Why 2 Americans prefer life in Barcelona, Spain | Cost of living, food, etc.

[@bezsie8518]

That´s why I left NYC after 30 years and came back where I belong: Spain.

[@lornahunter5441]

I'm in Scotland and I've been visiting Barcelona 2 or 3 times a year for YEARS. Even my son chooses Barcelona over anywhere else every single time. If Catalunya had the autism provisions that we have here in Scotland we'd move in a heartbeat.

[@PatrickGuideBarcelona]

Thanks for sharing Lorna! It’s a special place

[@michellelim3571]

We just visited Barcelona for the first time last week and am in love! We need another trip.

[@PatrickGuideBarcelona]

Always an excuse to come back Michelle

[@Halonablack]

Barcelona sounds like a dream, really. I’ve been traveling almost 5 years. I was in SE Asia first. Now I’m in Rwanda. Trying to decide between Barcelona or Lisbon as my next move.

[@PatrickGuideBarcelona]

I’d suggest Barcelona, but I’m biased… 😂

[@Alejojojo6]

Both are great options. I am Spanish but loved both cities. They both have this hipster atmosphere and chill out attitude, Barcelona is a bigger city, but Lisbon is more cosy.

[@PatrickGuideBarcelona]

👍🏼

[@MikeSmith-yy1lv]

So funny. Wife and I were thinking the same thing after our recent visit. The people/culture is so good in spain, nobody seems to be arguing and everyone seems respectful. The prices are so affordable in terms of food. I'd love to hear some of the things you don't like. Maybe housing prices are higher? Taxes?

[@PatrickGuideBarcelona]

We can get a video about that sometime, currently working through a bunch of other things right now, but all suggestions are welcome

[@d.c.sodyssey4783]

Patrick Guide is one of the key dudes who helped me navigate all my info to get over to Spain last year during the height of covid's red-tape.

[@PatrickGuideBarcelona]

appreciate that! Thanks for watching

[@mr-vet]

Wife and I were in Barcelona visiting her family last week of July thor first week of August this year. It’d been 20 years since our last visit. Food was definitely cheaper and better quality than the US. We stayed with my wife’s nephew and his family at their “piso” (apartment). It was tiny, probably less than 400 sq ft; with 3 bedrooms, one bathroom, a living/dining combo, kitchen and a balcony. The kitchen was not big enough for 2 people, it was only about 5 ft wide from wall to wall (and 8ft long), so with the counter in one wall and a narrow table top/breakfast bar mounted to the other wall, that left about 2 feet of space to walk/maneuver. They had a small laundry room (Approximately 2.5ft x 5 ft)at the end of the kitchen with a washer and dryer. They had AC but didn’t run it often and only a couple of times at night, but it was set to 25c/77f….that is not cold enough to sleep comfortably in the summer for me. The nights they didn’t run the AC, there was no airflow; even with the window open and the inside temp had to have been 26c/80f. At home in the summer I keep the AC set to 21c/70f at night and during the day 23-24c/73-75f. Another relative didn’t even have AC; during the day it was literally a sauna inside; luckily there was a cool breeze on the balcony.

[@PatrickGuideBarcelona]

Yeah, it’s been incredibly hot these last couple days! Sounds like you got a summer in Spain experience. Normally the breeze can help, but lately it’s been less than helpful. Hope you still managed to have a good time!

[@krystalmariecoss]

Excellent video, Patrick! Keep up the great content. ❤️

[@PatrickGuideBarcelona]

Thank you Krystal!

[@alexramos1502]

I went to 3 different cities in Spain in 2021 and instantly fell in love. You guys hit every bullet point why it’s so amazing. As someone who lives in the suburbs of NYC it’s the main reason why I wouldn’t be able to move out of the area, I’m a train ride away to restaurants and walking/biking. No need to hop on a car and enjoy your food. But if I got the chance, I would for sure move to Spain.

[@PatrickGuideBarcelona]

Thanks for sharing Alex! What cities did you visit?

