Living in Barcelona, Spain – Interview With an Expat

What is it like to move to and live in Barcelona?

With its great climate and high quality of life, Barcelona is a popular destination for expats.

Currently I myself am enjoying life in Valencia, and I’m therefore even more interested in seeing what expat life in neighboring Barcelona is like.

In this Ask an Expat series I interview people living all over the world but outside of their home country. I try to help paint an honest picture of the ups and downs of life abroad, share tips for anyone thinking about moving abroad, and information about the city the expat lives in.

I met Mayya recently when she was visiting Valencia, and I am very happy she is sharing her experiences about moving to and living in Barcelona.

Expat Life in Barcelona, Spain

Name: Mayya Papaya
Age: 30
Hometown: Complicated question, but in terms of time spent in one place, it simplifies to Athens, Greece

Her Story:

“With a healthy mix of Palestinian-Lebanese-Greek blood running through my veins and having lived a little bit all over the world, I’m your classic TCK (Third Culture Kid – Google it!). That said, I actually prefer the term Medit-Arabian these days, get it?

I’m a nutritionist turned sustainable food entrepreneur, and I found myself moving to Barcelona based on a gut feeling.

Some years after moving here, Barcelona also ended up being the birthplace of my passion project, Foodisms, given my investigative nature in the field of sustainability, food, and consumer power.

Starting your own business is an uphill battle, and turning my passion project into a social enterprise has definitely been a challenge. Knowing myself, though, I wouldn’t really want to do things any other way!”

Why Did You Move to Barcelona?

“I visited the city during my final year of university and upon landing, felt a warm fuzzy feeling in my stomach that I’d never really felt before.

This sensation, I later came to understand, was the closest I’d felt to being at home somewhere.

I was hooked and I spent the rest of my undergraduate days plotting my big move to Barcelona to see where this feeling would take me next.”

What Do You Like About Living in Barcelona?

“She’s a seductress of a city with something for everyone! She’s often called one of the best cities to live in Spain.

I call her a she because she feels like a she. Sometimes you get a feel for a city’s personality, and Barcelona is very feminine in lots of ways.

She’s bold and fragile, loud and pensive, impulsive and future-thinking – all at the same time.

I also really like the attitude of the elderly in this city. While they surely feel time taking its toll on their bodies, it in no way quietens their spirit! They are a feisty bunch with the closeness that a loving grandparent would show you – even if you’re a stranger asking for directions.

Aside from the young-spirited elderly, I really appreciate the public seating dotted around the city. Even in the weird positions where one chair is by itself and the other two are facing each other or even three or four huddled in a circle. It’s as though they have set up the space to let your mind wander both on your own or with company, setting the stage for great conversations to take place.”

What Do You Dislike About Living in Barcelona?

“The longer I live in Barcelona, the longer this list grows – hehe!

I still love living in Barcelona, but I’m way past the honeymoon period at this point.

Two things I dislike most about life in Barcelona are the sound of suitcase wheels rolling non-stop on the sidewalks because of all the tourists visiting the city, and the whiff of weed or cigarettes always lingering in the air.

Politically, it’s a shit show right now, but let’s not get into that.”

Also Read: Things Nobody Tells You About Life in Spain and What’s It Like to Live in Badalona (as a less-touristy alternative to Barcelona)

Is Barcelona Safe as a Place to Live?

“Overall, Barcelona is considered a relatively safe city to live in.

Like any large city, there are certain areas and neighborhoods that have higher crime rates than others, and unfortunately the level of crime, and especially pickpocketing, has gone up in recent years.

Take precautions to protect yourself and your belongings as you would in any larger city, especially in tourist areas or crowded public places where pickpocketing can be common.”

Is Barcelona an Expensive City to Live in?

“Rent has shot up in recent years, especially in popular neighborhoods near the city center or the beach, so that’s where most of your budget will go.

Everyday costs like groceries, eating out, and public transport are more manageable, and there are plenty of ways to enjoy the city without overspending.

All in all, Barcelona can be lived in comfortably. You just need to pick your neighborhood wisely, and possibly share an apartment if you’re on a smaller budget.”

What Is Your Favorite Thing to Do in Barcelona?

“Walks at random hours during the night in the warmer months to let Barcelona show you sides of her you’ve never really seen or paid proper attention to.

I’ve been living in Barcelona for nearly 8 years now, but this still doesn’t get old. It’s quite the productive way to beat sleepless summer nights!

Also, a good vermut with a side of boquerones (pickled fresh anchovies) are a match made in heaven, to be enjoyed in the sun on a terrace for full effect.”

Tip: If you are looking for something unique to do in Barcelona, check out hot air ballooning!

What Is Your Favorite Place to Hang Out in Barcelona?

“There are so many great places in Barcelona!

