Why We Left The USA for Spain 🇪🇸 | 4 Reasons & 3 Benefits We Didn't Think About | Expats Everywhere

Learn the reasons why Josh and Kalie from ExpatsEverywhere moved to Spain from the USA and what hidden benefits they got from living there. They explain their four reasons (2 each) why they moved from the US for Spain. They also talk about things they wish they had known before they left but became added benefits to why Madrid, Spain was a great choice for them. Join them in their journey of living abroad and see if these benefits entice you to move to Spain!
TransferWise | Banking/Transfer Partner (affiliate link) Get free transfer fees (conditions apply) transferwise.prf.hn/click/cam...
SurfShark | VPN Partner (affiliate link) Get 40% off subscription at get.surfshark.net/aff_c?offer...
Questions? E-mail us at [e-mail]
Want more? Go to www.expatseverywhere.com
Follow us on Facebook: / expatseverywhere
Follow us on Instagram: / expatseverywhere
Follow us on Twitter: / expert_expat
Check out our Patreon page: / expatseverywhere
#ExpatsEverywhere
Are you an expat and want to do an interview? Email us at [e-mail]!

[@paulvieira9191]

Great to hear more about your experiences while you were in Spain. As an undergrad I studied Spanish, Portuguese & Italian while pursuing my degree in International Business. I wasn’t able to study abroad as an undergrad however while completing my MBA I fulfilled my dream of studying abroad in Sevilla. I knew at that time that I would make Spain my future home and realized that goal and dream 3 years ago when I purchased a flat in Valencia. With hard work, dedication and sometimes risk...dreams can come true. My advice to any student would be to spend a semester but ideally a year abroad. There is more to life than the US rat race and studying/living abroad was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. My reasons for deciding on Valencia and Spain in general were the following: 1. Love of the language (Castilian Spanish is very sexy) 2. Climate (currently spending winters in Spain which are milder and shorter than the US Northeast) 3. Work (Pre-COVID I travelled frequently between US-Spain-Portugal-France-Morocco). Valencia has been the perfect base for my business travels and being situated on the coast it helped ease my homesickness of the US East Coast. And being similar in size to Boston it is not an overwhelming city. Love Spain and hope to return soon. Enjoying your videos and as always thanks for sharing.

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

Thanks for this awesome post, Paul. We're going to pin it. You made a good choice in Valencia. You know how much we love Valencia. 😁 - Josh & Kalie

[@aitanatomas2041]

The truth is that I feel very proud to be Spanish... all these wonderful people talking great about my country makes me feel very proud of where I was born. Both the culture, gastronomy and safety are very significant, which makes a lot of tourists come here, which makes us very happy. ;) Greetings from Alicante! 💕

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

Hi 🙌 Thanks for watching. - Josh & Kalie

[@melinda5777]

Great video once again. I was in Torrevieja in 2018 Sailing for several weeks, it was great! Only knew a few we ordered but got by just fine. Even went to a hair salon to get my hair cut! Lol! No one in there spoke English and no Español for me. I just pointed to myself, theb to her, then to my hair, everyone started laughing, it was so funny! She held up her 5fingers pointed to lady in chair, I said Si, and went and stood on the stoop. She did a fantastic job and only charged me 3 Euro. I gave her 15 US dollars and she just smiled real big and said gracious. I just said Mucho Gracious and left. Best hair cut in 10 years....lol. just sharing. It was fun.

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

That's a brilliant story, Melinda! Thanks for sharing that. So funny 😂 I wish I could have a recording of how what went down. We've had some hilarious interaction over the years in various languages. It's all fun when you approach people with a kind, positive manner and they reciprocate it. - Josh & Kalie

[@tuxdude1]

The format you used for sharing this type of information is great. I find it very interesting to learn the different motivations for moving.

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

Todd, that's so encouraging to hear! For the beginning of 2021, Kalie and I wanted to get more personal on ExpatsEverywhere so this series is kicking it off. Next up is South Korea, then Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and Portugal where we are now and where we'll began to focus more of our videos on while travel is halted. - Josh

[@senoritasofiavalencia]

I live in Valencia and my American friends who have moved here have told me the same thing: moving to Spain (and even more so to Valencia) has changed their lives. Cost of living, health, food, quality of life... I'm French but I spent several years in North America, and I knew that even though I loved your culture, it wasn't for me in the long run.

[@luismigoya1011]

I admire your positivism, enthusiasm and the inquisitive nature of your video! As an Spaniard living in California I do appreciate the kinds comments about my country. Please, keep doing what you are doing. Best of luck with life in Europe!

