For a long time now, Spain has been the destination for thousands of emigrants who leave their home in search of the Good Life. From fresh-faced students to retired statesmen, people have flocked here in their droves, in order to set up a home and learn Spanish.

But why is Spain such a popular place to live?

Weather

The sunny Spanish weather is a famed draw for tourists and emigrants alike. While there are places here that experience quite rainy conditions for much of the year (the northern areas, for example), most of Spain basks in wonderful sunshine, especially during summer when it comes a beach-lover’s delight.

Variety

Spain is primarily known for its major cities and its magnificent beaches. Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Valencia and Bilbao are all great urban destinations (especially for those who like to indulge in the cultural bustle of big cities), while much of the east and south coast is taken up by mile upon mile of simply idyllic coastline.

In a few select places (Barcelona and Cadiz, say), the urban fun and seaside relaxation meet with aplomb. As a result, these are extremely popular places to set up home in, especially if you can secure living quarters in enigmatic parts of the city. Barcelona apartments in the Barri Gotic, for example, may come at a premium, but they’re well worth the cost, given their surroundings and the proximity of the Barceloneta beach.

Cost of Living

For a European country, Spain is famously easy on the wallet. Day to day life here comes at a pittance when compared to other similar sized countries in the continent: food is cheap, alcohol is cheaper, and even housing is happily affordable (in terms of apartments Valencia, Seville, Madrid and Barcelona all offer a slew of well-priced and available places).

Attitude to Life

Probably the major reason behind Spain’s appeal to foreigners looking to move overseas is its fun-loving attitude to life. There’s a shared reluctance to do anything too exertive here; life should be spent in cafes on plazas, sipping coffee or drinking beer (preferably with the beach in sight).

Spain is also a country that’s known for its love of the fiesta (party). Fiestas tend to start close to midnight, and carry on well into the sunlit hours of the next day. All in all, their friendly indulgence comes to symbolize all that is so good about this exciting and beautiful South European country.