User Question 15

If we forget about wanting to do the gite what would you suggest (remembering all of the previous content of this chat)?

Claudes Response

Removing the gîte from the equation actually simplifies things significantly and opens up more options! Let me reassess your priorities:

Your Core Needs:

• Healthcare for Crohn's disease (Stelara access)
• Progressive political environment
• Good climate
• Reasonable cost of living
• Easy UK access
• Quality of life

Revised Recommendations:

1. Northern Portugal (Still #1 Choice)

Why it's even better without the gîte business:

• Much wider location options - you're not limited to rural properties with land
• Consider coastal towns like Viana do Castelo, Póvoa de Varzim, or even Porto suburbs
• Apartment living possible - less maintenance, better urban amenities
• Your $800k goes even further - excellent apartments €200k-400k, houses €300k-500k
• D7 visa even easier without business complications

Best locations now:

• Porto area: Urban amenities, excellent healthcare, culture, airport access
• Braga: University town, younger vibe, excellent value
• Coastal towns: Great climate, lower prices than France

2. Southern Spain (Now Much More Viable)

Why it jumps up the list:

• Excellent healthcare - covers Stelara, world-class facilities
• Perfect climate for your lifestyle
• Much cheaper than France
• Easy UK access - direct flights from multiple cities
• No business visa complications

Best regions:

• Valencia area: Perfect climate, progressive, reasonable prices, excellent healthcare
• Andalusia inland: Granada, Córdoba areas - cultural richness, affordability
• Catalonia: Barcelona region - very progressive, excellent amenities

3. Southern France (Now More Accessible)

Without the business element:

• Visitor visa much simpler than business visa
• Wider location options - not limited to rural properties
• Consider smaller cities like Montpellier, Nîmes, Perpignan
• Apartment living possible - easier maintenance

My Updated Recommendation: Portugal D7

Specifically, consider Porto or Braga:

• Urban lifestyle but with easy countryside access
• Excellent healthcare infrastructure
• Vibrant expat communities
• Great restaurants, culture, nightlife
• Easy travel throughout Europe
• Your money goes furthest here

Lifestyle Benefits:

• No property maintenance headaches of running a business
• Freedom to travel without worrying about bookings
• Easier integration in urban communities
• Less isolation than rural gîte life
• Better healthcare access in cities

Your $800k could buy:

• Luxury Porto apartment (€300k) + €500k invested for income
• Beautiful house in Braga (€400k) + €400k invested
• Coastal property + significant remaining funds

Would urban living in Porto or a university town like Braga interest you? Or are you still drawn to rural life, just without the business complications?