Retirement is a significant milestone in one’s life, marking the end of a dedicated career and the beginning of a new chapter filled with relaxation, adventure and endless possibilities. According to Fred Rogers, “Often when you think you are at the end of something, you are at the beginning of something else.”
How to Retire in Spain
Retiring in a new environment where life is easy and there are so many wonderful things to do can be exhilarating. This takes us straight to the capital of Spain. Madrid is home to everyone, be it for vacation, study, retirement, etc.
The city is an interesting place for retirees to settle. The weather is great, the health system is world-class, plus you won’t get bored because there is always plenty to do. Stores open at 10 am, lunch is at 2 pm, dinner is at 9 pm or later and then you may go dancing.
Tips For Living in Madrid As a Retired Expat
Madrid may be a bit more expensive than any other place in Spain, but she still offers a lot of bang for the buck. It’s a romantic city that holds the world’s oldest restaurant, founded in 1725, Sobrino de Botín.
The largest royal palace in Western Europe is also located in Madrid – The Palacio Real de Madrid and is home to the controversial sport of bullfighting. Residents of Madrid call themselves “gatos,” Spanish for “cats,” perhaps because they nap in the afternoon and prowl the streets at night.
Madrileños love to socialize. Sidewalk cafes, terrazas and parks are always crowded and convivial. Meeting friends in bars and coffee shops for conversation and camaraderie is a sacrosanct ritual that is not impacted by any financial crisis. The friendliness, welcoming warmth, and helpfulness of the local people will make Madrid your first choice.
Check out our Spain Travel Guide
Making Friends and Getting Healthcare
If you want to include other expats among your friends, that’s easy too. Thousands of expats from all over the world live in Madrid. The Expats in Madrid Facebook page has over 15,000 members and offers a handy resource for advice and invitations.
In addition, the American Club of Madrid hosts events and encourages networking. Most expats are from the UK or other European countries.
Healthcare in Spain is excellent, which may be why life expectancy here is one of the longest in the world. Hospitals and clinics are everywhere in Madrid. You are never more than 15 minutes away from a doctor.
If you are working or from an EU country, you can take advantage of the high-quality public system, but retired North Americans are required to buy private health insurance during their first five years of residency. The largest private insurance provider is Sanitas, which offers services much like an HMO.
Best Madrid Tours & Excursions
Getting To and Around Madrid
Madrid is a pretty spread-out city with many distinct neighborhoods around the center, the city center is very walkable and you can access the main central districts on foot. If you feel like venturing further afield, there is great public transportation.
The majority of people take the metro, which is super simple to navigate, or catch buses. You can easily spend an hour on public transportation getting from one point to another. The last metro is at 1:30 am, and it is always packed. If you miss it you can take a taxi or just stay up until it opens again at 6 am.
The traffic is generally not too bad and it’s unlikely you will arrive late because of a traffic jam. Madrid’s public transportation is so efficient and inexpensive that owning a car is unnecessary.
Madrid is a major transportation hub for the rest of Spain, Europe and the world. Other transportation options are trams, electric scooters and bikes you can pick up around the city.
The primary international airport in Spain, Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport, is 12 kilometers from the city center. Madrid’s metro delivers passengers right into the terminal. Spain’s efficient trains can be accessed from two main stations, Atocha and Chamartin. Long-distance buses leave from Estación del Sur, Avenida del América, Príncipe Pío, and Moncloa.
Read More: Best Capital Cities in Europe to Live While Working Abroad
Weather in Madrid
During the summer, the weather in Madrid is hot and sweat and the tap water is not only drinkable but also delicious. The majority of Madrileños escape to the coast during the hottest month, so if you visit over July and August when the temperature average is 90°, it’s likely you will be mostly surrounded by tourists.
The winter between November and February is generally cold and rainy but also has a good number of blue days. In spring and autumn, the weather is bright, sunny and pleasant.
Bring Your Dog
It’s permitted to bring dogs on public transport, though the rule is one dog per traveler. You can also bring your dog to restaurants and bars, as long as you sit at a table on the outdoor terrace. However, if you plan on going shopping, it’s better to leave your pup at home as they won’t be permitted in grocery stores or larger clothing stores.
Also, if you own a dog and want to rent an apartment, be aware that not all landlords will accept pets. It’s probable that you’ll need to provide references and a larger deposit.
Nearby Nature
If you are a nature lover, you can head to the Sierra de Guadarrama Mountain and go for a hike. You will find scenic routes where you can swim in rivers or natural pools and enjoy the beautiful outdoors.
El Retiro is the largest park with manicured paths for strolling with stunning views over the lake, where you can even take out a rowboat.
The park also showcases beautiful architecture, including the Palacio de Cristal, a breathtaking crystal palace.
Shopping and Entertainment
If you’re a music lover, head to Candela in Lavapiés, where you can see an incredible flamenco show for €15, including a drink. Otherwise, go to Café El Despertar in Antón Martín to listen to some live jazz with the locals.
Avoid shopping on Grand Via, it may be famous as the central shopping district, but it’s too crowded, dirty and just not worth it. Madrid is full of locally owned boutiques, so it’s better to wander around the neighborhood you are staying in and pop into the little shops, where often you will find the owner is also the designer.
Read More: What It’s Like to Live as an Expat: Lake Chapala, Mexico
Where Not to Eat
Avoid ordering Paella. It may be one of the most iconic dishes of Spain, but in Madrid, you will only find overpriced, inauthentic dishes aimed at tourists. If you want good paella, it’s worth traveling to the coast to try a seafood one or venturing to the countryside inland to try a version with rabbit and snails.
Also, avoid eating out in Plaza Mayor. This square is historic and certainly worth checking out, but don’t go hungry as the restaurants are overpriced and packed with tourists. No local would ever eat here. Better to have lunch somewhere first and then wander around Plaza Mayor.
Madrid is a safe place to retire, except for a few wily pickpockets; crime is negligible. It is safe to walk the streets at any hour of the day or night and sidewalks in the lively districts of La Latina, Lavapies, and Malasaña are crowded well into the wee hours.
Top 10 Sights in Madrid
Whether you’re visiting or retiring in Madrid, these are the top 10 places you will want to go yourself and also bring your visitors.
2. Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía
3. City Center
4. El Retiro Park
5. Mercado San Miguel
6. Lavapies
7. Chocolateria San Gines
8. Matadero Madrid
9. Puerta del Sol
10. Santiago Bernabeu Stadium
Learning Spanish in Madrid
The language spoken in Madrid is Castilian, the most widely spoken dialect of Spanish in the country. English speaking is increasing in the city, so you can generally get away without knowing much Spanish if you want to.
Spaniards 30 and under studied English in school and speak it very well and those over 30 are in the process of learning and are eager to practice.
However, outside of tourist areas, you will likely find yourself in situations where you will need to speak some Spanish to be understood. If you do want to learn to speak Spanish, opportunities abound with classes, language exchange intercambios and daily life.
There are Spanish courses for retirees who want to study in the summer or throughout the year. Club 50+ Spanish Program is an AIL Madrid Spanish Language School that is held in the mornings. It consists of 20 classes per week, four lessons per day, with a duration of 1 – 2 weeks.
The school is located on O’Donnell Street and there are activities for participants and fantastic teachers with excellent academic credentials. Upon completion of the course, a certificate of completion will be issued.
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Author Bio: I am Samuel Sobande and I am a dedicated freelance writer. Writing to educate people, making life easier and influencing lives positively is my goal.
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