Last Updated on November 19, 2024 by Laila Oliveira
More than 1.5 million people love the city – is that enough to make it one of the best cities in Spain? Almost one-fourth of Barcelona’s total population consists of foreigners who decided to move and live there. If you’ve heard mixed information about the city, this article will help you get clarity. Let’s weigh out the pros and cons of Barcelona!
It comes as no shock that the city attracts more than 12 million tourists and wows them every year. The real question is: Is living as a tourist the same thing as living as an expat? The beauty definitely doesn’t go anywhere. Neither does the perk of being centrally located.
However, the discussion is much deeper than that. Continue reading as we explore the best parts and the not-so-great parts of Barcelona that are important to consider when planning your move. Let’s get into the details!
Pros of Barcelona
Starting off with all the reasons why expats love to call it their second home!
Located right on the coast of Spain, the city has some fantastic spots to unwind at the beach and soak in the golden sun. The year-long warm weather is another huge reason why expats from colder countries feel much more energized here.
And how can we forget about the exciting nightlife that makes you never want to leave town for some fun on the weekend? As an expat and tourist magnet, the community has built loads of entertainment options to keep you busy (in the best way possible).
Let’s explore each reason why expats still consider Barcelona despite everything they hear from news articles.
- Want to learn all about Barcelona? Check out: Living In Barcelona: Everything Expats Need To Know.
Beach and City Life Combined
This one is on the top of the list for digital nomads and young expats looking to move to a place where they can actually enjoy their youth.
If you’re moving to Barcelona on a Work Visa or a Business Visa, and you’re expecting long, boring days, that is going to be far from reality.
It’s a city where people love to socialize outdoors. Whether that’s a quick morning coffee with a friend before work, a long lunch between siesta time, or a weekend dinner party. There are loads of great cafes close to workplaces, but also some stunning beaches that you can visit every other day for that Vitamin Sea.
Great Climate
A pro that is talked about a lot when analyzing the pros and cons of Barcelona is the fantastic climate all year round.
The highest average temperature in summer is 23.9 °C (75 °F), and the minimum average in winter is 7.9 °C (46.2 °F) in January. The Mediterranean climate makes it an amazing place to enjoy city life all year round.
Another major reason why expats from Canada and the UK prefer living in sunny Barcelona is how it keeps the soul happy. The refreshing sun shines 12 hours a day on average in the summer and around 4 hours a day in the winter.
This allows plenty of time to get stuff done, enjoy outdoors with family, go for a jog, or have a little picnic at the beach.
High Quality of Life
Driven by rapid economic growth, thanks to tourism and significant investments in infrastructure, the quality of life is at par with some of the most expensive European cities. But at a fraction of the price.
A report comparing the top 100 metropolitan cities ranked Barcelona as the 8th Best City In The World For 2024. The city’s urban planning is based on innovation and modern conveniences, balanced with rich cultural heritage and a laid-back Mediterranean lifestyle.
Additionally, since it is relatively small—nearly 101 kilometers—the city is walkable with efficient public transport. These factors contribute to why expats prefer Barcelona’s lifestyle over other cities.
International Community
This one has to be the biggest pro in Barcelona’s list of pros and cons!
Who doesn’t love mingling with like-minded individuals when you’re living in a completely new country? Especially true for digital nomads, the thriving international community in Barcelona helps expats feel at home.
Barcelona benefits from its reputation as a “global city” and welcomes people from all over the world. As a result, we witness a beautiful mixture of cultures, languages, and perspectives. These differences are celebrated during expat meetups, cultural fairs, and community gatherings.
The international community is definitely one of the most inviting aspects of choosing this city over the rest.
Vibrant Culture and Art
Quite honestly, Barcelona could be called an open-air gallery, thanks to its incredibly stunning architecture and public spaces.
Tourists and residents alike are mesmerized by some of Barcelona’s most popular landmarks, such as Sagrada Família, Park Güell, and La Rambla. Each monument has a story attached to it, reflecting Barcelona’s rich culture and history.
There truly aren’t any dull moments when you’re living in Barcelona. With vibrant festivals and street performances keeping residents busy, the colorful and ever-evolving artistic scene ensures you’ll have a fantastic time.
Cons of Barcelona
The pros may have painted a pretty picture, but let’s be honest: no place is perfect. There are always some cons to every place, and it’s important to lay those out as well. We want to be as transparent as possible so you can make an informed decision.
This is not to discourage you or steer you away; instead, it’s about understanding both the upsides and downsides so that you can be prepared accordingly. Keeping expectations in check will ultimately ensure your satisfaction in the future.
