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. 😀👍
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
it does rain in Asturias and snows sometimes heavily in the mountain range (allowing for some alpine ski) separating from the rest of the country. Like in other areas of Spain with atlantic climate, it rains 3-5 times more than in central and the mediterranean side of Spain. Annual rains are actually a bit higher than in most areas in England to put it into context. As you say, there are plenty of international flights nowdays also incuding Paris and Frankfurt (other major hubs). Now, for anyone looking for the steryotical Spain in Asturias, well that's not going to happen, there's actually a big contrast. Lushing green scenery vs arid one, rain over sun, bagpipes over guitar, cider over vine, heavy abundant food over more delicate and oily, architeture (adapted to the atlantic weather), small villeages every 2 km, srugged landscapes and cliffs along the coastal line, the carachter of people and preservation towards nature, are just some of them.
@@Susanj2001 Was there 2 weeks ago. Liked the Old World Charm even tho it's very limited to only certain places in town. Also, people seemed friendly but very different(physically) from say Barcelona!?
Gracias por acordarse de mi ciudad. Aquí todo el mundo es bienvenido pero preferimos pasar desapercibidos. En un país con tanta inmigración y turismo la discreción es importante
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.
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.
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.
Hi not exactly sure where you stayed in Oviedo but if you are anywhere near Parque San Francisco it is absolutely walkable to most things of interest, including Gascona, the cathedral and the old town.
Nice video, I appreciate it very much! I agree 100% on Oviedo, such a beautiful and historic place. Zaragoza is one of my favorite cities that is so often overlooked.
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 😊
Oviedo is charming with all the sculptures, and you can see green hills from nearly anywhere in the city centre. It's walkable and so elegant. Asturias airport is not too far from the city and flies to the UK, France, among other countries. Salamanca is also a fantastic place, but maybe too hot / cold for the more delicate of us immigrants / expatriates. Good list, thanks!
I would probably chose Alicante. I've holidayed in the area for over 20 years. City feels safe, friendly, easy to get around. Also a bonus that you can fly to Alicante from most UK airports even my tiny local ones in Cornwall & Devon.😊
@jmw0368 valencia, Barcelona, Madrid, North Coast, Bilbao, Costa del Sol, Orihuela Costa & Torrevieja, Murcia region & Murcia City. Driven along the coast from France to Torrevieja & from Barcelona to Torrevieja. A few other cities & towns.
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.
Crime is relative. It’s mostly petty not violent crime, and it’s not really high compared to other European cities. If you’re from the US, it is a safe city by comparison
We chose to settle in Santa Cruz de Tenerife not only for its pleasant year-round climate but also because, despite being the capital, it retains a charming small-town feel. Its authentic Spanish character was a significant reason we decided to make it our home. Stu
Malaga rents are high and have escalated a lot in the last 3 years. I wanted to move there but it’s cost prohibitive now. I’m by myself and is likely doable for couples or those with better incomes than mine.
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.
Enjoyed that vid, l've ridden a bicycle & a motorbike all over Spain looking for the perfect city to move to. There isn't one. 😁 All yours are great and l have nothing negative to say about them, but affordability & proximity to the coast are needed for us so l'd change Bilbao to Vigo, it's as nice but cheaper, l'd change Oviedo to Gijon, not as nice but cheaper with great beaches & only a short trip away. We've pretty much settled on Jerez, history, superb architecture, affordable, lively and you can be at the beach after 10 mins on the train, another 10 it's Cadiz, an hour the other way & it's Seville. 👍
Having lived worked traveled all over Spain i agree with you putting Salamanca in your list. Probably the plaza Mayor in Spain. I would have put Palma de Mallorca in the top 5 though
For me I would be choosing a north coast city as I prefer a cooler climate and a green mountain landscape. Therefore Bilbao from this list. However I really like Santander, and keen to visit Vitoria next. Just as long way for me from Sydney 😂
I just completed my 5th visit to Spain and spend 3 weeks driving the entire country. I agree with all picks other than Madrid. But that is personal as I do not want to be in a big city. I could live on the outskirts however and of course it has everything.
