Spain is a popular destination for retirees from all over the world. In fact, it has the third highest number of retired people globally, but it has relatively low living costs, so it’s the perfect place for retirees to live. The article will share with you some of the most important things to consider before moving to Spain, from the lifestyle to the cost of living. It will also include some information on making the process easier.
The Spanish Lifestyle
Spain is a beautiful country with plenty to offer in culture, art, and nature. It is also a wonderful place to live for people of all ages. Because eating out and most necessities are Spain are reasonably cheap, you don’t need to worry about spending a lot of money when you retire. This is also because Spain has a great climate all year round, so you can take advantage of the outdoors and spend less on utility bills.
In Spanish culture, people try to live life fully, but not in a rash way. Rather, Spaniards tend to be laidback and take their time to appreciate the better things in life and friends and family. In Spain, people enjoy long meals and late nights.
No matter what time of day or night, most towns in Spain have a vibrant street culture. Neighbours stroll around the streets, older people play cards and dominos on pavement tables, and teenagers hang out in the squares. With great art, stunning architecture, cuisine, and history, there’s a wealth of cultural adventures.
The Cost of Living
The cost of living in Spain is mostly cheaper than in the United States because of the lower price of goods. The cost of living in Spain is 33% lower than in the US on a purchasing power parity basis. The cost of food and beverages is on average 18% lower, the cost of clothes is on average 21% lower, and the cost of rent is around 25% lower. The price of goods and services is about 24% cheaper.
Moving to Spain: Make the Process Easier
Moving to Spain can be a daunting task. It is not easy to live in a foreign country, and it can be even more difficult if you don’t know the language. These are some tips that will make the moving process easier:
- Get a translator
- Talk to people who have moved to Spain
- Start looking for apartments before you move
- Make sure you have adequate funds for your move
- Make sure you have an emergency fund
- Make sure you have health insurance
- Make sure you have internet
How To Find The Perfect Property
Buying a property in your home country is more straightforward as you usually already know the areas and their benefits. Similarly, in the US, agents will often advertise homes with an address or location plan to give customers a more helpful understanding of where the property is located.
When you are looking to buy a house in a new country, it’s hard to imagine searching for an investment without any factual knowledge of where it is.
If you are house hunting when in Spain, you can use a simple way to help find your dream property through Google maps. The app allows you to learn the precise location of properties, how near you are to the town centre and main roads, etc.
A house hunter can immediately see the geographical area of the property and its proximity to local amenities, airports, hospitals, and schools. Thus, giving a better understanding if a property is likely to be suitable.
If not in Spain but having the property address, select ‘satellite’ on Google Maps. This allows you to see an aerial image of a property. You can see what surrounds the home and avoid wasting time enquiring about properties that a not a good fit.
Sometimes a local real estate agency will not provide the precise location in an online ad. But you can get in touch with the real estate agent to ask for the address explaining you want to check it in the app.
If a buyer or renter wants peace and quiet or to be close to restaurants and nightlife, the Google Map Pin Locator will allow them to know if the property is suitable.