Retiring to Spain is a dream many people have, but there are so many issues to be considered and overcome - where to live, how to keep in touch with family and friends, how to choose the right property and go through the buying procedure, to name just a few.

Keeping in touch with family:

Moving to a different country to family is one of the biggest decisions, so finding a property that it’s easy for friends and family to visit is crucial. Keep in mind such factors as distance from the airport and fun things for your children and grandchildren to do. Swimming pool, cycling, boating on a lake perhaps, picnics, the beach, skiing, sightseeing, bars, cafés and cinema (showing films in English).

Bureaucracy:

Make sure you make all the necessary National Insurance arrangements before leaving the UK as failure to do this will make it much harder to register for medical care once you are living in Spain.

The right area:

However much you fall in love with a property, make sure you look beyond that and think about whether you will be happy living in the area, village or town, possibly for the rest of your days. You will want to establish friendships, join in the local festivities, maybe attend a church or join local clubs: golf, bridge, whist, bowls, etc.  In areas where there is a high concentration of expats, there are clubs which organise all sorts of outings, both day trips or longer visits. Language becomes more and more important as one gets older and it is important to be able to communicate if one is unwell or distressed.

Temperature:

Temperature and humidity are important, and both are dictated by location. Some areas of Spain are very hot and humid, others much cooler and drier. Factors that affect climate are how far south or north you are, whether you’re on the coast or inland, and at what altitude.

Wherever you are in Spain, be aware that the peak summer months get extremely hot, and it also gets cold in winter! To be comfortable, you will probably need both air-conditioning and heating. If a property does not come equipped with these, make sure that you will be able to have them installed at least in the main living area and bedroom. You will not need to run one or other all year round but you could be thankful to have them for a few months in the middle of summer and winter. A fireplace alone in the winter is not sufficient and will be hard work as you get older.

Getting about:

Spanish villages can be very pretty and many are tucked away in the hills with attractive narrow streets and squares. They can be very seductive! But take into consideration how easy it will be to park, and how easy it is to get about the village on foot, hills and steps being a regular feature of Spanish village life.

Medical facilities:

Accessibility to medical services and doctors is an important factor to take into consideration. With advancing years you will be happier if you have doctors and nursing facilities close by. Also remember that, on the whole, the further inland you go, the less likely it is that they will speak English.

Retirement communities:

Many people retiring to Spain choose to live in a gated community. These are mostly to be found in coastal areas and suburbs of large cities. Some are dedicated to retirement, but plenty provide everything you need but are not exclusively for the over 55s. There are many retirement residences across Spain, but the majority are run along the lines of nursing homes and probably won’t be suitable if you are fully independent and mobile.