I am 60 years old and I will be retiring to Bilbao in the Spring.  Does anyone have any comments on the area or recommendations for settling into the Basque country?  I would like to make some American friends after I arrive?  Anyone living in the Basque country?

My Misses is from La Rioja, just down the road from Bilbao.

I think the surrounding villages are very nice, very hilly, very green, rains quite a lot!

There are some fantastic tapas places in Bilbao! They also have some great festivals.

Good luck, let us know how you get on!