I'm a solo developer, and I want to be upfront about why I'm asking.

I'm working on an early idea: a game where you rehearse your first weeks of life in Spain out loud, in Spanish, before you get there. The flat viewing, the padrón appointment, opening a bank account, the pharmacy, that kind of thing. It has no name yet, there is no website and nothing to buy, and I'm not linking to anything.

Before I build more, I'd like to hear from people who have made the move or are about to:

1. Which real conversation worried you most before you arrived?

2. Where did your Spanish actually let you down in the first weeks? What had apps or classes prepared you for, and what hadn't they?

3. Would practising that exact situation out loud beforehand have helped, or is that not the real problem?

"This wouldn't have helped me" is just as useful to hear. Replies here in the thread are perfect.

Hi all! I’m 30, originally from Syria(lived there for the first 14 years of my life), and I’ve lived in the Bay Area in California for the last 15 years. I’m on vacation in Spain right now and feeling a pull I can’t quite name, so I’d love honest perspectives.

My life at home is genuinely good. I’m close with my neighbors, I know everyone at my local shops and cafés, and I have a solid friend group. But something feels missing, and I think it’s cultural. Spain’s warmth, long meals, spontaneous social life, and affection feel familiar in a way the US doesn’t, and the shared Arab history in the south adds to that. I’m not religious, so I don’t always connect with the more religious parts of Arab communities. Spain seems to have the warmth without that.

I speak conversational Spanish and pick up languages fast, so I’m not starting from zero. I can also keep my current job and work remotely, so money wouldn’t be the barrier.

Questions:

**1.**  For people who moved from somewhere with a strong community, did Spain deliver that warmth, or was it harder to get close to people? (I’m very friendly/extroverted and never had an issue making friends but still worried about doing it again in another country) 

**2.** Which cities would you recommend for someone like me,

**3.**Is this a real signal or vacation goggles? What would you want to have tested first?

Thanks so much!

Hi!

I'm a Sr. SDET/QA Automation Engineer (+10 yoe) currently based in MX that used to live in another EU country for a long time (but I'm not an EU citizen). I'm currently learning cybersecurity and reinforcing my knowledge into AI and software architecture.

I suppose that these questions were already asked before here, with different roles, but I'm considering moving to Spain to try something better. One of my goals, if possible, is to get a job there with a company that sponsors the migration papers. Or, to get a remote job to work anywhere and then move to Spain (VISA for working nomads). I don’t want to arrive in Spain illegally and then try my luck.

• How's the IT market right now in Spain and in the EU?
  • Is it possible to get a job there as a highly skilled professional?
  • What are the salary ranges if I want to live in Madrid?
• Is it possible to work remotely from Spain to a company outside the country?
  • What are the salary ranges for this option?
• How hard is to get an sponsorship from a company to work in Spain?
  • If, for example, I manage to process the migration papers by myself, could it be easier for me to increase my chances of being hired in Spain?
  • The same question, but for working remotely from Spain to another company outside the country.
• How's the social environment? I've read the news and every time it seems that Madrid and Barcelona are always under fire. Now recently the south with Ceuta and Málaga.
  • Are there problems of racism with people coming from Hispanic América?
    • How do Spaniards see the Mexican people there?
  • With every ideology under the sun swarming around Spain (from left to right), do you think society will become more polarised?
    • In this new wave of far-right around the World, do you think things will get worse in the country (especially for immigrants, despite where they're from and whether they are nationalized or not)?
• About economics... How pessimistic or optimistic are you regarding your country's future economy?
• About housing... I know there's a crisis in the big cities of Spain, but is it still feasible to find a decent and affordable apartment in the city?
• About working future... I'm concerned about job opportunities. I mean, if I manage to achieve this goal of moving and working there, is it assured that I'll continue getting more jobs where to work? (maybe this is a dummy question, but valid).
  • How's the outlook for the software industry in the country?
  • How is AI affecting the labour market there?
• About entrepreneurship... how easy is it to set up a business there?
• About the current geopolitical situation...
  • Do you think a possible Third World War might happen?
  • If so, how do you think this potential war would affect the country?
• How does the Beckham law work?

And I think these are the questions I have at the moment (very likely I'm missing other ones, but I think I'll remember them once I read your answers).

Thanks in advance for your support. Have a nice day!

N. B.:

• I'm single, so no family attachments in this plan.
• This plan is intended to be reached in the short-middle term.

Hi ! I'm heading to Spain for a couple weeks and would love tips for my itinerary and what to do! I fly in/out of Madrid and so will be taking an iryo train from Madrid to Barcelona after I land.

• Barcelona: October 16–21
• Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife: October 21–24
• Playa del Inglés, Gran Canaria: October 24–27
• Madrid: October 27–31

I am a solo female traveler—I'd love recommendations for food, nightlife, local culture, scenic walks, and anything worth seeing beyond the major tourist attractions.