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

Thank you, Luis! How long have you been in California? Are you there for work? - Josh & Kalie

[@luismigoya1011]

@@ExpatsEverywhere Many years, I have my family and business here in California but I finished my house in Asturias to retire there in about 3 years. I just want to go home. I am very sadden with the changes in the USA.

[@danielsmall1157]

Hey Luis Migoya! My husband and I have been looking to connect with somebody from Spain! Please let me know if you wouldn't mind connecting with us!

[@barbara3977]

Well I just subscribed to your channel I’m Cuban I live in Miami Florida and I travel to Spain and Portugal every other year and when ever I see Americans that realize that Spain is actually a European country and that Spanish people are not all the same I get really happy 😃

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

Thanks for subscribing, Barbara. Kalie is half Cuban on her dad's side. Hope you enjoy the channel. - Josh & Kalie

[@vicenterodrigueziglesias2369]

Por lo que deduzco usted ignora que España fue de los primeros países Europeos

[@enekoeneko69]

@@vicenterodrigueziglesias2369, no te enteras, Vicente, no te enteras.

[@Yasin_Affandi]

Thank u very much for this wonderful video n sharing your experience. Some of d footage brings back so much good memories visiting Spain.

[@Yasin_Affandi]

I love my short visit experience in Spain n Andalusia. It made me wanted so much to work n live in one of d beautiful cities in western europe n make a better life.

[@Yasin_Affandi]

Is siesta still a culture in Spain?

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for the comment, Yasin.

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

Certain businesses pausing still happens but what people do with it, who knows?

[@duartemonteiro7463]

Great information Josh and Kailie, about the different accents and cultures in Spain. 👍👌💪

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

Thanks, Duarte. We can always count on you and Raul to be on here commenting early and in a relevant way. We really appreciate the support! - Josh & Kalie

[@cherierobbins1583]

Hi guys! That is exactly what my 25 year old son did move abroad teaching English in Spain! Great program and very needed more so than other countries in Europe. For me as Kalie knows Portugal Visa for me and my corgi!

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

Thanks for sharing!! - Josh & Kalie

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

Why do you want to move to Spain? Let us know your reasons below! - Josh & Kalie

[@waynesgrid49]

Just bought my ticket for April arrival in Madrid. Went to elementary school in Ewing VA btw. Its very rare to hear anyone mention southwest VA. Lol. Looking forward to getting thru your videos.

[@neiss2]

Yes, Spain is the only country in the world that has the diversity of a continent squeezed in the surface of a State in the US. Glad you like it here!

[@sharonpetersen8033]

Hi Kalie and Josh, I've been to meaning to comment that Kalie has one of the most beautiful smiles ... that's all.

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

Hi Sharon, thank you 😊 That's what got me. I'm a sucker for a good smile 😁 I'll pass on your comment. - Josh

[@sharonpetersen8033]

@@ExpatsEverywhere Love your response.

[@vaishx]

How can I move to Spain when not many companies will let me work remotely there?

[@lindywallace9540]

Josh, your comment about being able to take time to enjoy life is so true. I have lived almost a third of my life in Europe and feel so sad that Americans have no idea what they are missing. When I lived in Scotland, there was always time to go to the pub and have a drink and chat with friends. In Germany you are expected to enjoy your meal in a restaurant. You are not rushed by waitstaff. As a matter of fact you usually have to look for them in order to get your bill. In the Azores there is always time to go to an outdoor cafe and have a cup of tea with friends. It makes such a difference in the quality of life. America does not know how far behind it is.

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

It’s not just Americans. We’ve been to other places like the US in that regard. Is it behind or has Europe largely preserved a simpler time? 😉 Thanks for you comment and input, Lindy. - Josh

[@lindywallace9540]

@@ExpatsEverywhere Europe has done a magnificent job of keeping life much simpler. I just hope that one day Americans will realize that having more stuff and money is not the most important thing in the world. Experiences have more value than things. And I am encouraged by so many young minimalists on KZbin... Vera from Simple Happy Zen, Sarah from Abundantly Minimal and many others. And of course your family.

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

@@lindywallace9540 Thank you 🙏

[@N17sd]

The problem in America is that they have to take care of themselves, the government only collect taxes whereas in Europe it’s the opposite

[@ixora04]

Lindy Spain is different , it’s better, just come and check it out. Nothing to do with the countries you have named ,by the way Azores is Portugal and CANARY ISLANDS🇮🇨 IS SPAIN 🇪🇸 And you are not America, you are North America or the United States (USA). America is much more than you with all my respect.

