Retire and Live in Southern Spain: Good, Bad or just UGLY?

[@AmeliaAndJP]

Use this link to save 70% on the lifetime plan for LingoPie: learn.lingopie.com/amelia-and-jp

[@LK-pc4sq]

did the both of you movie to spain?

[@Diasporaliving]

I think you need to listen to Peninsular Spanish more intently. The S is not pronounced like TH. It is a plain S. The syllables CE and CI and pronounced exactly like ZE and ZI (equivalent to the TH in THINK). That can be confusing to foreigners who are trying to learn Spanish. As to the dropping of sounds, that happens everywhere. Andean speakers speak slowly. Evidently, you are used to that kind of (slow) Spanish. We Caribbean people are fast talkers and so are Spaniards. Cheers, Dave. P.S. As for verb conjugations, in Spain the pronoun VOSOTROS (we say USTEDES in "The Colonies") calls for conjugations not used anywhere else outside of Spain (except for Equatorial Guinea, in Africa). In fact, the VOSOTROS form is rarely taught in Latin America. Unlike Americans, who melt when they hear a British accent, Spaniards are "less loved" in the former colonies.

[@jgoodygoods512]

Thanks so much for this resource!

[@BartMan59]

As an American citizen and retired military (Navy) my family and I were very FORTUNATE to have lived in Andalusia/Rota for 8+ years from 1984-92 and LOVED every moment. Much different than what we were/are used to as an American citizen in a good way. To this day, my family still MISS our moments in Spain - everyday was an adventure. No regrets.

[@pacoagullesestrada2497]

Gracias por sus bonitas palabras. En todas partes hay cosas buenas y malas, pero creo que en España ganan las buenas. Un cordial abrazo desde España

[@TheBlueskyson]

Bart, would u go back to live?

[@dedos-pima]

It helps if you had BX privileges! Basically, if you are military, you don't have far to fall in adverse situations.

[@luisatrvus781]

If in Germany they speak German, in France they speak French, in Italy they speak Italian...why do Americans complain that in Spain they speak Spanish? Furthermore, it is the original Spanish, the one spoken on the American continent derived from the Spanish of Spain, with a different evolution due to the passage of time and an ocean of separation. Regarding speaking quickly, any language that you do not master well seems fast to you. But it is a perception because the brain does not follow the rhythm of the words well, if you master it, the rhythm seems normal.

[@places5592]

This is because Southern Spain in particular speak poor or sloppy Spanish. They speak fast, and slur their words. It is not a great place to learn Spanish versus everywhere else in the country or world.

[@miguel.a.d.6078]

@@places5592 te equivocas, es un lugar excelente para aprender. Siguiendo tú lógica EEUU no sería un buen lugar para aprender inglés...espera 🤔

[@remembertomorrow6737]

@@places5592 it's not poor spanish, it's a dialect.

[@fernandopelao6565]

@@remembertomorrow6737 its not

[@remembertomorrow6737]

@@fernandopelao6565 it's not what

[@salozinp]

10:13,I am amused by foreigners who complain about taxes. In Spain and Europe in general, taxes pay for healthcare, roads, trains, public services, etc. Many foreigners want to live in Spain and not pay. This is not Disneyland.

[@thetapheonix]

@@salozinp Huh. We don’t need your services so the taxes are just drain us of something they aren’t entitled to. If I don’t want the service I shouldn’t have to pay for it. Comprende?

[@salozinp]

@@thetapheonix In Europe, taxes are not optional. You don't ask if you want trains, roads, hospitals or other services. It is assumed that they are necessary goods for society. If you want to live in Europe, assume you will have to pay taxes, otherwise, you can Staying in the USA is simple.

[@alibelula9269]

@@salozinp so clear! Thank you…

[@javijap424]

@@thetapheonix I think it is you the one that doesn't 'comprende' how taxes work..

[@thetapheonix]

@@javijap424 Ya well you think wrong

[@Onceuponatimejotaele]

Spain is absolutely amazing.

[@Salvatore997]

Thanks for your comments ..😂😄👌 Indeed is amazing..

[@craigo2142]

Just like Americans worry about safety, the always think the taxes are too high. But, the tax rate is what makes such a great life style there ie. health insurance prices, transportation, etc. Always a trade off.

[@DriveFarGolf]

Agreed. Spain is more about the community whereas the USA is about the individual. They don't seem to understand that appropriate taxes create a better environment for everyone.

[@l.alfonsoduluc6253]

Jajaja, and our taxes in Spain create an elite of politicians who live the vida loca stealing from us.

[@alexandrasmith7682]

The problem is that most Americans don't include ALL the taxes that they pay in their calculations. Property taxes of $12000 a year will soon eliminate the cries of cheaper taxes in the USA - a similar property in the UK costs £1600 a year (and is actually worth nearly half a million dollars more.

[@pacoagullesestrada2497]

@@alexandrasmith7682 gran verdad

[@edl7454]

@@l.alfonsoduluc6253 correct as well, it is always nice spending other peoples money.

[@swk2978]

Why did you give Spain a thumbs down for the language barrier? Is it Spains fault that you cannot understand them or yours?

[@Michaelcj-m2d]

I learned Spanish and catalán by myself. Reading, listening to people in the bars and TV.

[@Michaelcj-m2d]

Learning italian as well now.

[@places5592]

That is because this video is focusing on Southern Spain where Spanish is not spoken very well. Especially Seville where they think they are separate from everyone else in Spain as their own group

[@miguel.a.d.6078]

​@@places5592tonterías. Cada lugar en España tiene un habla diferente y todas son válidas para aprender.

