Canadians in Barcelona?

Hey guys,

I will be travelling from Southern Ontario to Spain and living in a town just outside of Barcelona, and was wondering if there were any fellow Canucks in that region?

Cheers,
Tyler

HI.
I've been living here in Barcelona with my boyfriend for the past 7 months (we're from Alberta). Haven't really met too many Canadians that aren't just passing through backpacking. What town are you going to live in outside the city? The city is a nice place to go out at night and has a pretty good atmosphere.
Let me know how your move goes.

Hey thanks for the reply,

We will be living in Villassar De Dalt, just east of Barcelona about a half hour im told. My girlfriend, myself and our 10 month old son will be flying into madrid monday oct 28th, staying there for a few nights and will be in Barcelona by oct 30th/31st. So what made you guys move there?

Tyler

Hi,

My boyfriend moved to Barcelona about 2 years ago cause he just wanted to get away from Canada and do some traveling and then I can to meet up with him about 7 months ago. So now we're just working and living in the city.
Let me know when you get to Barcelona.
Hope you have a safe trip over here.

Michelle

Will do!

Im not looking forward to the jet lag lol. how is the weather over there right now anyways? shorts and t-shirt?

HAHA! Nope! It's been pouring rain here for the past few days, but I'm sure it'll let up soon and the sun will come back (it always does). The nights get fairly cold here, but not like back at home at this time of year. There's still plenty of time for hanging out on patios and whatnot. People were on the beach this past weekend, so hopefully by the time you arrive the weather will warm up enough for a nice welcoming.

Safe Travels!

Hey guys,

I dont mean to interject, but it seems like you both may be able to help me.

I am really interested in moving to Spain for a while, for the same reasons as mentioned above, to get out of Canada. In doing that, I would obviously need to find employment down there. I have a graduate degree (a bachelor in mechanical engineering) so I would not be looking for the typical 'student travelling and working' type job.

Bluesky, you mentioned that your boyfriend has been out there for a number of years. What type of employment does he have? For a period like that, what type of paper work is involved if you dont have citizenship? (I am originally from Alberta as well!) Is it hard to gain employment in your region?

I am just starting to research this possibilty, so please bear with me if I have asked too many questions. I would love to hear some feedback if you have any suggestions on how best to start this process.

Thanks very much, and I hope youre enjoying Spain so far. You are the envy of 35 million people back home!

Hey man,

Ya Ive been here for about two weeks now living just outside of Barcelona. I have to tell you, in order to get a job here, unless you will be working for a purely english company, you will need to know spanish. Also, it is a little tricky because in order to get work, you need your work visa papers. And in order to get those papers (so ive been told), is you need an employer to `sponsor` you, meaning basically hire you for the future, and be willing to fill out paperwork for the spanish counsular office back home in Canada. (You have to be physically back in Canada in order to get your work Visa).

If you are able to apply and find work in Spain while being back home in Canada, then do this (may be hard). If not, do as Im doing, and come travel, see some places, and look for work while doing so. Then return to Canada, get your papers, and come back (costly).

Hope this helps,
Tyler

Tyler,

I really appreciate your time here, I am really thankful when someone actually answers a post!

I understand how difficult it can be to have something lined up before you get there, so I think your method, the more costly method, might be one's best chance of getting there at all. I would have three months right?

You mentioned English speaking companies, is that rare, or just hard to find employment? Do you have any names you could throw out there? Also, what type of employent should I even expect out there?

What about housing? I am interested in your general area, is renting difficult out there?

I dont think speaking spanish will be a problem. Im learning now, and I know there will be a steep learning curve but Im excited about the challenge.

Again, I appreciate your input because I think youre about a half year ahead of where I want to be. I hope your job search goes well and that you take the time to enjoy where you are. Also, much credit to you for going in head first!

Hey buddy, no problem at all. some nice people on these forums helped me out when I was in your spot, so I return the favour.

Ya, 3 months is the legal timeline for a tourist visa, but at the airport when I landed in Madrid, it was the easiest customs Ive ever been through, they didnt ask for anything like return flight, if we had enough money to support ourselves, anything like that. What I'm told though is if you are hear longer then 3 months, just go visit france for a day and come back, and you get another 3 months. Just a little loopwhole.

As for jobs? Well its the offseason over here right now, (even though the streets are still packed all the time). I havn't found one yet, but Ive been doing more sightseeing these past 2 weeks rather then really putting my nose to it. I would say Spanish is almost a necessity though, but the good thing is, if you know Spanish, and also speak English as well as we do, then that will open up a ton of doors. My spanish is about 20% i'd say, so living here will obviously improve it, then studying the language more when I get back to Canada will ultimately give me the best chance to find a decent job.

As for housing. you will find places all over, just like any other big city. Its ALL apartments. The prices are virtually the same in the city for everything as they would be in Toronto for example, BUT in Euros. which is like ~1.6:1 with CAD. So, a big mac meal costs 6.50 Euros, but will cost you $10. So take this example and apply it to EVERYTHING. Its costly. But again, this is in Barcelona. (Mardrid was the same). For an English speaking person, you will find it almost crucial to live in one of these more international cities though, for life lines.

Then again, you might get out here and change your mind too. maybe out in the plains is your thing and you just needed to travel half way around the world to find that out lol. I say just buy a ticket and go.

Tyler