To ask if you'd rather retire in Spain or France

[mycatisannoying]

You have to choose one. Not say 'but I'd never pick either of those for retirement'.

Some points to consider:

• you don't drive
• you love the sea
• you want good healthcare (no pre-existing conditions)
• a friendly community is key, with lots to do
• value for money, both in terms of the property you'd buy and everyday life in general
• decent airport links
• your language skills are good; fluent in French and Spanish could be picked up easily
• somewhere with a holiday - but not a party - feel.

Go!

Spain, for no particular reason other than I’ve always felt more comfortable on holiday in Spain. I find Spanish easier too.

I think Spain would suit no driving and community feel. Not that France doesn't have that in cities or seaside towns but i think it's easier to find in Spain, certainly if you want expat communities.

Spain, but would be too hot for me for a lot of the year, I fear! Mountains, maybe?

France. There is drought and heatwave all over Europe, Spain and Portugal are on high alert for fires, climate change is real - do not move towards the rising heat.
Some places are going to become uninhabitable much quicker than anyone thinks.

I live in the Northern Costa Blanca, Javea, Moraira and Denia area. We are served by 2 airports both an hour away . The beaches are gorgeous, its a year round town as a lot of people from many European countries live here . Tons to do year round. Prices are quite high for Spain as its so desirable . You could get away with an Electric bike I guess . We absolutely love it - it's 60% Spanish 40% other nationalities which makes life interesting and sociable.

Thank you everyone, for entering into this with such good spirit!
Interesting and helpful observations.

I’d say Spain as I think it would be easier for an ex-pat to move there and integrate easily

I am thinking ahead to my retirement, and although I studied French at university and it was a big part of my life professionally, I'd say I'm more comfortable in Spain.
I can't put my finger on exactly why, it's just a feeling.

We have friends who spend the winter in Spain. In salobrena near Malaga. It’s a year round town, great transport links, big expat community but not too big. They. Have Spanish and expat friends. I’d find it too hot in summer.

they like the good food, the walking and the sense of community in winter.

one of them is fluent in French and she’d prefer France. Not just the language as her Spanish is good if not fluent, but she says she finds the French attitude more ‘English’. The bureaucracy is awful but it works. She understands the culture and mindset better.

id find somewhere I liked in both countries and try it out. But the summers in a lot of Spain Spain or southern France would not suit me. I’d need to be up a mountain or right by the sea.

Spain. No contest.

Would depend where in France? Don't think I would bother with Northern France as the weather is pretty much the same as UK, but southern, definitely.

I've had second homes in both France and Spain and I'd pick France everytime.

France, they have Disneyland 😁

France, because you can apply for French citizenship, and still keep your British citizenship as a dual national. If you apply for Spanish citizenship you have to 'give up' your British citizenship.

We were in a Spanish area recently and met a lady on the beach who owns a house there; she said that before Brexit she lived there for 6 months or more at a time, but now she can only stay for 90 days and then needs to spend 90 days back in the UK. They've owned the house for the last 26 years, but she said it's very difficult now to get a residency visa for retirement, you need to have a certain amount of money in the bank and get private health insurance.

France. I just prefer the culture, although both are good.

Portugal fits all your criteria, plus a lot of people understand French so you'd pick up the language easily. Look at Coimbra and Evora - not touristy but lots going on (Coimbra is the oldest university city in Europe). The people here are gentle, kind, friendly and make estrangeiros feel welcome.

Definately Spain

Toulouse.

France.

I have lived in both, am currently considering both myself and would normally have said Spain. BUT...as PP said, the climate emergency is real; in the near future I think the heat in Spain will be unbearable for a lot of the time. So for this reason alone I'd go further north. But where exactly, I don't know.

neither. If pressed, France.

France.

H2B is native and my best friend has been there 16 years.

I know how the country works better.

Spain 100%

I agree. This area of Spain is perfect for what the OP wants.

France.