But, whether France or Spain, and despite this wet summer, doesn’t one feel fortunate to be living in southern Europe rather than in the UK, Every day I’m thankful that we got out when we did!
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Hallelujah to that 
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I so hope we can join that club
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Normandy! It’s fab! Great place, great food, lovely beaches Paris Sur Mer !
And so easily accessible. Just a shame Brexit limits us to 90 days in every 180. Of course travelling for such a short time from U.K. does maximise the 90 day stay 
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except when HMG keep changing the friggin rules for travel to/from France 
Hi Julia - many thanks for your reply and apols for the delay in responding (have been off line for a wee while). Your home in Almansa sounds lovely and it’s great to have the best of both worlds between France and Spain too. Some really good points to consider re seaside towns shutting down as well and the 3 ws - warm wet westerlies 
Thanks a mill and I’ll keep all in mind on my search.
It’s about research and advice for most. We ourselves planned our early retirement a few years ago and were looking at France initially but ultimately we decided on Spain.
We are in Alicante province in a gated community around a golf course and surrounded by orange and lemon groves (fees aren’t that bad). We have some Spanish neighbours but mostly; northern Europeans. Our nearest Spanish village is about a 50 minute flat walk away, typical marbled town square and a very helpful town hall.
Spain isn’t as backward as some would have you believe and we actually applied for our TIE’s using digital certificates getting the cards in September last year after a late July arrival with driving licenses switched shortly thereafter.
We are <10km from the coast yet is gets very cold here in the winter and the hot months, although similar to Dordogne in temp, only last from late June to early September.
Once you’ve bought your house it is, in my opinion, much cheaper to live than in many parts of France. For us to buy the place we have here in France would likely have been more than we spent even taking into account the 13-14% on top of the agreed house price. Just keep an eye on how you will be taxed on your assets/ sources of income.
We have been in Spain for just over a year now and it works for us 
Good luck.
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“Works for us” is the main phrase!! What you describe is not for me, and our chosen home and situation would no doubt be hell for you!
So before researching I suggest people need to think long and hard about what they actually like and dislike, what they are seeking in terms of social life, activities, cultural opportunities as well as the chance of getting an appointment with a doctor. We love our little village, and it is a live village rather than a decaying one, but the thing we missed was that we have more in common with the villagers 30 years younger than us than those of the same age. Don’t just look at the country and the house, but drill down to a detailed level.
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Hi David - thanks for that. Looking around for the past while and I think I agree - house prices are so much affordable in Spain and I think the French properties are still increasing. I’m reluctantly thinking of letting go on the French dream and moving my dreams to Spain (thinking Oliva area or around there) where I could also rent out the house from time to time or do a home swap with someone in France for a couple of weeks a year etc so I can enjoy both countries A place surrounded by orange and lemon groves sounds idyllic - hope you’re enjoying your well earned retirement Many thanks
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Thanks JJ - yup - you’re right in the sense of the area - I definitely need to be in a place that has facilities, amenities and transport (my list is getting longer …now if only my budget could do the same :)). Many thanks
We have private medical insurance here so we have access to pretty good medical care. After the first year here can pay in for the convenio especial @ 60 EUR per person per month we might double up to be on the safe side.
It’s horses for courses and your right and my right can co-exist.
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take your time
@Lauren_Red I have friends selling a house near Oliva at the moment (La Font d’En Carròs). It’s 3 bed with a 10m pool overlooking the town and Oliva.
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Hi Hairbear - thanks for that - with a pool it’s probably outside of my budget but feel free to send on by private message. Many thanks
I wasn’t referring to the choice of health in Spain v France, (basically anywhere in western europe is sadly better than the UK now anyway) but the range of other things to think about once one has selected a country. It’s fine to say I want a house like x in country y costing no more than z and close to the sea - a search will throw up lots of potential places to buy. But then comes the detailed work to find the one that suits one’s precise specifications as closely as possible.
Gated community, golf course, and northern european neighbours would have me fleeing for the hills no matter whether the place met all of my other requirements! You obviously love it, but I would loathe it!
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your very welcome