5 Things You Don’t Get Used to as an Expat in Spain
I’m a (fairly) recent college graduate who moved back home to her parents for a year after graduating to save up as much money as I could. With a little bit of help as well, I was finally able to afford a TEFL certification and a one-way ticket to Spain to pursue a career and a different lifestyle.
And now 18 months of living here later, there are still some things that I simply cannot get over or get used to. Some days I have to remind myself that Spain works differently and to relax; but wow, the other days I am truly annoyed. Here are the 5 things you don’t get used to as an expat in Spain.
Bureaucracy
Everything moves at a slow pace (except when it involves driving)
People drive like they’re being chased and yet, everything else moves very slow. Nothing and no one is in a rush here. Don’t expect to get your TIE (tarjeta de identidad de extranjero) at a reasonable time. I never even received my 2nd one for my 2nd year here as it took 7 months to process the paperwork for it…. yep, 7 months. The 3rd one I received (process from start to finish) within 6 months. Better than the last time so I’ll take it!
You will grow a lot of patience during your time in Spain 🙂
Everything feels smaller
I am aware that being a US citizen comes with a lot of ‘extra’ things like dryers, large refrigerators, big cars, lots of space, etc. It’s what we’re used to. I was in absolute shock when I came to live here because everything feels so small. My first apartment had one medium-sized fridge for 6 people to share and no outside access. You would think 6 strangers couldn’t share that small of a fridge, but we made it work. Many appliances are quite small and air conditioning is hard to come by.
Siesta hours means almost everything shuts down…. ugh another thing I am still not used to
This will forever be an irritating situation. I stand by the opinion that this schedule is unproductive and unnecessary. Banks are only open from 8:30-14:00, M-F so you’ll have to miss work/school to just go to the bank. Don’t try to go to a pharmacy between 2-5 pm, they’re not open. Thankfully, they do reopen at 5 or 5:30 – about 8/8:30 pm so if you need something avoid siesta hours.
Lack of Convenience
Now, living in Madrid is convenient in many ways. Public transport is fantastic and everything is very affordable, even on a student’s budget. But, simply put, Spanish grocery stores don’t have much variety. You’ll have to go to specific stores if you want something like types of hot sauces and Asian food products.
If you’re a Mexican food fan, like me, to find certain spices and fresh jalapenos you’ll have to go to a Latino Fruteria or any shop that sells Latino products. In other words, one-stop shopping is not really a commodity, especially in the center.
Check out Madrid Food Tour’s The Ultimate Foodie Guide to Grocery Stores in Madrid for all the info on where to find your favorite products.
Difficult finding quality housing accommodations, another thing you don’t get used to
It’s difficult to find a quality and reliable place to live when you first move abroad. Photos can be misleading and the landlord or agency can be unpleasant. Sites I recommend using when you initially looking for a place are:
Airbnb is a great outlet to find your initial accommodation when you arrive. It’s reliable, cheap and you’ll get to know the city a bit more before deciding on which barrio to live in. Follow this Airbnb link to get $60 off your stay when you sign up!
Spotahome is a user-friendly platform that allows you to see videos of apartments and offers secure/instant booking. This is where I found my first apartment in Madrid and it worked out great!
Facebook Groups (e.g. Madrid Apartments, Madrid Housing) search the FB groups for mentions of having a room/place for rent. Chances are you’ll find someone that speaks English and can help in some way!
If you are comfortable and can hold your own speaking Spanish then I also recommend Idealista.
With the difficulties that come along with living abroad, I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything. It has been so rewarding in many ways and it’s worth the tougher parts!
For your next step of life in Spain after moving, check out this post on how to get your TIE card when you arrive.