[@madisonlytle1258]

I love learning and speaking Spanish! Sometimes I fall asleep talking to myself and practicing in my head :D Slightly confused, Josh did you do a masters program in Madrid as a student? Or were you teaching at a university? Do you guys have any recommendations on any specific schools or programs to teach English in Spain?

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

As a part of the Master's program, we were given a practicum (for credit) in a school. I taught as an auxiliary teacher at a school called Gredos San Diego Moratalaz. The following year after my Master's was finished, the same school kept me on. I got put on a different wage, but I did not have to change my visa. The school is essentially k-12 charter school (although in Spain it's not exactly k-12). If you're a state licensed teacher, go straight into teaching at international schools, you'll find the salary and benefits packages great. If you're just getting started, check out a program like this www.conversaspain.com/conversaspain-programs/ or www.institutofranklin.net/en/academics/teach-learn/ (The program that I did) - Josh

[@madisonlytle1258]

@@ExpatsEverywhere Thanks so much for those links! I'm an illustrator by profession, so I'll look into the sites you shared.

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

@@madisonlytle1258 you’re welcome. Glad to help. All the best on your journey. Keep us posted with your progress. - Josh & Kalie

[@arturomansour-hull930]

I miss Spain . I went to Valencia in 2011 for Las Fallas and el Día de San José. I want to return to Spain. Not sure if I will visit or live there but I would like to visit Northern and Central Spain including Galicia, Castilla y León, Madrid, and los Países Vascos . I have family roots in Galicia and Castilla y León on my maternal grandpa’s side so I want to visit those regions. In terms of living in Spain, I could be a tour guide in Madrid, La Coruña ,Vigo or Bilbao. On the regionalism , there’s hella regionalism in Spain. The difference between Galicia and Andalucía is like the difference between Washington and Massachusetts.

[@arturomansour-hull930]

If I could, I would move to Madrid or Bilbao. This is hella true. Galicia is different from Madrid or Castilla y León just like Seattle is different than Boston or Minneapolis.

[@caballoloco100]

Oh well, enjoy your time in Spain, learn some Spanish with the locals and travel across the country to get to know the different regional differences and magnificent architecture if you are a culture vulture. It will be good fun. Football (soccer in American english) is a popular sport in Spain, so you'll get glued to the TV screen the weekends or if you are a keen aficionado, then ensure you are close to a footbal stadium.

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

Thank you. 🙏 Almost all of the provinces visited. Maybe after CoVid we’ll tick off the rest of them. Vamos, Rayo! - Josh & Kalie

[@williamhope8981]

Thank you guys. A question if I may: I was told that getting a residency in Spain is very hard for an American. Is it true? I went to Spain in a tour and I loved it (we went to Barcelona, Madrid, Granada, and other cities that I can't recall right now). My wife and I are retired and would like to move to Spain or Portugal.

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

Portugal is easier than Spain for sure but Spain isn't impossible. - Josh & Kalie

[@p.m.8666]

Don’t go to Barcelona city is nice but you need catalan, local language, to really make it there. Cheers,

[@alfonsocasal3114]

Llevo 30 años en Barcelona y hablo castellano y lo que comenta la otra persona y es lo que le cuentan no porque sepa lo que pasa por si mismo, ve las noticias en tele Madrid.

[@lolitarouge]

From USA TO Spain & back to USA!! Interesting to hear of positive experiences.. Why did you retun to USA ?

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

Thank you. It was to transition to new jobs. This video is a part of a 5 part series. This is stop #1 😁 on our journey. Stop #5 is being released on Wednesday this week. - Josh & Kalie

[@inigogonzalez6316]

So happy to have you here. Do feel welcome and enjoy!

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

Thank you so much! - Josh & Kalie

[@leanderian]

I'm confused. Isn't Porto in Portugal, not Spain?

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

Porto is definitely in Portugal 🇵🇹 Kalie and I are getting personal with the ExpatsEverywhere audience and we’re going to look back at the reasons we got started living abroad. We’ve lived in Spain, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and now Portugal. We wanted to get more personal with our audience and explain more about us. Each week we’ll give our reasons why and then move on to a series about neighborhoods of Porto in February. - Josh & Kalie

[@markmark35]

I thought you went to Portugal. Is this an old video?

