Are you thinking about moving to Spain from the US? Then let me share my experiences with you!
As an American, moving to Spain was difficult.
It was difficult to prepare for and actually make the move, but the difficulty didn’t stop when we landed in Spain. Getting settled was the second big challenge.
From finding a long-term apartment lease to adjusting to everyday life in Spain, there were some challenges that were more difficult than we had expected.
But, there were also plenty of pleasant surprises… things that were much easier than we anticipated.
We had spent years researching and setting our expectations about life in Spain. We certainly did not throw caution to the wind and hope for the best. It was mindful and thoughtful planning that brought us to this point in the journey.
Following is a brief list (in no particular order) of things we found more challenging and less challenging than we expected when moving to Spain from the USA and how to remedy or take advantage of them.
More Challenging Than Expected When Moving to Spain from the US
1. Engaging Rental Agents
When we first moved to Spain we chose to rent an apartment, instead of buying a place.
But whether you plan to buy or rent, if you don’t speak Spanish, your choice of estate agents will be limited.
There are several great agencies that have English speaking agents, but they, in most parts of Spain, are the exception.
Tips for Dealing With This:
Be Persistent
If you do not speak Spanish, many agents and landlords will not want to deal with you. Understandable. I am the foreigner.
Simply cross that agent off your list and try the next, and the next, and the next. You may get a lot of No’s, but eventually your efforts will pay off. You will undoubtedly come across agents who speak some level of your language.
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Tip: Save that agent’s contact info. And if you need referrals to English-speaking rental agents in eave a comment below.
Use Google Translate
Translate your message and send it in Spanish (or the local dialect). If an agent who doesn’t speak any English encounters a message in English, they likely will ignore it. If you take on the translating duties, you are much more likely to get a response.
Use WhatsApp
When leaving a message, always mention and leave your WhatsApp number in the message.
You are making it clear to the agent that WhatsApp is the best way to contact you. If they reply in Spanish, use Google Translate to engage them. Even if they don’t speak English, if they see that you are a viable potential customer then they are more likely to continue working with you.
Engage them without revealing that you do not speak Spanish.
2. Obtaining Medications
The affordability and accessibility of prescriptions and OTC meds in Spain was more challenging than we had anticipated.
Many are affordable, but some are not. For example, Imitrex. Some medications that we thought would be OTC required a prescription. For example, Sudafed.
Tips for Dealing With This:
Try Another Pharmacy
As silly as it sounds, if one pharmacy won’t sell you a medication without a prescription from a doctor, simply try another pharmacy. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.
Bring Several Months Worth of Medication From the US
If there’s any prescription medication you need on a regular basis I highly recommend bringing enough to last you several months.
This will give you time to settle in Spain, find a doctor, and get a new prescription here.
3. Late Night Street Noise
Spaniards speak loudly. They speak at a volume many of us in the rest of the Western world may not be comfortable with.
After they have been drinking for several hours, they speak even more loudly.
In the city, there are bars and restaurants on every corner. And between the corners you’ll find more bars and restaurants.
Some bars and restaurants stay open until the wee hours of the morning.
If you plan to move to a city or town center in Spain your apartment windows will likely be within spitting distance of one or more of them.
Tips for Dealing With This:
Location
Get an apartment away from bars and restaurants. Observe and avoid the busier, heavy-traffic streets.
Editor’s Note: I made this mistake when I first moved to . I rented an apartment on a street with no bars and restaurants and thought I’d found a perfect place. I however didn’t realize that my street, although small, was one of the main streets used late at night by people leaving the bars at a popular square around the corner…
Rent Upper Floors
Getting an apartment on an upper floor will be quieter. Not only are you farther from street noise outside the building, but you will have fewer neighbors within the building passing your door.
Double-Paned Windows
Look for new double-paned windows when house hunting. They are much more efficient at blocking noise than traditional single-paned windows.
4. Landlords Play Games
Some landlords will play games. They agree to terms and then raise the stakes as soon as you agree, or worse, at the last minute even after signing a contract.
Tips for Dealing With This:
Work with Reputable Agencies
There are plenty of scammers… People looking to take advantage of you.
Follow your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, walk away, no matter how good the apartment seems. Contact me if you need referrals for Valencia.
Never Rent Sight-Unseen
You want to see the place in person AND meet the agent or landlord you will be dealing with.
