Thanks for featuring Asturias. I have to say that In Asturias, it doesn’t rain that much and we do have some international flights: Amsterdam , Dublin, Brussels, London, Munich. Milan … among others
I'm liking this side of you. You're doing more interesting coverage of Spain. And you're the right person to do it since you've been doing this for the longest time -- and you're more transparent about it. Love it.
This was a real interesting one Stuart. I've lived in all the cities you mentioned and I'm not sure I could pick a favorite. They are all quite different and each has it's own outstanding qualities. Perhaps from a gastranomic point of view I would choose Oviedo and Bilbao. For culture I would pick Salamanca and Mabrid and for clima and alegría I would definitely go to Málaga. If I ever got the chance to move back to Spain, for me the ideal would be to spend the summer in Astúrias and Vizcaya, the winter in Málaga and a few months in between in Madrid and Salamanca. Saludos desde Londres. 😀👍
My wife and I had the pleasure of visiting Oviedo last October. While we enjoyed our visit and found many aspects of the city delightful, the layout of the city made it not as walkable as other cities we visited and enjoyed. Of all the places we visited in the Northwest, we enjoyed Léon the most. At the same time, we have to agree with the person who pointed out the myriad options of living in Catalunya. While we live in Barcelona proper, there are a number of other cities we could easily enjoy living, including Girona, Reus, or one of the smaller towns in the Pyrenees.
A very interesting report of your five favorite cities video Stuart. I am humbled that you use one of my photos in this video, the photo of a favorite city of mine, that being Bilbao.
Stuart, it also depends on the altitude you live at, your monthly salary, whether you usually travel by plane, car, or boat to certain places, the cost of living in the area also tends to influence, and inflation is skyrocketing. Imagine consuming a pint of beer; it's not the same in London as in Seville.
I live in rural Asturias. Oviedo's nice, but it has some drawbacks: poor road network, snobby, heaps of rain and inland. Gijón is a very cool city. Admittedly, I'm not a city person, but if I had to choose, Gijón is my favourite in Spain and one of my favourites worldwide. There's just something about it 😊
I honestly don't know how you narrowed it down. There are so many really wonderful places to live in Spain. You've got a good selection of cities in your top 5. I wonder if it wouldn't be a good idea to emphasize that each region of Spain has a distinct character and offer specific experiences. When we were deciding where to retire to Spain, we looked for the region where we felt the most at home. This meant that we were looking for the same size of city with a university and rich cultural activities that wasn't over touristy. We found just the right balance for us and we couldn't be happier. Good job, Stuart (or do you spell it Stewart?). Saludos desde Asturias.
Great picks. It was a real surprise to see Oviedo, Salamanca and Bilbao. All of them I think they are great places but the weather is not the best . Salamanca is also one of the towns I like the most of Spain. Madrid is a fascinating city. I highly recommend it, but not if you´re retired because it´s not unexpensive. Great video.
Sometime in the future you might visit Cádiz Provence. The three major cities are Jerez, El Puerto and of course Cádiz. Also there are many small charming towns, including some white villages. The home of Sherry Wine and abundant seafood is a treat.
Hey Stu. Oviedo airport, has routes to other parts of Europe and UK. I love this airport and is my closest useful airport. León is closer but very limited routes.
My knowledge is limited to very regular visits to Spain over the last 25 years ago, mainly touring by motorcycle, though we do now have access to an apartment in Malaga that we can rent pretty well anytime but don’t own. Favourite city is definitely Malaga for all the reasons stated but we’ve now come to see it as a second home, albeit not there as often as we’d like. I’ve only ever been through Bilbao and never stayed, which is very remiss of me. My favourites include also yours, but I’d add Burgos, Leon, Girona, Merida, and Segovia though perhaps some of those are more large towns rather than cities?
Stewart, I think this is a great list. Salamanca is stunning, Oviedo and Bilbao are delightful and Madrid is endless discovery. I don’t know Malaga, but it sounds compelling. Cadiz also intrigues me. What do you have to say about Cádiz?
IMHO Madrid is the best quality of life big city in the world. Has everything but a beach. AND, it is very safe (I know you said more crime, but really it is amazingly safe), great public transport, amazing food, great culture.etc. Even though there is traffic, I don't find it as bad as London, Paris or other cities.
I wouldn't move to any autonomous community with active independentist movements. Oviedo is perfect for retired expats and you can fly in/out from Gijón. Madrid is an excellent choice, but I lived there and have a special affection for it, even if it's not cheap.
I am Catalan and can easily move to Catalonia. The feared independence movements are basically retired people from rural areas. They are dying out. And the Basques are very well established in Spain. I doubt they will complicate their lives by losing their privileges and leaving the EU. It would be absurd suicide.