[@angelcamachodelsolar]

Nah, it's just for you to buy Liñgö Pie that sponsors them. Either way, it's a thumbs down for them, not for Spain.

[@JT-mr3db]

Love Sevilla. As a Chilean, their Spanish is as borked as ours is. Felt right at home!

[@chefbea64]

Amelia and JP: As far as health care is concerned, many private health insurance companies have age limitations for healthcare. They will not insure you if you are over the age of 70-75. My husband and I came across this when we were planning to live there, and it was a dealbreaker given my husband needing medical specialists. In addition, there are the income taxes which can be cost prohibitive for a retiree and that along with the healthcare issue killed our dream of living there. Beatriz

[@kmarch12]

But, to clarify, if you sign up for a private policy with a Spain Health Provider before the cut-off age, you will still be covered after that age. The policies are 'guaranteed renewable' as long as you continue to maintain the policy. Related to taxes, my advice would be to pay a Tax Attorney a few hundred euros to assess your personal potential tax liabilities. Spain has tax treaties with several countries including the U.S. to avoid double taxatioin. (Amelia and JP - where do you call home now?)

[@maruchi5200]

Taxes in Europe can be a deal-breaking.

[@victoriabarnes5680]

All the private health insurance have age limitations.

[@kmarch12]

@@victoriabarnes5680 But Guaranteed Renewable after you get in. The public system is not age limited.

[@victoriabarnes5680]

@@kmarch12 I know that.

[@anam51506]

Is really hard to understand , they really talk very fast , but Andalucía’s accent is interesting , is music and funny, and the people are super sweet.❤️❤️

[@zakmartin]

It's important to mention (and you didn't) that the heat in Spain is a dry heat (humidity here in Granada is typically 30-35% in the summer months) which means that it is tolerable for most people. The July-August *highest* temperature here (daytime) is typically 30-35ºC (85º-95ºF), with low humidity. The 44ºC you mentioned is rare.

[@ronnie9187]

Good points. We spent 5 weeks in Andalusia in December/January and most of the time we had nice weather, and it is wonderful to swim in the sea and eat outside, walk outside in January. But in summer you won't generally see me in southern Europe, it just gets too hot for my northern skin. Andalusia, apart from some ugly mass tourism areas, is a very interesting part of Spain, with lots of culture, good food and wine and friendly people.

[@beththomas6514]

Very informative! I think that I would give the language a thumbs up for at least the touristy areas of Andalusia because, on my visit last September, I wasn't really able to practice my Spanish much because of so many of the employees in shops, cafes, and restaurants speaking English. Also, even with the challenge of adjusting to the local dialect, the grammar is still a lot easier than in languages with cases (like the Slavic language) and they of course use the same Latin Alphabet that we do.

[@enriquesanchez2001]

Anda-lu-CIA stress at the end of the word ♥ not the middle portion!😀

[@ufosrus]

Yes. Stress is on I.

[@TheBlueskyson]

The CIA shut down operations in Andalucia years ago. Though they have an underground base in Barcelona.

[@RamkumarChasse]

Living in Southern Spain sounds dreamy! But it's important to weigh the pros and cons. Thanks for shedding light on this topic!

[@MariaJ-López]

Soy de Málaga, y, si puedes venir a vivir por el sur de España, se vive muy bien. Y en general, toda España tiene rincones maravillosos. Buena suerte!!

[@palmmenendez4188]

😊Spain is the best place to be and to live!!!🎉

[@ColinAtkins-j3h]

You obviously haven't been very far 😂😂😂😂👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🦊

[@palmmenendez4188]

@@ColinAtkins-j3h i have been in many countries all around the wold!!! Usa, England, Asia, Africa and most of european countries!!!

[@mikepreister]

Just to clarify, Spain taxes private pensions and social security, but they do not tax government pensions (like military, civil servants, or teachers).

[@redwoods7370]

This is an important clarification. Thank you.

[@basementstudio7574]

Good to know. I think France is the same in that respect. Welcome news to my wife and I as I'm a federal employee and my wife is a teacher.

[@O1012-u7q]

Exactly. As an American, unless you are a low-income retiree you will not save money retiring in Spain if you are tax-compliant.

[@jimwood2491]

Although they do not tax your public service pension, I believe your total income sets your tax bracket/rate. It doesn’t take much to hit 32% tax rate. For me, it’s still substantially cheaper than the USA even with the large tax hit.

[@mactravel112]

and much higher quality of life overall @@deebee2603

[@BigBear59]

I like your presentations and your honest approach…Thanks for sharing….until next time ….Alex🇬🇷

[@douglasbooth867]

I’ve been living here for five years and if you pay €70 to go out to dinner just you and your wife then you are definitely in a tourist restaurant. My wife and I go out and we both have the menu which is 3 to 4 items and it’s awesome and I spent just yesterday €35 for both of us.

[@ignacioheredia9599]

Te lo mejoro. 36 € dos adultos y dos niños en un pueblo a diez kilómetros de Sevilla.

[@AugustoLugo1983]

When in Europe, we used flix bus to travel, it is very cheap and the buses run on time and have wifi and plugs for your phone, very comfortable seating and it can take you anywhere in Europe/Spain. Real Spanish is like going to the UK and listening to their accent and trying to understand it :) Another excellent video JP AND AMELIA. excellent. Thumbs up.

[@richiecolon3774]

Thanks for posting; it's nice to hear the topics that are most important to me covered. I also have never heard of lingopie, I'm gonna give them a shot.

