Life in Spain: Expectations VS Reality
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- čas přidán 28. 05. 2024
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Everyone things life in Spain is amazing. But is it? Yoly and I give you the real deal! Venga, let’s go!
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Intro
01:33 - Work To Live, Not Live To Work
02:43 - Strong Community Ties
03:39 - Living Outside the House and Not Inside the House
06:43 - Siesta
07:45 - Seguridad y Estabilidad Económica
08:52 - Late Nights & Late Eating
10:11 - Slow Lunches
10:57 - Sobremesa
11:39 - Day Drinking
12:49 - Tapas Every Meal
13:41 - Constant Tapas Crawls
14:44 - Jamón Every Day, All Day
15:52 - It's Always Sunny
16:59 - Spanish Personality
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Hola, Spain lovers! We're James and Yoly. James is a New Zealander, and Yoly is from Spain. And we both live in Madrid. This channel is all about giving you a local insight into life in Spain, and helping you experience this country like a local when you come to visit (or live!). If that sounds like your kind of thing, bienvenido!
*This description contains affiliate links which means we may earn a commission if you use them 🙏🏻
IS LIFE IN SPAIN ALL THAT GREAT? We enjoyed this chance to bust a few myths about life in Spain. But what did we miss? Maybe we could do a part 2 down the line! Let us know while we go off and take a siesta! 👇🏽
We just moved here in September from the US and we couldn't be happier. What we love is how convenient everything is and how the Spanish have kept a lot of the traditions but also embraced the modern world. I feel like they are integrating old and new beautifully. We live in the city and walk everywhere. We appreciate the specialized stores: bakeries everywhere, butcher shops, fish shops, hardware stores, shoe stores, book stores, etc., all within walking distance. Some things have taken a bit of adjustment, but the trade-off is totally worth it. We were eating in a cafe the other day and people would walk passed and say, "Buen provecho". Wonderful manners, too. Cars stopping to patiently let people cross. We live in Asturias and are so happy here.
@@j.n.sloane I am curious and if you don't mind me asking, are you retired? because the 11-year average unemployment rate is 13.8% and I am wondering if that is being factored into your experience as I am considering moving up to northern Spain from the US. Thank you and I hope you keep having a wonderful time!
I always think Spain and other European countries have a less materialistic culture.
My perception maybe really skewed because I live in California, which has many areas on the extreme side of materialism. Every year folks line up at apple to buy the latest and greatest, with perfectly good phones in their hands. Sure there are wealthy folks who can buy-buy-buy, but many are spending every penny on “things” not because they need them, but because they want them. Also materialism flows right into the car culture here. Folks here will spend a high % of their income on car loans and leases for certain brands of cars. Folks will put this lifestyle of ahead of other big life purchases, like home buying.
@@FurrKnight, I am retired and you're right, that does make a huge difference. I don't know what the unemployment rate is here in Asturias, but this region doesn't rely on tourism as much as other areas of Spain. I'm happy to answer any questions I might be able to help with.
@@janemarie150, I think that their materialism takes a different form. I feel like the American consumer has been trained to a "throw away" society and because a lot of products are designed to have short lifespans, we came to accept replacing things routinely. As James and Yoly said in the video, the Spanish do love their cell phones and there are many shops that sell just accessories for cell phones, but in other respects they are holding onto their own manufacturing and I find it easier to buy Made in Spain products or at least Made in the EU. I think that the US got used to all our space and seemingly unlimited resources so we aren't in the habit of being frugal; whereas, Europeans don't have that luxury of space so they are more particular about where they spend. Just my theory.
I'm from the States. One aspect of Spanish food culture I had never heard about, but love now that I am here, is the menu of the day. You get 3 courses for the price of one (plus wine!) and choosing is so much fun! Usually my partner and I each choose something different and share so that we can try as many things as possible. Great fun.
Oh, I have another one: coffee. When I was in the United States I had expectations that the coffee in Spain would be really good (It's Europe...Spain is so close to Italy and France...). In reality, the coffee in Spain is not very good -- quite bitter, torrefacto, cafeterias don't use fresh milk for the cafe con leche, etc. I'm still experimenting with different methods and brands to find something I like. Hilariously, I had the opposite experience on vacation in Italy last summer. The first morning in the AirBnB, I made coffee from the free grounds provided by the host in a ceramic jar. It was fantastic, exactly the thing I have been searching for in Spain. I asked my host what it was and he laughed a good laugh at the American: it turns out it was the generic brand from an Italian supermarket chain. I bought 3 bags to bring back to Spain. Hey, at least there is always fantastic inexpensive wine!
They have that in the states, at least they do in NYC. (Although as a foreigner living there now from Denmark, I’ve learned there are a lot of things in NYC that other states don’t have at all, so that could be it?) It’s usually called prix fixe. It’s like $35 and you get 3 courses and a drink.
@@farrahsinkey2082 hahah you were in southern Spain, isn´t it??? Because I am spaniard, from the north...and I didn´t know about the torrefacto coffee until I watched a video of an australian girl who moved from the south to the north, and she mentioned the torrefacto thing...in the north we use real coffee and real milk, in Andalucia, at least they drink the torrefacto
@@farrahsinkey2082 Ask for a "café americano" or a "cafe con leche" if you don't like strong coffee. It's a matter of opinion/taste.If you are making it yourself, just water it down. Milk in Europe is processed differently and comes in unrefrigerated boxes or bags for long term use. Guess what? It is coming to the US now. Maybe Italy catered to American tourists? But enjoy your café con churros!