At 40 km of Oviedo, is the international airport os Asturias, are direct flights from many European countries as London, Lisbon, Paris, Munich, Milan, and others.
Almost all expats who have been working in Barcelona for a while and also the locals know that the areas in Catalunya outside Barcelona City are the better and healthier places to live. Maresme coast (Barcelona province), Costa Brava (Girona province) and also the Costa Daurada, which belongs to province Tarragona. You're not so far away from Barcelona, the infrastructure is great and you have a nice chilled-out life away from the noise, traffic and air pollution. But psst... don't tell anyone 😅 love your videos by the way and Madrid really is the best city in Spain, although unfortunately I would miss the relaxed beach life where I live.
Yeah, madrid is crap imo, but hey, having bad taste in cities is not illegal in Spain xdd I must admit I've only been once, but it was EXTREMELY hot, full of fascists and lacking sea, which is a big drawback for me.
My wife and I had the pleasure of visiting Oviedo last October. While we enjoyed our visit and found many aspects of the city delightful, the layout of the city made it not as walkable as other cities we visited and enjoyed. Of all the places we visited in the Northwest, we enjoyed Léon the most. At the same time, we have to agree with the person who pointed out the myriad options of living in Catalunya. While we live in Barcelona proper, there are a number of other cities we could easily enjoy living, including Girona, Reus, or one of the smaller towns in the Pyrenees.
Thanks for featuring Asturias. I have to say that In Asturias, it doesn’t rain that much and we do have some international flights: Amsterdam , Dublin, Brussels, London, Munich. Milan … among others
Zaragoza for sure
I'm liking this side of you. You're doing more interesting coverage of Spain. And you're the right person to do it since you've been doing this for the longest time -- and you're more transparent about it. Love it.
Truth. Instead of the negative approach he used to show, this is a new focus.
This was a real interesting one Stuart. I've lived in all the cities you mentioned and I'm not sure I could pick a favorite. They are all quite different and each has it's own outstanding qualities. Perhaps from a gastranomic point of view I would choose Oviedo and Bilbao. For culture I would pick Salamanca and Mabrid and for clima and alegría I would definitely go to Málaga. If I ever got the chance to move back to Spain, for me the ideal would be to spend the summer in Astúrias and Vizcaya, the winter in Málaga and a few months in between in Madrid and Salamanca. Saludos desde Londres. 😀👍
I live further west on the Costa del Sol and visit Malaga quite a lot. I must admit I could be tempted to move there, it’s a vibrant city.
My wife and I had the pleasure of visiting Oviedo last October. While we enjoyed our visit and found many aspects of the city delightful, the layout of the city made it not as walkable as other cities we visited and enjoyed. Of all the places we visited in the Northwest, we enjoyed Léon the most. At the same time, we have to agree with the person who pointed out the myriad options of living in Catalunya. While we live in Barcelona proper, there are a number of other cities we could easily enjoy living, including Girona, Reus, or one of the smaller towns in the Pyrenees.
I would still choose Valencia, over all of those you selected...Bilbao is a close second!😊
A very interesting report of your five favorite cities video Stuart. I am humbled that you use one of my photos in this video, the photo of a favorite city of mine, that being Bilbao.
Drove a few times up and down Spain the city’s are great to stay
Malaga is also great as so near the airport, also the trains are great, indoor market amazing, galleries, the hamman, l could go on!
A very good presentation, Stuart. I have to say that Malaga would be my favourite. It's good to have a beach. Thanks for sharing 👍 😊
Stuart, it also depends on the altitude you live at, your monthly salary, whether you usually travel by plane, car, or boat to certain places, the cost of living in the area also tends to influence, and inflation is skyrocketing. Imagine consuming a pint of beer; it's not the same in London as in Seville.
I live in rural Asturias. Oviedo's nice, but it has some drawbacks: poor road network, snobby, heaps of rain and inland. Gijón is a very cool city. Admittedly, I'm not a city person, but if I had to choose, Gijón is my favourite in Spain and one of my favourites worldwide. There's just something about it 😊
Guiri sabio!
I ' d like to move to rural Asturias too, or Galicia. Is it safe for a solo woman? ( And a Belgium. Malinois).
I honestly don't know how you narrowed it down. There are so many really wonderful places to live in Spain. You've got a good selection of cities in your top 5. I wonder if it wouldn't be a good idea to emphasize that each region of Spain has a distinct character and offer specific experiences. When we were deciding where to retire to Spain, we looked for the region where we felt the most at home. This meant that we were looking for the same size of city with a university and rich cultural activities that wasn't over touristy. We found just the right balance for us and we couldn't be happier. Good job, Stuart (or do you spell it Stewart?). Saludos desde Asturias.