[@newrytown1]

many places in Spain are putting up the not welcome sign for tourists and expats. Over tourism is becoming a big problem.

[@susanaescriba977]

Correcto 👍

[@barbarahallowell2613]

😊 I don't do well in extreme heat. I found myself staying in Asturias during the peak summer months and then back to Cadiz and Malaga from late September through mid- May.

[@alibelula9269]

There are always better óptions…

[@omarfranco2077]

Well played 😊

[@ignacioheredia9599]

Tu si que sabes!

[@BarbaraWisdom-bg6ul]

Great video! We are in Madrid now and planning to explore southern Spain next week. We pretty much came to the same conclusions you did so far. People in Madrid have been incredibly nice, and it is so beautiful here. The cost of living seems great compared to the U.S. On another subject, Amelia, your hair looks adorable!

[@lindahehemann7949]

Thanks y'all! Southern Spain is on my list of expat destinations. I seem to navigate toward Spanish-speaking countries!

[@jefemanolopez6800]

Expat??? or migrant??

[@sr9253]

Same problems in Spain as US. My friend had a house in Spain which was occupied by squatters she had a hard time removing.

[@timmaloney6441]

Hot weather does not bother me , Cold - yes . Malaga would be my pick , thanks .

[@jefemanolopez6800]

Malaga is great for Holiday's but permanent residence, Granada is ideal,

[@alexandervargas5304]

BTW, Madrid and New York are the same latitude. Let that sink in.

[@ms-jl6dl]

Gulf stream.

[@quinnrivera5075]

I don’t get the language barrier part. I picked up my Spanish on the streets of LA , Chicago, Mexico, etcetra. I am in no way fluent in Spanish. But speak at I would guess an Intermediate level. However in every country, different regions of countries there is a dialect. I had no problem communicating in Spain. At all. I do however have a hard time in Puerto Rico or the Dominican Republic. I have to listen a lot harder. But Spain is pretty simple to just jump in . I have a friend. He studied Spanish for 15 years. He’s fluent. However he has a hard time talking to people on the street. He can’t pick up the slang. The rhythm. He can conjugate. He can write. But when we’ve traveled together I’m the one the cab drivers, the waitresses , the women in the cantinas talk to. And it would get him so frustrated. He would tell me your Spanish is awful. Your conjugation is incorrect. And I’d tell him yes , it is. But you’re talking to the cabdriver like you got a stick up your ass and you’re a doctor. They hear me and even though I botch the conjugation they know I learned everything from talking to people in bars and construction sites and such. Maybe ditch the books for a bit and learn how people talk in a barrio in Mexico City , a working class neighborhood versus whatever you’ve learned in a book. I’d imagine the difference would be like speaking to an upper class Brit educated at Oxford and speaking to a guy from the south side of Chicago. They may be speaking the same language , but they definitely are not speaking the same lingo. Not criticizing. Just something I’ve noticed with people that take Spanish classes. Book Spanish and the Spanish you need to survive the streets of Santo Domingo can be two different things

[@imeandmyself525]

@@BobelSilencioso-g2i His pronunciation is so tight that it must be very difficult for him to get rid of it to speak any foreign language. The way he pronounces words in Spanish makes me very doubtful that he speaks anything intelligible in that language. In fact, going a little further, I think the British would have some difficulty understanding him.

[@sam.victor470]

Spain is really a very cool country in which to retire. Quality of life is top of the list. Communication in Spanish ought to be top of your agenda. Life becomes generally easier to manage. ''¡Con pan y vino se puede andar por el camino. Pero si bebe para olvidar no se olvide pagar!'' "With a morsel of bread and a dash of wine you can promenade down the pathway of life. However, if you drink to forget, don't forget you have to pay!"

[@susanaescriba977]

Ohhhh.....how traditional....then they discover real life and start crying because they don't like it...

[@jonniesantos]

Cheaper than big cities here in California, however their drought and ability to resolve will be something to watch. In the South, Mallorca appeals to us. In the North we fell in love with Bilbao. Agree about feeling safe too. 🙏🏼

[@mactravel112]

living in California and concerned about the drought in Spain...

[@jonniesantos]

@@mactravel112 …odd comment IMO. There is no drought in California currently. We’re over the annual rainfall in my city.

[@ufosrus]

@@jonniesantos But La Niña is making a comeback. Hopefully our reserves are full enough to last us at least a couple of years.

[@ufosrus]

​@@mactravel112 Well, of course. We've had some nasty droughts and fires so who wants to trade for the same elsewhere?

[@mactravel112]

@@ufosrus California would definitely be easy to leave

[@donaldkinsey5245]

Very helpful video, thank you. I decided to go to Valencia and Malaga for a few months. After your review, I’m staying away from Seville.

[@AmeliaAndJP]

Seville is beautiful but we would not want to live there. Great place to visit for a week.

[@solveigsolveig2249]

Don't go to Valencia, now there's a big backlash against tourists and expats. A dozen violent incidents against them just last weekend.

[@CallowG]

The food schedule was rough for the first few days I was in Spain. Big breakfast, no lunch until around 2 or 3, dinner at 9 or 10, then go to bed and no sleep due to jet lag. 😆 The food was great though! I really loved the coffee!

[@andrevilhena4149]

Café????? Disse cafe? Em Espanha??? Ahahah..Não sabe o qu é Café!

[@GeorgeAkel-wo7xx]

Big breakfast in Spain? I suppose you can stuff your face anywhere at anytime if you can pay for It and that's what YOU want, but breakfast in Spain for the Spanish is something very light.