@@farrahsinkey2082 As a Spaniard I have to say you are right about coffe, torrefacto is shit. But at supermarkets like Lidl I can say that I found pretty good coffe if you buy 100% arabiga, you will see it in golden packages, the brand is Gold, and works fine for me.
I left The Netherlands with my wife and two children about 20 years ago to live at the Costa Blanca. Not one hair on my bald head is thinking of going back again. Only for short visits. I am a pensioner now and worked three times harder and longer than in The Netherlands. Not a second of regret. The Netherlands is economically richer than Spain, but here I experience real freedom because there is mental and physical space. A country full of history, cultural treasures and breath taking landscapes in Asturias, Cantabria, Navarra, Estremadura, Andalucia, Comunidad Valencia. And lovely weather. But yes, you have to go out and discover. Take a time to travel through all 17 states, stay in medieval villages and modern cities and eat and communicate with the locals.
Adoro tu comentario, es lo que deberían hacer todos, molestarse en descubrir la cultura española en el más amplio abanico de la palabra.
This was a confusing post
@@alya3120 Mazmo Photo has been able to say a lot in a few words
@@alya3120 seemed fine to me
Hoi, ik ben ook Nederlands en ben 25 jaar oud en ben van plan om naar Malaga te verhuizen. Zit momenteel in een mid-life crisis en hoop mijn geluk in Spanje te vinden. Zou u mij dit aanraden?
Living in Valencia, for me the climate is everything. I appreciate it more in winter than in summer, to be able to sit outside in a shirt, in the sun in Jan and Feb makes such a difference to your mood. Oh and the sea! and the food, and the people! I left the UK 21 years ago so I am used to living abroad, we have been in Valencia for 4 years now and are staying put! Nothing is easy but if you want to do something enough, you will do it!
Dang, I can't wait to leave the UK.
How hot are the summers? I'm in Australia - the summers here are sometimes unbearable.
@@thecosynovelist It gets hot in Valencia, it was up to 43c last weekend but the average temp for July / August is about 32c. It stays warm, up to 25 / 27c until the middle of November.
@@streetsofvalencia 32 sounds nice! I could handle a 32 kind of summer.
do you face any communication barriers? i hate spain because most people dont speak english and communication is a big factor for me
Foreigners idealize Spain, in the very same way Spaniards idealize Germany or the US.
There´s no perfect country in the world, and once you live AND work there for a while, you understand better its intrinsic miseries.
It´s just a matter of what you love more/hate less... as with pretty much everything in this world, really.
Spanierds dont idealize Germany and less the u.s
@@j.b.2263 Especially in Germany they need to work and the funny moments with friends is limited. 😉
@@huahinservice
Spanish work more hours than Germans.
Sorry to say, no European idealizes life in the US, let alone Spaniards.
spaniards dont idealize germany and definitely not the united states. germany is too boring for us, and, well, united states is a mess, nobody would like to live in there. i live in valencia and im more than happy. people are friendly. food is good. beach is beautiful. job is great. rents are okay. flats and houses are beautiful. i couldnt ask for more.
As a British English teacher living in Zaragoza I can say that for me, after 1 year....its the Spanish people i love☺.They live life with PASSION ( good OR bad) but they LIVE! Luckily for me 95% of the people I know are incredibly warm hearted and friendly.
How is Zaragoza? My wife, children and me are thinking about moving there from the Netherlands.
@@grazianolaudisio3644 I'm a Kiwi living in Zaragoza and I think it's a lovely city. It's not on the tourist trail which is great. I don't speak Spanish yet but people are kind and patient with me. I can't comment on the school system as our children are back in New Zealand at university and working. Summers are hot and Wnter is windy but with little rain. Much of Spain and Europe is accessible via train, plan or bus from Zaragoza.
@@peggymckenzie5290 I taught in Zaragoza, great city, I regret leaving!
The comment about turning a table was spot on. In nearly 50 years of spending time in Spain, I have never felt rushed by the staff of a restaurant to pay my check and leave. I have never seen it happen to others either. These have been both modest and top-notch restaurants. It is very pleasant not having the feeling that the staff and management are wanting you to leave now.
I'm an Argentinean living in Galicia. My English husband and I nap every day, shops close from 14 to 16/17 pm. People in Galicia go out for walks or to the bar before dinner. Life is slower here, I guess, than in Madrid. Also, I feel it's very safe here, and I can compare it with one of the unsafest and dangerous countries: Argentina (you get killed for a cell phone). And always sun... hahaha! Galicia and the North of Spain is very rainy. Yes, I find Galicians to be really kind, nice, generous, I love them. I'm very happy here and very grateful
Once the pandemic is over and we can travel from the USA to Spain, we want to explore Galicia (A Coruña) and Asturias (Gijon, Oviedo) for our retirement. We like cooler weather, even the rain. Hablamos español pero nada de gallego. Puede ser, Asturias nos convendría mejor?
@@thomasmcdowell9057 Galicia and Asturias are two quite beautiful places. Nature is amazing in both but maybe more exhuberant in Asturias (which has more mountains).
Galicia is culturally more different to the rest of Spain, it has two languages and a lot of celtic culture (don’t worry because in the cities most of the people speak in Spanish). And it has also more contrasts, because rural areas are more isolated but urban areas, specially A Coruña, are more cosmopolitan than Asturias ones.
Both are great choices tho
@@thomasmcdowell9057 In Galicia we speak Spanish too. So you should not to worry about that thing.
@@thomasmcdowell9057 I'm in the same boat. I had to cancel my trip in March due to the pandemic... but as soon as we can travel again, I'll be spending time in Portugal (Porto and it's surroundings) and Asturias (Oviedo and it's surroundings).
