Looking for a European base in Spain
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My husband and I are looking for a place to call home for the next 5-10 years, from which we can explore Europe at our own pace. My husband has used a wheelchair most of his life, so we are used to figuring out things when traveling. We are interested in hearing from International Living folk to get tips on what locations in Spain might be most accessible for us as well as best for the use of public transport, trains, and access to medical care. We also enjoy warmer weather, sailing ports, and lots of walking (rolling) along promenades for exercise and well-being. Hilly places, cliffs, and cobble stones make life harder. Does Spain have online ways to find and assess accessible condos and apartments and/or retirement communities? Thoughts?
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Great question! I'm not familiar with any sites or organizations in Spain that highlight accessible housing or communities. I would say that major cities would be the most accessible - Madrid and Barcelona. Smaller towns may be accessible in some areas but overall I find much of Spain was not built with accessibility in mind (except for the visually impaired). Most new buildings will have elevators but the units themselves may not be wheelchair accessible. Buses are wheelchair friendly but not all sidewalks are. I hope this helps!