[@CallowG]

@@GeorgeAkel-wo7xx That's what my handler was doing so that's what I did. Good thing too since we didn't eat lunch until 3 pm! (I mean big breakfast for an aging Canadian not an American big breakfast)

[@feliciasampson8032]

I had a rough time with the language, and to this day I still speak my fractured Spanish with a "th"! I was a fitness instructor in Marbella and Benal Madena...definitely a preferable quality of life compared to the US. I was given an ooen-ended rt airline ticket, a flat overlooking the Mediterranean (Edificio Mediterraneo) and my monthly salary (including free medical).

[@loloflores123]

Thumbs up for security, healthcare and public transportation, but thumbs down for taxation that pays for it, sounds a little contradictory.

[@AmeliaAndJP]

Taxes are fine. Overtaxation and a wasteful bureaucracy are not.

[@loloflores123]

@@AmeliaAndJP overtaxation is a relative term, depends on how much do you consider the state should or should not intervene in the economy. If you are inmigrants in Europe now, I assume you are choosing a bigger (social) State. "Wasteful" bureaucracy, again, is a relative term.

[@Trotamundos_Galego]

@@AmeliaAndJP Justo lo que pasa en USA con los gastos militares , que es a donde van la mayoría de los impuestos que pagan los Estadounidenses. Dime que gastar mucho mas que los siguientes 10 paises juntos del mundo que mas gastan del mundo no es despilfarrar....

[@cachecow]

I liked Spain. The rail from Madrid to Barcelona to Valencia was great. But almost every one I spoke to in the south kept correcting my Spanish with Catalan. I think the weather in the north is better, but not sure about the Spanish/French/Basque fusion?

[@yumyumkitty2104]

Someone who visited Barcelona said the whole city smelled like a sewer the whole time. Is this true??

[@susanfleming496]

The Spanish spoken in Andalucía is probably the hardest to understand of any of the regions. They speak so fast and chop off the endings of many words. It would be comparable to an English language learner trying to understand someone in southern Mississippi 😂

[@Benito-lr8mz]

Es muy fácil de entender y no soy Andaluz

[@waltbarbour207]

Try Murcia 🤪

[@pacoagullesestrada2497]

@@Benito-lr8mz 😂😂

[@MattyRouter]

​@@waltbarbour207Try Mexico 😂😂

[@mannyp.3286]

I just got back to Texas. Had dinner with friends last night. Paid $30 for chicken and rice, $15 for humus dip and $14 for a glass of wine. Plus 20% tip. I think it has gotten ridiculous expensive here in the US. Last summer in Crete I could have treated every table at the local taverna a liter of house wine be popular and still be ahead of what I paid last night. And yes there was a language barrier, the waiter spoke English alright but the plate handlers spoke only Spanish. Go figure...

[@Kolach0]

Most Spaniards avoid eating out too. It’s expensive for them too. At least in TX there are jobs. Low paying jobs maybe but lots of jobs. In Spain no jobs and very low salaries

[@williesteele4503]

@@Kolach0 I just saw on the news that inflation in the USA has just gone up 3%. I live in Texas in San Antonio. My city at one time was a very affordable place to live, Not any more! There are very few places now with affordable housing and everything here in USA is super expensive now. The health care is ridiculously expensive, and many people just go without it. The direction this country is going is down..

[@Kolach0]

@@williesteele4503 SA is the most affordable city in TX. Like George Carlin used to say “Be happy with what you got” Inflation is everywhere….even in Latam “Hola Medellin”. Cut some coupons out and enjoy your local HEB bro 😎

[@wanderwildes]

Yikes. $1100/month for housing would be 50% of monthly expenses which is super high! Isn't the recommended amount 30%? I was considering going to Malaga in May to check it out, but I've been reading that rents have skyrocketed over the past 2 years. It's insane. Everywhere is becoming so expensive lately due to all the conflicts going on.

[@ms-jl6dl]

Really? And not because of suicidal economic policies + covid insanity ? Everything's Putin's fault? Damn,it's always someone else's fault.

[@JMoroccoMisterBoy]

Amelia & J.P. : Tks., much appreciative.

[@lizcoleman5229]

Great video!! We love living in Madrid. Only drawback is the taxes but that's the price we have to pay to live in this wonderful country so it's worth it to us.

[@thedahkterizzin8831]

Trains and buses are the best. So cheap still compared to the US. Food is cheaper and better. In my experience, just going to th2 pharmacy can save a trip to the doc cuz the pharmacists function as doctors too! Hate the tourists so find the forgotten Pueblos to live the real vida

[@TravelswithLlama]

I disagree with the thumbs down for language. I speak Western hemisphere Spanish and had no problem. Yes, it is regionally different but I picked it up quite easily.

[@luispadron6562]

The language barrier you'll created yourself, when I moved to the US from Cuba I had to learn English, an English kind of different to the one I've had learned ( British)

[@thetapheonix]

Cuban Spanish is the hardest one. Yo hablo Español y yo no puedo intender Cubanos. You all cut off words and the accent is very strong compared to the Mexican Spanish I’m used to.

[@ForeverChanged7]

The heat is a deal breaker for me but I have always have wanted to visit. The culture I think I would love. Grenada sounds good.❤

[@AmeliaAndJP]

Granada is amazing!

[@kmarch12]

There are some areas of Spain that never get hot. Check out the "Goldilocks' monthly temperature averages in a couple of my favorite towns in Galicia - in the NW Corner - Pontevedra (With no car traffic allowed in the old city) & A Coruña. But the North Coast of Spain does get significantly more rainfall. It's not the typical dry Mediterranean climate you think of in the South of Spain.

