[ALKB]

Hm, the smaller towns near Edinburgh tick all the boxes apart from lots of sunshine, although the East coast gets a lot less rain than the West coast and I always found it pleasant.

Unfortunately, the UK does not have a retirement visa. Do you happen to have recent British ancestry? If you do, I think Canadians are eligible for ancestry visas.

 

[Monivea]

As I said in other post, depending on budget the easiest option would be two homes in one country. For example in France you could pick Brittany for summer and head South come winter. Otherwise there are probably easier options for Canadians in the US without the language barrier.

 

[tebo53]

I see that most members helpfully write about their areas. What is missing is where is that area?

90% of the coastal areas of Spain.....

 

[MaureenMop]

Hm, the smaller towns near Edinburgh tick all the boxes apart from lots of sunshine, although the East coast gets a lot less rain than the West coast and I always found it pleasant.

Unfortunately, the UK does not have a retirement visa. Do you happen to have recent British ancestry? If you do, I think Canadians are eligible for ancestry visas.

My partner has a British passport

 

[MaureenMop]

As I said in other post, depending on budget the easiest option would be two homes in one country. For example in France you could pick Brittany for summer and head South come winter. Otherwise there are probably easier options for Canadians in the US without the language barrier.

If trump gets in, we won’t be going to the US. We’re actually thinking now of staying in Canada for the summer and getting a place in Europe for winter. Our dog is an issue though.
I appreciate all the comments.

 

[ALKB]

My partner has a British passport

In that case, he could live in the UK or the Republic of Ireland visa-free. For the UK you would either need a spouse visa (income requirements have just gne up) or be restricted to up to 6 months in any rolling 12 months. Spouse visa also for Ireland and only 90 days max per visit afaik.

He´d need a residence permit for any other European country.

 

[Rusty Nail]

90% of the coastal areas of Spain.....

Excluding the Basque country then

 

[Monivea]

If trump gets in, we won’t be going to the US. We’re actually thinking now of staying in Canada for the summer and getting a place in Europe for winter. Our dog is an issue though.
I appreciate all the comments.

Trump would also mean challenges for other countries so hard to escape really, but can understand. Of course as ALKB mentioned UK or Republic of Ireland would be an option and many people take the ferry to France or Spain with their dogs, although you would need a Visa as the spouse of a UK national . Personally I would avoid being in UK because you would be restricted with Brexit and not having the € means you also need to be aware of exchange rates.

 

[Rusty Nail]

Trump would also mean challenges for other countries so hard to escape really, but can understand. Of course as ALKB mentioned UK or Republic of Ireland would be an option and many people take the ferry to France or Spain with their dogs, although you would need a Visa as the spouse of a UK national . Personally I would avoid being in UK because you would be restricted with Brexit and not having the € means you also need to be aware of exchange rates.

Going on what has been posted one of this pair does not hold a UK passport. If so then they will need a visa to stay in the UK. Family visas: apply, extend or switch

 

[xabiaxica]

Going on what has been posted one of this pair does not hold a UK passport. If so then they will need a visa to stay in the UK. Family visas: apply, extend or switch

The OP specifically states that their partner holds a British passport at #24

Which begs the question if by partner they mean spouse.

 

[Monivea]

Going on what has been posted one of this pair does not hold a UK passport. If so then they will need a visa to stay in the UK. Family visas: apply, extend or switch

And then they have the problem with the 90 day rule.

 

[dancingspider]

A very confusing thread!
Not clear what the OP actually wants to do, so lots of column inches offering advice, that may or may not be relevant.

 

[Barriej]

Hello all. I’m a newbie to this forum. My partner and I are retired Canadians and considering a move to Spain. I’m aware of the problems when asking advice on where to live but we’re just trying to narrow down the options. Can I list our priorities and perhaps I can get a few place names to start our search?

1. We don’t want the summers to be too hot. 25C is ideal.

2. We want mild winters with a lot of sun.

3. Living within walking distance to the beach would be awesome except we don’t want to live with throngs of tourists each summer. We currently live in a gorgeous town that is a tourist destination in Canada so we are aware of the pitfalls of being inundated with thousands of tourists each summer. (Hard to get into restaurants, jacked-up summer pricing, traffic/parking, etc). So we are hoping for a compromise in a place that’s reasonably close (30 minutes?) to the beach while still offering water views….. a river? We love kayaking.