We've been considering Cordoba. Being acclimated to Phoenix's ungodly heat, Andalucia doesn't scare us. Not too long a train ride for the occasional weekend in Madrid, not as touristy as Sevilla, and seems better connected than Jerez (maybe/maybe not?).
For most people moving to Spain from nothern Europe, climate is an important factor. So picking Bilbao over Alicante, Valencia, Palma, Tenerife, Castellón, etc. well let's just say it's not for everyone, let alone the other problems in Bilbao.
Zaragoza, where I live, would be a good choice. With an international airport, good cultural activities, great food and a lower cost of living than most major cities it is a good place. Madrid and Barcelona are only 1.5 hours by train and there are good direct trains to many other cities by Renfe, Iryo and Ouigo. The Pyrenees (Jaca) only 2 hours by car for skiing or a break from the summer heat or the Med only 2.5-3 hours by car.
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?
Madrid very crowded and the summers are extreme and work (according to Spaniards I know who live there) not so easy to come by. The bigger cities do have lots of ex pats so that is great. The smaller cities will be harder to integrate into, even if you have a good command of Spanish.
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.
I fully agree with your opinion about Oviedo. However, let me correct your wrong information about flights. Asturias airport is not a big facility compared with other Spanish airports, but it's the third airport in passengers in the north of Spain (after Bibao and Santiago) and there are international flights to London and Paris (dayly) and to Frankfurt, Ámsterdam, Lisbon, Rome and other European destinations,although some of them are only seasonal.
It will be interesting to know if you have recommendations for top 5 pueblos of Spain. This is more for returning, not for working. I love Malaga, though I might prefer smaller towns along the coast more like Rincon de La Victoria, Nerja, Salobrena or Estepona (on the other side). Salamanca is one of my favorites too and my favorite village in that region is La Alberca.
Rent in Malaga has doubled in the past couple of years (if you can find a place) and the centre has become an expensive tourist trap. Crime is up and traffic is unbearable. Wow, how quickly things have changed. (I've been here for 23 years)
As an English person learning Spanish, is speaking and understanding it in Malaga more difficult than the north of Spain, as I have read many comments about this being an issue for people new to the language.
Como española, propongo Logroño y Vitoria. No llueve tanto como en la cornisa cantabrica, pero son muy verdes y unas de las zonas mas prosperas economicamente en España. Tambien Zaragoza es interesante, pero en invierno es muy fria.
Con respesto al frío, si tu piso/casa no tiene calefaccion central estás jodido. La electricidad es cara y cuesta un montón para mantener la casa caliente. He vivido en Madrid, en Sevilla y Barcelona. El invierno es peor en Eepaña porque las casas no tienen calefacción en la construccion es mala. Paso más frío en España en invierno que cuando vivía en Amsterdam, Paris el Reino Unido.
@@meatmoneymilkmonogamyequal5583 Es absurdo tener calefaccion electrica. Yo tengo en una casa caldera de gas natural y en la otra aerotermia con suelo radiante. No tendran calefaccion algunas. Yo no conozco a nadie que no lo tenga.
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.
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.
@@kevinpeters5125 You make the mistake of presuming the EU is Europe. It's not. "Europe" was first used for a cultural sphere in the Renaissance of the 9th century. So as you can see, Europe predates the EU by several centuries.
I love Madrid, but you left out a big con: cost of living. It and Barcelona are by far the most expensive places to live in the country. That’s going to be a big consideration for people on a budget, like me, for example, a retiree. Would have loved to have moved to Madrid but I decided on Valencia instead. Even though prices have gone up there, it still doesn’t approach Madrid in terms of cost of living.
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.
@@salozinp Well, to be honest I won't gamble on illogical, even suicidal things NOT happening in Spain and even if it's just "posing", it creates a hostile environment for "outsiders"
Sadly the cost of living is no longer affordable in Malaga if you earn less than 50K, you stand no chance or hiring a flat and have anything left to save.
