traditional Spanish food sitting alongside traditional English – including Chinese and Indian.
There are many other reasons to think of Spain as one of the best places to live. For example, the landscape is very beautiful. There is every modern amenity you may be interested in, but you will still find that around the next corner is a perfectly suitable location for tranquility. In terms of cost, when you retire in Spain, the cost of living is more affordable than in the United States, but higher than more rural countries. Compared to other European countries, Spain continues to be affordable.
With outstanding cultural heritage everywhere you look and people who want to welcome you into their homes, Spain has something to offer for just about everyone involved!
Most people know of Spain as the place where they have the running of the bulls, but it also has some other cultural attractions like famous painters. The most well known are obviously Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso.
Spain has also produced some world class composers and opera singers. World famous Spanish composers include Enrique Granados, Isaac Albéniz, Manuel de Falla and Joaquín Rodrigo. Everyone’s heard of Placido Domingo - Spain’s most famous operatic performer. Then there’s José Carreras and Montserrat Caballé.
Spain has a public health system so health care is free or low cost if you pay social security (families and retirees are also included).
The Spanish National Health System has an extensive network of health centres and hospitals throughout the country which offer primary health care services. The Spanish health system combines both public and private healthcare and within each separate state free or low cost health care is given to those who contribute to the Spanish Seguridad Social (social security).
Retiring completely or seasonal retirement (eg winter months) is very popular in Spain. In 2004, there were 150,000 foreign residents over 65, including some 40,000 Britons. However, because Spain is a very family orientated country there are few retirement homes as the elderly are looked after by their families. Consequently, many Brits return to the UK if they are unable to look after themselves when they are elderly. In Spain public pensions provide retirees with the equivalent of nearly 90 percent of the country's average wage.