A basilica skyline, $15 lunches, walkable streets, and easy European getaways—why one writer says buying a part-time home in Spain was her best decision yet.

DAILY POSTCARD  | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2025 Dear International Living reader, Imagine trading traffic, high bills, and rushed meals for slow mornings, $15 three-course lunches, and evenings that start with a leisurely stroll and end with tapas.  That's the life Maria and her family found when they bought a home in Spain.  Here, they walk or take public transport everywhere, shop in markets where groceries cost about half of what they pay in the States, and spend only around $8,000 a year to keep their Spanish home running.  Add in easy access to the rest of Europe, rich culture, and a gentler pace of life—and Spain starts to look like retirement done right. Read on… P.S. Our 618-page book, European Living, is the most comprehensive guide to life in Europe we've ever produced. And it's available today for FREE—for a limited time only—as part of a special membership offer. Get the details here. Finding "Home" 5,000 Miles Away By Maria DiCicco As we take the turn off the highway leading into my part-time home of Zaragoza, Spain, the stunning backdrop of the Basilica del Pilar commands the horizon, its tiled towers bringing a tear to my eye whenever we first re-enter the city after months away. It's the landmark that sings to me, "You're home", even though I'm 5,000 miles from it. The imposing Basilica del Pilar in Zaragoza, Spain. For the most part, my life is in sunny, humid Florida, but a few times a year my family makes the journey overseas to experience life at a different pace. A typical day as a part-time expat might include a slow roll out of bed, waking to the song of the boys' choir, which in Zaragoza plays multiple times a day over loudspeakers—almost like a call to prayer. Simple Pace of Life Lazy strolls might meander past parks for coffee breaks and people-watching, and midday meals can last for hours. We'll do some shopping, pop into a museum, or pick up a few finishing touches at the central market to add to an evening meal at home. It's this simple pace of life that, to me, embodies what living in Spain is all about. In truth, our decision to purchase a part-time home in Spain has been one of the best choices my family has ever made. We are much healthier there, walking everywhere or taking public transportation. The food is inexpensive and the overall cost of living is very easy to digest. Weekday lunches can start as low as $15 for a starter, main course, dessert, and a bottle of wine. Going to the grocery store is a jaw-dropping experience—everything is about half the price of what I see in the States. With food costs so low, the only other significant expenses we see are our monthly utilities (for a part-time stay) and loan payments, averaging about $8,000 in total per year. My daughter has even made a friend to go to playgrounds with, and my husband and I go out with her U.K.-born mother and his Spanish cousins, making tapas nights out a multicultural affair. I'm also tapping into resources like Facebook groups for English speakers in Zaragoza, where I discover shops, restaurants, and neighborhoods I wouldn't have found otherwise. I'm constantly discovering new places and slowly building my community of friends in town. As a travel writer, it's important that I can easily access the rest of Europe. With Spain as my gateway, I can take cruises, cheap flights—as little as $10 in some cases—and overland journeys by train or by car. Bridging the Past with the Future Using this gateway, I've explored many of Spain's beautiful regions—savoring the flavors of Asturias, from farmhouse cheeses and cider to giant cachopo dinners. I've discovered the tranquility of mountain regions like Benasque in the Pyrenees, and the beauty of coastlines along the Costa Blanca, in places like Tossa de Mar, leading toward the French border. There's a slice of Spain for everyone–Find your escape here. With landscapes for every type of expat, there's real enchantment in discovering the authenticity of traditional Spain—untouched by mass tourism—and there is still so much to explore. That said, Spain is in a transitional period—experiencing a handoff between the generations who lived through the Spanish Civil War and post-war years and the younger generations now shaping the future. In many ways, this change is for the better, creating a more welcoming, multicultural economy. So no matter where you go—away from the beaches and crowds or toward the "hip" neighborhoods where expats are starting to flock—there's a slice of Spain for everyone. If you like a fast pace, head for the cities. If you want something slow and traditional, choose somewhere off the beaten path. But wherever you choose for your new home, consider this: retirement (or part-time living) in Spain isn't about sliding into the same cookie-cutter life you left behind. It's about seeking a different pace, a new view, or something entirely "un-you". Go ahead. Maybe now is the moment to seek out your town and your landmark; the one that tells you, without words, "you're home". Spain is waiting. Editor's Note: If you dream of a life in Europe, then you should check out European Living – The Complete Manual for Americans Over 55. With over 618 pages, this in-depth guide covers everything from which country to choose, how to find your dream European home, what your visa options are, and more…  But this is not some boring book full of rules and regulations. European Living is all about enjoying all that Europe and the European lifestyle have to offer. Get your FREE copy here. Recommended Resource: How to Get an EU Passport in As Little As 3 Months  With golden visas on the way out, Americans are turning to a different pathway to EU residence and citizenship. It's faster and cheaper. But how long will it last?  Click here to learn more…   Inbox too crowded? Don't worry—if you can't keep up with our International Living Postcards every day, click here to switch to the Weekly Best of IL Postcards instead. If you no longer wish to receive IL Postcards, click here to unsubscribe. The mailbox associated with this email address is not monitored, so please do not reply. Your feedback is very important to us, so if you would like to contact us with a question or comment, please click here. © 2025 International Living Publishing Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Protected by copyright laws of the United States and international treaties. 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