Hmm, you have a weird list...I think you are missing too much your UK, if you want to live in an overpriced Spanish city where it constantly rains and it's cold... 90% of the people that move to Spain move because of the sunshine...that should tell you something... My 5 top cities are: 1. Torrevieja 2. Valencia 3. Fuengirola 4. Benalmadena 5. Torremolinos
Not many disagreements form me but Madrid? Overpriced and over hyped in my opinion. I live in Toledo which is in easy distance to Madrid if I need to travel but I'm not paying extortionate rent prices.
Love Bilbao as I have family there and was married there. A wonderful city and hub for visits across the Basque Country. Malaga is a superb city and region. I have my second home there and it has it all and not just in the city. Inland Malaga is amazing. Oviedo is wonderful and I really enjoy it but is it a stand out place compared to all the other great Spanish cities? Salamanca is a wonderful city which goes without saying. Madrid - I'm so glad you mentioned it because I love that city. Tons of stuff to see and incredibly vibrant as well as being a hub to many other great Spanish cities in the neighbourhood. It's a personal choice and many city dwellers in Spain will be unhappy they were left off that list. Here's a few personal ones. Granada, Cordoba, Seville, Toledo, Caceres, Santander, San Sebastian, BARCELONA, Santiago, Valladolid and the list goes on. Spain is a great city country.
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.
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´m spaniard and I think the same than you!!
* favourite 🇪🇺🇪🇸🇬🇧
In no particular order:
5. Bilbao 0:33
4. Malaga 2:09
3. Oviedo 4:00
2. Salamanca 5:22
1. Madrid 6:43
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
it does rain in Asturias and snows sometimes heavily in the mountain range (allowing for some alpine ski) separating from the rest of the country. Like in other areas of Spain with atlantic climate, it rains 3-5 times more than in central and the mediterranean side of Spain. Annual rains are actually a bit higher than in most areas in England to put it into context.
As you say, there are plenty of international flights nowdays also incuding Paris and Frankfurt (other major hubs).
Now, for anyone looking for the steryotical Spain in Asturias, well that's not going to happen, there's actually a big contrast. Lushing green scenery vs arid one, rain over sun, bagpipes over guitar, cider over vine, heavy abundant food over more delicate and oily, architeture (adapted to the atlantic weather), small villeages every 2 km, srugged landscapes and cliffs along the coastal line, the carachter of people and preservation towards nature, are just some of them.
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.
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 👍 😊
I like this video,fast and Beauty. In english I'm near Illiterate but I read every day .Thank you for dis wonderful video
Alicante and Elche have good weather, a busy airport and high speed train connections. Madrid and Salamanca get cold in winter.
hahahahha 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
@@wedwardes love Alicante, Elche & area south to Orihuela Costa.
I would still choose Valencia, over all of those you selected...Bilbao is a close second!😊
Zaragoza for sure
What do you like about Zaragoza?
@@Susanj2001 Was there 2 weeks ago. Liked the Old World Charm even tho it's very limited to only certain places in town. Also, people seemed friendly but very different(physically) from say Barcelona!?
Gracias por acordarse de mi ciudad. Aquí todo el mundo es bienvenido pero preferimos pasar desapercibidos. En un país con tanta inmigración y turismo la discreción es importante
@@tozoloneroSi yo te cuento de dónde soy no lo digo por ese motivo jaja ( che) saludos desde ..a Zaragoza maravillosa ciudad .😂
@Benito-lr8mz Y qué tal te recibió la ciudad?
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.
I'm from Cadiz, and ur totally right!! Lots of places to visit here, nice food and good wine....and beautiful beaches too. Un saludo.
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.
I agree with your list but I would probably choose Granada over Oviedo or Salamanca.👍
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.
The language is a problem in Cataluña.
Hi not exactly sure where you stayed in Oviedo but if you are anywhere near Parque San Francisco it is absolutely walkable to most things of interest, including Gascona, the cathedral and the old town.
Nice video, I appreciate it very much! I agree 100% on Oviedo, such a beautiful and historic place. Zaragoza is one of my favorite cities that is so often overlooked.
Although you’re too young, would you be willing to do a top 5 for retirees for pensioners who won’t be working?
I love Madrid ,Valencia,Málaga,Oviedo,Salamanca,Santander,Granada...
