What do I need to know about living in Spain?

Question

My friend and I are planning to go live in Spain on our own the year after High School. (We're seniors this year) What do we need to know before we make plans? Will we need jobs? About how much will it cost? How much are places there? We just need an experience underneath our belts before we go off to college. Any any ANY information is helpful! We're very determined individuals so we're sure we wont get off track.

Answer 1

First thing you need to do is learn Spanish, if you don't already know it, that is. Also, what do you mean if you need a job? At least you parents or someone are giving you money, I guess you do. How else do you expect to survive? As some one said up there, without a degree you will have to work in a low payed job like waitress. And it's true renting is expensive here in Barcelona, but you can always look in other towns near Barcelona (they are very well connected with the city by train, many people work in the city and go back home every day, I did it) or even in certain neighbors (although I don't recommend it now, full of immigrants from Latin America and Moorish countries).  You may be able to find a nice flat for 800 €, but don't expect earn more than 600 (at the highest) without a degree. Being an English speaker you could try in something to do with tourism, but I would try to improve my Spanish if I were you. Living here is cheaper than other EU countries such as UK, Germany or France, but more expensive than others like Portugal, Greece or Poland. If you do decide to come, have fun, but take care and make sure you have planned things carefully

NOTE: if you're not a national from EU, then go to the Spanish Embassy and check how to get a Visa so you can work here. I was assuming you were European but having used the term "high school" ...

Answer 2

I live in Malaga, Spain and this is a good place to be compared to many of the other resorts, the reason for me saying this is because there are many English companies here and you can find work in bars during the Summer months where your Spanish will not need to be superb to get some work

There is a job website based in Malaga that are English speaking and they have an area guide about the area

Answer 3

You may want to learn Spanish to begin with in case you don't speak the language.

Answer 4

If you want to live in Barcelona or Madrid, its very expensive. ( especially Barcelona).. And its better for you to go to school and get an education unless you want to get 600 euros a month as a waitress somewhere.. That's about the average MONTHLY salary if you don´t have a college education. And in Barcelona, Average Apt prices are from 1200 euros and up for two people..

So Good Luck...

Take care,

Bcn_mimosa from Barcelona...

Answer 5

Lots of youngsters come out to Spain for a temporary spell of work, manage to find a job okay, survive, and enjoy themselves - even if the money isn't brilliant!

However, the majority of these are residents of the European  Union and as such, in theory, they have the same right to work as a Spaniard.

Where are you from?  Are you EU residents?  Something tells me you may not be.  In this case it could be more problematic finding work (though not impossible!), and you will probably need a visa before leaving your country.  Why not get in touch with the Spanish Embassy in your home country.  Or your country's embassy in Madrid (or on the internet) for more details about paperwork.

Good luck!

Answer 6

Check out the info page on http:// www.alexander-del-sol.com     this will give you some idea of costs etc

Answer 7

If you are coming to Spain with no money then you are going to have to work long hours. Wages here aren't like the UK. If you haven't a place to stay you will need to rent, and that won't be cheap either. If you live in an area like where I live you will have to learn Spanish. Having said that, if you go to Torrevieja you will find English spoken more than Spanish. If you get bar work you will find that you are the one's working hard whilst everyone is having a good time.

We all have dreams when we are young, I did too. I'm not sure about the law here and how old you'd need to be to get rooms or even rent a place.

You may be determined individuals but life here won't be easy. I'd give this venture a miss and concentrate on your careers. This is a great country to live but I've seen many like you fall by the wayside.