4. We want to be able to walk to restaurants and bars.

5. We want good choices of grocery stores within 30 minutes.

6. We would like quick and easy access to hiking trails and bike paths.

7. We would like to be within an hour’s drive of airport.

8. We want a safe community where we are not concerned about walking at night.

9. We don’t want to live in a community that caters too much to expats, for example having a large number of restaurants reminiscent of their hometowns.

That’s what I’ve got so far. Any ideas are welcome and much appreciated.

Time for my 2c.

First off, have you actually spent any time here in Spain???

1. Hmm. Parts of the North West might be Ok.
2. Hmm, not parts of the North West then.
3. Nope. A huge percentage of Spains population (60% plus) live on and around the coastline. Its estimated that well over 70% is uninhabited. So there will always be influxes of tourists. We live inland of Altea, Calpe and Benidorm. All of these have huge uplifts all year round. The Spanish from Madrid come here when it gets too hot in the summer, the Northern Spanish come here in the winter when its too cold up there.
4. So its a fairly large town then.
5. So its almost any town then.
6. Mountains, we are 12k from the coast and have mountains on three sides. But the nearest big town has in excess of 10,000 inhabitants.
7. Thats a doable, but then you are like 90% of the rest of us.
8. So big town or in the middle of nowhere.. My idea of safe is loads of people (was born in London) I hate the countryside, far too dangerous.
9. We have towns near us that you wont hear anything other than Spanish, but there is a Kebab shop, Pizza place and an Indian restaurant in almost all of them... How many actual Canadian Restaurants are there in your home town???

This is where we live.
Its a town with a spread out population of about 5,000 (we live a small attached village with 200 population, no shop, one bar.) Polop has shops, bars and restaurants, an hour from Alicante airport, mainly Spanish population, but there are Dutch, german, french, British, Scandinavian countries and of course south americans (who you will find doing all the rubbish jobs nobody else wants).
We have mountains, 12k from the sea. Summer temps 35c winter 7c. 250m above sea level. Benidorm is less than 15 mins away and in the other direction Calpe
It ticks four of your boxes. NOWHERE anywhere in the world will tick them all...

This is from the church at the top of the hill in the town (Polop).

 

[MaureenMop]

Thanks for all that detail. It’s very helpful. Thanks to all who have replied. You gave me lots of information which is what I was hoping for. As many of you have said, I’m obviously looking for something that doesn’t exist. I understand that now. A friend had suggested Spain to us so we were just digging around. We shall stick with Canada at least until our doggie leaves us, and then we can re-think. Thanks again.

 

[Monivea]

Thanks for all that detail. It’s very helpful. Thanks to all who have replied. You gave me lots of information which is what I was hoping for. As many of you have said, I’m obviously looking for something that doesn’t exist. I understand that now. A friend had suggested Spain to us so we were just digging around. We shall stick with Canada at least until our doggie leaves us, and then we can re-think. Thanks again.

To be honest, it's probably a good idea and I personally wouldn't rule out the US if you are on that side. I know people always talk about safety, politics etc. but realistically the US is not as unsafe as people make it. The only difference is that when something happens there, the whole country hears about it. The difference in Europe is that because there are so many small countries people don't realise how unsafe it is. Right now 4000 km from Alicante, people are being bombed and that's the same distance as St. Augustine FL to Fresno CA. No doubt there are more school shootings but nobody in Spain would be bothered about mass stabbings in Paris, Berlin etc or gang violence in Marseille. Same with poverty and nobody would talk about poverty in Albania, Bulgaria, Romania etc..

 

[Lynn R]

Thanks for all that detail. It’s very helpful. Thanks to all who have replied. You gave me lots of information which is what I was hoping for. As many of you have said, I’m obviously looking for something that doesn’t exist. I understand that now. A friend had suggested Spain to us so we were just digging around. We shall stick with Canada at least until our doggie leaves us, and then we can re-think. Thanks again.