[@alejandrorodriguez3771]

Try northern Spain like Oviedo, Santander

[@txibiam6117]

as some people said, they reviewed Andalusia, which is the hottest region of Spain

[@feliciasampson8032]

I just saw that I'd replied a post before...oops! Hopefully I said something worthwhile here :) I taught fitness classes for a year on the Costa del Sol. I lived in Marbella (Edificio Mediterraneo - the city's tallest building and right across from the Mediterranean on Paseo Maritimo). I mostly loved it. The quality of life was superb. It rained quite a bit in the winter, and was very hot and humid in the summer. The people were Muy simpaticas...and the Andalucian lisp is tricky! Transportation was a bit iffy. I taught 2x/week in Benal Madena, which was about 40 minutes by autobus. Shortly after I arrived, my employers scheduled me for evening classes, not knowing that the autobuses had stopped running. Once I realized I was stuck (I didn't have nearly enough for cab fare), I decided to walk (thinking I'd make it home in time for my Friday morning class in Marbella!). Then the torrential rains began. I found a cafe and decided to seek refuge and a warm meal. While there, a group of Brits came by my table and struck up a conversation. One of the group was a golf instructor. He pulled out a wad of bills, saying "from one teacher to another" and gave me enough to cover the taxi back to Marbella! I couldn't believe their generosity. All he asked for in return was a tee-shirt from Gimnasio Atenas (my place of work). I met some really great people, both Spanish and people from all over Europe. I'm still close friends with a couple of gals I met while teaching. I'm actually considering moving back, or at least a trek on the Camino with one of my friends. One thing I did learn was that if you wanted a social life, you started the evening off no earlier than 11:00 PM. I'm a night owl so it worked great for me. I couldn't, however, rest during our mid-day break...the gym was practically empty at that time so that's when I worked out. I couldn't handle the summer heat at this point in my life, but Espana continues to be one of my favorite countries. There is some crime, so keep your purse close to your body! And if you can catch a Feria don't miss it! Viva Espana!

[@casibari1537]

My take is there is a positive correlation between taxes and security on the street.

[@johnshellenberg1383]

This, so much this.

[@TheELKTUBE]

Not to mention quality hospitals, schools, universities, roads and public transport. All paid for by taxes!

[@dfsdfdsfdsffsdfsdfds3313]

Native Spanish speaker here and I have a hard time understanding Spanish (aka Castilian) in Spain because of the reasons you mention. I ended up speaking only ENglish because it slows them down lmao.

[@SimRacingVeteran]

Anytime I speak to people in Spanish, I have to ask them to speak slowly. No entiendo mucho cuando tu hablan demasiado rapida. Despacio por favor!

[@mungodegrijalva822]

I also speak Spanish. It took me less than a month to get use to the Castilian accent, pronunciation & difference in vocabulary. After that, no problems, I only spoke Castilian. Returned to California with a Castilian accent, friends made fun of it. In Spain, they said I spoke "Mexican". They stated, "We don't speak Spanish. We speak Castilian."

[@md8465]

I do not like their accent.

[@RaeInTime]

Would love to see a video about the countries with the best elder care. 👍😊🌻

[@annjean8709]

Agreed.

[@wayneboyko4426]

That's a major issue. These places seem like great expat destinatons for relocation. But getting health insurance after ages 65 -70 is impossible in most countries. If this is essential, stay where you are. Vloggers never directly address this issue head on.

[@anniesshenanigans3815]

There is a place in Alabama that is called Andalusia, but we pronounce it differently.

[@ufosrus]

@@anniesshenanigans3815 You could travel the whole word in the U.S. 😄

[@tubulardude44]

Amelia & JP, l enjoy your videos! It would be great if you could give some details about tax brackets for expat retirees as well. Italy just increased taxes for expats!😬

[@yomango35]

Very nice vdeo , I wish you could do the same video for Italy and Greece please( so i could compare wich country I will like the most.. I will probably retire in one of those 3 countries .Keep up the good work.:)) I am from France but I live in NYC now for 37 years.

[@cmacmenow]

Love Spain. Moving to Valencia or Malaga next year. Great to see you both after all these years. I had lost contact with you. BTW. Spain has the fastest internet in Europe.

[@davidhickey2923]

One thing I don’t you mentioned, they have super good tasting oranges there. I can’t get any comparable oranges in the markets here in San Diego.

[@goldgeologist5320]

Agree completely! I have traveled and worked all over the world and I find Spain has noticeably better oranges than any other place I have been with Italy a close second.

[@kmarch12]

I'm addicted to the Mandarinas (tangerines). The fruits and vegetables of Europe are most heavily cultivated in Spain and Italy.

[@maneugeni]

I think the language being a thumbs down is saying unless they speak English or the exact type of Spanish we are used to hearing, it is a thumbs down. They speak Spanish. I speak elementary Spanish and have no problem communicating. So it is surprising for you two living and speaking Spanish in Ecuador to act like speaking Spanish in Spain is a negative. Come on. That seems like a significant cop-out for not accepting the minimal challenge of perfecting your Spanish skills in Andalusia, Spain. Geez, they are not speaking Greek. Why promote LingoPie if you are thumbing down the language of a country you supposedly speak?? 🙄 Also, May and June are beautiful months in Costa del Sol, but I know it is all subjective. Some people love July and August, but some may not like hot weather. Thanks.

