Europe Retirement Bracket: Malaga vs. Bergamo

So this bracket is hard for a couple of reasons. First, I haven't been to either place in a long time. Both are "reasonable" to retire in cost wise. And neither city is exactly where I would want to stay.

Malaga is a city on Spain's southern sunny coast. It has reasonable flights from Europe. The city itself is a bit too busy, but because of a couple of crashes with regards tot eh condo market, you can get a new condo there very reasonably.

And, Malaga is close to some beautiful areas of Southern Spain and would make day trips or week-end trips very easy. Sevilla is close by, Grenada, with the majestic Alhambra is nearby. And the cute little town of Rhonda is right there.  So it's main positives are location and weather.

Bergamo, in Northern Italy, is more a region than a city I want to live in. It is in Italy's alpine region very near Switzerland. The lakes around there are amazing. And the small towns on the lakeside are enchanting.

BUT, do I want to live in a small Italian town without a lot of entertainment options? It is gorgeous, but I am not sure it is the right place to retire. Even to stay a few months there, does it make more sense to do it in Siena or Florence?

More Pictures (not by me)

Spain near Malaga

Sevilla - old and new architecture

The Alhambra above Grenada

Rhonda

 Bergamo and Surroundings

These two are from Lovere, a city close by. We would probably rent / buy in on of these towns.