With over 5.8 million foreign residents, Spain is a top-rated destination for ex-pats. Moving to a new country is always a difficult decision. It’s hard to truly understand a country until you’ve lived there.
Are you considering living in Spain? This article lists some key things that you’ll need to know. Take a look below.
Lower Rent But Higher Utilities
When you first come to Spain, you might be surprised by how cheap property is. Whether you’re buying a home in Spain or renting, properties are more affordable than in places like the UK and USA. The houses in Spain also tend to be quite spacious.
With that said, expect to pay more than you’re used to for utility bills such as water and electricity. These bills tend to be quite high in Spain.
Make sure you take these expenses into account. Check out this article for more information about property in Spain.
Hot Weather
The weather in Spain is incredibly hot. This is especially true if you live in the south of the country.
This means you won’t be able to get by without having air conditioning. Running an air conditioner can get quite expensive in the summer months.
In the winter, your house may get cold, but sadly Spanish homes tend not to have central heating. This means you may need to buy an electric heater. Again this can be quite expensive to run.
Spain Is More Relaxed
Generally speaking, the Spanish culture is more relaxed than English-speaking cultures. This means that the pace of life in Spain might be significantly slower than what you’re used to.
The positive side to this is that it’s much easier to relax in Spain. The downside here is that it can often be difficult to get things done. If you’re someone who likes to be efficient, you might find this aspect of the culture frustrating.
Bureaucracy in Spain
One of the biggest downsides to living in Spain is the bureaucracy. Something as simple as getting a bank card can potentially take months. This can be frustrating if you’re from a country where it’s easy to get things done.
It can help to have Spanish friends to help you navigate the confusion of Spanish bureaucracy.
Food in Spain
In Spain the local good is great. You’ll be able to find a lot of delicious and fresh food options. With that said, if your tastes are more international, you might struggle to find the food you want. Make sure you like Spanish food before moving to Spain.
Enjoy Living in Spain
Overall, living in Spain could be a great decision. If you want to live and work in a relaxed culture and enjoy incredible weather, Spain is tough to beat. If you want to learn more about some other topics related to travel, check out the rest of our blog posts.