I'm hoping to figure out which one of the two places I like the best for retirement.
Friendly tip from a fellow non English speaking person. You don't need to put am/pm if you use 24h system. xx
Of course there is a place in Spain with warm weather the whole year, you forgot Canarie Islands
And with a map the distance Cadiz - Las Palmas is a joke that we are in the same country, but french people have Reunion or New Caledonia even far away-
What about Andalusia?
@@Superinsanoguasa47 Andalucia is with a c not an s and is a sort of state having many major cities.
@@rodrigodemiguel8561 Andalusia is the english word
As the son of my Madrileño father (R.I.P) who immigrated to the U.S. a very long time ago, he would always have the need to get out and walk for an hour at about 11 or 2 pm, clearly his Spanish trait. As a middle-aged adult now who's first trip and tickets to Spain was smashed by the current pandemic, I have this same trait to get out and walk. I swear it's genetic..great video.
Pero supongo que te enseñaría a hablar español??
@@27GLA y por qué lo presupones? Acaso tuene que hablar español? Le das al traductor y punto
Orginally from California and I lived in Valencia for nearly two years. Three things that haven't been mentioned:
1) Bureaucracy - much more oppressive in Spain
2) Pace - everything is done at a slower pace
3) Cost - for me, Valencia is about 1/3 of the cost of San Francisco with a comparable lifestyle
The pace its more related to regions. Its not the same in the Basque country than in Andalucia.
About the bureaucracy... well thats an extensive topic. I lived in California and it took me way too much (literally months and like 5 visits to the office) to have my social security number that i needed for everything haha ironic.
I would add misinformation and not being on the same page between government bodies or banks.
@Bob el Silencioso Not to mention that the públic administration has improved a lot since 2007 with the electrónic administration.
@@Alejojojo6 I wish it took me only several months to get/renew my Tarjeta de Extranjero every year.
San Francisco is shit compared with Valencia.
I think the perspective of how much people work in Spain depends on where you come from. As someone from the US living in Spain the amount of holidays, vacations, etc. in Spain make me laugh/cry
In most of Europe we do enjoy more vacations than people in the American continent, not only the USA.
I'm Filipino, and alot of trait that we were doing are the same as what Spanish are doing since we are colonized by Spaniards for a long time. The siesta in the afternoon, I remember when I was in my young aged that we have to take a nap in the afternoon, the food that we ate is more of a Spanish influence like the roast pig,(lechon de leche) and the tomato sauce base.
Si 300 años
Gracias
I've known many areas of this planet and despite whatever anyone says about Spain, IMHO, I haven't yet discovered another country to live better than Spain overall ...
I would argue that Portugal is a better deal all around
@@newmoneymarcus I know Portugal and as I see it, there would be nothing to argue about my comment, sorry ...
@@rsnankivell1962 seems like you learned the lay of the lands a wee bit
How do they compare?
What about them are similar that you really appreciate?
@@VincentGonzalezVeg Nope! I haven't learned anything anyone else can't learn, I'm not so arrogant ... nor do I compare anything, I'm not so rude, all countries have good and bad things. They're just sensations, feelings: I can't explain why Spain's my favourite place in the world.
@Slaf Nankivell which part of Spain do you live in and have you lived in different parts of Spain.
There are a number of things that resonate with the Spaniard wannabe crowd - however one of the things that I love is the pride and genuine nature that Spaniards have on simple and good things like wine, cheese, jamon, pan, and 'cosas tipicas' of their home, their region or their country. What I really love is the artisanal aspects of these practices (making Jamon, Quesos, Vinos y pan) and how much care and respect the true artists give to their craft.
Spaniards are friendly and welcoming and I find that they want to share what they know to be good or incredible about their personal experience (food, drink, architecture, art, literature, etc..). Sure - you don't want to talk futbol in a mixed crowd of club fans as history and politics would be less confrontational - but on the surface topics of everyday living, I have found Spaniards to be very open and sharing.
Yep - great thumbnail, and definitely notice the lighting changes and benefits of your skillshare classes! You two are an example of hard work ethics in Spain with all the amazing ideas and ways you have kept moving forward during this pandemic 💪
Thanks Deanne! I appreciate that. And we really appreciate all your support - it means so much!
@@spainrevealed I didn't think there was anything "bad" about your lighting before... content is king!
Loved this....I will still have a rose coloured tint to my glasses when looking at Spain: the tapas, the drinking, the weather, the fun evenings, the difference in almost every conceivable way from cold North West England.....but I know it's not totally the reality. I love Spain. Gracias
Tony
The thumbnail for this video is hilarious and so was the "choking the chicken" part (yes, my mind did go there). I am not surprised by anything that you've shared, since I am familiar with the reality of Spanish living, but I do want to acknowledge that both of you look very radiant. This might have something to do with the new lighting equipment that you are using or that you have been traveling and enjoying yourselves. As always, thank you for educating us with your knowledge and I look forward to when you share your experience in Galicia via another one of your videos.
Thank you Gina -- and yes, I'm sure it's the lighting jeje
I would say, even though most of us don't do a siesta, the "siesta time" between 2pm and 4pm / 3pm and 5 pm is very respected. People usually tend to have this time to relax, watch a movie or play some videogames.
And you can actually get fined for making noise during those hours. No grass cutting, no drilling ect allowed.
Yeah, i'd say the same
I don't know of anyone that works in an office and have that time to relax in the middle of the day. Not saying that no one does, but I don't think is common
@@afasico9669 I don't work in an office, but my work allows me to take a nap everyday and it's the best part of the day!
