When moving to a different country our body might feel a bit like a rollercoaster. All the ups and downs of closing a stage of your life and starting a new one. But hey, new adventures await! To make your landing in the city easier we wrote a list of the main things you need to know before moving to Barcelona from the US, like the cost of living, rent in Barcelona, etc.
Cost of living in Barcelona
- Rent: as you might know, rent in Barcelona is the most expensive in Spain. The cost will depend on factors such as the neighborhood (Eixample or Gràcia are the most expensive). Also the cost will also depend on if you want the apartment for yourself or just a room to share with roomies. A humble but decent apartment for yourself will cost you around 700€-900€ a month, and a room around 400€-500€ (apartment expenses generally included). To help you find an apartment, we wrote this article about the online sources you can use to find an apartment.
- Transport: It is not cheap, but definitely not as expensive as it is in other European cities like London. To give you an idea, bus/subway fares currently are: A T-Casual (10 rides) will cost you 11,35€ and T-Usual (unlimited rides during a month) will cost you 40€. But you have another great option: to rent a bike and explore the city on your own.
The cost of living in Barcelona is pretty expensive compared to other cities in Spain, so be sure to plan ahead how are you going to spend your savings the first months.
Beyond paella: the yummy Catalan gastronomy
Have you ever tried calçots? Or escudella? We dedicated an article on the best Catalan food to get to know better this country. Check it out to get an idea of how the Catalan gastronomy is also a pretty good reason for moving to Barcelona from the US ;)
American food emergencies
Among the things you need to know before moving to Barcelona, this is an important one ;-) I remember how I freaking missed “jamón” and “fuet” when I was living in Montana. So in case you feel homesick in terms of food… we got good news! You can buy American food in specialized American shops in Barcelona.
Language: Catalan, Spanish and even English
“If I barely speak Spanish… Should I rethink the idea of moving to Barcelona from the US?” Definitely not. Since Barcelona is a cosmopolitan city, you won’t have any problems to communicate in English. We recommend you though to learn Spanish (and also Catalan if you have the time) before landing to know the most common expressions. A perfect way to start diving into the culture through a beautiful cultural tool.
Spain plugs
A Spain plug is different from the one used in the US. So you have two options: you can buy an adapter in the US before leaving the country, and be able to use your hair dryer, charge your phone, etc. right after you arrive to Barcelona, or you can buy a Spain plug once in Barcelona in shops like Mediamarkt or Fnac.
Being a tourist in Les Rambles is not easy
We know it is difficult, but, try to pretend you are not a tourist/expat who just landed in the city. Specially when you walk around Les Rambles area. Why are we saying this? Because we don’t want you to be teased by made-for-tourist bars and restaurants. Also, you will find the most local and amazing places by getting lost in the less tourist and crowded streets of Barcelona. And you will get to know the real Catalan gastronomy better.
Best beaches are not in Barcelona
A statement that most Catalans agree with. Beaches like Bogatell or La Barceloneta are usually very crowded, specially in Summer. So we recommend you to drive to La Costa Brava, the north coast of Catalonia, and explore beautiful beaches and villages.
Go explore beyond Barcelona
We love Barcelona, but don’t miss the opportunity to explore other beautiful spots and villages from time to time. Far away from the crowd, you will reenergize yourself to find the perfect equilibrium between a vibrant city and a peaceful village. These some of the best areas to disconnect from the city and connect with nature:
- Costa Brava: villages on the Catalan coast such as Begur, Cadaqués or Tamariu.
- Pyrenees: Hiking in Parc Nacional d’Aigüestortes is our top recommendation.
Hope these 8 things to know before moving to Barcelona from the US might help you on the first stage of this new adventure. Welcome to the city!