From Texas to Spain: Cepee’s Journey to a Better Life in Málaga

[@SeanOHanlon]

I have 3 female friends from Miami who have all moved to Spain in the past few years. (Barcelona, Madrid, and Marbella) All of them have told me that they love living there and have no intention of ever moving back to the States. Aside from wash, rinse, repeat monotony you talked about it has become prohibitively expensive to live in Florida. I have one foot out the door and I will be leaving for good as well.

[@MR-dp9vx]

Miami resident here and couldn’t agree anymore 😂. Planning to relocate as well

[@wendysagastume8139]

@@MR-dp9vx Miami here considering moving there with my 20 year old daughter. Any tips? Rental sites?

[@MR-dp9vx]

@@wendysagastume8139 I’m looking into all of that too but I do know their most popular rentals site is Idealista

[@fannyramirez9380]

Miami here too, I would love to hear more about moving with young kids to Spain, schools etc. thank you!

[@SeanOHanlon]

@@wendysagastume8139 Yes. Pick several areas where you think you may like to live and then visit all of them - but not as a tourist. Consider it a business trip and you have a to-do list of things to learn and accomplish while you are there.

[@Stopit77]

I completely relate to what you are saying. Something is missing from my life, not connecting with “my people” in U.S., single, no kids, etc. want to move abroad n find peace and get out of the rat race. Thank you for this video!!!

[@carolmartin4413]

Interesting. I missed the boat now at 78 but we had kids young and that set our independence for decades. Today...go for it. There is a calmness in Europe not equal in the usa. Thanks for great info.

[@richardcadena7746]

hi Cepee, really liked your video...its funny/coincidental because i was just walking the streets of your town(google wise) and now watching your video it turns out you are living there.. i will be moving to Malaga, Spain the 1st quarter of 2025 as a 74 year old American....always wanted to retire in Europe having traveled Europe several times centuries ago as a travel agent and finally now that i am retired....i'm gonna complete my biggest bucket list item. i was on Idealista and found -0- rentals in Pedregalejo so i am interested in figuring out how you found your place....i don't smoke/drink so hearing you give costs on thgings like food, eating out, public transportation, cell/internet, utilities gives me a lot of encouragement because for you and your partner--it seems that your costs for expenses you listed are for sure less than what i spend in southern New Mexico plus i wont have auto expenses, mortgage/home insurance/home upkeep expensives also. i hope i don't scare you but i think that on my income of $2500 monthly and severals pennies in savings... i should do allright. i am very happy for your journey....you followed your heart and i will also take my last exciting journey.... and i speak Tex/Mex Spanish!!!

[@petephma1657]

Hello, my wife and I live in Maryland. We bought an apt in Estepona we go 2 or 3 times a year until we retire. You go Cepee! Expat power! Great content!

[@michaelthornley]

I loved Madrid and stayed there for 3 months in 2012. It is my hope that I can move to Spain permanently from Australia, as it is difficult to 'get by' as a single senior at 64.

[@222drewdrew]

Great vid !!! So insightful , informative and thoughtful ! Thanks so much for the valuable information and sharing your experience \journey !!!!!!!

[@RaulGiorgiSr]

Very smart video, informative, transparent and persuasive. Congrat’s on hitting refresh! ; )

[@MadelineYau]

I would love to visit and check it out for sure.

[@prnps]

Thank you for this video. I live in Florida and I want to visit Malaga. I was in Sitgis and Barcelona and fell in love with the area.

[@paulcousins1371]

👏🏿👏🏿great stuff Cepee, I’m a guy from UK and so much of what you say resonates, I feel that if the move suits the individual then follow your dream, who’s to say you must keep up with the Jones’ To be fulfilled is a life well lived👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿❤️🍷

[@gnowhb]

Thanks for sharing. It's always great to hear from those who have experienced the move from the US to another country. We hope to do so after retirement to have a more relaxing lifestyle.

[@josheror2455]

Congratulations to you on citizenship and thanks for sharing this info.

[@RandyB2023]

I know this was directed towards women, but it was informative for me as a man also. I am moving to Alicante soon. I enjoyed Malaga when I visited, but it didn’t feel like it was the place for me. Again, thanks for the great video

[@robinmjg]

You truly gave a comprehensive intro, appreciate your share indeed. wondering if you could provide a little bit more info about the real estate market in Madrid and Malaga if you don't mind. it's for a family of 4 members. Thanks a lot.

[@yudeng5350]

That's me, that's my life now in Austin Texas now sadly. I get up, I work (at home), I go run and go to pine house for two drinks and then go home to watch Netflix...

[@megcreates2.0]

My husband left me last year. I’ve been in San Marcos TX area for the last 12yrs. My adult kids n I want to move to Spain or Italy.