Maybe at the weekends, but no-one I know has the time to take a siesta on a weekday, and most eat at work/school from their tupperware/lunchbox.
Personally the people I know who are my age will only take a nap if they slept really poorly the night before, mostly on weekends since they can't do it on weekdays. Oh and maybe on a hangover Saturday or Saturday 😅
I can't tell you how much I LOVE your screen capture! That was MY experience in January and February! I had NO IDEA Madrid and everywhere north would be bone-chilling! Lesson learned and thank God for Malaga, Barcelona and the southern coast!
You didn´t learn that in your first year of studying Spanish? We learned refranes, and one was about Madrid ¨seis meses invierno, seis meses infierno¨. The number of months varied with the teller.
Creo que muchos extranjeros tienen la impresión de que los españoles tenemos el carácter de los latinoamericanos. Es como si yo pensara que los ingleses son como los de Belice o Jamaica.
¿Y cómo es el carácter de los latinoamericanos? 350 milliones de personas ( o más) , 20 y pico de países....¿Quieres reemplazar un estereotipo por otro?
De hecho, muchos estadounidenses que viven aquí nos consideran unos sosos.
There is something primal about Spain that wasn’t touched in this video but it’s probably the overarching idea about life there and that aligns all the points made. Humans don’t need too much to be happy but gosh what a difference it makes the little things in life and feeling connected with our neighbours. Add to that the relative milder weather compared to northern europe and you have an irresistible mix.
Why is it like that in Spain when compared to elsewhere in Europe, let alone in the US? There are many theories about this but that’s a different topic that could take hours, if not days, to comprehend
Love the thumbnail.
As I may have mentioned once or twice 😁, I used to live in Spain. I had a full time job, writing for La Mañana, a newspaper and I taught English three nights a week. But life was still great.
I also don't think there is a single Spanish lifestyle. Andalusia is very different from Galicia or Asturias, or even Catalunya.
Most of the comments you read out seemed to relate to a holiday lifestyle, or perhaps being retired. I feel people would find life very different if they have to work. But it's still great.
The advert was seamless and done with your usual style. Other channels please take note.
Love that Paul - so true. There isn't one single Spanish lifestyle. Though a lot of people think there is.
I was in Getxo one year ago and it really bought home to me how it was a completely different life to poor parts of Andalusia. A recent ex-U.N raconteur did a survey of Spain and concluded that the gap between rich and poor parts are akin to different countries. i can attest to this. There are people in the wealthy parts of Catalunia, Pais Vasco and Castile that have no idea about the South and have never been there apart from maybe a coastal holiday.
@@welshtoro3256 I'm sure that is true.There are poor people in the north too but when I lived in Catalunya I found a lot of regional mistrust and ill feeling. Partly it was a holdover from after the civil war, when Franco relocated a lot of people from the south, his home turf, to the north in order to disrupt his opposers and provide work for his supporters. There are still a few narrow-minded people in the north who call Andalucía Africa.
Its still a great place to live.
@Plus Ultra Quite right, he was from Ferrol in Galicia, but his main support came from the poor people in the south. It was the north that held out against him the longest and after the war he was determined to change the demographic, in Catalunya particularly. They still remember the brutality of the Guardia Civil, used for oppression. Sadly, the wounds of the civil war are still felt in some places.
@@Outspoken.Humanist sorry friend, you are really wrong about Franco's support, initially an small part of Andalucía (mostly Sevilla and half Córdoba, and only the Granada city in Granada), and Galicia, North Castilla, Aragón, Navarra and the Vitoria province in Basque Country, and the city of Oviedo and of course the Canary Islands and Palma de Mallorca on the balearic ones....so his support was mostly from the North of Spain
Educational and fun, you have a great way sharing all you know and love about Spain. Thank you!
Spot on content ! Thank you for the interesting facts!
Great video.
Finally moved into our new home in Sagunto on Monday and loving it.
Congratulations!!!
Just up the road!
I have a great time watching your vídeos and as a Spaniard I learn a lot about ourselves!!! Keep it up!!!
Yessss! Another NZer living in Spain. Love it here, my new home. Great video guys ❤❤
Great video! I’ve lived in Spain for three (going on four) years. I feel like the only city where I would regularly eat tapas was when I lived in Sevilla. And honestly, it does get pretty cold here in winter! These houses are built for the heat, not cool weather.
Definitely. I lived in Spain for 5 years and boy did I ever freeze in Cordoba around Christmas time. No heating except for the electric brasero under the table....and I am Canadian. Brrrrrr frío!
Totally Connor --- it's true, I remember being freezing in Malaga one winter, because the apartment wasn't properly insulated. It seems even the locals sometimes think Malaga is warm all the time!
Funnily enough I and my Spanish friends from Granada and Jaen wouldn't dream of ordering tapas as a meal - tapas are something simple served along with your round of drinks, varies from round to round and is free (or included in the price of the beer, depending on how you look at it). They are appalled that in Sevilla bars charge for a meal referred to as tapas.
In my experience, the main point about eating in Spain is not about whether you are ordering a "tapa" or "raccion", it's about the fact that even sitting in one single restaurant you decide as you go what you want to eat. You don't say at the beginning, I'm going to have this starter and then this main course, you just order something and see how it goes, and then you can order something else. And whether that happens in one single restaurant, or as you move from one place to the next, that is the main thing, seeing what you feel like next rather than carrying out a plan you have to decide on at the beginning. And they don't usually do that in so-called "tapas" bars in London or wherever, and that is the main thing that makes these not genuine.
