Facing foreclosure, retiree finds solace in Spain

Marsha Scarbrough found herself bankrupt and in foreclosure at the age of 63. She had worked in Hollywood as an assistant director for 20 years before moving to Santa Fe, New Mexico. There, she planned to grow her nest egg by investing in rental properties while selling real estate. This plan worked until the housing market crash of 2008, which left her properties underwater and dried up her income from real estate sales. Faced with financial hardship, Scarbrough decided to seek alternatives. She knew other countries with a more affordable cost of living existed. She began her search by teaching English, earning a TESOL certificate and teaching English immersion programs to faculty and graduate students from various countries. During Santa Fe’s cold winters, Scarbrough visited her former students to explore their home countries. She spent time in Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Honduras, Guatemala, and Puerto Rico, but none of these places fit her needs in terms of safety, affordability, and infrastructure. She had always thought Europe would be too expensive until a former student invited her to visit him in Madrid, Spain.

Finding a new life in Spain

Traveling through cities like Sevilla, Granada, Cordoba, Cadiz, and Barcelona made Scarbrough realize Spain was the perfect fit. Contrary to her expectations, Spain’s cost of living was affordable and even cheaper than some South American countries. Spain offered first-world infrastructure, excellent public transportation, sunny weather, and friendly people. After thorough research, Scarbrough found that her pensions met Spain’s financial requirements for residency. She took all necessary steps, including buying health insurance, obtaining a doctor’s letter, translating documents into Spanish, and filing the appropriate forms. She sold most of her possessions and managed to downsize her life into four suitcases. In 2017, at the age of 70, Scarbrough moved to Madrid. It has been one of the best decisions of her life. She found a community, enjoyed the culture, and felt safe in her new home. Spain has provided her with a fulfilling and affordable retirement that she couldn’t find in the US.