It's very refreshing to see someone take the information offered on board in the spirit in which it was intended, rather than throw a huge sulk and accuse us of negativity and trying to trash their dreams, which is what usually happens! I'm sure we all wish you a long and happy retirement, wherever you choose to spend it.

 

[Melosine]

It's very refreshing to see someone take the information offered on board in the spirit in which it was intended, rather than throw a huge sulk and accuse us of negativity and trying to trash their dreams, which is what usually happens! I'm sure we all wish you a long and happy retirement, wherever you choose to spend it.

Waiting until your 4 legged family member retires to the pearly gates is a great idea particularly as many countries nearer the equator have non vacinnable fatal diseases that are not good for our pets.
Murcia, Oct 1st and temp still a high 29c although with a minimal breeze it is just perfect.

 

[Rogercox39]

To be honest, everyone will promote where they live and otherwise they wouldn't live there but it's extremely hard to avoid hot summers in Spain. Even the North of Spain can get hot in summer but you don't have the sunshine hours in winter. Most of the beaches along the Med will be crowded in summer and the interior can get very hot. Another thing in Spain is that you don't have the lakes and waterways like Canada. We only have a holiday home in Spain but even in Ireland which is very small, we have over 12000 lakes. In Spain there aren't that many lakes and the rivers dry out which is a pity. Of course kayaking in the sea is great if you have access. Anywhere 30 minutes from coast will have amenities and in general the East and South are quite built up, so you are never far from an airport.

Temperature is strongly elevation dependent. If you want cooler in Spain, find a place with higher elevation. Frequently you will find many locals living in a small or medium size town for the same reason you do. They want more moderate temperatures. Another major weather variable is the ocean currents. The ocean currents near Europe markedly affect temperature on land in the winter. In other words, moderate winters. And likely moderate summers as well. Best of luck. Hope these fundamentals help.

 

[mauritiusforum]

Hi I’ve lived in Spain on and off for 32 years and know most cities and towns. Looking at your criteria I would rule out Marbella, it’s beautiful but the no 1 tourist spot, and expensive! Estepona is cheaper buts lots of British, Benidorm full of cheap British and drunks. If you’re looking for a bit cheaper, less touristy, more culture, assimilating into Spanish life, etc…. La Cala de Mijas, Mijas Pueblo, Benalmadena Pueblo, attend nice in the Costa del Sol. if you want to immerse yourself in the country San Sebastián is cooler , beautiful and nearer the French border! Excellent food! Nerja is OK, sort of half touristy, cheaper and a mix of Brits Scandi and Germans Fuengirola is a great option, it IS both touristy AND a proper functioning Spanish town. everywhere I’ve listed is within 10 mins or on the beach. Malaga airport serves the Costa del Sol and has many international destinations, but to get to Canada you’d need to connect via Madrid Malaga also has a high speed train to Madrid for weekend breaks! (Prado, Retiro, etc) the residence process is fairly easy. they are getting quite aggressive with tax (as is the whole of the EU and UK Portugal and Sardinia are two other destinations you could consider if you want to be more tax efficient

 

[Monivea]

Temperature is strongly elevation dependent. If you want cooler in Spain, find a place with higher elevation. Frequently you will find many locals living in a small or medium size town for the same reason you do. They want more moderate temperatures. Another major weather variable is the ocean currents. The ocean currents near Europe markedly affect temperature on land in the winter. In other words, moderate winters. And likely moderate summers as well. Best of luck. Hope these fundamentals help.

That was the whole problem from day one. Living higher also means cooler temps in winter and living near the coast in Spain doesn't mean moderate summers. Of course moderate is a big word and someone used to -20 and snow might find the winters in Galicia moderate but the same person will then complain it's too wet. I'm currently back in Ireland now and just take things as they come. Today it's 17C with sun and looking at forecast for Baix Empordà & Selva comarca it's between 23C - 27C this week. For Americans and Canadians Bermuda was always mentioned and they never have extremes but the downside is the size, remoteness, tourists and cost of living.