Here are some places/happenings I’d happily recommend:

• Mescladis del Pou in the El Born neighborhood, for tasty snacks and refreshments with a whole lotta soul, helping immigrants without papers find their legal footing in the city.
• Any EatStreet event to sample the very best of food truck culture in Barcelona and root for the awesome team behind the independent tri-lingual newspaper BCNMes that organizes them.
• Parallelo for some of the best gelato you’ll ever have in your life. Their crazy good flavor combinations are guaranteed to blow your mind.”

What Is the Expat / International Community Like in Barcelona?

“There are a lot of expats in Barcelona. And the community is pretty diverse, which, in my books, is a very good thing!

I’ve met people from all over the world and from all walks of life. This impresses me for such a ‘small’ city (when compared to London or New York).

Barcelona really made a name for itself worldwide and while we may be paying the price for that in terms of mass tourism (yep, us adopted locals also feel the burn), the increasing cultural diversity is great.

In my experience, most expats in Barcelona end up giving back so much to this city out of sheer love for the place.”

Any Tips for Moving to / Living in Barcelona?

“Don’t move here in September! You’ll have such a hard time finding a place to rent and space to breathe with the city’s patron saint’s (La Mercè) celebrations happening all over town.

ALWAYS keep an eye on your belongings, no matter where you are in this city. The pickpockets are professionals here, so your only antidote is really to never let your guard down.

Learn the basics in Catalan, it’ll go a long way! The Catalans are good people, and when you befriend them, it’s for life.”

Any Resources You Found Useful During the Process of Moving to and Building a New Life in Barcelona?

“Google Maps was the most useful thing I used when I first moved here.

Use Idealista.com, Spain’s biggest property website, to get an idea of where to live in Barcelona and what prices are like (both for renting and buying).

There is a very active Barcelona Expat group that gives newcomers some useful tips and advice.

Also, joining a co-working space is like the offline version of such a group and can be pretty practical as an initiation to the city if you are working remotely.

I also used to go to Meet Ups and met some interesting people through there.

Language courses, both Spanish and Catalan (for extra brownie points with the locals!), are a great way to dive into the local culture and make some friends who will get where you’re coming from as a non-local.”

Is There Something You Just Have to See or Do When You Are in Barcelona?

“To really get a feel for things and enjoy Barcelona life, you need to let yourself get lost in the city.

Put on some comfortable walking shoes and spend the entire day walking around everywhere, heading in whichever direction catches your interest!

The rest will unfold before you on its own…”

Also Read: 24 Hours in Barcelona – The Highlights Not to Miss 

About Mayya

Mayya is the founder of Foodisms.co. Foodisms.co organizes thought-provoking events that engage Barcelona’s community with the topic of food sustainability, helping consumers become more actively aware of their role in the ‘glocal’ food chain.

Mayya is a Public Health Nutritionist, food writer & everyday sustainable food advocate with professional culinary training.

It is her love of food in itself that inspires everything she sets out to do as she works to awaken our collective food conscience.

Also Read: Famous Spanish Food to Eat in Spain

About Barcelona

Barcelona is the capital and largest city of Catalonia, as well as the second-most populous municipality of Spain.

The city is located directly on the Mediterranean coast of Spain. It has a rich history, having been under Roman, then Frank law, before declaring its independence.

In 1992, Barcelona gained international recognition by hosting the Olympic Games. This brought in both a lot of tourists and a lot of change. Entire neighborhoods were renovated and a focus on modern design was added to the city.

For visitors, this has translated into the very modern, yet incredibly old city you see now, where the new elements work to both preserve and celebrate the ancient.

Barcelona is full of what European cities are known for – outdoor markets, restaurants, shops, museums, and churches. It is a fantastic city to explore on foot, but it also has an extensive and reliable Metro system.

The center of town, focused around the Ciutat Vella (“Old City”), provides days of enjoyment for those looking to experience Barcelona life while Barcelona’s beaches provide sun and relaxation during the long periods of enjoyably warm weather.

Tip: A great way to explore all the highlights of Barcelona is by taking Barcelona’s hop-on hop-off bus. And for a unique experience, check out this hot air balloon ride just outside of Barcelona.

Also Read: The Best Day Trips by Train from Barcelona

Living in Barcelona vs Madrid

Many people who are thinking about moving to Spain first look at both Barcelona and Madrid.

Check out my interview about expat life in Madrid if you want to know more about moving to Madrid.

Or read my interview about expat life in Valencia, Spain’s third-largest city, which is a great alternative to Barcelona and Madrid, and the city I currently call home.

Also check out these interviews about moving to different parts of Spain:

• Interview about living in Badalona, just outside of Barcelona
• Interview about moving to and living in Alicante
• Interview with an expat about moving to and living in Granada
• An expat interview about living in Moraira, on Spain’s Costa Blanca
• An expat interview about living in Mallorca

 

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