You're fairly limited if you want to live near a city with a population of at least 300,000 - there are just 13 of them in the entire country, and none are anywhere near Madrid.

There's lots of info on this link

https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anexo:Municipios_de_Espa%C3%B1a_por_poblaci%C3%B3n

 

Your reply was helpful. Thank you. I mentioned proximity to Madrid more for geographical reasons rather than the fact that I like Madrid. I've found one area that could meet my criteria. Thanks again.

 

To the OP, how would you define "progressive people"?

 

You have a good question. I've come to realize the closest proximity you are to a major city anywhere in the world the more open minded people are to new ideas and diversity in every way. Since I'm not looking to be in the city I'll have to accept to deal with what comes with a smaller town.

 

Another good question. It's likely to be Ecuador. My desire to connect with the people is more important than I thought. I left Thailand after eight years for this very reason. I had a paradise life with that one exception. It was difficult to leave and I don't want to repeat the same situation. I'm currently in Sacred Valley, Peru. I love the energy here better than anywhere but Ecuador will provide better weather and healthcare. I'm booked until the beginning of February and will stay open before I book my tickets to Ecuador. It's funny the two places that weren't even on my list. I was just visiting.

 

That's the reason I'm leaving Belize. It's beautiful, but 10 years here no friends, no dating scene either, the isolation is too much. Not only that, there are no direct flights to anywhere except North America which I'm not from there.

 

I'm a bit confused and is the OP talking about Ecuador or Spain? As for buying land and building in Spain, you'll probably struggle with regulations and it's not that easy to build in Spain. Everything is regulated and you need an architect to cover the whole project while the council dictate what you can build.

 

The OP seems to have changed their mind & decided that Spain isn't a good fit.

 

Exactly. Spain is not a good fit. Thank you.

 

TBD. I love the energy in Peru but more likely to settle in Ecuador due to better weather and healthcare. I plan to return there in February to determine or just stay until I'm directed elsewhere.

 

Was recently watching a programme about the Ecuador crisis:

There was once a time when Ecuador was considered a haven of peace in Latin America. But within a few years it became one of the most dangerous countries in the world. International drug cartels discovered Colombia's strategically located neighboring country on the Pacific as a transshipment point for cocaine. Since then, not only has the amount of drugs discovered in Ecuador exploded, but the murder rate has also skyrocketed. Politicians in particular live dangerously here. There were a hundred assassination attempts within a year. The mayor of Duran barely survived and has since governed his city from underground under constant police protection. Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa even declared a state of emergency across the entire country at times to stop the rampant violence. The army was deployed so that the state regained control of the country's prisons. But the drug cartels that have hijacked Ecuador are not simply giving up. They are now transporting too much cocaine from here to the USA and Europe.

 

You sharing this is confirmation of our decision last night not to move to Ecuador. We could be a little isolated from the Cartels but have a greater concern of violent home invasions targeted to foreigners. It's pretty bad and we don't want to be in that energy and mind set. Thank you.

 

Costa Rica?

 

Although homicide rates also on the rise. Will be hard to remain safe unless their neighbours improve things.

Costa Ricans Back Tougher Crime Measures as Homicide Rates Soar

As crime rates rise, Costa Ricans are increasingly ing "iron fist" policies to combat insecurity. A recent FLACSO study highlights shifting public opinion toward harsher security measures and their impact on democratic institutions.

ticotimes.net

Even police attacked and an officer died on recent news.

Costa Rica Gangsters Take on the Police - Two Attacks In Two Days

Tragic incident in Batán, Limón province: officer killed and another injured in shooting during police chase.

ticotimes.net

 

Costa Rica may have seen crime increase over the last years, but one has to it's coming from being a very safe country in a Latin American comparison, and still is.
Key is to be part of the community around you, neighbors, the expat communities and locals, and modern technology easily allows for of measures to be taken to make sure you can sleep at night. Not so different from many other places around the world.