The best cities to retire in Spain

Retirement is one of the most eagerly awaited moments for thousands of people who have been working all their lives. That is why many of them are thinking of moving away from their hometown in search of a better quality of life; some even go as far as buying a village or a villa to retire in with their friends.

However, before taking such an important step as changing the place of residence, certain aspects should be taken into account, such as what a city should have to make retirement comfortable and affordable. In this article you will learn the best cities in Spain to retire to. Continue reading!

Moving to an adapted, comfortable, modern flat, buying a country house or a desire to live near the beach are some of the goals that many people have when they retire. But where is the ideal place for it?

It depends on the preferences of each person; however, it is important to analyze some questions, such as whether it is better buying or renting, what the new place of residence should have and which are the best cities to retire to.

One of the main aspects to consider is whether it is better to buy or rent a property. To do this, you have to calculate the costs involved in buying a house and also bear in mind that the mortgage that will be granted for this purpose will be subject to a series of special conditions, mainly due to the age of the applicants.

It is also important to calculate how much money you need to rent a home in Spain. Once these questions have been considered, you should assess what the place of residence must have in order for it to be a good place to retire, as well as which are the best cities in Spain for retirement.

Despite the fact that the Spanish cost of living is one of the lowest in Europe, we should bear in mind that the average pension for retirees in Spain stands at 1,300 euros per month.

The government has already announced a general increase in pensions, which will come into effect on 1 January 2022, but this will mean an average increase of around 30 euros per month. Pensioners will therefore receive around 1330 euros per month.

On this basis, it is best to choose a relatively inexpensive city, which will allow retirees to buy or rent a property within their means, as well as being able to enjoy travel and all the leisure facilities that the new location has to offer. There are some incredible cities where housing prices are very affordable.

This is another important aspect to consider. Although preferences depend on the priorities of each person, it is essential that the new residence has a wide range of leisure facilities for retired people, such as civic centres, hiking groups for the elderly, gyms, theatres, cinemas, etc.

In this way, not only will they enjoy their free time, but they will also be able to meet people of the same age with whom they can share good times.

Having a good quality of life, especially in retirement, is essential. For this reason, the city of choice should have all the necessary services, as well as good transport communication, green areas, a wide range of cultural activities, hospitals and security, among others. Often, it is not so much the city as the ideal neighbourhood to live in, which will also vary from one person to another depending on their needs.

Communication in this case is very important, as these are people of a certain age, who may have to travel to go to the doctor or hospital in case of emergency, or to visit their relatives.

The ideal retirement city should be affordable, have leisure facilities for the elderly and offer a good quality of life.

Several studies corroborate that Spain is one of the best countries in which to retire, due to its climate, landscapes, gastronomy, wide range of cultural and leisure activities, and, in short, the quality of life and lifestyle it offers.

However, some cities stand out above others, based on what we have analysed in the previous point.

Alicante is another of the favourite cities in which to retire. Like Malaga, it offers numerous leisure and gastronomic options, at more affordable prices than other locations. In addition, it allows you to enjoy the sun and incredible beaches and is very close to Benidorm, the favourite place for European retirees.

Properties for sale in Alicante
Properties for sale in Benidorm

Bilbao closes this ranking of the best cities in which to retire. Although it is one of the most expensive cities in Spain in terms of housing, it offers a supreme quality of life. In fact, Forbes magazine chose it as one of the best cities in the world in which to retire. In addition to its great gastronomic and cultural offer, it is very well communicated and never ceases to surprise.

Bilbao closes this ranking of the best cities in which to retire. Although it is one of the most expensive cities in Spain in terms of housing, it offers a supreme quality of life. In fact, Forbes magazine chose it as one of the best cities in the world in which to retire. In addition to its great gastronomic and cultural offer, it is very well communicated and never ceases to surprise.

Malaga is the preferred destination for retirement. In fact, 3 out of 4 house hunters choose Malaga and the Costa del Sol area as the ideal retirement destination. Its location, its climate with more than 300 days of sunshine a year and its quality of life are the aspects most valued by those who are looking for a place to retire by the sea.

Malaga Province – property for sale in Costa del Sol

Navarre is one of the cities with the best health services in Spain, something to which retirees attach particular importance. It also boasts incomparable tranquility, thanks to its fairytale rural landscapes where time seems to stand still. Navarre is also one of the cheapest cities in which to retire, making it another highly recommended option.