I Couldn't Afford to Retire in the U.S., So I Relocated to Spain at 70 — Here's My Journey

Seven years ago, I made the leap from the U.S. to Spain at the age of 70, embarking on a solo adventure. Now, I'm thriving in the lively city of Madrid. Here's how it all unfolded.

After nearly two decades in Hollywood as an assistant director, I left that life behind and moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico. My plan was to invest my modest savings in real estate, hoping it would grow into a safety net for my retirement. I purchased two properties and began a career in real estate.

During the housing market crash of 2008, both of my properties lost value. Each dropped to $100,000 below the mortgage amount. Suddenly, my real estate assets were worthless, and I had no source of income. By 2010, I found myself bankrupt, facing foreclosure, and in debt to a friend. My savings were gone. At 63, I was childless, alone, with no parents, no partner, no real estate, and no responsibilities. I felt a mix of fear and elation at being entirely free.

I realized that if I wanted to retire, I needed to find a country where I could live comfortably on my pensions. Having traveled extensively, I knew such places were out there. I set out to discover the ideal one for me. During the freezing winters in Santa Fe, I searched for a warmer, more affordable home. I had previously lived in Mexico for six months in 2000, which was still on my radar, but safety concerns lingered.

I also explored Chile, Argentina, Honduras, and Puerto Rico. I spent three months in Brazil; Salvador, Bahia, was enticing, but it wasn’t within my budget. Antigua, Guatemala, made it to the top of my list, despite concerns over its infrastructure and safety.

I had never thought about Europe, assuming it would be too pricey, but in 2016, I traveled to Madrid to visit a friend who was once my English student during a summer course in Santa Fe. He showed me around the city's vibrant neighborhoods, beautiful parks, renowned museums, and traditional tapas bars.

To my surprise, Spain was very affordable. The infrastructure was excellent, public transportation was clean, convenient, and budget-friendly. Best of all, the streets were safe and bustling with friendly people, day and night.

My friend took me to Seville to meet his parents. While sitting in the cool garden of the historic Alcázar, enjoying the sound of splashing fountains and sipping coffee with my friend, I felt a deep sense of contentment and a surprising sense of belonging. A few days later, as I wandered through the Albaicín in Granada, I had the same feeling—I had discovered a place where I truly fit in.

I spent a week volunteering in an English immersion program designed for Spanish professionals. I was captivated by their enthusiasm, intelligence, and delightful joie de vivre. By the time I returned to Madrid, I had made new friends.

Spain reminds me a lot of the Southern California of my youth, with its similar climate, vegetation, beaches, and architecture. It filled me with a warm nostalgia. When it was time to go back to the U.S., I hesitated, thinking, “I could see myself living here.”

Once back in Santa Fe, I began researching the residency requirements for moving to Spain. My pensions met the necessary financial criteria. I started collecting documents, ordered an FBI background check, and obtained an apostille. My doctor provided a letter confirming I had no infectious diseases, and I secured Spanish health insurance. I printed my bank statements, took passport photos, completed various forms, and made online payments. Finally, I had everything translated into Spanish by a certified interpreter.

I scheduled an appointment to submit my application in person at the Spanish consulate in Houston, designated for me due to my permanent residence in New Mexico. An official took my passport and informed me it would be returned with my residency visa attached within six weeks to three months.

After receiving an email that my visa was ready, I flew to Houston, picked up my passport, then returned to Santa Fe to sell or donate nearly everything I owned. Two months later, I arrived in Madrid with four suitcases in tow.

I maintained contact with the Spanish friends I met during my volunteering at the English immersion program. One of them, Isabel, kindly offered me her guest room while I searched for a rental. I looked for apartments in central Madrid, but since my Spanish was quite limited, Isabel made the calls to set up appointments and accompanied me to the viewings. Within just a week and a half, I had secured a furnished studio in the Chamberí neighborhood.

Within 30 days of becoming a resident, I was required to submit all the same documents I had presented in Houston to the immigration office in Madrid, along with my empadronamiento (a document verifying my address registration). Isabel accompanied me to that appointment at the immigration office. Thanks to her support, I submitted everything on time. Three months later, my official residency card arrived in the mail. I’ve since learned that the kind generosity exemplified by Isabel is quite common among Spaniards.

Now my days are filled with Zumba, Pilates, language exchanges, and Spanish classes. Evenings sparkle with the joy of meeting friends for wine and tapas, attending concerts, singing at the piano bar, and dancing the night away. I’m finally writing the things I never had time for during my working years.

I’ve become healthier since I walk to and from public transportation. As a senior resident of Madrid, I enjoy a card that grants me unlimited free rides on the metro, buses, and urban trains. Living without the costs and responsibilities of a car is pure bliss.

The Spanish healthcare system allows me to address all my concerns without extra charges. If I fancy a weekend at the beach, a clean, comfortable train can take me there in just two hours. Being in Madrid, a transportation hub, makes traveling across Europe easy and affordable. So far, I’ve visited Amsterdam, Berlin, Frankfurt, southern France, Turkey, and Portugal’s Algarve region. Later this year, I plan to attend the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh and the Biennale in Venice.

Spain has exceeded all my expectations. My decision to move here has proven to be brilliant, and I've never felt happier.