Thanks a lot for the great video! Very interesting topics and I also immediately noticed the improved lightning, very good job! I have a college in Madrid and she works pretty much 12 hours a day at least 6 days a week!!! Partially it's due to to her ingenuity and very high professional skills, but still It's just insane!
That's exactly right -- the work life balance can often be very hard here.
Fenómenal...rather than ‘myth-busting’ in a crushing sort of way, you gave more ‘texture’ to the myths- which was interesting and great fun...I loved the pollito, too! Thanks so much!
Re day drinking, Living in Denmark for 8 years, I see they have the impression we drink a lot. Maybe because the main contact they have with Spain is summer holidays. But in reality, the Danes drink sooo much more, no comparison.
I live near Lerida in Catalonia and it's quite different here. No tapas, extreme weather, serious people. (Yoli is such a warm friendly person which is not typical of people here). Economically my salary (per hour) hasn't changed in 15 years but everything has got more expensive so I have to work many more hours. On the plus side we do have some fantastic scenery and empty roads / trails which are a dream for cycling but little else to recommend! Our goal this year is to move to a different region. I'd love Castellon province but will probably end up close to Madrid thanks to work available!
Thank you for this! I'm graduating college this year and am making plans to live in Spain for at least a year. My mother's of the family is from Spain
Very nice video :) your flat is looking very nice too and the lighting definitely highlights the renovation work you’ve been doing. I think re working hours there is more facetime culture in Spain, although that probably will be fixed post Covid with all the WFH we’ve been doing globally. I also think working hours are so long because people get a longer lunch break compared to most countries, and that’s not necessarily bad because it forces you to switch off for a few hours!
Yes, facetime is important. Though there is a trap where people stay at their jobs too long because the boss thinks if they're not at their desks, they're not working. As you say, WFH could really solve this and show boss that employees can be trusted!
Thank you for opening my eyes. I love your channel. Thank you. I appreciate your truthful information.
Nice information
Muy bien, como siempre
Gracias Jonny!
Great video, I have visited med Spain for a few years and lived in Spain for one year on the med coast south of Alicante and I love it. Of course the pandemic and restrictions currently have changed how people live but compared to South Wales in the UK it is pretty amazing. However, even here it gets cold in winter and the houses are built for summer so In the winter they hold the cold and we get the hot water bottles out..!.
I do enjoy the sobremesa, but I did often find (as a Brit living as part of a big Spanish family) that the conversation would often devolve into politics, and then I wasn't sure if it was friendly conversation or if everyone was about to go to war! They can certainly be very passionate! Also....if you are on a keto, or low carb diet, Jamón would be a great source of protein and fat ;)
Conversation about politics in European countries may be intense but afterwards everybody clinks glasses and continues to be friends. In the USA it is understood to never talk about politics or religion in a social setting unless everyone is already in agreement, because it causes enmity among friends. My European friends often ask me -- well what can we fervently discuss then? Wouldn't the evening become boring?" Let's have a beer now.
Do not worry, politics discussions can be heated, but will cause no enemity, at worst they will think on the insides that you are a bit of an idiot for your ideology, but not the enemy.
Even politicians of parties with oposite ideologies that are insulting each other of horrible things in the parlment will proceed to have drink a beer or a coffe together and laugh after at a bar.
@@dagmarv.1957 Not true. Right now some political subjects make even family members stop talking with each other in Spain.
As a practically life-long learner and lover of the Spanish language to live in Spain would be a dream come true. To be able to be immersed in the language and be able to improve my Spanish would be the main reason I would want to live in Spain. My chances of ever setting foot on Spanish soil is less than zero. I am too old and do not have the means. Besides I have too many obligations and responsibilities here.
Another great video Yoly and James. xx
Thanks ma!
Mrs. Blick: You should be very proud of your son and daughter-in-law. They are both lighting the path to countless people that could use the guidance and information to maneuver a lot easier while visiting/living in Spain. They are both such good-hearted and caring people. It shows through their videos.
Great video - your fancy CZcamsr light set-up worked very well! Very funny back and forth between you both and interesting information! May I request more chaotic cooking capers from the kitchen please? Especially when James is on the vino tinto! 🍷
I lived in Sevilla and I absolutely loved it. The only thing I didn’t like was the buses. I would wait at the bus stop for 20 minutes and the bus would come and just drive by because it was full. It happened all the time. I would just end up walking home which took over an hour.
Great video and very useful info. When in Spain I experienced the kindness of the Spaniards and the wonderful food but as you said no siesta observed at all. People work all day however I must say Spaniards also play hard too. 😁. I enjoyed going out at night and just eating and walking around. Tapas bars are very loud and full of life. I never felt afraid when out at night even though I wasn’t alone but all seemed very well lit and safe.
Really enjoyed this video thank you
All these are exactly pretty much same with us Filipinos. ...
From foods like jamon, queso de bola... all the way to being family-oriented, friendliness, being religious, and much love & respect for our seniors and parents.
Well, thank you España for coming into Phils centuries ago. There are still plenty of insulares and peninsulares living in Felipinas until now.
I'm sorry to say that, but you are wrong. Most people under 35 year old are not religious in Spain.
Love your blogs!!
