Is moving to Spain in mid 60's a good move?

Question

I  am  a  regular   visitor  to this forum  picking  up some great advice  and tips, I  am still  unsure if  moving  to  Costa Blanca  south  is  for me,I  am  a  single  independent   male mid 60,s,  enjoy keeping fit and travel and sports, Not much of a pub person these days,  but  Dinning  out  i 2 or 3 a week,  I  would  like a wee Dog in  Spain, plus  I  think  a  Car is  essential  as a  lot of comment  here say public transport  is poor,  I  will  be Financially stable,  but will Rent  before  and if  I  purchase  as been  pointed  out Buying and Selling expensive, I  am  concerned  that  I  would  end  up   without  company, I   will  do  some voluntary work, but  Language   Barrier   will  limted it  to  English/German  speaker, I  am  Irish  Citizen,   so  moving  not  too  complicated, It  is  social  side of life,that concern  me,as  not  into Pubs,Have  many other  Single  people  moved to Spain  and  how has it worked  for them, I  would  be interested in  reading   the  good  and  not   so  good stories Is  it  better  to live the Dream or keep on  Dreaming

GrahamLynn · Accepted Answer

You get used to the heat of August. It’s far too hot to do anything constructive - so you don’t.Most of the Spanish workforce closes for a month in August and head to the beaches. So you do all your little jobs early morning and then find your own way of keeping cool. You have the opposite problem in the winter when it gets really cold. Spanish houses aren’t built to retain any heat so they are always freezing cold in the winter. Not many houses have the facility to run central heating so make sure your aircon doubles as a heater for the winter months.it’s usually much warmer sitting outside than inside in the winter.As for making friends, don’t worry.Remember 20 or more years ago when you used to pass someone in the street and say hello to them or if you sat a bar or a cafe someone always brought you in to their conversation. Well it like that here now. You won’t ever be lonely and there’s always lots of lovely clubs you can join. It really is ever so easy to meet new friends.Lynn

bobbiedrever · Accepted Answer

Absolutely, go for it.  My husband and I moved 6 years ago in our early 60's but have friends who came aged 75+.  You will have no problem meeting people.  We are involved in two charities and run the SATs animal rescue shop in Gran Alacant.  Helping in a charity shop is a great way of making friends and meeting people from many countries. Those already established in Spain are usually very happy to support new arrivals and offer advice about paperwork etc.  If you do not already speak Spanish try to learn some, even the most basic thank you, bill please, etc, as the locals really do appreciate it if you make a little effort.  Although many Spaniards speak some English, like most people communicating in another language can feel self conscious about many mistakes.  Always remember this is Spain, not the UK and accept things as they are, they do have different ways of working and do expect people to follow their rules which I view a positive thing.  From a health point of view Spanish NHS brilliant, travel is cheap and unless you live in a tiny village pretty good.   Both my husband and I have had procedures that had we been in UK would almost certainly have had to wait many year for, if received at all.  Waking up in the sunshine most days of the year has a very positive effect on your mental health and outlook on life.  It is so easy whither as a single person or couple to wander down to your local cafe bar and have a coffee at a very reasonable price and find loads of people who are happy to chat and make you welcome. Don't get me wrong, life is not perfect, it never is anywhere, but it is very good.  We do miss family and friends although in normal situations we have many visitors and due to cheap off-peak airfares fly back regularly.  Hope this helps you decide.

JillPe · Accepted Answer

We’re early 60s and moved out permanently nearly 3 years ago - and have never looked back.

We have made some brilliant friends - both together and independently.

We live on the outskirts of Torrevieja, where there is a good mix of nationalities and quite a few residents, which mean there is life and neighbours all year around.

We have a car, and I would certainly recommend one, but our local bus service into Torrevieja runs every 30 minutes, and is very reliable.

You don’t need to rely on pubs for making friends or getting chatting to people - it’s a very social life here, and I’m sure you’ll make friends easily.

July & August are very hot. We have fans in every room, and even in our ‘porch’, and spend the afternoons enjoying a siesta with the air con cooling us.

In the winter, we leave the doors open during the day to warm the house, and switch the air con to ‘heat’. Suits us fine. No complaints.

Definitely come and rent for a while first. I’m sure you’ll enjoy this lovely lifestyle. Good luxk

Madcatwoman · Answer

You never regret the things you do but mostly the things you didn't do.That's the attitude we took when we moved here 17 years ago. I know we're not single but you sound like an outgoing person and pretty much have done your research. Theres plenty to do even if you don't go to bars and lots of like minded people.I'm sure the good people on this forum will help you out :)

Myra2020 · Answer

I'm a 60s single, don't drink alcohol and have what I think is a great life. Most of the greatness is due to the weather. Apart from the occasional heavy rain there's nothing to stop me from going for a walk, a bike ride, or having coffee overlooking the sea. If you did move here and things didn't work out, there's nothing to stop you going back. You can learn Spanish but if you don't it's not a big problem here. I can say that once you can speak Spanish, life is even better than before. There are groups and clubs for just about everything and volunteering is a great way to 'give back'. I'd say go for it. What if you don't?

Saddlepillar · Answer

Hi.I am also Irish and am mid 70s. I and my wife go down to the Sth.  Costa every year and of Sept to after Paddy's day. No problems.  It's nice. We have a car but taxes for me would be higher in Spain. My Laya health insurance won't cover me in Spain. Although we think we can speak Spanish because we can do the shopping it would be a different thing if we were stopped by the cops. How would our Spanish be then?.  Also if you are sick, how can you explain to A & E.  They don't all speak english.  We don't drink so thank God we don't need pubs.  I have medical card at home which covers the dentist as well. I must pay for dentist in Spain.  European Health Insurance card will cover GP and prescription ( most tablets) not Xarelto 86 euro per month.My advice. Stay Irish and visit the Costa for the winter. Because we are European our entry or departure dates are not recorded. Also you would have to do a Spanish driving test to get a Spanish license. Stay Irish and European

JodyEducation · Answer

I moved here permanently last September. As I'm single, 63, not good with diy.i bought a new villa, 10 year guarantee,  central air and heating. New properties may be more expensive but well insulated, not super hot or cold in winter. I'm not a pub person but I've met nice people through the various forums, both English and Spanish. And just going to cafes for a coffee. I have lots of friends in uk still just dreaming.... Jody 🙂

killjoy · Answer

If you dream it - do it. After living permamnently in Spain for the last 56 years I can say that you are on the right track, rent before buying. I live near Fortuna with a not too small expat community. Winters are shiort and mild. My neighbours are Durch and Scottish. 2 spas less than 5 mls. away. You will definetely need a car. The language is a con but we help each other whenever needed. Come and have a look around, best time  is November to Februrary., my Dutch neighbour rents out rooms.