[@darr1954]

I speak Spanish and found it profoundly challenging to understand Spaniards! I would need a month to grow accustomed to their accent, pace, and different vocabulary. Keep it positive.

[@maneugeni]

Certainly not a reason for a thumbs down. Just keeping it real.

[@donsachse]

I totally agree. I am a non-native, yet fluent speaker. Yes, it sounds a little faster than the average Latin American Spanish speaker, but it just takes watching some Netflix series to get used to the differences. Any dialect you are not used to can be tough to adapt to. Argentinian Spanish is a little challenging, as well as Caribbean Spanish, but it depends on what you are used to. hearing.

[@michelleduvois2755]

Learning dif. languages it's always great adventure ; just need open your mine and memory and very important talking with people's ; not feeling shame to do so ; despite could be some few rude one does exposing yours errors ; never mine ; even that ; does helping to correct and becomes better as autodidact .

[@Mercedes-Scott]

One thing I don’t you mentioned, they have super good tasting oranges there. I can’t get any comparable oranges in the markets here in San Diego.

[@barbarasaavedra9362]

Yes but only in the mercado. Don't eat the oranges off the trees lining the streets...SUPER bitter!

[@kmarch12]

Those citrus trees on the street are purely decorative - not for consumption. They provide a lot of shade and they are green all through the winter.

[@susanaescriba977]

Look at a map of Spain...Do you really think that everything is orange plantations? From Galicia to Algeciras....😂🤣😂

[@marytica123]

WE'VE PRETTY MUCH GIVEN UP on moving to Costa Rica. Our relatives there (Ticos) say their cost-of-living has spiked during the last 2 years. House prices are close or higher than USA prices (Florida). Used to be you could RENT a place on the cheap - you still can, but maybe NOT any place you would WANT. The CR government now requires expats to sign up for their health insurance (La Caja) - and there are only 2 major hospitals with "critical care" facilities (heart attack, stroke, etc.). ADIOS, PURA VIDA !

[@Kolach0]

Stay put or comeback to the US to work. There’s no where to run

[@sinnombre3855]

I guess you could have summed it up by saying "another country ruined by dollarizing the economy" 🤣

[@ufosrus]

Too many gringos there.

[@shellz-ts6td]

No thanks to tropical heat and humidity.

[@ufosrus]

Costa Rica appears to me as a U.S. colony. I read about three decades ago that Americans owned 60% of the best land in that country, so imagine how much more they own presently. I wonder how long before the ticos wake up to that fact and decide to do something about it.

[@NNI4262]

Those Clint Eastwood westerns were mandatory viewing for me as my real first name is Rowdy (Rowdy Yates)

[@jodibraun6383]

I literally just unpacked a new packet of tomato seeds called "Clint Eastwood's Rowdy Red". 😂

[@NNI4262]

@@jodibraun6383 I have seen those old Spaghetti westerns at least 6 times each. My first name is Rowdy, but I didn't get the Yates part of that. Have to keep a look out for those Tomato seeds 🙂

[@jodibraun6383]

@@NNI4262 I have too! My boyfriend loves them - that's why I got the seeds! 😄 I got them from a place online called Tomato Fest. 🍅

[@jdtravels5140]

I’m a huge fan of Southern Spain, especially Costa Del Sol/Barcelona. I am not a fan of their taxes.

[@lifehealthcoaches5422]

Love your videos. I have a question do you use a teleprompter when presenting?

[@AmeliaAndJP]

No.

[@taharzitouni-fg7pl]

Thank you for everything yo do

[@rjanavas6265]

It’s hot! 🥵it was too hot. It was beautiful but the heat was too much! You have to go and live somewhere else in the summer period. ❤

[@kmarch12]

Check out the "Goldilocks" temperature averages in some of my favorite cities in the North of Spain like Pontevedra, A Coruña, or San Sebastian. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

[@cookmaster3626]

Great info. Are you guys currently living in Spain? if so where, and on any specific visa?/ thanks!

[@dawnaustin4556]

I'll feel at home. Just like so cal without the bull. Can foreigners buy property?

[@mr-vet]

Yes, foreigners can buy property in Spain…and don’t have to be permanent residents.

[@dawnaustin4556]

@@Joseph-wu6kd what are Poms?

[@TerriBurgess-q5e]

I love Spain, but….decided no because of taxes…. I’m still looking ❤

[@sparkesman1980]

Yeah same here. My partner and I was looking at retirement in Spain but it wasn't the higher taxes that discouraged us. It was the fact that we would be taxed on our house sale in the UK, and our Cash and Shares ISAs. Don't agree you should pay tax on UK investments

[@wellswoodturningfinishing7394]

I just stumbled across your video and I read a few of the comments below. While I understand the purpose of your video, I have to say it is a classic example of American naïveté in a global context. Take safety, for example. The number of murders and violent crime in the United States is orders of magnitude higher Than any other well-developed nation in the world. So it is incredibly misplaced to even make this comparison. We Americans should be running to other countries for safer environments. On the topic of language, who cares if the subject country speaks English? why should they? If you are Evaluating retiring in a country on the basis of whether they speak English, then you should not be thinking about retiring there. It’s clearly not for you. so I do appreciate your perspective, I just find it fundamentally misplaced, and naïve.

[@leogallegos9359]

You both miss one of the best cities in Spain. "Salamanca"

[@daredevilforlife]

Salamanca is cold, yes?

