Spain is an extremely beautiful country with a wonderful populace to match. The government doesn't appear to be that intrusive, and they really do like Americans. Spain has a slow-paced lifestyle overall and a low cost of living, is quite civilized and modern for the most part, has a good health care system and low crime rate, and offers everything from sightseeing to outdoor sports and cultural attractions. The country and its people are quite clean, with the inexplicable exception of most public toilets.
The cities are for the most part beautiful and the food is diverse and overall great. And it's only a short flight to the east coast of the USA.
The only drawback is that it's next to France, but the French look down their noses at Spaniards (etc., etc., etc.) and tend to stay away. You can also drive through France and see the rest of Europe with little effort.
Any one else agree or disagree? I'm still gathering informnation....
I enjoyed Spain a few years ago but they don't use unleaded gas & the car exhaust in the cities nearly choked me. Also they never heard of no smoking places. Cough cough!