[@geturswagback5249]

Great video ❤ good information

[@abbyc.4215]

Wonderful video! I lived in Spain in 2013, 2015, and 2016 and completely fell in love! I have been dying to go back ever since, but it seems like the only jobs available for Americans are business related, teaching assistants, or the medical field. Any job recommendations for Americans looking to live there in 2024?

[@Juanfernandez-sm8jl]

In Spain there are many professions with great opportunities, insurance, IT, electronics, banking, electricians, plumbers, cooks, drivers, medicine, construction, language teacher, on these websites you can apply and see the opportunities. 1.- Infojobs. Your gateway to the world of work 2.- Monster. Explore a world full of job opportunities 3.- Indeed. Your ally in the job search 4.- LinkedIn. Your professional cover letter on the internet 5.- Infoemployment. Explore various job offers 6.- EmploymentMarketing. Job search platform in Marketing and Communications Good luck friend Greetings from Torrevieja Spain!!

[@vibenation23]

So as a US citizen and now Spanish citizen do you pay double taxes? Do you file taxes for USA?

[@lou4663]

I like the video. How much do you pay in annual taxes in Spain?

[@vajt34]

Hello, I'm curious, when you became a Spanish citizen, did you have to renounce your US citizenship?

[@padmarubiales5184]

How did you become a Spanish citizen? How are the taxes? Do you have to do jury duty? How is it going back to the US now that you don’t have a US passport?

[@Juanfernandez-sm8jl]

3 years living in Spain and then you can apply for spanish citizen!!

[@christinecleavest9099]

@@Juanfernandez-sm8jl for residency, not citizenship. Time depends on nationality for citizenship and can often take longer up to 10 years.

[@makeitmakesense5577]

Excellent video, Thank you. Please provide more info on your womens group..you help women move to Spain /Malaga. Single, oldervwoman here wanting to move to Spain/Malaga.

[@RichD2024]

Hi, great video. I was under the impression that you couldn't work remotely with the non-lucrative Visa. I'm also an American that works in marketing that wants to move there, but the Digital Nomad visa doesn't work for me as there's no path to residency with that Visa. BTW love your living room decoration, very art-deco. :)

[@andrewe.7907]

NLV visa you're not supposed to work. Was it different then? Or were you doing it under the table/illegally? And yes, I've been in Spain four weeks at this point, and nobody asks me "what I do," unless I meet an American of course...

[@Roque-Cachamuiña-gs1wd]

I am Spanish and I have a son who lives in Austin with his partner. For me the best thing about the United States is the kindness of its people and how practical they are, even though they still use the imperial system, which is a system for crazy people. I also really like its wonderful national parks and natural spaces. What I really dislike is the total dependence on the car. My son lives in a suburb and when I go to visit him I go to a hotel, because otherwise I wouldn't be able to leave his housing estate, you can't walk out and there's no public transport. I've already found that the hotel is cheaper than using an Uber to be able to leave the house. One thing I don't understand is that you can always turn right at intersections even when the traffic light is red, for me that's a danger. As for food, I really miss real bread when I'm there, because I've already learned to ask for dishes to be served without sauces, a salad is healthy and delicious with just salt, oil and vinegar. I don't understand the "obligation" of tipping and I'm very annoyed by the forced kindness of the waiters. I also don't understand why the prices on their labels are not the final price, but as I said before, for me the worst thing about the United States is the absolute dependence on cars. I really like to walk around and go shopping, have a beer...

[@fioritafrancesca]

how many years from staying in Spain did you apply for Spanish citizen?

[@1Marielag]

Could you share the barrio where you chose to live ? Thanks

[@heryaherya]

Pedregalejo, mentioned at around 10 minute mark.

[@Troy-nc5br]

I find the beaches in Spain to be family friendly for those people who were born or live in Spain but for the prude American they don't see it as a family-friendly atmosphere because of the lack of clothing in Mexico where I stay is considered fine to have little on at the beach I live in Merida and go to Progreso

[@MadelineYau]

What can you get for $1,500 -$1,900 a month for housing?

[@oscarsantas6528]

Una pregunta... hablas español?

[@SheHitRefresh]

Sí hablo :)

[@oscarsantas6528]

@@SheHitRefresh MUY BIEN....para venir a España es muy fácil....lo de los nómadas digitales lo quieren regular en el Parlamento Europeo...el problema que tiene ahora España es que está colapsada, ahora mismo no es sostenible...están bloqueados los servicios y hay demasiada gente, aparte turistas....y nosotros vemos como suben los precios por los compradores extranjeros y yo entiendo que la gente venga de países en declive y sin calidad de vida como el Reino Unido, etc...pero eso lo estamos pagando las personas de aquí¡¡¡¡ Por cierto ojalá copies la alegría de los colombianos y la amabilidad de los iraníes¡¡¡¡ gracias por contestar.