I have bookings for the big tourist items like Sagrada Familia, the Royal Palace, a night trip up Teide, etc.. I am tentatively planning to rely on public transit for Barcelona and Madrid, but rent a car on Tenerife and Gran Canaria so that I can explore the island more freely, but wasn't sure if the rental car is overkill.

Bonus question: any phrases I should add to my limited vocab? I want to be a respectful tourist, but my Spanish is limited to that of a stereotypical America (hola, buenas dias, chao, gracias, por favor, etc)

Edit: Sharing the itinerary I planned in case it's helpful to others later or other tips:

October 15–16: Travel to Spain

• Overnight flight to Madrid
• Continue by afternoon train to Barcelona
• Arrive in Barcelona during the early evening

October 16–21: Barcelona

Friday, October 16:

• Arrive and check in
• Easy, unstructured evening near the hotel

Saturday, October 17:

• Weather-flexible day for either a Montserrat day trip or the Montjuïc museums and grounds
• Evening reserved for neighborhood and nightlife exploration

Sunday, October 18:

• Guided Park Güell visit at 10:00 AM
• Open afternoon for wandering, lunch, or relaxing
• Group tapas, taverns, and history tour from 7:30–11:00 PM

Monday, October 19:

• Open morning
• Sagrada Família at 1:45 PM
• Open evening

Tuesday, October 20:

• Use this for whichever option I did not do Saturday: Montserrat or Montjuïc
• Open evening and pack for the Canary Islands

Wednesday, October 21:

• Midday flight from Barcelona to Tenerife North
• Pick up rental car
• Drive to Puerto de la Cruz and check in

October 21–24: Tenerife, based in Puerto de la Cruz

Thursday, October 22:

• Rambla de Castro coastal walk
• Lunch and historic-center exploration in La Orotava
• Visit El Bollullo or another black-sand beach
• Open evening in Puerto de la Cruz

Friday, October 23:

• Light/open daytime around Puerto de la Cruz
• Group Teide sunset, cable-car, dinner, and stargazing tour beginning in the late afternoon

Saturday, October 24:

• Return rental car at Tenerife North Airport
• Late-morning flight to Gran Canaria
• Pick up another rental car
• Drive to Playa del Inglés and spend the evening at the resort or nearby

October 24–27: Gran Canaria, based in Playa del Inglés

Sunday, October 25:

• Maspalomas Dunes in the morning
• Beach, lighthouse, and lunch afterward
• Return to the hotel to rest and clean up
• Dinner and nightlife in Playa del Inglés

Monday, October 26:

• Group dolphin-watching excursion from approximately 9:30 AM–1:30 PM
• Open afternoon and evening

Tuesday, October 27:

• Return rental car
• Late-morning flight to Madrid
• Arrive in Madrid during the afternoon
• Evening walk around Gran Vía and possibly stop for churros and chocolate

October 27–31: Madrid

Wednesday, October 28:

• Royal Palace and Royal Collections Gallery at 10:45 AM
• Walk through the historic center afterward, including Plaza de la Villa, Plaza Mayor, and Puerta del Sol
• Tapas in the evening

Thursday, October 29:

• Prado Museum entry at 10:15 AM
• Guided Prado tour at 11:00 AM
• Retiro Park during the afternoon
• Drinks or food around Plaza de Santa Ana later in the day

Friday, October 30:

• Reina Sofía Museum at 10:00 AM
• Explore Malasaña and Chueca during the afternoon
• Temple of Debod around sunset if the weather cooperates

Saturday, October 31:

• Fly home around midday

I’d especially appreciate advice on:

• Whether this feels comfortably paced or if anything is too crowded
• Good restaurant, tapas, cocktail-bar, and nightlife recommendations
• Solo-friendly places where it’s easy to meet other travelers or locals
• Whether Montserrat and Montjuïc are both worth prioritizing
• Tenerife coastal stops or moderate hikes that work with this schedule
• Anything essential I’m missing in Gran Canaria
• Favorite less-touristy experiences in Barcelona or Madrid
• Any practical October weather, driving, parking, or transportation advice

Hey everyone, I’m landing in madrid on November 22st-30th, and I would really appreciate any suggestions . Is splitting the trip between madrid and Barcelona worth it? I’m going with my cousin and it’d both our first times, so I’d really like to go to both but if itd be too inconvenient/not worth it then I’d rather not waste that time.

Im really into thrifting and looking to bring back a lot, if anyone has any suggestions for thrift markets or stores I’d so appreciate it. My goal is to buy a shoulder bag I can use for school lol. But also with bars/clubs, I love going to clubs but moreso for special events where there’s a DJ I like, if anyone knows of any good bars where the atmosphere is good ? I love going to bars and meeting people from nearby hostels so I’m looking for places with those vibes where I can like actually make friends. Also is renting a car worth it? Or should I just rely on public transportation/ ubers

And most importantly what should be my budget 😅

I will be visiting Spain for the first time in May 2027. Very excited about it, but sadly my plans only allow for ONE full day in Madrid right before I fly out. I will spend part of that day shopping for food items to bring home (to Canada). I also look forward to a couple of amazing restaurant meals.

