My Mom Retired in Spain at 60: What It’s Really Like

Is retiring in Spain at 60 really a dream come true, or is it harder than it looks? My mom moved from Austin, Texas to Alicante 2 years ago, and today we're sharing the honest truth about her new life, regrets, wins, and costs.

In this episode of The Pod Abroad, we break down everything you need to know about moving to Spain from the US as a retiree. We speak on her specific Spain visa process as a volunteer, compare the cost of living in Spain vs. the USA, and discuss the reality of healthcare for an American retiring in Spain.

If you are researching how to retire in Europe or just wondering what life in Alicante is really like, this honest conversation covers the emotional and financial reality of starting over abroad.

We also dive into a "Truth or Drink" segment to discuss aging, identity, and family. If you want to skip this part and just dive into the discussion around her life in Spain/advice in particular, then do so!

⏳ Timestamps:
00:00 – The truth about retiring in Spain
03:00 – Why we chose Alicante, Spain
11:30 – Spain Retirement Visa & Paperwork Guide
24:00 – Cost of Living in Spain vs USA (Real Numbers)
30:25 – Truth or Drink: Regrets & Realizations
64:20 – Daily Life: What it’s actually like
72:30 – Making Friends & Learning Spanish at 60
82:30 – Healthcare in Spain for Expats vs USA

This episode can be helpful to those searching for:
• Retiring in Spain pros and cons
• Moving to Spain from USA checklist
• Cost of living in Alicante Spain
• Non-lucrative visa Spain tips

🌍 About The Pod Abroad:
Howdy und Servus, y’all! I’m Paulina, originally from Texas and living in Munich, Germany for over 9 years. The Pod Abroad explores cultural differences, retiring abroad, and building a life overseas. Weekly episodes explore life in Europe, studying abroad, and what it really means to live as an American outside the U.S.

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Design / Branding → Ali Khazanbeik
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