I was an aupair in Ourense a few years ago and my sleeping pattern completely shifted, we all went to bed at 2am and even then I felt I didn’t need sleep! But I’ve heard that’s only in the summer months and they go to sleep around 11.30 in winter. I still found it strange that the kids went to sleep so late! In the UK it’s 10pm year round for me! Also, I definitely drank more wine than water, but that’s obviously not sustainable in the long run 😂
@Bob el Silencioso Totalmente 🤨👏👏👏 , a ver cuàndo nos quitan este horario desquiciado, ¡nos toca tener la hora GMT! Los hosteleros de Baleares prefieren mantener la hora berlinesa por razones obvias, pero en Asturias y Galicia (màs aùn) es sangrante 😰👍
You guys are soo energetic, I love you guys! ♥
Good one!! Yes and everyone has ideas about Spain that are kinda crazy but I guess that's how it is moving anywhere. Keep up the great content and thanks!
When I lived in Madrid and Aranjuez I walked so so much. There are so many things to see and do in every direction that it was endlessly interesting and pretty safe.
You have crazy energy! Wonderful video 👍
gracias¡
Thank you for providing a much needed break from waiting for the election results here in the US! I walk to work every day, but it's certainly not the same as walking in Spain (lived in Logroño & Madrid). There's just so much beautiful stimulus. I love that Spain makes you feel that it's acceptable to nap. I always felt safe walking around by myself as a petite woman.
Glad it gave you a little escape Miriam! And yes, walking here is does indeed have a lot of stimuli
its not acceptable to nap-healthy people should be up and about-i only nap when sick
love your energy!
Great video as always and love that you are upping your game.
I certainly ration my consumption of jamón and this week I was teaching the difference between "used to" and "get used to" and my example of something I will never get used to (slight exaggeration) is people drinking spirits first thing in the morning. That said I had a summer job the other year and I used to see an extremely ancient man (in a wheelchair) how was wheeled out very day at about 11:30 for his shot of anís so there may be something in it!
I guess its all a matter of perspective. As an argentinian for example, to some spanish are "colder" , and security or economy are infinitely better, but of course theres crime everywhere, and if someone living in a social bubble here and never got robbed goes to Barcelona and get pickpocketed then it would have the wrong impression. Also things like siestas and stuff (we also have it here) of course depends on the context too and city dwellers do it less. That say as an argentinian, economy aside (and maybe bureaucracy for what I heard) Spain is probably my favorite destination.
On the other hands my country sometimes get praised or said things about that not quite match reality. I define that kind of stuff as "tourist residents" as they either live in sort of a bubble too, or they just never had enough exposure to the country. In ones like mine that bubble really really has differences with everyday life sadly.
All in all, my take would be to read long term experiences, the best and the worst and take both down a notch as to have more realistic expectations wherever you go and understand that no matter how long you live somewhere you probably never will have the same point of view as someone born and raised there
Warm weather? It was -5 last night, and we have the wood burning estufa on all day and evening from November to April!
Day drinking? I live near the Pyrenees in Girona, and the most popular breakfasts in the rural cafes consist of bread/cold meat/hot meat...and a carafe of wine or beer, all inclusive for a set price. Our village bar opens at 8am and the men are waiting outside lol. Then they drive off to work, then come back for lunch, repeat the process with Menu del Dia, inclusive of alcohol. :o)
Great place to retire!! Not such a good place to work.
Visite España con mi familia hace dos años, me quede encantado, sobre todo con el caracter de la gente, te hacen sentir en casa.
Saludos desde USA!!
Agree 100%
USA - ESPAÑA
En relación a la economía podría decir que aunque parezca que en España los salarios son más bajos que en USA, puedo explicar algunas cosas.
Son diferentes formas de medir. En USA hablan de salario Bruto, y no NETO.
Es decir que de ahí le tienes que quitar tasas, seguro de salud y otras cosas.
Además hay otras muchas diferencias:
En USA un SEGURO de carro cuesta como 300$ al MES. En Europa 350€ al AÑO.
En USA el servicio de transporte público es básico o inexistente, con lo que requieres 1 coche por cada persona en la familia. En Europa el servicio de transporte público es excelente y perfectamente puedes vivir sin carro.
En USA un seguro de salud que te de el servicio que te da el seguro de salud en España puede costar 800$ al mes. (España tiene el tercer mejor sistema sanitario del mundo)
En USA los medicamentos pueden ser hasta 10 veces más caros que en España
En USA hacer una carrera no baja de 50.000$ y hasta 200.000$ mientras que en Europa es gratis o como en España de 2.000€ al año (amortizando la inversión realizada, deberías quitar una buena parte del salario en los primeros años de trabajo)
Un viaje en avión en USA no baja de 300$ cuando en Europa viajar entre paises puede costar 30€ a 100€ ya sea avión o tren de Alta Velocidad.
En USA lo mismo que un profesional gana mucho, cuando contrata a otro profesional le paga mucho. En USA un abogado puede costar 200$ la hora.. y en España 50€ la hora.
En USA los alquileres son mucho más caros.
En USA no hay parques públicos como los hay en España (Público solo están los Mall)
En USA el coste de la comida puede suponer el doble que en España
En USA las casas de protección oficial son barrios invivibles, y en Europa muchas son de muy buena calidad.
En USA las vacaciones no están pagadas, y en Europa tenemos un mes de vacaciones pagadas y más días festivos pagados.
En USA no hay permisos de paternidad pagados, y en Europa te pagan 4 meses de salario para que cuides de tus hijos.
En USA no hay servicio de cuidado de niños, y en regiones como Madrid tienes guarderias gratis hasta los 3 años que el niño entra a la escuela.
