Retired Gay American Expats in Spain?

@RickyP3

Rick,

We live in Palm Springs and plan to move to Spain next year. We have a trip scheduled in November to Valencia and Malaga, as those are our top choices right now. We were in Barcelona and found it too touristy. We should keep in touch.

PJ

@RickyP3

There are many comfortable/nice (smaller) cities in Spain that you could consider, and plenty of desirable Costas. Not just Valencia, but Marbella/Malaga, Zaragoza, Tarragona, Murcia, Seville, Bilboa, San Sebastian, Alicante, Granada, Mallorca/Ibiza.

There are also lots of popular towns just outside the big cities which offer a very comfortable lifestyle with easy access to big city amenities. This could widen your search even further. For example (as I once lived in the area), Cambrils (south of Tarragona) and Sitges and Blanes/Lloret de Mar (near Barcelona).

We're currently living in Elche, which is next door to Alicante (and Alicante-Elche Airport). Alicante is a lovely city with some very upscale districts such as Playa San Juan. It's hard to go wrong with Alicante or anywhere on the Costa Blanca. UNESCO-listed (for its palm groves) Elche is smaller and more traditional than its neighbour, but it has a very pretty downtown and a beautiful riverside walk (along the Rio Vinalopo). We have the airport and great beaches 20 minutes away, and all city amenities - but we paid a fraction of the price of a downtown Alicante apartment.

Thanks for these responses! They are very helpful and I look forward to hearing more on moving to Spain.

@gwynj

Thanks for your response - great in-depth info. Alicante keeps showing up for real estate research. The prices there seem quite reasonable for new builds, so hearing of even better price options nearby is very intriguing. Although we would just rent first if we end up moving to Spain.

@gapshelpers25

Thanks PJ, please see my message.

@RickyP3 Hi Rick.  My husband and I have made the move to Spain.  Message me*** LOTS of things to consider, this move is not for the faint of heart.  Social media makes it seem like "everybody's doing it and it's all fun"...but as we all know social media doesn't represent reality.