Is Living in Spain a Good Idea?

So, you’re thinking about moving to Spain? Maybe you’ve visited on vacation, fallen in love with the sun-soaked plazas and the slow, late-night dinners, and now you’re wondering: Is living in Spain actually a good idea?

Short answer? Yes, but it depends on what you’re looking for. Long answer? Well... let’s talk about it.

The Lifestyle: Slow, Sunny, and Social

Spain is famous for its laid-back lifestyle. People don’t rush here. Mornings are for coffee and conversation, afternoons are for long lunches (and sometimes naps), and evenings are for tapas and drinks with friends. If you come from a fast-paced country where efficiency is king, this can be both a dream and a nightmare.

Want to grab groceries at 3 PM? Forget it—half the shops are closed for siesta. Need a plumber urgently? You might be waiting a few days... or weeks. But at the same time, once you embrace the rhythm, life starts to feel lighter. You enjoy things more. You actually take time to live.

The Weather: Sun, Sun… and More Sun

If you’re escaping the gray skies of Northern Europe or North America, Spain is a sun-lover’s paradise. With over 300 sunny days per year in many regions, you can expect mild winters and long, hot summers.

But before you start daydreaming about beach life, remember: Spain is huge, and the weather varies wildly.

• Madrid? Freezing in winter, blazing hot in summer.
• Barcelona? More humid, but still Mediterranean vibes.
• Seville? Gorgeous but can hit 45°C (113°F) in summer—hope you like sweating.
• North of Spain? Surprise! It rains a lot.

Pick your region wisely.

Cost of Living: Cheap… But Not Always

Compared to cities like London, Paris, or New York, Spain is way more affordable. You can rent a decent apartment in Valencia for €700/month, or in smaller towns for even less. Eating out is ridiculously cheap compared to Northern Europe—a full meal with wine for under €15? Yes, please.

But let’s be real: Madrid and Barcelona are not "cheap". Rent has been rising, and if you live in the trendiest neighborhoods, expect to pay closer to what you'd pay in other major European capitals.

Jobs & Salaries: The Harsh Reality

Okay, here’s the tough part: Salaries in Spain are low. If you’re moving from the UK, US, or Germany expecting to maintain the same level of income, prepare for a reality check.

• The average salary in Spain is around €25,000 per year.
• Many jobs pay under €1,500/month, especially outside big cities.
• If you work in tech or remotely, you’ll live like a king.

Basically, Spain is fantastic if you already have money (remote work, savings, or a pension). If you need to find a high-paying job locally? Not so easy.

Bureaucracy: A Lesson in Patience

If you’ve ever complained about slow paperwork, Spain will test your soul.

Opening a bank account? Renting an apartment? Getting a residence permit? Prepare for endless forms, long lines, and officials who may or may not be helpful. Some expats joke that you need a lawyer just to survive Spanish bureaucracy—and honestly, they’re not wrong.

The good news? Once you’ve navigated the system once, it gets easier. And hey, learning to be patient is part of the Spanish experience, right?

Social Life & Culture: People Actually Talk to Each Other

One of Spain’s greatest strengths? The people. If you’re friendly and open, you’ll find Spaniards love socializing. Strangers will chat with you in bars, neighbors will invite you for a drink, and before you know it, you’ll be having three-hour dinners with friends on a Tuesday night.

But—and this is important—learning Spanish is key. In Madrid or Barcelona, you’ll survive with English, but in smaller towns? Not a chance. And even in cities, if you want to make real local friends, you need at least basic Spanish.

So, Should You Move to Spain?

Let’s sum it up:

Move to Spain if:

• You love sunshine, good food, and a relaxed lifestyle.
• You can handle bureaucracy with patience (or wine).
• You work remotely or don’t rely on Spanish salaries.
• You’re open to learning Spanish and integrating.

Maybe reconsider if:

• You need high wages and career growth opportunities.
• You get frustrated by inefficiency and slow service.
• You hate hot summers or siesta culture.

At the end of the day, Spain is an incredible place to live—but only if it fits your lifestyle. If you’re dreaming of lazy afternoons, tapas by the beach, and a culture that prioritizes enjoying life over stress, then yes—living in Spain is absolutely a good idea.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.