[@ignacioheredia9599]

At winter cold as freeze and at summer hot as grill

[@petersvoboda4421]

I started to watch your videos in Denver long time ago. Now in Spain.The problem with the Spanish is in Andalucia. In Castilla y Leon or in the north is perfect. Visit Salamanca, Santander or Zaragoza.

[@TeresaCook-de6jo]

Northern Spain is so beautiful. I can’t wait to see it!

[@johnstamos5579]

Not very affordable for retirees

[@FromTheBiggining]

You're absolutely right.

[@alejandrorodriguez3771]

The Big down vote for Spain IS the lacks of rivers and mature. There is still wonderfull places with great beauty but not so expontaneous mature like northern or latinamerican countries

[@ufosrus]

Me imagino que te refieres a la naturaleza: nature.

[@joseluisluque449]

Madurez?

[@bxbeau]

Super Country, Super People…

[@stevenronin6036]

Thank you for this video, as an American who would like to live in Spain from interest from USA, do you end up paying more in taxes than if you stay in USA?

[@peterdubois4983]

I have been living in Spain for ten years. A car is necessary to get around. I had been living in the UK before retiring. I did not find learning Spanish all that difficult. The USA struggles speaking English, I had no idea it transferes to other languages. 😮

[@djzrobzombie2813]

Ok mate... How many pints did you had ?

[@evelynqueen2352]

What do you mean "the USA struggles speaking English"? English is the official language for USA people!

[@shaunukhiking]

@@djzrobzombie2813 did you have

[@timmaloney6441]

@@evelynqueen2352 He's just "being English" . first day in Spain , i asked a couple if they could recommend a good Restaurant . The Englishman replied "what ya lookin for MCDONALDS" in a condescending tone .

[@cookmaster3626]

You may be an Englishman but half the stuff you speak most wont even understand.. I thought you must be good in Spelling being an Englishmen...."transferes"

[@allandonovan4620]

Looking at the Lifetime price. I get it’s 70% discount but how much is

[@luluandmeow]

What puts me off about moving to France/Spain/German/Italy is that they don't have small houses with gardens in cities. In London we do. I don't want to live in a condo, however luxurious

[@rafarequeni822]

There are some. Not many, and they cost vastly more than a luxurious condo.

[@RiktorSkale]

$600 per person per month for food?? I assume that’s not just groceries and includes restaurants ect.

[@AmeliaAndJP]

Correct

[@CG68810]

I am definitely considering retiring in Spain and would consider moving there sooner if I could find a job, particularly a "work from home" type. I need to do more research, for the retirement portion. I would love to live in Barcelona but I suspect it will be too expensive. Thus, somewhere in Southern Spain or I have discovered Northern Spain (Salamanca, Santander, Bilbao) recently and was quite impressed. The weather is not as appealing but it is much cheaper than Southern Spain. My first goal is to master Spanish. I know that Lingo Pie was promoted, but there are others such as Berlitz, Babbel, Rosetta Stone, etc. I think that is one of the most important tasks in able to enjoy my living there to its fullest. Does it make more sense to rent or buy? Any ideas?

[@AmeliaAndJP]

We always recommend renting first to learn the area and make sure you like it.

[@ignacioheredia9599]

I support you completely. I am Andalusian and gladly, if I had the possibility, I would go to Asturias or Galicia. Cheaper and more reasonable prices and not having to put up with the damn cauldron that my region becomes in summer.

[@clarencehammer3556]

I have long wanted to live or at least spend an extended period of time in Spain. I would probably be happier further north. My primary interest in Spain is the Spanish language. I read somewhere once that the best place in the world to learn Spanish is in Valladolid, Spain. I don’t know why that would necessarily be the case but that’s what I read. I know they do speak very fast but so do many others in Latin America. The same with leaving out letters in Latin America. I do prefer how the Spaniards pronounce the C and Z as a “th” sound. But as I understand it the people in Southern Spain pronounce the C and Z as an “s” sound. Anyway there is no possibility that I will ever set foot on Spanish soil or Latin America. I am too old and too poor.

[@Kolach0]

lol Valladolid sucks

[@maruchi5200]

I am from northern Spain, Andaluzia is beautiful, but the temperatures during summer are deathly. The pronunciation is proper: "c" sounds like a "c" no "s", try to go to England and correct their pronunciation.

[@Michaelcj-m2d]

Too hot as well in Castellón these past summers .

[@estelamino6356]

Thanks.

[@brendanharan1544]

Language and heat are major factors to consider so I am not sure based on this video

[@paulafranciscac2787]

Fairfax County Public Schools offers great Adult Community Education Spanish classes. In person and online. Great classes, small groups.

[@RAMNIKK]

May I ask which city you are living in ?

[@AmeliaAndJP]

We are traveling full time.

[@johntalley7326]

As an expat retiree I found Spain to be: crowded, pricey and getting worse, and very uncomfortable 1/2 of the year. Older expats lived as "shut-ins" during daylight hours too much of the time to make Spain attractive as a retirement living option.

[@victoriabarnes5680]

We Spaniard also find our cities crowded by tourists like you…😅

[@carolharkness5023]

Out of interest, what area were you living in ?

[@victoriabarnes5680]

@@carolharkness5023 And what about you?

[@victoriabarnes5680]

@@carolharkness5023 Málaga

[@victoriabarnes5680]

@@carolharkness5023 Málaga

[@icecold5920]

How about if you are on social security and veteran disability pay is that taxes

[@Aquarius285]

Hello!I like your videos!😊I want to live in Spain...in the ciity" La Coruna"...mabye in the "rich"normal house for strangers(buut only for me for now),which i have readed on internet,that is cheap prices for all houses who can be buy from strangers, in the north region called Galicia...how can i begin this all process,for the first time in my 24 years old life?Thank you for your help.