Great picks.
It was a real surprise to see Oviedo, Salamanca and Bilbao. All of them I think they are great places but the weather is not the best . Salamanca is also one of the towns I like the most of Spain.
Madrid is a fascinating city. I highly recommend it, but not if you´re retired because it´s not unexpensive. Great video.
Sometime in the future you might visit Cádiz Provence. The three major cities are Jerez, El Puerto and of course Cádiz. Also there are many small charming towns, including some white villages. The home of Sherry Wine and abundant seafood is a treat.
Hey Stu. Oviedo airport, has routes to other parts of Europe and UK. I love this airport and is my closest useful airport. León is closer but very limited routes.
Excellent selections. My personal choices #1 Madrid, 2 Valencia.
Thanks, Stu. I still think about your city review of Oviedo. ❤
Great video! Nice to see Málaga made the grade 😂😊
My knowledge is limited to very regular visits to Spain over the last 25 years ago, mainly touring by motorcycle, though we do now have access to an apartment in Malaga that we can rent pretty well anytime but don’t own. Favourite city is definitely Malaga for all the reasons stated but we’ve now come to see it as a second home, albeit not there as often as we’d like. I’ve only ever been through Bilbao and never stayed, which is very remiss of me. My favourites include also yours, but I’d add Burgos, Leon, Girona, Merida, and Segovia though perhaps some of those are more large towns rather than cities?
Stewart, I think this is a great list. Salamanca is stunning, Oviedo and Bilbao are delightful and Madrid is endless discovery. I don’t know Malaga, but it sounds compelling. Cadiz also intrigues me. What do you have to say about Cádiz?
IMHO Madrid is the best quality of life big city in the world. Has everything but a beach. AND, it is very safe (I know you said more crime, but really it is amazingly safe), great public transport, amazing food, great culture.etc. Even though there is traffic, I don't find it as bad as London, Paris or other cities.
Really, you should have mentioned the absolutely beastly hot summers in Madrid. I was there once in June and it was absolutely suffocating.
Solo para personas duras de verdad 😊
Madrid is my choice but I kind of like Cadiz.
Whats everyone's opinion on Gijon and Santander, for living and working?
I wouldn't move to any autonomous community with active independentist movements. Oviedo is perfect for retired expats and you can fly in/out from Gijón. Madrid is an excellent choice, but I lived there and have a special affection for it, even if it's not cheap.
I am Catalan and can easily move to Catalonia. The feared independence movements are basically retired people from rural areas. They are dying out. And the Basques are very well established in Spain. I doubt they will complicate their lives by losing their privileges and leaving the EU. It would be absurd suicide.
I love Madrid for living !! Gran Via is my favorite road!
At 40 km of Oviedo, is the international airport os Asturias, are direct flights from many European countries as London, Lisbon, Paris, Munich, Milan, and others.
No se, no se...Stu
Me he puesto ciego en todas
I spent some time in Seville and really enjoyed that place!
And the worst one munst be Benidorm. I live in a wery good one 15 km. away. I do not wisit Benidorm any more.
Almost all expats who have been working in Barcelona for a while and also the locals know that the areas in Catalunya outside Barcelona City are the better and healthier places to live. Maresme coast (Barcelona province), Costa Brava (Girona province) and also the Costa Daurada, which belongs to province Tarragona. You're not so far away from Barcelona, the infrastructure is great and you have a nice chilled-out life away from the noise, traffic and air pollution. But psst... don't tell anyone 😅 love your videos by the way and Madrid really is the best city in Spain, although unfortunately I would miss the relaxed beach life where I live.
thre is no cheapest city in Spain, neither in europe
Yeah, madrid is crap imo, but hey, having bad taste in cities is not illegal in Spain xdd
I must admit I've only been once, but it was EXTREMELY hot, full of fascists and lacking sea, which is a big drawback for me.
I bet you have not seen a fascist in your life.
There are more fascists in the UK than in Madrid.
My wife and I had the pleasure of visiting Oviedo last October. While we enjoyed our visit and found many aspects of the city delightful, the layout of the city made it not as walkable as other cities we visited and enjoyed. Of all the places we visited in the Northwest, we enjoyed Léon the most. At the same time, we have to agree with the person who pointed out the myriad options of living in Catalunya. While we live in Barcelona proper, there are a number of other cities we could easily enjoy living, including Girona, Reus, or one of the smaller towns in the Pyrenees.