I can only speak from experience here, but when I first landed in Spain, I had a two-week Airbnb booked in the city I thought I’d be living in long-term. Honestly, the first 3–4 days were a blur. I was just trying to survive the jet lag and remember what time zone I was in. My internal clock was somewhere over the Atlantic.
But then I pulled myself together (sort of) and got to work. Thanks to the magic of Facebook groups, I ended up connecting with a girl who was also apartment hunting. We met up, hit it off, and decided to team up. She eventually moved into my Airbnb so we could look together, kind of like a spontaneous roommate arrangement born out of mutual panic and practicality.
The best part? She spoke Spanish. Which, if you know me, you know was a lifesaver. But to be fair, we both hustled hard. We were refreshing Idealista like it was a full-time job, calling landlords, messaging through the app, and triple-texting them on WhatsApp just to make sure we were being seen. Not subtle, but effective.
We treated apartment hunting like it was our 9-to-5. We booked at least three viewings a day, sometimes more. And after five straight days of being persistent (and borderline annoying), we found our place. It wasn’t easy, but we made it happen, and honestly, that whole week felt like a crash course in “how to adult in a foreign country with zero chill.”
If you’re moving abroad and trying to find a long-term apartment, I’d recommend doing exactly that: give yourself a couple of weeks in a temporary spot, get connected with people in local expat or housing groups, and act fast. Things move quickly, and persistence is key.
And if you don’t speak the language? Bring snacks and make friends who do. Trust me. When it comes to housing and cost of living, the differences between Spain and the United States are striking, and each offers its unique set of challenges and comforts.
Spain:
Life in Spain comes with a generally lower cost of living, but the housing here reflects a different way of life. Apartments are typically smaller, with a focus on functionality rather than sprawling spaces. Contracts here are refreshingly concise; my rental agreement was just five pages long! It felt like a breath of fresh air compared to the dense, jargon-filled contracts back home in the U.S., which often feel like clicking “I agree” on a never-ending terms and conditions page.
The process of securing housing in Spain is simpler overall, but it does highlight some old-fashioned aspects of life here. Keys are king, with little reliance on digital systems. The quirks of living in Spain include occasional power outages and learning not to use too many appliances at once. Many homes lack the modern conveniences I took for granted in the U.S., such as dryers, dishwashers, and central air conditioning or heating. Hanging my clothes to dry has become part of my routine, and I’ve discovered that an electric space heater can be a lifesaver in the cooler months.
USA:
On the flip side, housing in the U.S. is often more spacious and comes with a range of amenities that many Americans view as standard, larger kitchens with dishwashers, laundry rooms with dryers, and HVAC systems to keep you comfortable year-round. However, this luxury comes at a price, with housing costs significantly higher in many regions.
My Perspective:
Having lived in both, I can see the beauty and practicality in each lifestyle. In Spain, I appreciate the simplicity and affordability, even if it means adjusting to a more minimalistic approach. In the U.S., I miss the convenience of larger spaces and modern amenities, but I don’t miss the higher living costs.
If I had to choose, Spain feels like home for now. The cozy apartments, the old-world charm of hanging clothes to dry on the terrace, and even navigating the occasional quirks like power limitations have become part of my adventure. While it’s not without its challenges, this lifestyle has taught me to embrace a simpler, slower pace of living that I never experienced in the U.S.
I have to admit, I do miss my convenient little kitchen appliances that used to make life so much easier. Back home, it was second nature to reach for my blender for a quick smoothie, my air fryer for crispy snacks. It’s funny how you don’t realize how much you rely on these small things until they’re not around.
Now, without them, I’ve had to get creative and embrace a simpler way of cooking, which has been both challenging and rewarding. There’s something grounding about slowing down and doing things the old-fashioned way, but let’s be real, some mornings, I’d trade that “rustic charm” for the hum of my coffee machine in a heartbeat.
What about you? Would you trade the convenience of space and amenities for a more cost-effective and minimalist lifestyle?
Love always,
American Girl Meets World