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

It's a new video but answering a common question that we get. We told our audience that in 2021 that we would get more personal so we're going back and telling the motives of why we moved to each country that we've lived in. We (Josh & Kalie) are currently in Porto, Portugal. We've now covered Spain, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Singapore came out on Wednesday and the Portugal video in this series, which is the last one, will come out this coming Wednesday. Thanks for the question, MarcoPolo. - Josh & Kalie

[@patricemorrow4290]

Hi there! I’m a registered nurse and was inquiring about moving to Spain for quite some time now. I looked up multiple resources and I can’t seem to get a straight answer. Will I be able to work as a nurse in Spain? Currently, I work in the NICU here in California. Whatever helps, thanks!

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

Hey Patrice, we have no idea. David McNeil with Expat Empire might be able to unearth that info for you. Have you emailed him by chance? - Josh & Kalie

[@patricemorrow4290]

@@ExpatsEverywhere I haven’t! Is his contact information on the channel?

[@mariadavis3797]

I’m from Latin America and found practically no difference between Latin American and Spanish from Spain language. Differences may be apparent to Spanish second language learners.

[@estelamino6356]

Hola .q trabajo ustedes desempeñan en Spain .en town viven ..??..so what's rent $ .if I'm to know .wish the best..🇪🇨

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

We used idealista to find rentals. - Josh & Kalie

[@jetfowl]

I thought you guys moved to Porto, Portugal?

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

We did. We're in Porto, Portugal now. We told our audience that we'd go back to the beginning and get more personal with you all about how we got started as expats. So for us, a part of that is to talk about why we wanted to live outside of the US. We had different reasons for moving to each place so we're starting 2021 with a series called Why We Left the US. Week 1-Spain, Week 2-South Korea, Week 3-Saudi Arabia, Week 4-Singapore, and Week 5-Portugal. Tomorrow is Saudi Arabia. The episodes come out on Wednesday. - Josh & Kalie

[@besapeposhi3864]

How did you find that family to live there ? Or babysitting?

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

A website for au pairs called Great Au Pairs.

[@besapeposhi3864]

@@ExpatsEverywhere 😊 thank u.

[@chengscottheihuen3629]

Weren't you in Porto?

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

Yes and we still are. Kalie and I are getting personal with the ExpatsEverywhere audience and we’re going to look back at the reasons we got started living abroad. We’ve lived in Spain, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and now Portugal. We wanted to get more personal with our audience and explain more about us. Each week we’ll give our reasons why and then move on to a series about neighborhoods of Porto in February. - Josh & Kalie

[@findelostiempos703]

Aquí les dejo esto Un fuerte abrazo y gracias. : kzbin.info/door/I3k96jv3yMq1EMmUtG7dLA

[@NavaSDMB]

Are you confusing "Spanish from the US" with "Spanish from Latin America"? The second one only exists in the minds of people who don't speak Spanish; the first one has an enormous amount of English influence. Many of the idioms they use are direct translations from English, for example. As a friend once put it "the bricks are Spanish but the beams are English".

[@greenblood6186]

Lol go back to school and learn about Latin language.

[@jjuanca88]

Spain basically is the mother land of the Americas makes sense so even non hispanics get interested in learning more

[@kennylyric2876]

Awesome 😍💋 💝💖♥️❤️

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

Thanks, Kenny. What did you love about it? 😉

[@N17sd]

Yep , earn money pay bills! That’s the American beautiful dream 🤪😢

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

The rat race.

[@andrewsutcliffe4889]

What is British English?? Do you mean English English or is it just English?

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

BrE and AmE are two common deviations of the same language in terms of lexicon, syntax, grammar and pronunciation. BrE is British English and AmE is American English. BrE is the form of English used in the United Kingdom. - Josh & Kalie

[@miguelnovovillasuso]

Expats? Are Mexicans (or Albanians) living in the USA/UK expats? You'd better call yourselves inmigrants. This is what you actually are. No drama. No acrimony. Welcome to Spain, but think a bit about that "expat" thing.

[@miguimau]

Exactly.

[@Misterfranklyn44]

You guys are mad , iam spainish & i want to live en America

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

Take our spot! - Josh & Kalie

[@evanoworytta6995]

Sorry, but not sure why you’re making this all about you! Unbiased pros and cons are what people want to know about moving abroad.

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

Hi Eva, in the title, we said Why We Left so we're giving our reasons. By no way is that misleading. It was actually very intentionally titled to let people know OUR WHY as opposed to more objective reasons. Our channel is full of objectivity in other videos. - Josh & Kalie

[@antarart]

HOW MUCH taxes are you paying, since SPAIN taxes foreign residents 20-45% on their WORD WIDE income...????