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).
Gijón is my fave place in Spain by far.
I agree with Zaragoza. But it is cold in winter. However half way between Madrid and Barcelona on the high speed rail link! Only 1:30 to either!
Oviedo is charming with all the sculptures, and you can see green hills from nearly anywhere in the city centre. It's walkable and so elegant. Asturias airport is not too far from the city and flies to the UK, France, among other countries. Salamanca is also a fantastic place, but maybe too hot / cold for the more delicate of us immigrants / expatriates. Good list, thanks!
I would probably chose Alicante. I've holidayed in the area for over 20 years. City feels safe, friendly, easy to get around. Also a bonus that you can fly to Alicante from most UK airports even my tiny local ones in Cornwall & Devon.😊
So what other regions of Spain have you been to?
@jmw0368 valencia, Barcelona, Madrid, North Coast, Bilbao, Costa del Sol, Orihuela Costa & Torrevieja, Murcia region & Murcia City. Driven along the coast from France to Torrevieja & from Barcelona to Torrevieja. A few other cities & towns.
Thanks, Stu. I still think about your city review of Oviedo. ❤
Wow. Great show. I would like to see you do a show about “Greatest small towns in Spain to live in.”
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.
Agree
Crime is relative. It’s mostly petty not violent crime, and it’s not really high compared to other European cities. If you’re from the US, it is a safe city by comparison
We flew into Oviedo a few years ago direct from the UK. Good list!
Great choices for Top 5 cities to live in! ESP agree with not ‘living’ in Barcelona. But LOVE to go visit it a lot!
Malaga is also great as so near the airport, also the trains are great, indoor market amazing, galleries, the hamman, l could go on!
Hamman?????
@hoosomio hot baths, soap, massage in the middle of the city
Great video! Nice to see Málaga made the grade 😂😊
Interesting, keep doing these type of videos.
We chose to settle in Santa Cruz de Tenerife not only for its pleasant year-round climate but also because, despite being the capital, it retains a charming small-town feel. Its authentic Spanish character was a significant reason we decided to make it our home. Stu
We will be there 4th Jan🎉 2025.
@@Prodrive1 Welcome my friends!!👍👍👍👍👍👍
@@Juanfernandez-sm8jl Gracias.
The problem with the canaries is that they are lacking proper Spanish looks and culture.
Malaga rents are high and have escalated a lot in the last 3 years. I wanted to move there but it’s cost prohibitive now. I’m by myself and is likely doable for couples or those with better incomes than mine.
We need a deep recession to lower prices including for property.
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.
Enjoyed that vid, l've ridden a bicycle & a motorbike all over Spain looking for the perfect city to move to. There isn't one. 😁 All yours are great and l have nothing negative to say about them, but affordability & proximity to the coast are needed for us so l'd change Bilbao to Vigo, it's as nice but cheaper, l'd change Oviedo to Gijon, not as nice but cheaper with great beaches & only a short trip away. We've pretty much settled on Jerez, history, superb architecture, affordable, lively and you can be at the beach after 10 mins on the train, another 10 it's Cadiz, an hour the other way & it's Seville. 👍
Excellent selections. My personal choices #1 Madrid, 2 Valencia.
Gracias por no incorporar a ninguna localidad gallega, muchas gracias, inmensas gracias, por favor sigan dejándonos al margen así todo resulta natural
En valladolid,estamos empezando a dejar de estar agusto
Tal vez si mejoran su trato con los otros hispanos aparezcan en el próximo :)
@nuruluin9840 sí,abanicarte alteza, quédate de donde seas,estaremos encantados de tú ausencia 😂
Having lived worked traveled all over Spain i agree with you putting Salamanca in your list. Probably the plaza Mayor in Spain. I would have put Palma de Mallorca in the top 5 though
Drove a few times up and down Spain the city’s are great to stay
For me I would be choosing a north coast city as I prefer a cooler climate and a green mountain landscape. Therefore Bilbao from this list.
However I really like Santander, and keen to visit Vitoria next. Just as long way for me from Sydney 😂
Hi. Yes. Santander also a nice city.
