Why Move To Spain?

In spite of economic turmoil, Spain pulls in tourists and property buyers from all over the world. It has something of everything…

The second biggest EU country by area, the climate ranges from one with four seasons in the north to the sub-tropical southern region of hot, dry summers. It’s also got the mildest winter on the European mainland, with 300 to 320 sunny days annually.

Spain is one of the cultural centers of Europe, a place where the people celebrate life, dance the flamenco, and enjoy wine and tapas. This birthplace of such great artists as Picasso and Salvador Dali, rich with history and fantastic old architecture mixed in with the modern new, is not quite as expensive as you may have thought. In some areas, it’s very affordable.

Historical sites dot the country. Ancient site such as the Atapuerca Caves, where 800,000-year-old human fossils have been found, and the 15,000-to-20,000-year-old cave paintings of Altamira, and the Paleolithic rock art found throughout the Mediterranean basin are some of the world’s best examples of prehistoric artwork.

It’s also home to many of Europe’s earliest cities; Cádiz is Spain’s oldest and longest continuously inhabited city, settled first by the Phoenicians around 1,200 BC, then the Romans followed by the Arabs. Stroll around Seville to see marble columns in the same place for 2,000 years, then round the next corner to see the remains of Arab walls 1,200 years old.

Modern-day life is relaxed and easy-going and Spain is one of the most child-friendly cultures in the world. Whenever possible Spaniards do still make their evening stroll, the paseo, along the alamedas (avenues) and in the plazas common to all Spanish towns and cities. Whole families eating out together is still the norm, the youngest may be fast asleep in their stroller, but they are never left at home.

Once you’ve arrived, you shouldn’t have any trouble getting involved in the local expat community. The latest official statistic is from 2014, when 236,669 Brits registered as living in Spain. The number was more than doubled since 2001, so you can assume there are many more than that number living there today. No matter what corner of the country you choose, you’re sure to find some English-speaking expats to befriend. Plus, there are plenty of English-speaking interest groups and clubs (and English tends to be the lingua franca among the majority of global expats).

Spanish cuisine is world-class; in the 2015 ranking of the world’s top 50 restaurants Spain has seven, more than any other country and, once again, a Spanish restaurant, El Celler de CanRoca in Girona, took the top spot. This was the sixth time in 10 years that a Spanish restaurant has been number one.

If its sports you want, not to worry… The Costa del Sol also markets itself as the Costa del Golf, with upwards of 70 courses between Málaga and Sotogrande, the region likes to call itself the golfing capital of Europe (though Portugal is a strong competitor for the title). Northern Europeans come in their millions to play year-round, but especially between October and June.

After Switzerland, Spain is Europe’s most mountainous country, with great skiing in the Pyrenees, in the Sierras outside Madrid, and in the Sierra Nevada near Granada. The Sierra Nevada chain has Spain’s highest peak, Mulhacén, at 11,410 feet above sea level, it is usually the first ski resort in Europe to open for the season and the last to close. It is also one of the few genuine sun ’n ski resorts: Once the snow melts, it attracts walkers, hikers, rock-climbers, and mountain-bikers. And even in January, on a sunny day the temperature just an hour away on the coast could easily get to 75ºF (almost 24ºC).

For eleven months of the year Tarifa, on the Atlantic coast of Andalucía, is ranked in the world’s top 10 destinations for wind and kite surfing, only in September do the winds drop slightly. Tennis is played outdoors throughout the year, while fishermen head for the River Ebro delta, for catfish, carp, and pike fishing. The largest catfish landed so far in the Ebro delta was caught in 2011 and weighed 245 pounds.

Andalucía is also the equestrian capital of Spain, both Jerez and Seville hold spring fairs honoring the native Andalusian breed, and Jerez is home to the dancing horses of Andalucía. Riding events, festivals, and holidays are available throughout the year in numerous locations in the Sierras.

Altogether, Spain has a quality of life that’s difficult to match… the climate, the good food, and the active outdoor lifestyle add up to Spaniards having the longest life expectancy in Europe and second in the world, after the Japanese.