[@AukhajahSid]

JAI BHAWANI BHARAT 🇮🇳 🇲🇺 🎉

[@gif24gt60]

How can u get a descent, furnished apartment in malaga, alicante, granada, seville, cordova for $400 a month?😮

[@christinecleavest9099]

If you have a roomate perhaps but even still 400 per month is unlikely

[@paulinofm]

I am from Güejar Sierra, a small town in Granada, 16 km from the city, inside Sierra Nevada and yes, you can find an apartment with 2 rooms for around 400 euros. It's difficult to find an apartment in the city but is easier in small towns surrounding the capital. It's still possible !!! even in 2024!!!, you just have to live a little bit far form the city but enough close anyway. Check out Güejar Sierra, Pinos Genil, Cenes de la Vega and many more villages. Hope information will be useful and welcome if you decide to make the step. :-) Last advice: you'll have to learn spanish. Mandatory. People outside cities don't speak english... Another info: Granada has beach 70 km from city and big ski station 25 km from Granada and Güejar Sierra has a big National park ideal for treking. Check it out. bye!!!

Locals can't afford to live in Málaga anymore but what a great opportunity to live in Málaga with other english speakers! But wait, why I can't make local friends? Where did the locals go? Where's the culture :/ I want the cake and eat it!

[@Juanfernandez-sm8jl]

Locals are everywhere!!

[@richardcadena7746]

@@Juanfernandez-sm8jl ....yup...but some people just have to be debbie/danny downers. generalizations are so easy when you don't wanna give facts....i will be moving to Malaga 1st quarter of 2025.

[@tomlarson713]

But didn't you marry a Spain resident in order to get your Spain Passport?

[@bobbybeast1000]

how's the wealth tax there? Taxed on worldwide wealth yes?

[@hbmustangs]

nope. south of spain dosesnt have wealth tax.

[@bobbybeast1000]

@@hbmustangs But would they not charge you 47% on foreign dividend income if they're around 100K Euro per year?

[@difícilencontrarapodo]

isn't it easier with a colomban passport?

[@mikegraham8319]

You gave the false impression that you are single in almost all of the video then at the end drop in that you have a partner which changes the whole dynamics of what you are professing... that making all these changes in your life was a straightforward journey , having a partner helps financially and mentally does it not 🤔?

[@Roque-Cachamuiña-gs1wd]

First of all, we would like to welcome all immigrants who come to Spain with the desire to contribute to our society and who want to integrate, and for this it is essential to speak Spanish. One very important thing is to know that there is no such thing as a perfect country, each country has its virtues and its defects and they all come in the same package. Residing in Spain is very simple if you are a national of a country of the European Union and obtaining the nationality of countries such as Spain, Italy, Ireland, Portugal, etc. is almost automatic if your parents or grandparents came from these countries. In most European countries the ius sanguinis prevails to grant nationality. One problem that Americans have is that due to their legislation they are obliged to pay taxes to their government even if they do not reside there, I believe that this only happens in the USA, however Spain and other European countries have agreements with the United States to avoid double taxation.

[@viquiben4919]

Spicy food just hid the real taste and freshness of the main ingredients. If you are a real pescatarian hot spices in sea food should be a big "no-no".

[@javierperezdelgado4999]

Mean while, if you are a Spanish who want to move to US you are screw.

[@MrFernanrc]

1st.. if your in spain, your going to have to try to get into Spanish food, it's not all the same, you have lots of different people in Spain trying to come up with special food, you have cheap bad food but you have excellent food also, something you dont' have in the US, excellent means a nice resturant with the same food you can find anywhere else and over priced. 2nd, that house is amazing, most homes in spain are tiny. You might not be in Spain. 3rd. the june gloomy weather comes in everyday, if you have arthritis your going to feel it, even if your up by the mountain. 4rth the sand is ugly, drity, 5th, gypsies , i don't have to say anything about them, 6th it's a nice place, but it's not mallorca or Marbella. Luckily it has a train to take you back to Madrid. Bus ride to Alicante can be a nightmare, 10 hour ride. Your stuck in that area. Madrid has much more but expensive because of that. dry hot as hell days for a few months. You better have air conditioner or live near hotel that does. Homes small also, better said no homes, your in a flat. worse.. when it gets hot, your going to sleep outside. Spain banks are crooked as hell, i wonder if they are the same in other parts of Europe. Spain is corrupt, you better not buy a house and renting can at least allow you to leave when problems come. Weather isn't perfect in spain. Yet, it's sunny nice.. dreamy.. no work.. yeah.. no work.. but why if you have money, but you will get borred and want to leave. You can't live like this all your life. Vacation is a Vacation, why american vacations are 14 days after that, you want to work, see normal people, live a good life. not gypsies everywhere, someone crapping on the street, the smells. no where is perfect. Spain can be perfect if your lucky.

