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!

@AchatAVendre

For retirement you need to be able to prove that you can support yourself without taking a job (the visa many obtain doesn't allow you to work) so your pension or funds would have to be at least 1258 euros per month for a single person (I think thats the current amount) and somewhat less than double for a couple.

That amount is after tax and social contributions.

That's the area our family have a gite! Stunning!

Yes, I know!

Canaries for me.

Spain - purely based on a strong preference for the culture, rather than any of the other things you said! I think I’d make Granada my base. I like the proper old town area of Marbella too (not Puerto Banus).

Sure, but other posters may not.

Maybe I'm being thick but how are you able to retire to Spain or France after Brexit?

My gut says Spain, but I don't know how healthcare would compare between the 2 or punlic transport. It would depend what part of Spain to avoid 'party' atmosphere. Spain has better weather though and they feel more relaxed compared to the French. If going for France I'd say South of France though

Brexit lost freedom of movement, which was the right to relocate within the EU without a visa and a minimum income. You can still retire within the EU if you meet the criteria - it’s just more expensive and more difficult.

Watching this thread with interest. Can't really offer any advice, but I am still renting in my 40's and unlikely to buy. Im really starting to hate the UK and have no future here and a depressing old age despite me and OH having good jobs. I think my only option is living abroad in older age and I've really had enough of the UK with its shit summers, ignorant people and weird chaotic politics. If I could go now I would. I've actively been looking into getting an Irish passport as I have great grandparents who were Irish, but I doubt this will be enough. Not sure which country I will be yet if I do manage to get one, as I need to research and put a few years into learning the language.

My advice us if you pick France, it can get very hot in the south. My friend has moved to a northern city for this reason. She says France is by far more superior to the UK. Other friends from EU have moved to Austria and Germany and wish they moved back sooner. UK isn't the worst country in the world, but its not as great as it thinks it is. Certainly for younger generations/anyone under 50 anyway.

France. There health care is excellent. Northern France, Brittany. I have holiday home there in Morlaix. It's 20 mins from beach but has market twice a week, good community feel, shops and restaurants, cafe culture, even has a Subway if you miss UK junk food. Pretty port to walk around, several ancient buildings, close to swimming pool complex and putting golf. Our neighbours are friendly and we are only 200 metres from National Forest and green routes for cycling and walking dogs. It is about 3-5 degrees warmer than UK in summer so I can cope with that temperature. Spring starts about 3-4 weeks earlier and autumn finishes a few weeks later but winter similar to UK. I have been to Spain many times but can cope with temperature in April/May but not July or August.

@IrisVersicolor thanks for this.

The same as how people could retire to America, Australia, Thailand etc.

France, because I speak enough French to be able to go about daily life. Until June 2016 it was something I was considering doing when I retire.

Spain will be one of the first European countries to run out of water. You want to live somewhere with permanent water rationing? It's on the cards.

www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jul/04/spain-and-portugal-suffering-driest-climate-for-1200-years-research-shows

Have you watched relevant episodes of A place in the sun? It could narrow down the type of property style you want. I'd choose Spain.

Namely - only those with money.

Spain 🇪🇸 all the way. I have been here 7 years and no plans to go back to UK. I'm in a small village in Andalusia so different to cites but people are friendly and patient.

I know France better than Spain, but have just returned from touring in Navarra, Catalyuna and Cantabria. My French is pretty good, so I found Catalan more accessible than Spanish, but I would expect to learn Spanish and/or Portuguese if, as we are planning, we consider leaving the UK in retirement. Probably somewhere in the Atlantic NW corner. The rest is too hot in summer.

I hate to break it to you, but some MNers are less affected by Brexit than others. If it was an issue then I am sure the OP would be have raised it.

Spain definitely. I prefer the properties out there and just feel I'd find it easier to feel at home there.

Gibraltar is all of those except affordable.

Portugal?

France. Spain is dusty and barren and the food is not great. France is far greener, I love the food, wine and lifestyle.

Also
my franglais is better than my Spanglish