[@GihanKarunaratne-ky1mk]

I am surprised at the $600/mo/person for food. Does this include non grocery items, booze and dining out?

[@GihanKarunaratne-ky1mk]

All round great video. Very interesting and informative. Thanks

[@AmeliaAndJP]

It includes wine but that was for 2 people. Not per person. So $300 each.

[@GihanKarunaratne-ky1mk]

Thanks. I didn’t realize you guys are travelling through Europe and not residing long term in Spain. My wife and I are thinking of making the move permanently to Costa del Sol.

[@orquidea721]

What’s a situation for a spaniard returning to live to spain when retirement from USA? my hubby planning to return to spain him and I when he retires.

[@NoName-vq3zo]

Thank you for the videos. Does Spain's retirement visa offer residency or citizenship or does that have to be renewed periodically and can, potentially, be canceled at the discretion of changing laws?

[@kmarch12]

The NLV Non-Lucrative "Retirement" Visa gives you permanent residency beginning in year six. You renew after year one, and again after year three, and for permanent residency at the end of year five. Citizenship is an entirely separate process - if I reacall - at year 10. (I suppose these rules could potentially be canceled at the discretion of changing laws, but I don't see that happening with the NLV. There is talk of eliminating the Golden Visa which requires a 500K euro investment. Portugal has done that.)

[@NoName-vq3zo]

@@kmarch12 Thank you!

[@ufosrus]

​@@kmarch12 I heard a Kiwi married to a spaniard (they have a KZbin channel) state that there's no dual citizenship in Spain and he'd have to give up his NZ citizenship if applying for one in Spain.

[@maryjoan4128]

Thank you for the great information..can it be it's cheaper to get a visa in Spain than Mexico????

[@MrLopez746]

I thought you were living in Ecuador? How did you wind up in Spain?

[@ofuco9708]

Taxes are essential because they fund public transportation, high-speed trains that you praise in this video, as well as excellent healthcare, among other things. The excellent quality of life and social protection that we Spaniards enjoy is thanks to the taxes we all pay.

[@AmeliaAndJP]

Taxes are fine, but taking half of a middle class income is excessive. Especially for foreign residents who don’t benefit from a lifetime of public services that citizens enjoy. And there are lots of countries that don’t overtax citizens or foreign residents but still manage to offer similar benefits.

[@tedn6855]

I watched your greece video now spain. Wondering if you will do a country rank video when this is all done.

[@AmeliaAndJP]

Great suggestion 👍

[@tessjones5987]

Fascinating. I met Spanish people in USA living on Spains Dole. They had never worked and they were in their 40s. I think there is a large socialism component to that tax.

[@Maria-js9ou]

Schhhhh, 🤐🤐don't say that too loud, all the Spaniards will know, and many will move to the United States. And then who will pay the taxes that allow all of these people to live big without working? Will it be American expatriates?

[@isabelferran1883]

That's only feasible for a short period of time. They check that you live in Spain when you're on the dole, you have to go to their office regularly, in person.

[@isabelferran1883]

I don't think so... we don't generally find living in the States tempting at all. In fact, our fear is that U.S. retired people come to Spain to live.

[@Lavabug]

The "dole" is temporary and barely $600/mo. for anyone that's already exhausted their unemployment benefits that they paid for when they were employed. Must be loaded or have supportive parents to be able to support that lifestyle, or have some kind of disability (which still is less than $1k/month and hard to get). Source: I am a Spaniard with a relative who exhausted their unemployment and dole due to cancer and long unemployment stints. I spent most of my life in Spain unemployed and left - I was never eligible for any sort of "dole".

[@300rivers4]

Nicely done. I knew I could get solid information from you.

[@highgreen6452]

Same as anywhere if you've got the money its a doddle, skint or levels do not bother, 370,000 Brits cannot be wrong

[@Michaelcj-m2d]

exMichigan in Spain 🇪🇸🇪🇺,left the dream in 2000. Been here since 🍷🍷👍

[@SeanFoy]

200 * 2500eur/month = 6 million euro/year income requirement for the nomad visa sounds a bit high. Are you sure it's not 200% rather than 200x?

[@AmeliaAndJP]

Correct. It’s 200%.

[@Kolach0]

FYI housing is cheaper than the US because salaries are a fraction of what you make in the States. On any profession. I’m assuming this channel is for retirees or digital nomads only right?

[@mungodegrijalva822]

Gracias for all your videos. I'm learning a lot from you folks. I also speak Spanish. It took me less than a month (was there 90 days) to get use to the Castilian accent, pronunciation & difference in vocabulary. After that, no problems, I only spoke Castilian. Returned to California with a Castilian accent, friends made fun of it. In Spain, they said I spoke "Mexican". They stated, "We don't speak Spanish. We speak Castilian."

[@antoniolopezlopez4236]

Well there is a explanation for that. In Spain there are 5 official languages, all considered Spanish because are languages from Spain. Spanish is just castilian, but Euskera, Gallego, Catalán or Valenciano are also spanish. They have their own grammar and they are studied in the school, as well as used in the local administration. In Spain there are what we call "autonomous communities", similar to the "states" in northamerica. They have some independence to administrate their territory, funds, health system and even their own police. For example in the vasque regions the local police is called Ertzaintza and in Catalonia is called Mossos d'Esquadra. After living some time in Spain you will discover that the country is very diverse in all senses.