[@alexramos1502]

@@PatrickGuideBarcelona Madrid, Segovia and Barcelona

[@PatrickGuideBarcelona]

Sounds like a wonderful trip!

[@pushkarlakhe13]

I recently moved to Barcelona as well. Absolutely love the city. Would love to meet you guys

[@PatrickGuideBarcelona]

That’s awesome! Welcome!

[@bpesta10]

This is great. I'm moving here for an MBA program in September (also from Chicago!) and looking forward to watching more of your content.

[@PatrickGuideBarcelona]

Appreciate that Brian! Let me know if you need any help!

[@ramonlicha3881]

Great video guys! Patrick we love the idea of move to Spain. We need to chat later! Thanks Zoe and Ramon

[@PatrickGuideBarcelona]

Thank guys! Yes we do!

[@alexrialpcriado2963]

Nice vídeo Patrick. Remember you well from MAREB and really like your vídeos on KZbin promoting BCN with US eyes. Lovely and hope you Jeep doung well with 12 years already luving around here. Kind regards

[@PatrickGuideBarcelona]

Alex! So great to hear for you! Glad you have found the videos, putting all your teachings into practice! Hope you are well!

[@saadn.3348]

I think for someone coming from Kansas, definitely would feel that way. No beaches, large and big cities with small population, you can’t make the comparison. I would surprise if you’re from NY, or the East cost and describe it the way you do.

[@PatrickGuideBarcelona]

Thanks for sharing!

[@97vigen]

One of my favorite BCN Video Content Chanel 😉

[@PatrickGuideBarcelona]

Appreciate you Vigen!

[@Callista_Amara]

Same! I just love this channel. I’m visiting Barcelona September 16th, can’t wait!

[@PatrickGuideBarcelona]

Thank you!! 😃

[@rosamariacasals3941]

@@PatrickGuideBarcelona Has d'explicar als teus amics, que BCN, és diferent a la resta del Estat Espanyol, tenim altre cultura, altre llengua, literatura història, altre manera de ser. Sabies que els "toros" están prohibits? Salutacions.

[@Julia-yo9fz]

I love this video! It would be so great if you can interview someone from big city and share experiences between cities. I live in Manhattan and wanna move to bcn someday!!

[@PatrickGuideBarcelona]

It looks like there are some other similar comments. Might have to talk to someone from a big city

[@gra795]

from my experience (i live in NYC) and lived in Barcelona for 4 years back in 2009 and again in 2018 and will be moving back in January it is WAY better than Manhattan and Brooklyn which is where I currently live. Cost of housing is obviously much less, food prices are less, much slower pace, and just an overall better energy. Not to mention the sea and the mountains and architecture. In NYC there is always a rush to get somewhere. I feel calm and at peace in Barcelona. Nothing like I feel here in NYC or the States in general. People enjoy life. I feel at home there and can't wait to move back.

[@Julia-yo9fz]

@@gra795 wow thank you for sharing! I dont know spanish. So that means i will be unemployed in spain. Idk if one income (my partner) will be sufficient for us. Of course it depends how much he makes. Im not confident yet to be ok not working and not feeling useless. Maybe too get used to this fast pacing and stressful daily life. I know what you mean! I also want to enjoy life with loved ones. Take care of self first and put family as priority and enjoy life. Work should be after that… I feel like I live to work in nyc. Congratulations! 🎉

[@gra795]

@@Julia-yo9fz you can go on a student visa and see how you like it.

[@ipadini4081]

I have been seriously considering move to Spain from the states, maybe test it out for like 3 months before making a more permanent move. It’s unaffordable to live on a single income.

[@PatrickGuideBarcelona]

A lot of people do a little test before moving, yeah

[@Julian-mc2lk]

Thanks! How did you meet other Americans in Barcelona?

[@PatrickGuideBarcelona]

Through others, different activities, there is also an American Society here. Pretty easy to meet people in Barcelona with everything that is going on

[@mdcloud2378]

I am living not far from Barcelona and it has been already a couple of years. Yes, It's cheaper, etc.. There are a lot of good points but, low wages and paying a lot of taxes. Very limited opportunity, I am used to live the London life, most of the people I know here, they are boring, also many times things don't works efficiently, burocracy sometime is horrible. Keep in mind that living is one thing and coming with a tourist eye is another story. In general Catalunya is a great place to visit. Barcelona is only the tip of the iceberg.