Hay un soporte de días libres, ayudas a niños con problemas, a personas con pocos recursos, servicios gratuitos, subvenciones, conciliación laboral, integración social etc que no existe en USA.
www.telemadrid.es/programas/buenos-dias-madrid/Comunidad-gratuidad-escuelas-infantiles-publicas-2-2111208859--20190409073245.html
En España dan ayudas y descuentos para que las personas mayores viajen con precios muy reducidos.(IMSERSO)
www.20minutos.es/noticia/3566652/0/que-es-el-imserso/
En España un profesor gana en torno a los 2.000€ al mes.
czcams.com/video/cN0oVi1A4Mw/video.html
Otra diferencia es que la jubilación en España para un profesor con 35 años de trabajo sería del 100% del salario y con TODOS los derechos Sociales anteriormente mencionados y en USA se jubilaría con el 50% de su salario.
Y así podríamos estar explicando las diferencias un buen rato.
Si dos personas trabajando , con dos hijos, dos vehículos, podrían necesitar 6000$ mínimo al mes para vivir en USA.
Llevando a sus hijos a una guardería, los gastos de los dos coches, viajes, alquiler, gastos, etc prestamos para pagar la carrera, necesitarían pagar facturas de al menos 8.000$ al mes o mas en USA.
En España podrías tener la misma calidad de vida por 2.000€ Todo lo demás lo aporta el Estado. Vacaciones, seguro sanitario, viajes subvencionados, medicinas subvencionadas, guardería gratis, etc.
Un barrendero gana 1.800€ al mes, con 4 pagas extra, y trabaja 7 horas al día
Un bombero gana en torno a los 2.000€ al mes
Un policia en torno a los 1.800€ al mes
Un profesor en torno a los 2.000€ al mes (salarios Netos, descontando todo)
@@TheRaul45tosavia el nivel de desempleo de españa es alto y la economia es muy inestable, estoy de acuerdo en mucho de lo que dices pero el seguro de autos depende de donde vivas, yo pago solo 140 al mes por 3 coches, las casas aca en USA son mas baratas que en España, creo que el sistema Americano tiene mucho que aprender del Europeo pero no todo es horrible.
@@TheRaul45 de acuerdo en mucho que has comentado, pero no está tan fácil encontrar un trabajo hoy en día en España, ojalá yo me movía a España ya. Otra cosa, lo que comentas de 🇺🇸 depende mucho de donde vivas, no todos los sitios son tan caros.
Saludos
Very enjoyable!
Gracias!
Great informative video on the reality of living in Spain 🇪🇸.
Después de estar viviendo en el extranjero y volver a España, lo aprecio más que nunca. Sin duda es un país especial. Si fuese bien económicamente creo que sería el país ideal
Si tienes razon. He vivido en España y por amor estaba allí, pero el mercado laboral es una puta mierda. No hay trabajo y si lo tienes te pagan una mierda. Parece que los únicos trabajos estables en España son en lo publico o sea ser funcionario. Por eso volví tambien a mi pais donde hay trabago para todos, pero si no fuera asi me quedaría seguro..
@@lorenzoferandes9463 En lo personal (ingenieria) me resulta muy fácil encontrar trabajo. Otra cosa es que paguen bien.
@@lorenzoferandes9463 Emm... el desempleo en España es del 13% (Francia por ejemplo tiene 9%). ¿Qué esperas, venir del 3er mundo a limpiar baños y ganar como un ministro?
@@piloto88ed No, pero más o menos como en Holanda dónde me había criado.
No entiendo lo de la economía. La gente habla por su experiencia y piensa que debe ganar mucho aunque aporte poco al sistema. En España hay muchísimos trabajadores que ganan mucho dinero y viven muy bien. Pero claro, solo se expresan los negativos a los que todo le sale mal.
Greetings from NYC! Visited Madrid, Spain last year with my fiancé. We followed your recommendations and loved it. You never know, we might swap our baconeggcheeses for tortillas de patata one day.
Love you guys!!!!
I love seeing your videos, im mexican and im planning on moving to Spain, but im so afraid because i love my food so much, my family etc, im so scared but at the same time this helps a lot to take the big step.
Let me know if you do decide on moving, I been thinking about the samething!
Cualquier rincón de España que elijáis vais a acertar. Y seréis bienvenidas. :)
You missed the point with the cell phones, when I moved here (Badajoz) I noticed that my use of the mobile was ridiculously obvious! I would look around whilst sat having a coffee and unless people were alone there was never (hardly ever) anybody on their phones, they were talking to each other they were interacting with actual people. In England if you walk by a cafe or restaurant have a peek inside (because it’s raining outside) you’ll see a mobile either on the table in somebody’s hand on at least 60% of the tables. Yes the Spanish have the internet and yes they use it, my god do they love WhatsApp but they don’t sit and scroll through Facebook at the dinner table or when out with friends and family, that I think was the point being made by whoever commented 👍
Great video, we have been coming to Spain for twenty years and much of what you have said rings true.
Hi, I love your videos. I'm a follower from Spain ❤️❤️❤️
I lived with a young professional couple in central Madrid about 20 years ago. The wife would come home at lunch, and eat lunch and either watch TV or take a nap. And she worked at a bank!
This is painfully very accurate. Love from Madrid xD
When I started my year of college in Aranjuez, at 10:30 AM our class got out, we crossed the street and everyone ordered a little beer. I was like “Oh my god! How can this be?!” They were like “Chill out, American.”
1600 hours worked is 400 less than Americans. Americans tend to work 2080 hours a year (40 hours a week), but we do have 2 to 4 weeks off for vacation, typically.
