By Rod Burylo

Have you been dreaming of the perfect retirement lifestyle? If you are like many Canadians, you are drawn to the beautiful beaches and wonderful weather of exotic southern destinations. Over the next 20 years, it is expected that these retirement locations will become increasing distant and exotic.

Baby Boomers, with their reputation as self-indulgent experience seekers, are beginning to consider a wide variety of foreign locations for their adventures in retirement. They are discovering that Spain has become one of the world’s most popular retirement locations.

As the gateway to the history and culture of Western Europe, and the mythical world of the Mediterranean, Spain is the
perfect point of departure for amazing retirement experiences. For several years, Northern Europeans – especially those from the rainy U.K. – have pursued their annual sojourn in Spain’s most inviting southern climate, and over time, these tourists became retired snowbirds and residents.

Move into a well-built Spanish home – with swimming pool!

Recognizing the growing popularity and market for planned recreational and retirement communities, large Spanish developers have taken advantage of this trend. Spain has gained an international reputation as host to a considerable number of leading golf-course communities. Many new communities are in various stages of development – each trying to out-do the other with ever more enticing amenities.

New-home construction has become an important part of Spain’s growing economy. Despite a history of generous gains for investors, prices remain attractive relative to comparable developments in southern states of the U.S., and popular Mexican and Latin American locations. Moreover, an aging, and increasingly active and affluent, American and European population suggests that market demand will continue to grow.

Foreigners are able to attain mortgages for their real estate purchases through Spanish financial institutions; while builders inspire confidence in borrowers by providing strong guarantees to the banks and a 10-year warranty on construction. Ongoing costs associated with home ownership are quite reasonable, and purchasers have ample opportunity to off-set these through rental income.

The challenge for the investor, or the person attempting to organize their retirement before prices get too high, is choosing among the myriad real estate options and navigating the purchasing process in a foreign jurisdiction. Fortunately, specialized organizations, such as Seekers Canada, are available to help Canadians make their retirement dreams a reality.

Seekers Canada provides all the necessary information, support and guidance required to get established in Spain. Programs range from one-on-one consultations and public educational seminars in Canada, to personalized tours of Southern Spain’s most popular recreational communities.

Tour guests are introduced to all aspects of the international retirement experience in Spain. This includes an introduction to various real estate developments, as well as full support throughout the purchasing process – should one occur. Along the way, travel guests tour the countryside and visit some of the countless quaint villages that line Spain’s coast.

Spain’s popularity among English-speaking tourists and retirees becomes quickly apparent by the number and size of expatriate communities. As a result, the ability to speak Spanish is not a requirement, and English-style pubs are commonplace. The influence of the high number of English-speaking residents is seen in the delivery and availability of quality health care.

A trend among developers is to include a health-care facility within the community. These are supported by large, modern regional hospitals. Of course, services are considered to be high quality, professional and available in English.
Ironically, one gets the sense that local expatriate retirees are less concerned with the potential health-related perils
of aging, as they benefit from the easy Mediterranean lifestyle and diet. As well, a rare combination of near-perfect
year-round climate, inviting beaches, and recreational amenities allows for comfortable, daily physical activity.

Beyond the security and safety of the planned communities, the more adventurous will find a wealth of culture and history. Spain’s commitment to regional and national infrastructure makes it comfortable to explore the country by car. World-class cities such as Madrid and Barcelona are easily accessible.

As the gateway to the rest of Europe, Spain is poised to benefit from an emerging trend among North Americans – to pursue one’s family history as a retirement activity. An important component of the dramatic rise in the Northern American population after the Second World War (the Baby Boom) was due specifically to an increase in immigration. The vast majority of immigrants were from Europe. As such, many of these boomers are expected to spend portions of their upcoming years of leisure discovering their family history in the land of their forefathers.

With many Canadians having already seen much of North America as tourists, Spain presents itself as a new adventure in an old world. Though the Spanish may have discovered and explored North America, we are now ready and able to discover and explore Spain.

Rod Burylo is an international speaker, author and 2004 “Advisor of the Year” award-winner. He can be reached at burylo@psgroup.ab.ca. For more information: www.seekerscanada.com