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 😊
You have international direct flights to London , Paris, Brussels… from Asturias airport (OVD)
My top 5
1. San Sebastián
2. Valencia
3. Barcelona
4. Mallorca
5. Alicante
all on the coasts
I just completed my 5th visit to Spain and spend 3 weeks driving the entire country. I agree with all picks other than Madrid. But that is personal as I do not want to be in a big city. I could live on the outskirts however and of course it has everything.
I ♥️ Salamanca!
Granada!!!!
We've been considering Cordoba. Being acclimated to Phoenix's ungodly heat, Andalucia doesn't scare us. Not too long a train ride for the occasional weekend in Madrid, not as touristy as Sevilla, and seems better connected than Jerez (maybe/maybe not?).
For most people moving to Spain from nothern Europe, climate is an important factor. So picking Bilbao over Alicante, Valencia, Palma, Tenerife, Castellón, etc. well let's just say it's not for everyone, let alone the other problems in Bilbao.
My biggest concern is the climate, I live in Queensland Australia 🇦🇺 and the humidity is ... well, I won't say how I feel 😂🫠
Zaragoza, where I live, would be a good choice. With an international airport, good cultural activities, great food and a lower cost of living than most major cities it is a good place. Madrid and Barcelona are only 1.5 hours by train and there are good direct trains to many other cities by Renfe, Iryo and Ouigo. The Pyrenees (Jaca) only 2 hours by car for skiing or a break from the summer heat or the Med only 2.5-3 hours by car.
Please do one on most economical cities to live in.
Asturias has a very nice AirPort near Aviles.
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?
I like your choices,Stuart,but not sure if I could live in Madrid tho'.
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?
I spent some time in Seville and really enjoyed that place!
Madrid very crowded and the summers are extreme and work (according to Spaniards I know who live there) not so easy to come by. The bigger cities do have lots of ex pats so that is great. The smaller cities will be harder to integrate into, even if you have a good command of Spanish.
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.
I fully agree with your opinion about Oviedo. However, let me correct your wrong information about flights. Asturias airport is not a big facility compared with other Spanish airports, but it's the third airport in passengers in the north of Spain (after Bibao and Santiago) and there are international flights to London and Paris (dayly) and to Frankfurt, Ámsterdam, Lisbon, Rome and other European destinations,although some of them are only seasonal.
How is Castello?
It will be interesting to know if you have recommendations for top 5 pueblos of Spain. This is more for returning, not for working.
I love Malaga, though I might prefer smaller towns along the coast more like Rincon de La Victoria, Nerja, Salobrena or Estepona (on the other side).
Salamanca is one of my favorites too and my favorite village in that region is La Alberca.
What about Donostia?
Rent in Malaga has doubled in the past couple of years (if you can find a place) and the centre has become an expensive tourist trap. Crime is up and traffic is unbearable. Wow, how quickly things have changed. (I've been here for 23 years)
As an English person learning Spanish, is speaking and understanding it in Malaga more difficult than the north of Spain, as I have read many comments about this being an issue for people new to the language.
Como española, propongo Logroño y Vitoria. No llueve tanto como en la cornisa cantabrica, pero son muy verdes y unas de las zonas mas prosperas economicamente en España. Tambien Zaragoza es interesante, pero en invierno es muy fria.
Con respesto al frío, si tu piso/casa no tiene calefaccion central estás jodido. La electricidad es cara y cuesta un montón para mantener la casa caliente. He vivido en Madrid, en Sevilla y Barcelona. El invierno es peor en Eepaña porque las casas no tienen calefacción en la construccion es mala. Paso más frío en España en invierno que cuando vivía en Amsterdam, Paris el Reino Unido.
@@meatmoneymilkmonogamyequal5583 Es absurdo tener calefaccion electrica. Yo tengo en una casa caldera de gas natural y en la otra aerotermia con suelo radiante. No tendran calefaccion algunas. Yo no conozco a nadie que no lo tenga.
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.
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.
UK is in Europe.
