Retire In Washington State or Overseas In Spain?
The Pros And Cons For A U.S. Retiree In Washington State
Pros Of Retiring to Washington State



Cons of Retiring in Washington State

Cost of Living - Housing And Taxes In Washington State
Property taxes are also pretty high in Washington, so be ready to also budget for that. Washington doesn’t have a state income tax, which is great news for retirees. However, they do have some of the highest sales taxes in the country.

Other Expenses - Groceries, Transportation, Healthcare In Washington State



Now, I don’t want to scare you away from retiring in Washington State. Overall, Washington State has its advantages, but it’s not for everyone. It does have a lot to offer, like beautiful scenery, outdoor activities, and no state income tax.
Decision Time - Washington State Or Move To Spain
If you have been following our blog, then you know where I decided to move to. The most important deciding factor for me was family! As you know, my oldest son and his family decided to relocate to Spain.
They did their research, completed all the necessary visa application paperwork, visited the Spanish Consulate in Chicago and received a non-lucrative visa so that we could move abroad and live in Spain.

As a retiree, Spain has so much to offer. We chose Valencia, along the Mediterranean coast, where the cost of living is lower than other major Spanish cities. Housing, utilities, groceries and other miscellaneous items are very affordable and lower than in the U.S.
Valencia is known for its delicious food, rich, vibrant cultural scene and high quality of life. With all of this being said, I can understand why so many expats retire to Spain.

If you choose to live in the city, affordable public transportation is available for all ages, which includes buses, trams, metro and trains.
As a retired person, on a limited monthly income and budget, I also love that they have universal public healthcare. I do pay for a private health insurance but it is very reasonable and includes so many added perks!
Another perk of retiring abroad is the ability to travel to other European countries with my family! We love to plan mini vacations to cities in Spain as well as outside of Spain.
P.S. Here at Simplify Abroad we have got different articles and videos done by a family of 6 (and three dogs), a family of 3 (and one dog) and a recent retiree. If you want to see more articles from us click here.
P.S.S. If anyone is interested we also have a YouTube channel where we cover different aspects of our lives / move overseas. Lastly if you have any suggestion for a new article or video you would like to see; please comment below or send us an email and we will see if we can make it happen!