Now that summer’s in full swing, I have some exciting news to share 🥁🥁🥁 (!!!)
This summer, I am beyond excited to launch the new Wanderfil Interview Series - a collection of stories, experiences, lessons, and newfound wisdom from other incredible Filipinos who have made Spain their home. This series is all about showcasing different POVs, learnings, and life lessons of these wonderful Filipinos who come from diverse backgrounds, lifestyles, and professions.
At the end of it all, I hope their stories would inspire you, one way or another, to chase your dream life abroad. ✈️
Please stay tuned. I promise, it won’t take long.😉
But for now, let’s get back to business. Lately, I've been getting a lot of questions from my fellow Filipinos about the pros and cons of living in Spain. As someone who has called this Iberian Kingdom home for half a decade now, I believe I have some solid insights to share. After all, I don’t want to paint a picture of Spain through rose-colored lenses. I want you to be able to weigh the pros and cons before coming here - for you to make a well-informed decision. For you to see if this is the country for you.
The goal of this post is to provide a balanced view—positives and negatives in all their hues. So.. without further ado, from the perspective of a former Filipino international student turned Española, let’s dive into the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of living in Spain. Vamosss!
The Good
The Weather: You can never think of Spain and not think about the sun, the warmth, and the sea. With over 300 days of sunshine per year, the pleasant Spanish weather practically begs you to get outside and be active (I swear, I’ve never enjoyed being outside too much until I move here!) Whether it's a stroll along the beach, a hike in the mountains, or just lounging in a sunny plaza with family and friends, the endless Spanish sunshine does wonders for your mood. It's hard not to have a sunny disposition when the weather is so consistently fantastic!
Mediterranean Lifestyle: The widely-embraced idea of dolce far niente (the sweetness of doing nothing in Italian) has been a part of la vida Española long before it became a mainstream phenomenon - thanks to social media. The Mediterranean lifestyle is all about balance and enjoying life’s simple pleasures. I've found that embracing this lifestyle has truly transformed my life for the better. It has taught me to appreciate and savour the little things in life, at long last. Nothing beats the feeling of relaxing in a sunny plaza while people-watching or journaling with a cup of matcha. Or taking relaxing evening strolls after a long work day. Living here has made me more mindful and thankful for the present moment - and for that I will always be grateful.
Rich in Arts, Culture & Architecture: From the stunning Gaudí architecture in Barcelona to the awe-inspiring Alhambra in Granada. From the flamenco dancing in Sevilla to the running of the bulls in Pamplona. From the classy metropole that’s filled with world-class museums of Madrid to the party beach vibes in Ibiza. Living here leaves you with so many - SOOO MANY - things to do and experience. Trust me, you’ll never get bored soaking in the rich arts and culture that Spain has to offer.
Healthcare System: Spain boasts a top-notch healthcare system (one of the best in the world). As a resident, you’ll have access to excellent medical services - mostly for free and sometimes at a fraction of the cost compared to other Western countries. I will never forget how they took care of me when I was new and alone during the COVID pandemic. I contracted the virus and they called me every 7 days just to see how I was feeling until I told them that I was already free from the virus. In a country with over 44 million citizens and many more residents, who has the time to be calling each sick patient? Spain, supongo. And I felt so loved.
Public Transportation & Walking Culture: One thing I've come to appreciate immensely about Spain is its public transportation system and walking culture. In major cities like Madrid and Barcelona, public transpo is incredibly efficient, fast, and reliable. Living here for 5 years, I never really felt the need to have a car of my own. What for? You can go around the city - or throughout the country - by trains and it’s stress free. Otherwise you walk everywhere in the city - enjoying the view while burning calories lol. It’s one of those little conveniences that makes daily life so much easier and more enjoyable. You get to many places for a cheaper price - all while saving your time.