@anthonyferris8912 Not sure if they have reversed Brexit... but if not, then UK is no longer in Europe
@@kevinpeters5125 You make the mistake of presuming the EU is Europe. It's not. "Europe" was first used for a cultural sphere in the Renaissance of the 9th century. So as you can see, Europe predates the EU by several centuries.
Hi Stu,
Puerto de la Cruz , Tenerife is of the best cities in Spain ;)
Not at all typically Spanish!
@jmw0368 yet a beautiful city with a lot of character...
Logroño and Vitoria
Sevilla
For me, it's Jerez De La Frontera
SAY, STUART, ‘ALTHOUGH THE CAPITAL, MADRID’S #1,’ “MALAGA’S BEEN HER WORTHIEST” OBSESSION [3RD RUNNERUP]; Y EL PUBLICO, QUE UNA SENSACION!!
📲🧔🏾
Whats everyone's opinion on Gijon and Santander, for living and working?
Sorry Stuart….to put Bilbao and Oviedo ahead of Valencia is criminal…..think you’ve had one glass of Rioja too many!
Any thoughts on Girona?
si, que es cara vete a otra ciudad
I love Madrid, but you left out a big con: cost of living. It and Barcelona are by far the most expensive places to live in the country. That’s going to be a big consideration for people on a budget, like me, for example, a retiree. Would have loved to have moved to Madrid but I decided on Valencia instead. Even though prices have gone up there, it still doesn’t approach Madrid in terms of cost of living.
Valencia is the best!!
so, which city would you say would be a good city to teach Enlish?
Hi. Any city with a decent size population but not many English-speaking residents.
Granada??
I love Madrid for living !! Gran Via is my favorite road!
why valencia ? I'm going to Valencia next month.... Is living in Valencia good or bad? please reply
Madrid is my choice but I kind of like Cadiz.
just curious would you say the Cons outweigh the cons of the US? You dont sound American but just curious
Donostia
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.
@@salozinp Well, to be honest I won't gamble on illogical, even suicidal things NOT happening in Spain and even if it's just "posing", it creates a hostile environment for "outsiders"
Me pregunto si es tan facil emigrar a un extranjero ir a otro pais que no sea España y elegir la ciudad que le de la gana o solo pasa con España
No se, no se...Stu
It's name is Boubale which is green ?
Oviedo?
The North is the best😮😅
Was recently in Barcelona, great energy.
But not typically Spanish!
Sadly the cost of living is no longer affordable in Malaga if you earn less than 50K, you stand no chance or hiring a flat and have anything left to save.
Hmm, you have a weird list...I think you are missing too much your UK, if you want to live in an overpriced Spanish city where it constantly rains and it's cold...
90% of the people that move to Spain move because of the sunshine...that should tell you something...
My 5 top cities are:
1. Torrevieja
2. Valencia
3. Fuengirola
4. Benalmadena
5. Torremolinos
Me he puesto ciego en todas
Jajaja
Not many disagreements form me but Madrid? Overpriced and over hyped in my opinion. I live in Toledo which is in easy distance to Madrid if I need to travel but I'm not paying extortionate rent prices.
All for you😂😂😂
And the worst one munst be Benidorm. I live in a wery good one 15 km. away. I do not wisit Benidorm any more.
Love Bilbao as I have family there and was married there. A wonderful city and hub for visits across the Basque Country.
Malaga is a superb city and region. I have my second home there and it has it all and not just in the city. Inland Malaga is amazing.
Oviedo is wonderful and I really enjoy it but is it a stand out place compared to all the other great Spanish cities?
Salamanca is a wonderful city which goes without saying.
Madrid - I'm so glad you mentioned it because I love that city. Tons of stuff to see and incredibly vibrant as well as being a hub to many other great Spanish cities in the neighbourhood.
It's a personal choice and many city dwellers in Spain will be unhappy they were left off that list. Here's a few personal ones. Granada, Cordoba, Seville, Toledo, Caceres, Santander, San Sebastian, BARCELONA, Santiago, Valladolid and the list goes on. Spain is a great city country.
Valladolid
thre is no cheapest city in Spain, neither in europe
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.
Please, do not come here to live. You just make things extremely expensive for the locals. Thanks.