[@Juanfernandez-sm8jl]

Hello friend, I think you are right in some things and not so much in others,,, I think you had a very bad experience in Spain, Spain is not paradise but it is one of the countries in the world that grows the most,,, in culture, art, sports, wonders of nature, food, climate, hospitality, it is the second most visited country in the world and this year is on the way to being the first, according to UNESCO. Spain is the second country with more than 50 heritage properties. of Humanity, Forbes magazine and others published by Expats, among the 10 best cities to live in the world there are 4 Spanish ones,,,It is true that Spain is a big problem but more than 105 million tourists this year plan to visit Spain and many of then will get the resident visa to live in, so the country has a lot to improve and what country doesn't? Greetings from Torrevieja, Alicante!!

[@MrFernanrc]

@@Juanfernandez-sm8jl so Juan, If I go to Spain to live, I probably will go to live in Barakaldo because my family is there. Actually it's very nice, not perfect, not sunny, maybe I am wrong because of all the past factories, they left and didn't clean up. The beaches are full of some of the mining products in the sand. I love sunny weather, but the south is way too hot. Probably Alicante is better. Typical people who go to Spain, go to Barcelona, they don't know enough about the rest of the country. Most English love the north of Spain, maybe because it looks like their country. Asturias is very gloomy always. rare to see the sun, but when the sun comes out it's nice. It's not modern like Madrid. Even Barakaldo is modern, where you have Costco and you can buy a huge Sony TV. Probably internet is very good also. Alicante your favorite place.

[@richardcadena7746]

at 73 years of age, i have run into many many people just like you.....they are angry, negative about everything, feel victimized by one and all and live in that world day in and day out...i feel saddened for your outlook...makes me wonder why your on a youtube channel about Spain and Malage in particular....

[@Juanfernandez-sm8jl]

@@MrFernanrc Hi fernan, The best thing about this country is that it has a very large variety of climates, it is like a continent in a single country, besides Spain is not one, there are several with their languages ​​and their customs and cultures, you can choose continental, Mediterranean, Atlantic, or deserts, with beaches or mountains at the same time, (Granada), the variety is very large, I always say come try it, change it and get to know different places and then choose the place or city of your preferences!!, or maybe you can buy both things I have a house in mountains with snow in winter (Sierra del Guadarrama) and beaches and Mediterranean clima in summer (Torrevieja), now I am retired and I have a lot of free time!! Best regards.

[@MrFernanrc]

@@Juanfernandez-sm8jl Juan.. i really hate Spain.. i am in the best place in the world and i hate it also, i am moving to spain as soon as i can, i hope other people don't ruin it. Why do i hate spain, the government, the family, the banks, i have two acounts, my mothers was frozen, they stoped paying her social security, they also didn't allow me to get anything from my fathers account because i had the wrong passaport. i don't trust the banks, they know me, it's not like i am talking to someone that it's the first time, we have a relationship , we talk often, they know my parents, and they won't give me a penny because the system didn't work with my american passaport. so if i didn't haven any money.. too bad, die.. i also have land, which maybe i will go there to live, i am crazy for saying this, the European problem of muslim invadors should scare me enough to stay where i am at in the US. but people in spain are happy, for the last few years of your life, you should at least be happy. Is god real, i wish he was, but the one in the bible is nuts. Killing people is fun, sending people to hell is fun. Jesus makes wine out of water. how nice it is to be ignorant and yet, there is a church in every corner. I want a house, not a flat and a house is going to be very expensive. I don't like the north of spain but my family there in the north. it is cool.. global warming ? i don't know. Another bad thing again politics, they owe Germany more money than they can pay forever. Franco was horrible but we need another one like him. My father hated me and the country was in bad shape. Why my parents went to the US. but if i have to be religiouse to enjoy life, why not.

[@patric5076]

I'm not sure I understand how you would feel safe in Madrid when it's well known that big cities in Spain are full of pickpockets.

[@300rivers4]

It's really quite simple. You become aware and you take precautions.

[@Juanfernandez-sm8jl]

pickpockets in all tourists countries are the same!! Madrid, barcelona,especialmente!

[@richardcadena7746]

ok. sorry but please re-read what you wrote---ur biggest fear is feeling unsafe because of drum roll please--PICKPOCKETS!!!!!!.... thats the biggest crime that plagues big citites???

[@christinecleavest9099]

You take the same precautions you take anywhere you travel home or abroad.