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Reviewed By Lief Simon
Lief Simon is the managing editor of Global Property Advisor, Simon Letter, and Offshore Living Letter. He has purchased more than 45 properties, investing in 23 different countries around the world.
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Oviedo is a charming city in Asturias, a region in northern Spain.
It’s rich in history that goes back to Roman times and was an important cultural and administrative center during the medieval period.
Oviedo features a distinctive architecture referred to as “Asturian” architecture with wooden balconies and intricate ironwork.
Most importantly, Oviedo has a low cost of living and it’s a climate change haven. While parts of Spain are experiencing record-setting heat and drought, this region has plenty of fresh water and a lush, green landscape.
Reviewed By Lief Simon
Lief Simon is the managing editor of Global Property Advisor, Simon Letter, and Offshore Living Letter. He has purchased more than 45 properties, investing in 23 different countries around the world.
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Oviedo is recognized as the cleanest city in Spain on multiple occasions, and proports to be the cleanest city in Europe.
The food and restaurants in Oviedo consistently earn high marks from residents and visitors, with dozens of fine dining and casual options worth writing home about.
Cheeses, seafood, and shellfish are signature staples here…
But, the most-prominent signature dish in Asturias is Fabada Asturiana, a savory stew made of fabada beans, meats (often ham or chorizo), simmering in a rich, hearty broth… a broth that you’ll finish every drop of with a piece of bread.
Firstly, Oviedo’s expat community isn’t as big as Madrid’s and Barcelona’s, but it is there. Expats are choosing this region of Spain because they find employment opportunities, wanting to experience a different culture, studying, or retirement.
Some people choose to teach English in schools or as private tutors.
A smaller expat community makes for a close-knit group of people. Expats in Oviedo are welcoming to newcomers and will be more than likely happy to help you in any way they can.
Plus, if you need a local lawyer, a real estate agent, suggestions on opening your local bank account, figuring out where it’s best to set up residence, etc., your fellow expats should be able to point you in the right direction.
Oviedo, Spain, has a lower cost of living than in the United States and in most parts of Europe. A couple could live here comfortably on a monthly budget of about US$2,000.
Living in Oviedo, your budget will either go up or down depending on your lifestyle choices.
Therefore, Spain is a great place to retire. Remember this when considering Europe as a retirement destination.
Another positive aspect of life in Spain is its train system. It is the most developed aspect of its national infrastructure. Also, it’s one of the best in Western Europe.
Spain also has highly developed coastal and maritime infrastructure, as the country’s economy depends heavily on merchant marine and fishing fleets.
Communications infrastructure is excellent, as in most of mainland Europe.
While Spain’s road system have nearly all been built since the 1980s, the roadways do not accommodate the current population and traffic is a problem throughout the country.
A huge advantage of living in Spain is the chance to explore Portugal, France, and beyond. Most importantly, with affordable prices.
| Expense | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rent | US$950 | Three-bedroom apartment in the city center. |
| Transportation | US$40 | US$1.25 per one-way ticket. US$40 for monthly pass. |
| Utilities | US$166 | Electricity, including heating and cooling, and water. |
| Cell Phone | US$20 | Depends on the cell phone plan you choose. |
| Internet | US$36 | |
| Entertainment | US$400 | Eating out twice a week at a local restaurant.
Beers/drinks twice a week at a local pub. |
| Groceries | US$450 | Monthly grocery haul for a couple. |
| Total | US$2,062 |
Most importantly, Oviedo’s mild climate and rich history and culture offers visitors and residents a variety of things to do.
Let’s look at a few options…
The Catedral de San Salvador is a magnificent religious monument found in the heart of the city. The construction of the cathedral started in the 14th century, so its architecture is primarily Gothic.
However, it took several centuries to complete: The structure has elements of Renaissance and Romanesque styles.
The Catedral de San Salvador houses the Holy Chamber (Cámara Santa), a UNESCO World Heritage site. There’s a collection of important Christian artifacts here including the Sudarium of Oviedo. Popular believe is that the Sudarium of Oviedo is the same cloth that covered the face of Jesus Christ.
Spending a morning or afternoon strolling the streets of Oviedo’s Casco Antiguo is a great way to discover historical buildings, old-fashioned shops, and take in the traditional Asturian architecture.
Photography aficionados love this place to take some unforgettable shots of Oviedo.
The Museo Arqueológico de Asturias is a significant cultural institution. It’s located in the center of the city of Oviedo and is dedicated to preserving, researching, and exhibiting the archaeological heritage of this region.
It houses a permanent collection of pottery, tools, jewelry, and religious artifacts dating back to the Paleolithic era.
And, also hosts temporary exhibitions, offers educational programs and workshops, and it’s actively involved in research, conservation, and restoration efforts related to archaeological finds in Asturias, Spain.
The Museo de Bellas Artes de Asturias is dedicated to preserving as well as showing a diverse collection of fine art. Among its exhibits you’ll find work from artistic periods like the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, Baroque, and modern and contemporary art.
Aside from its permanent exhibit, the museum also holds temporary exhibitions focusing on special artist, time periods, movements, or themes. You’ll also find a café and a bookstore here.
Plaza de la Catedral has been one of the most significant squares in Oviedo and has been a focal point for centuries.
From here you’ll have easy access to the Catedral de San Salvador, the Diocesan Museum, and more.