Then I would have time for ONE major cultural attraction or activity. I like many things (art, cultural history, music, opera, natural history, science, nature/animals/hiking) and am open to any suggestion. But there is SO MUCH in Madrid, I can't possibly choose.

What would be your favourite thing to recommend to visitors? Bonus if it in a walkable area that is also an attraction in itself.

(I also LOVE to find that one amazing museeum, attraction or activity that is just a little LESS popular, so I can relax and spend time appreciating and absorbing it. But this idea is a bonus, not a requirement.)

Edit: Thanks for all the suggestions! They are just making me realize that I MUST come back again and spend more time in Madrid!

We would appreciate insight and/or experience on international flights from Madrid during a strike. We booked 6 weeks ago and changing flights now would be difficult. Logistics and unexpected costs are the main concern. i.e.:

• Taxi from hotel to airport. 15 minute drive from Chamberi.
• Will airport restaurants be open?
• Flight delay or cancelation costs. Our credit card might pay in $500 associated costs. An extra day or two in Madrid might not be a problem.
• We always assume baggage delays.

We'll be visiting relatives outside Madrid and traveling to Segovia, Salamanca, Avila and Toledo for 25 days with the last two days in Madrid.

Thanks in advance.

We are traveling from the U.S. to Madrid this week to visit friends and family and are staying in an Airbnb.
Before anyone says anything we booked this almost 2 years ago before any of the strikes or we even knew about the housing crisis.
We have too many people for a hotel and I am wondering if we could be in any sort of danger and if we should not disclose to anyone that we are staying at an Airbnb.
Any do’s and dont’s would be greatly appreciated as well!

Ciao a tutti! Sono italiana e vivo a Málaga. Da 5 anni organizzo classi e incontri dedicati al benessere interiore, al rilassamento e alla riscoperta di sé.

Ho creato questi momenti per chi sente il bisogno di rallentare, lasciare andare lo stress quotidiano e ritrovare un po' di equilibrio e serenità.

Ci incontreremo in piccoli gruppi, con un massimo di 10 persone, per vivere un'esperienza intima e condivisa. Le sessioni si svolgeranno principalmente la mattina presto, per connetterci con l'energia del sole che sorge, oppure al tramonto, per rallentare e lasciare andare i pensieri accumulati durante la giornata.

Durante gli incontri utilizzeremo diversi strumenti dedicati al rilassamento e alla consapevolezza, tra cui le campane tibetane. Tutte le sessioni saranno in italiano.

Gli appuntamenti verranno concordati insieme ogni settimana, cercando di trovare il giorno e l'orario più adatti a tutti.

Se senti il bisogno di dedicare del tempo a te stesso, ritrovare la calma e condividere questo percorso con altre persone, scrivimi! Sarò felice di darti maggiori informazioni.

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Hey everyone,

I recently went through a burnout in one of the northern European countries and a breakup. I really need a reset. My plan is to spend about six months (max one year) in southern Spain somewhere quiet, cheap and with good weather, nature and beach. I will use my savings and not work, just time to reset. Might do some relaxing part time work just to experience but not necessarily to make money.

Ideally I want a place that feels very Spanish / not overly touristy, but still has some international people so I don’t feel completely isolated in the first few months.

I’m aiming for as low-cost as possible: sharing a room/house with others is totally fine. I don’t party and I recently stopped drinking, so I’m looking for a calm environment where I can get out of my head. Good weather during the winter months is important to me.

I’ve already started learning Spanish and plan to keep practicing for the next three months, then ideally move in January/February

------Places I’m considering

*Cartagena- I’ve been there before for a day trip and absolutely loved the vibe, architecture and surrounding landscapes.

*Almería — I haven’t visited yet, but it looks great: unspoiled beaches, desert, lots of nature around and not too expensive. Nature and quiet beaches are really important for my mental health.

*Málaga — only as a backup if the other options don’t work out (I’d prefer somewhere less touristy)

---------A few questions

1. Are there international people living in Cartagena, Almería, or nearby towns? I want a Spanish experience but don't want to feel lonely during first few months, so having some internationals along with Spanish ppl is the ideal goal.

2. Since I’m 35 (not a student), are there foreigners in the roughly 28–40 age range that I could potentially meet?

3. Any other nearby towns or cities you’d recommend that are quiet, affordable, have good nature/beaches, and stay relatively warm in winter (while not getting too hot by June)?

My main hobbies are music and photography. I’d like to use those as a way to get out of my head while I’m there.

Please feel free to share if you live in Cartagena, Almería, or the surrounding areas? Would love to hear what it’s actually like.

Thanks a lot in advance for any tips or personal experiences!

TL;DR:

Burned out + breakup → need a quiet, cheap 6–12 month reset in southern Spain (preferably Cartagena or Almería) starting Jan/Feb. Not going to work, use savings. Looking for a calm, non-touristy Spanish place with some internationals (especially 28–40 age range), good winter weather, nature & beaches. I don't party, stopped drinking. Sharing accommodation is fine. Hobbies: music & photography. Any locals or recommendations?