[@RiddimKingdom]

My partner and I are moving to Barcelona in July and I’m just wondering if there’s a list you have in English of all the festivals and events over the Summet

[@PatrickGuideBarcelona]

I have a Barcelona Summer video!

[@RiddimKingdom]

@@PatrickGuideBarcelona just watched it, thank you 🙏🙏💙🙌🏿

[@MKRandomVlogs]

I like ur all videos..

[@PatrickGuideBarcelona]

Thanks MK

[@MKRandomVlogs]

@@PatrickGuideBarcelona ❤

[@danbudiman]

Thanks for all the videos Pat, my family and I will be coming on Christmas day for the 1st time to Barcelona and will be staying until the 30th before going to Madrid. It is interesting to hear that within city train/metro rides are free until the end of this 2022. I initially thought to buy the Barcelona travel card, but then T-casual might be better and cheaper, and I'm getting from your convo here it is free. Is it really 100% free? We will be staying at Easy hotel barcelona fira and will be using public transport all the time. Thanks in advance.

[@PatrickGuideBarcelona]

Hey Danny, the metro tickets are discounted on some of the offering and the trains are free by paying a 10 euro down payment which is returned to you if you use the same line (round trip) at least 16 times. For locals working, it might be worth it, for tourists, I doubt you’ll get to that number.

[@danbudiman]

@@PatrickGuideBarcelona Got it, thanks for the explanation. Yep, I don’t think we will hit 16x. 5 days in Barcelona with 2 days planning to day trip to Tarragona and Montserrat, the most we use the same route will be 6x from hotel to city center and back. I have read as well that the tickets actually have been discounted. We’ll stick with T-casual. Muchas gracias.

[@warrenwolf4690]

Lots of Fiestas in San Antonio, Texas

[@PatrickGuideBarcelona]

🤠

[@JH-kp2cl]

Great content! What Spanish language schools in BCN would you recommend? I just finished a month-long course in Salamanca (June 2022).

[@PatrickGuideBarcelona]

Thanks BCN Lip is a good one

[@BradZurcher]

Do my eyes decieve me or is that a Butler shirt I see 0:24 mark?! Nice

[@PatrickGuideBarcelona]

Good catch!

[@adambriceland6588]

Pretty sure its way more then 2 lol I visit every year also

[@PatrickGuideBarcelona]

😂😂

[@warrenwolf4690]

What do you use as a wind screen on your video camera?

[@PatrickGuideBarcelona]

For this video, nothing, just the GoPro

[@warrenwolf4690]

@@PatrickGuideBarcelona I have a Sony DCR-SX85 Any recommendations for a wind screen?

[@CherRamos08]

Hi Patrick, what type of visa do you have or do you have dual citizenship? What would you advise for people who are thinking of partially living there and half time living in the States? Will the language barrier be an extreme challenge living there and maneuvering buying a property or renting?

[@adambriceland6588]

not sure about everything else but the language thing is not that big of a concern, however if you are going to LIVE in spain, you have to know some spanish and not assume everyone will speak english

[@PatrickGuideBarcelona]

I have long term residency. Adam is right, if you’re planning on moving here you should definitely learn Spanish, it makes everything easier, although English is pretty widely spoken

[@CherRamos08]

@@PatrickGuideBarcelona thank you

[@CherRamos08]

@@adambriceland6588 Claro que si!

[@Fausto-q5n]

Can I afford to live in Barcelona if my pension is $1,000 a month?

[@PatrickGuideBarcelona]

I wouldn’t think so but depends on your spending habits 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@anthonybrathwaite8487]

Can you use US dollars in spain

[@PatrickGuideBarcelona]

No

[@fbastidac]

Euros

[@increibleperocierto]

Yes, you can light cigarettes up with them.