Cost of Living: Compared to other Western European countries, Spain offers a relatively lower cost of living. Public transport is cheap, groceries are reasonably priced and you can dine out in style without breaking the bank. I love being able to enjoy lovely brunches with friends or going to upscale restaurants with my boyfriend without worrying that I spent a lot. Another thing is that there's a lot of places you can hang out for free. You can spend the entire weekend visiting different beaches and parks and they don’t cost a thing. The cost savings mean more money for travel and exploring all the beautiful corners of Spain! Or if you are in the saving and investing era, you can keep it and grow it instead! What a huge relief knowing that you can enjoy a high quality of life without the high price tag, innit?
The Bad
Bureaucracy is Slow and Painful: One of the biggest hurdles of living in Spain is dealing with the bureaucracy. From endless paperwork to long waits at government offices (ie: booking an appointment and the nearest one is 2 months away??), it can be a test of strength and patience. Topping it off with language barrier and it's just WOOOO! Sometimes I look back and I can't believe that my bureaucracy journey as an immigrant is now behind me. How I was able to endure the painful process for almost 5 years is BEYONDDD me. But as the adage quotes it, what doesn't kills you makes you stronger - so cheers to surviving the wild bureaucratic ride, I guess? 😉
Job Market: Back in Dubai, when I was just contemplating about my move to Spain, one of the guys that I was asking advices from told me a harsh truth. "Bring at least a year's worth of savings because unemployment here is at an all-time high" Being the stubborn Aries that I am, I didn't heed his call. I still went with a fund that could last me a few months. It was only when I moved to Spain that I realized what he said was true. Finding a job here is hard - especially if you're not fluent in Spanish - hence, if you want to stay here after doing Masters, please make sure that you also do Spanish lessons for you to have a better chance of landing a job. Albeit the job market here is competitive, and salaries often lag behind those in other European countries, Spain has one of the best work life balance in the world. So it's gonna be worth it. You can check out my previous article on how to land your first job in Spain here. I hope this helps you out!
Language Barrier and Cultural Adjustment: Moving to a new country and adapting to a new culture is never easy. The pace of life, the social norms, the language, and even the meal times are different in Spain. So it can take a great amount of time, strength and an open mind to adjust and feel truly at home. Now, more than ever, I find myself embracing these differences and growing more and more connected to my new home. It started as a mindful practice, after getting my Spanish passport and realizing that this is truly my new home now. I made a conscious effort to immerse myself in the new culture, and now it's becoming the new normal for me - 5 years later!
The Ugly
Economic Challenges: Spain has faced economic difficulties in recent years, leading to high unemployment rates and financial instability, especially in areas outside Madrid, Barcelona, and the Basque Country. These factors can pose challenges to job security and in finding stable employment opportunities.
Housing Market: While the cost of living is generally lower here compared to other European countries, the housing market has skyrocketed and is now at an all-time high. The salary-to-rent ratio is severely mismatched, making it challenging for young people to rent a flat on their own, more so to own it. In cities like Madrid and Barcelona, the average cost to rent is around 650 to 850 euros for a studio, 1k to 1300 euros for a 1BR flat and if you want more than that, it's gonna be for so much more. This disparity between income and housing costs creates a daunting barrier, making it increasingly difficult to achieve the dream of owning a home in Spain's urban centres. I wrote this post to help you out in finding your first home in Spain!
Pickpockets on the RISE: Another growing concern in Spain is the prevalence of pickpocketing incidents, particularly in tourist-heavy areas. Make sure to stay vigilant at all times whenever you're out and about. Keep your bag in front of you and ensure it's within your sight, even when dining inside a restaurant!! I learned it the hard way on my 4th year in Barcelona (2 weeks shy of moving to Madrid). I was having coffee with my friends in a café and I put my bag on the side thinking it was safe but NOPE! My bag was stolen along with my cards, my keys, my NIE card, my gucci cardholder (i never bought an expensive card holder after that lol. talk about trauma?), my chanel lipstick that my bf had given me on our first Christmas as a couple. Truly one of the saddest days in Spain for me. Fxck all these pickpockets! ^Criessss^
5 years in and I still have my ups, downs, doubts, surety about Spain LOL. But this is my home now and for as long as I’m here, I’ll continue to celebrate, cherish and savour Spain in all its glory. Viva España, para siempre.
This much for today. Thank you for reading y ...
¡Hasta luego!
Wow such a good post