"OH yeah...my brother has very strong family ties....." lol
Nice job keeping it real :)
Ingleses que vienen al norte de España huyendo del clima londinense y resulta que llueve más
Tío, te veo en todos los vídeos sobre España xD
I would give a chicken to everything about Spain
@Plus Ultra you didn't get it
I cannot wait to have the chance to return to Spain. Hopefully soon. ¡Me encanta España!
I love everything about Spanish I need a Spanish friend
Hey, if a internet friend is enough i am an Spaniard living in Valencia, and i happen to be very fluent in English, written English at least, so i can express myself in either language if you want to practice. if you want you can contact me with my email aitor.rosell.torralba @ gmail . com
I love your vlogs!
Just caught your video and I would like to hear your take on retiring early in Andalucía. Alicante, Malaga, Ameria etc. I am use to the heat. I am from Hot Atlanta. I just need a place were its very active all year long and a need a good gym for my sanity. Any recommendations? Any questions?
German here: most Germans I know visit their families each week. Mostly on sundays, when most shops and businesses are closed, we meet our families and have "Kaffee und Kuchen" (coffee and cake), which is a cultural institution on German sundays, so I can not confirm that part. But what I can confirm is, that Spain is far more family friendly and open minded towards children than Germany.
13- Mediterranean weather... due to the humidity, Barcelona feels colder at +14ºC, than Njarðvík at -10ºC. The first winter my husband came to Barcelona with me, I warned him to pack a good winter jacket, but he did not believe my words of Barcelona being so cold. He froze his ass off, and as I used to move around in a motorbike, he was sick when we went back to Iceland; stubborn ass. A part from the humidity, buildings are not really well prepared for the cold, or the heat, and since gas and electricity are quite expensive, people don't use climatizers as much as they'd like.
☺
We use to spend winter months on Tenerife (this year on Madeira though). Spain is great now if we have money to spend. Not good to work (I worked 5 y. in Italy as chef and I dont think it is much different or better in Spain). Welcome from Finland!!
Yep. If you have a good job with a good salary it's great, otherwise it's not. Long working hours and poor family/work balance, if you have kids there aren't enough kindergartens and the Government doesn't help families enough. But if you love the "Spanish way of life" so much, it can be worth it to move there. It all depends on your priorities.
There are Spaniards who have emigrated to other EU countries, received a better salary there but weren't happy overall, and those who could returned to Spain.
Padrisimo video! Saludos de Rumamia!😘 Una pregunta si se puede: que signos tienen?😁
I am a Spanish speaker (Mexican) and the one thing I’m nervous about is the accent 🥹 I understand Spanish but there’s some accent where I’ll need the speaker to speak slower…
Nice video! I just met a woman in Madrid and absolutely adore her, I am in my early 40's and living in Belgium, but here's the but... Reality wise, it seems hard to survive as a potential expat in Spain. Jobs seem low, salaries seem low, they don't work 9-5, housing is expensive and small compared to here. Yet, she's amazing 😍
Spain is a big country with very different cultures, north of Spain is more like north europe, south and specially andaluce is more relaxed. Visit valencia, sevilla or malaga and feel the difference.
First time seeing this, love you guys
Day drinking definitely just for the weekend
The photo of you guys on the title of this video is a real killer. Hahahahaha 😂
The inefficient working thing in Spain is a bit misleading. For example if you're an estate agent in say Paris and you sell ten houses a week at an average €400,000 per residence, you'd be statistically more efficient than an estate agent who sells twelve homes in Madrid at an average of €250,000. Similarly a café in Frankfurt which sells three hundred coffees a day at €3.00 per coffee would be reckoned to be more efficient than the same sized café with the same number of employees in Sevilla which sells four hundred coffees per day for €1.90.
Knowing the languages is what truly makes life enjoyable in another country. I have friends who immigrated to the US many years ago and are still feeling unhappy with the culture and the language here.
This is not the first time I've heard we spaniards work more hours but in an inefficient way. I completely disagree with that sentence, spaniards workers are really appreciated and reliable, never heard the same complains about spaniards when we are working on USA, Germany, UK or Netherlands. So, what's the problem then? Spaniards workers are not inefficient, the real problem of the so called inefficiency comes from management.
Management in Spain usually lacks of strict planning or planning just for the short term, and they rely very often on unrealistic requirements or expectations.
Spaniards are used to long working days, not because we are slower and need more hours to do the same work, but to accomplish the requirements from management, and many people are threatened with being fired if they refuse to it or complain. Unemployment is Spain is very high and people are afraid os losing their jobs so they accept the long working days.
In conclusion, we spaniards are great hard workers, but we are not good managers nor planners.
hola from san antonio.texas USA luv your CZcams channel about the motherland espana never been there.🇪🇸
We were considering moving to Espana from Los Angeles,, the main reason was cheap rents, and real estate prices, I’ve been to Spain a half dozen times but really use your videos to make our choices . I thank you for all the talks on moving to Spain. I think we decided to stay in the USA for multiple. Health reasons, but will still be visiting when this pandemic is over
Why?
@@KCFlightClub10 this is very old post from 2 years ago, we are planning on moving out of Los Angeles to another state probably Florida, Los Angeles has become too expensive
Thanks 😊👍
Hi James and Yoly! I have loved your videos, and I am wondering if you can answer a question I have about Spain. Next year, I will be graduating from a university in Spain. As an American citizen, how can I stay here/ what are the best ways to get a work visa? Thanks for all your grat videos!
I have always since i was like 10 years old wanted to live or at least soend more time there. Wanna experience the non tourist day to dat places. I took tiny spanish in school, im always learning more online 😉
Love the people þ, the language, the atmosphere and lets not forget the food 😜.
Love your channel you are awesome. With love from Iceland 🥶