Living in London vs Barcelona

[@PauliusBarcelona]

Which city is your favourite?

[@AndyCruz14]

Hard to choose 🥲 both cities are great!

[@bradydubois9742]

I´ll say Barcelona, may or may not be based on the fact that i never visited London...

[@PauliusBarcelona]

@@bradydubois9742 that must be fixed haha

[@sandralorena9133]

​@@PauliusBarcelona añso I would add that unless you work in a very good company in London, as I was working at Facebook, living there is very expensive and the flats aren't beautiful or modern, also is very hard to have meet a boyfriend or girlfriend there because are very busy all the, London not the best place for love. I will say that a decent salary in London is 55k less than that is too low

[@PauliusBarcelona]

@@sandralorena9133 Absolutely agree. I think with current prices even 55k might start to feel rather restrictive in comparison ( at least based on conversations I had with my friends ).

[@gisella_bosch]

I agree with everything. I lived in London and in the UK for almost 7 years, and work-life is way better in Spain. Living in London is not really worth it unless you have a good paid job, otherwise you end up living far away from everyone and everything, spending lot of time in the underground, paying lot just one bedroom and not having much time to enjoy. Which in Barcelona due the amazing size of the city and the balance with the mountain and sea, anytime and any day of the week you can enjoy after work. Food is way more great and way better quality in Spain, fruit and veg in London are all from outside and doesn't really taste great, most of it comes frozen and you cab really taste it. in terms of a good balance I would pick Barcelona 100 times more even though I love London, is not for me anymore.

[@benreadspoetry7958]

I’ve lived in both cities and found this interesting but a bit unbalanced, particularly in what it doesn’t consider. -London has far more parks and green spaces than Barcelona. Citudella is pretty poor and Parque Guell is too out of the way. Apart from that there’s next to nothing. -Cultural life is far more interesting in London. The best theatre, gigs, more interest groups and most of the new trends start there. You’re at the centre of everything and that’s an amazing feeling and experience. -The food is much more diverse in London; you can get anything you want and well (I could never find a really decent curry in BCN). -I didn’t meet anyone on an average salary who could live in the centre of Barcelona! The rents are very high there now and proportionately extreme. Agree it’s more outdoors and there’s opportunity to do stuff in the water but that really depends on whether you want to do those things or spend endless time on the beach. I do love the city and was very glad to live there but I think there’s a certain type of resident there who thinks everyone’s ideal life is to do the above, when I wanted to be a bit more culturally stimulated (and would rather be in walking in England’s far superior countryside - one of the benefits of rain!)

[@PauliusBarcelona]

Thanks for your comment Ben. I think you do bring some really good points here of which some I might have missed. While I don't agree with everything, I am sure it's useful for others to hear this when comparing two cities.

[@dannypakaz]

I love Barcelona, or Spain for that matter. Working to make the move in 2-3 years from now from the states.

[@PauliusBarcelona]

I hope it will work out well for you !

[@marian758]

Hi! I’m someone interested in moving to Barcelona as well! If you don’t mind me asking, what are some steps you’re taking?

[@dannypakaz]

@@marian758 That’s awesome! Well I still have some time. But I have a couple of reasons for waiting so long & my story is pretty unique I believe. 1. I have student loan debt. Either I repay them in 3 years, or wait 5 years and have it forgiven with the public service student loan forgiveness program. I work in healthcare. 2. I want to learn a remote work skill. I’m currently taking courses to become a data analyst. My goal is to transition into a job within the company I work for and gain experience until I make the move. I’ll look for a job in the states where I can work overseas (which in 2-5 years will be more normalized I think so hopefully it’s easier) OR look for a job in Spain as a data analyst. Either option isn’t guaranteed but I’m hoping for the best. I’ve done the research on taxes, visas etc. When I’m ready I’ll start applying. When are you looking to move?

[@marian758]

@@dannypakaz That’s so smart! Honestly, it all depends! One of the reasons I’ve my eye on Barcelona is because of how relatively inexpensive, yet good quality, getting an education is over there. I’ve been doing research on different masters programs and am just trying to see job prospects and which one would fit best into what I would like to do. With that, I could get a student visa. Atm I’m just working and saving. We’ll see what happens 🤷‍♀️

[@elenasokolova4863]

Thanks a lot! It was really helpful!

[@PauliusBarcelona]

Glad to hear it was !

[@mytravelosophy1077]

Great video! I've lived in London for six years and I keep thinking if I'd like Spain more. The lifestyle you describe sounds so much like what I'd love but then it breaks my heart thinking about actually leaving London. Have you ever had regrets or missed it?

[@PauliusBarcelona]

Oh I know exactly what you mean. Miss it - yes, everytime I visit it. And certain aspects are much better there. But honestly, quality of life tips the scales for me and Spain is feels like a better option :)

[@konrad1812]

Gezzz 1800? How can someone live on that 😅 it’s scary. I’m single in London and spend a minimum of 3500 a month I don’t own my flat tho. I love Barcelona for the sunnnn, easy commute, vibe and lower prices.

[@dagotowka9191]

you can rent in the city for 900 per month so its livable

[@Antonio-fm4md]

Los primeros 15.876 euros están exentos de tributación IRPF en 2024 (el salario mínimo vamos). Donde sea que hayas leido lo contrario es mentira. A partir de ahí comienzan los tramos de retención, siempre sabiendo que no se tributa por los primeros 15.876 euros

[@MrMarkinhosX]

No es cierto, se paga un 19% hasta los primeros 12 mil €

[@Antonio-fm4md]

@@MrMarkinhosX De dónde sacas esos datos? El mínimo exento este año 2024 son 15.876€. El gobierno social comunista ha bajadola tributación a los pobres, el gobiernos ese que ha subido los impuestos a los bancos y a las petroleras. Tienes una calculadora de bankinter (un banco bolvechevique) para que lo calcules tú mismo, aunque simplemente poniendo mímimo exento IRPF 2024 te sale el real decreto

[@alejandrorodriguez3771]

For Spain, below 12K you dont pay 19%

[@PauliusBarcelona]

Hmm that's odd. I was never in that bracket in Spain, but quite few websites I've checked seem to indicate that up to 12k is 19%.

[@alejandrorodriguez3771]

​​@@PauliusBarcelona They all are wrong, for 38k PER year, you pay 800 per month for total tax(income tax, social security, etc), 2300 net out of 3100 gross, thats

[@PauliusBarcelona]

@@alejandrorodriguez3771 that's strange. salaryaftertax.com/es/salary-calculator website has quite accurate tax calculation which aligns with what you mentioned based on your salary. But it also shows tax on income less than 12k

[@anacasanova7350]

Si vienen a vivir a Barcelona o a qualquier lugar de España deben de aprender español.