Barcelona is considered a safe haven for many, but the following challenges may be discouraging for some individuals.
Let’s go over them one by one.
Tourism Overload
Like any other main city, Barcelona also struggles with overtourism.
As a result, it drives the prices up, feels overcrowded, and public transport becomes a hassle. Some locals may feel uneasy due to limited resources, which can lead to protests. In July of 2024, around 2800 locals organized a demonstration, ‘Tourists Go Home’.
Protestors voiced rising accommodation concerns, environmental pollution, water shortages, and more. The transformation of many homes into holiday apartments drove up rent, forcing some people to move to the suburbs and young people to live with their parents.
This can be challenging if you’re a resident. Unfortunately, it also results in an increase in petty crimes. So, you will have to be careful in public areas to avoid being pickpocketed. This could be a big con for some when they’re assessing the pros and cons of Barcelona.
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High Cost of Living
The cost of living in Barcelona can vary according to the type of lifestyle you desire. To be honest, it’s not the most affordable, but rightfully so, since it gives you a high quality of life.
However, with some careful financial planning, it’s definitely possible to live a comfortable life on a budget. And expats moving from the US or the UK, for example, still consider it affordable.
Accommodation tends to be one of the major expenses. If you were to rent an apartment in the city center, the rent would be pretty high, around €1,253, but as you go further away from the center, prices would go down to about €945.
Here’s an average price breakdown for one person:
| Expense | Cost |
|---|---|
| Rent (one-bedroom in the city center) | €1,253 |
| Groceries | €250 |
| Utilities (Electricity, Water, Heating, and Cooling) | €167 |
| Mobile Plan | €16 |
| Public Transport | €45 |
So, is it worth living there? Absolutely! You will get your money’s worth, but ultimately, it comes down to personal preference.
- Read in more detail: Cost Of Living In Barcelona: Estimates And Tips.
Bureaucracy
Bureaucracy in Barcelona can be a little tricky, and no one likes the complexities of paperwork. With a little guidance, the process can become smooth.
What makes it particularly complex for expats is not knowing Spanish. So, you will need to hire external help to make things go smoothly. Short deadlines, disorganization, and the distance to the ministry can be a nightmare, but with the right help and determination, this too shall pass!
Unfortunately, there’s no way to expedite such bureaucratic procedures. To ease the long, tiring processes, it is recommended that you carry a book, coffee, and earphones while waiting.
Possible Climate Change
Rising temperatures, lack of water availability, an increase in flooding, and shrinking beaches are all climate challenges Barcelona will have to face in the future.
The impact of climate change can lead to possible impacts like heat waves, coastal flooding, forest fires, risk to infrastructure, urban flooding, etc.
Barcelona has also struggled with waste generation, air quality, and noise pollution.
All these possible scenarios are a concern, however, they’re actively and constantly taking charge to make things better via their Climate Plan 2018-2030.
Language Barrier
Most everyday interactions in Barcelona happen in Spanish or Catalan. You may find youngsters speaking in English at events, etc., but the local language is most widely used at other places like restaurants and grocery stores.
For many, this can be a major push factor to learn the local language and a motivation to do so, but others may view it as an inconvenience. This can actually come under both the pros and cons of Barcelona.
For some, it’s a motivation to learn a new language they might not have otherwise. For others, it feels like being forced without a choice.
Regardless of where you stand, you will always have the option to take Spanish classes to make your life easier, and remember, it’s not as hard as it may seem. When you make the decision to move to a new country, you must make adjustments to welcome the local culture.
Is living in Barcelona worth it?
We hope that you have a clearer picture of what your life in Barcelona could be like. The pros and cons of Barcelona can be discussed in much more detail, but it depends on what’s important to you.
Like all other decisions, this one is also based on your personal preferences. For some, living in a city with millions of tourists as visitors is a complete no-go. For others, it’s a great way to stay busy and make new friends.
What do you want your lifestyle to look like?
Remember that the cons will still exist no matter what neighborhood you’re in. These are things you might have to deal with on a daily basis, so be prepared to make some sacrifices to enjoy all the wonderful pros!
After all, there’s a reason why almost 500,000 foreigners choose to live in Barcelona.
How to move to Spain?
Moving to Spain is a lot simpler when you have all the resources and guidance to make your relocation process a success.
Depending on which visa you’re looking to apply for, you will need documents and an appointment with the embassy. The usual time it takes to process an application is between 2 weeks to 3 months.
But those 3 months go by fast when you know you’re about to change your life forever! If you need help figuring out which visa you should apply for or how to do it, book a free consultation with Viv Europe’s experts.
And remember, we’re here every step of the way!