Fully Vet Before You Transfer Funds
Never transfer funds before you have a signed contract and have met and vetted the agent/landlord and the apartment; preferably you’ve seen the apartment more than once.
Don’t Let These Challenges Stop You From Moving to Spain!
Spain is actually becoming more and more popular among Americans.
Less Challenging Than Expected When Moving to Spain from the US
1. The Visa Process
Spanish bureaucracy is notorious. However, we found the process of obtaining our Spanish visa easier than we expected. Maybe because we had read the horror stories and knew to expect the worst.
But be honest with yourself. Not everyone is good at this stuff. Consider hiring help if you are not.
For Americans moving to Spain, . is a great solution for immigration assistance. They offer a wide range of services including help with obtaining the right visa (the Non-Lucrative visa, Digital Nomad visa, etc.), help with insurance, taxes, and more.
With their team of experts, they offer personalized support to simplify the relocation process.
Tips for Dealing With This:
Organize & Document
Basic Project Planning
Map out any time-sensitive pieces of your plan; are there any dependencies?
Backup Plan
Always have a backup plan. If this doesn’t work, what will I do?
Be Flexible
The less stringent you are, the more you can roll with the punches when things don’t go to plan.
2. Making New Friends
It can be intimidating to move to a new country where you do not speak the language.
I have met some amazing people who are open-minded, adventurous, and who are doing incredible things and I’ve only been in Valencia for a year. It is a self-selecting group. Admittedly, most are English-speaking expats, but that’s ok. It’s about the journey.
I’m taking Spanish lessons and I have no doubt that my group of local friends will grow over time.
Tips for Making New Friends in Spain:
Use Social Media
Especially Facebook and Meetup. They can be great ways to find new, like-minded friends with common interests.
Get Started Early
Start early making connections in your new hometown. Ideally, you will have a few new friends before you actually move.
Put Yourself Out There
Say yes to challenges, be open, and ask for help if you need it. Most people are more than willing to help.
3. The Taste of Fresh Produce & Meats
The taste of fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, and fish is so much better than back home in California!
Regardless of where you shop, I have found tomatoes, lettuce, beans, berries, and more all just taste like they are supposed to taste. Even milk and dairy products simply taste better.
Tip: Buy fresh fruit and veggies at local markets or fruit & vegetable shops instead of at the supermarket.
4. Public Transit
The public transit systems available in Europe put American cities to shame.
Public Transit Cards
Public transit cards can often be found at tobacco shops (Estancos) and metro stations. They are generally reloadable, so less waste. And the same card can often be used for renting bikes, riding the metro, and on buses.
Rent a Bike
Spain has become a lot more bicycle-friendly in recent years. The major cities now have bike-sharing systems or just rent from a bike rental company; they are accessible, affordable, and easy to use.
5. Free Things to Do
The number of free or nearly free sites and events available in Spanish cities is astounding.
Spaniards are very social (see the note above about noise at bars). They love to get together and talk, discuss the events of the day, and catch up with friends. This is usually done over a drink at a streetside cafe, but getting together with the family at a fiesta or parade is also common.
How to Find Out What’s Going On in Spain:
Social Media
Follow your favorite organizations on social media. Check events posted to Facebook or Instagram. Mark events on Facebook as ‘Interested’ and similar events will be suggested.
Your Social Network
Rely on your social network (see note about friends above). The social butterflies in your friend groups are likely to know about the latest events.
Street Posters
Watch for posters, billboards, and flyers in the streets announcing local events. These are often posted where people congregate or pass through, just like billboards along the highways back home.
Moving to Spain From the USA – Conclusions
As an American, it was not easy to move to Spain. It required a lot of forethought, planning, and attention to detail.
And there were definitely some unexpected surprises along the way… some good, some not so good. All in all, though, it has been an amazing experience that we wouldn’t change for the world.
A little preparation, especially mental preparation, can go a long way to ensuring your move to Spain is successful.
Travel with an open mind,
–Lane.
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Author: Lane Beck
Lane Beck is a lifestyle blogger from San Diego, California living in Valencia, Spain. He achieved financial independence, quit his career, sold everything and moved to Spain to fulfill a dream and live a slower-paced, higher-quality lifestyle in Southern Europe. He writes about Spanish Culture, European Budget Travel, Financial Independence, and Mindful Living a