Several outdoor cafés and restaurants are also found on the streets surrounding this plaza giving you a wonderful opportunity to take in the tranquil ambience and historical architecture while sipping on a cup of coffee, tea, or enjoying a delicious meal.
If you enjoy photography, this spot will give you amazing shots with the stunning background of the Cathedral and it’s picturesque overall setting.
The Parque San Francisco is a large urban park in the center of Oviedo. It covers an area of approximately 90,000 square meters (22 acres). It was originally used as a Franciscan monastery’s orchard in the 16th century.
This is a wonderful place to spend some time surrounded by nature. There are various trees, plants, and flowers here. You’ll also find a few ponds, which are home to ducks and other wildlife, and fountains. If you have younger children, they’ll have tons of fun at the playgrounds and recreational areas.
Also, the park is home to several monuments and memorials. Each of these pays tribute to a notable figure in Asturian history.
If you or a loved one has a disability or is in a wheelchair, rest assured you’ll be able to bring them along to the park. Parque San Francisco is wheelchair friendly.
Oviedo hosts a wide variety of cultural events and festivals throughout the year. For example, the San Mateo Festival, one of the most important festivals, is held in late September and lasts about one week. Concerts, traditional dances, sports, exhibitions, and a lively fair are usually held during this time.
Asturias Day is on Sept. 8, and it commemorates the patron saint of Asturias, Our Lady of Covadonga. Various events are held across the region such as parades, cultural performances, and traditional music.
Oviedo also has music events and concerts throughout the year such as classical concerts, jazz festivals, rock concerts, etc.
Check local listings to get up to date information on these events and more. Dates may vary from time to time.
If you’re a lover of the great outdoors, Oviedo and its surroundings have areas waiting for you to explore.
Consider spending your day at one of the following hiking trails or natural parks:
Oviedo is a safe city. In fact, it’s considered to be one of the safer cities in Spain. However, like anywhere else in the world, petty theft and pickpocketing can occur.
Follow these standard caution practices and you’ll lower your chances of having your belongings robbed:
Spain’s healthcare is regularly ranked among the best in the world by the World Health Organization. And, Oviedo has a well-developed health care system.
Both residents and visitors can find high quality medical care in both private and public facilities.
The public health care system in Oviedo is known as the Sistema Nacional de Salud (SNS). It is mainly used by residents and locals. However, if you’re a visitor you may be eligible to seek medical care here depending on your specific circumstances.
Oviedo has private hospitals, clinics, and medical centers throughout the city. These are equipped with ultramodern technology and is staffed with English-speaking medical professionals.
Among the reasons people choose to retire in Oviedo is the high quality of health care.
Plus, if you don’t speak Spanish, you’ll likely find better care via the private health care facilities.
In short, we strongly suggest you buy health care insurance.
Firstly, look for options which cover you internationally. And, if you seek medical care in a private hospital, clinic, or center, you will have to pay out of pocket. If you have private health insurance, you’ll likely only need to pay a co-payment.
Spain is the Florida of Europe…
It’s many times safer, though, and it’s cheaper and much nicer.
Regardless, more Europeans flock to Spain to retire or to buy a vacation home than anywhere else on the continent.
U.S. citizens can enter Spain for visits of up to 90 days visa-free, so it is possible to own a property in Spain, visit for up to 183 days a year, and remain non-resident. Or you can seek legal residency.
However, if you wish to stay longer than 90 days, you need a “long-stay visa” in your passport before you leave the United States.
In fact, Spanish residency is easy and cheap. Plus, Spain is 1 of only 3 EU countries that offers a Golden Visa…
Spain grants residency to foreigners who can prove they can take care of themselves (that is, pay their own bills and not be a burden on the state).
In short, Spain offers many residency and visa options to choose from. For example, the investor visa and a digital nomad visa.
The weather in Oviedo is moderate compared to the rest of Spain.
For example, the average high temperature is in the low to mid-70s during the summer and the low-50s during the coldest days of winter.
Summer in Oviedo runs from June to August, and temperatures tend to range between 68°F and 77°F.
Winters run from December to February and temperatures range from 36°F to about 43°F.
Spring is from March to May and Autumn is from September to November. Temperatures during these seasons tend to be quite similar but with slight differences. Spring has temperatures ranging from 39°F to 57°F and autumn has temperatures ranging from 45°F to 63°F.
Rain falls consistently throughout the year in Oviedo, although the summer is driest, and the winter is wettest.
Oviedo gets around 38 inches of rain each year, which is similar to the eastern United States. The rainiest months in Oviedo are October and November.
The best time to visit Oviedo if you’re trying to avoid harsh cold or stuffy heat is either during spring or autumn.
Oviedo is a good place to visit if you want a nice climate, peaceful surroundings, beautiful mountains, and stunning buildings.
Oviedo, Spain, is known for being included in the UNESCO World Heritage site list.
When planning your visit to Oviedo, consider what you’re looking forward to doing.
Generally, July and August are the months with the least amount of rain so if you enjoy summer and want to spend times outdoors, then this might be the best months for you.
Plus, if you enjoy cooler weather, though, consider visiting sometime during spring or autumn. Keep in mind, October and November are the rainiest months in Oviedo.
There aren’t a whole lot of people who speak English in Oviedo. Younger people speak English more often, but it’s important to learn some Spanish if you’ll be here for a while.
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