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

At the time we lived there, we hardly made anything! 😅 20% was nothing for us. - Josh & Kalie

[@rebeccar4312]

Borders are CLOSED to U.S. Passport holders! And will continue to be for a VERY LONG TIME, so why would you make a video now about this when we cannot even enter??!!! How about doing a video about how a healthy U.S.citizen can be allowed in to Spain or Portugal or any Schengen Zone country!!!!!?????

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

People are allowed but not for tourism right now. You need to obtain your visa in the US. We've talked about this in a lot of our Portugal video. We've helped plenty of people get here over the past few months and we moved as well during the TOURISM travel ban to Europe for Americans. kzbin.info/www/bejne/kHvTdqajmsp3p68

[@rebeccar4312]

Didn't you apply for your visa long before the.pandemic began? I know you moved there during the pandemic, but you already qualified. How long did it take? Also, this video is about going to Spain, but it is blocked, so? Is there a way to enter Portugal fast?

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

Let us back up. We told our audience that we'd get more personal with them in 2021 so we're going back through the places that we've lived abroad and we're giving our reasons why we moved there because each place is different. So for Spain, yes, it was pre-pandemic but at the moments since Spain is Europe, most of the EU is operating using the same guidelines. In July 2020, we were able to start the application process. In August 2020, we submitted our stuff. In Oct 2020, we moved to Portugal. We needed to show the visas at the airport to board the flight and show a negative covid test that had to be valid 72 hours before the flight because of the travel ban on tourist to Europe. If we wanted to, we could travel into Spain now by land without getting a test, but obviously, that's right now. The situation is fluid like it has been for a while. You can get to Portugal in as little as 65 days once you get your FBI background check back. - Josh & Kalie

[@cannotsay5505]

I hope Joe Biden moves to Spain or anywhere.....

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

😂 For some reason, we don’t see that happening.

[@MrKompostela]

We'd rather have President Trump, but thanks for the offer.

[@pijusmagnificus3747]

Plz.... No 😆

[@ernestripepi1564]

Trump is the most salient reason to leave the USA, not a fan of white nationalism!

[@bripac6166]

No please, the mommy no, ..only Trump..hahaha

[@ricardoaraoz717]

When you say expats you actually mean immigrants, right?

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

It depends. Do you make a differentiation between the two?

[@ricardoaraoz717]

@@ExpatsEverywhere It depends. Do you call Mexicans in the US immigrants or expats?

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

If they're in the US with a short-term move in mind, absolutely, yes. One of our friends in Spain was a Mexican expat in Spain. He moved there on a work contract with his company. He spent a few years in Spain and then moved back to Mexico and then eventually moved again out of Mexico. To us, if someone moves with the intention of it being a permanent or long term move, they're an immigrant. Immigrant isn't a bad word either. How about you?

[@ricardoaraoz717]

@@ExpatsEverywhere Me? I use the term tourist, sometimes. I don't usually qualify people with tricky words. You see, in my country we don't have any references to 'race' in a person's ID nor passport.

[@ricardoaraoz717]

We may use race in a dog's ID, though.

[@d.p.2680]

But your not an expat, please understand the difference, if you work for your government, your an expat, otherwise, your just another emigrant,

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

We'd love to see where you found that definition. We've literally never heard that. It's a fun one. Btw, both expats and immigrants are emigrants by definition so did you mean "immigrant"? - Josh

[@pabloravizzoli345]

Expats?! You mean immigrants who are too American to share the proper term with Mexicans and the rest of the world? 🤣

[@ramonpeiro-pastor3231]

Welcome to Spain guys, but just one question for both: why are you "expats" instead of "inmigrants"? Is the word "inmigrant" a dirty word maybe?

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

Hi Ramon, thanks. We're actually in Portugal now. We're assuming that you mean "immigrant". Immigrant isn't a dirty word to us although it is to some. To us (and some others), "expat" is short-term or temporary stay in mind and "immigrant" is long-term or permanent intentions. We've lived 1-4 years in several places around the word and don't have a plan on settling down yet. - Josh & Kalie

[@lolitarouge]

Spain is Great ??😳 Her crutch? 😳 🤣🤣

[@juguez1]

What a silly word: expat. You are an immigrant! Did you get it right?

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

Sure, but you don't have to shout. If it makes you feel better to say immigrant that's fine. Immigrant isn't a bad word. - Josh & Kalie

[@miguimau]

Bienvenidos pero dejad la tontería elitista de los expats. Sois inmigrantes. ;)