10 things to know before moving to Barcelona from NYC

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Are you thinking about leaving NYC and moving to Spain, the country of endless summer, fiestas, beautiful music, and quality wines? If so, this is the guide you are going to love. Apart from offering top-notch international moving services, we will also share with you some valuable information and tips for moving to Barcelona from NYC hassle-free. So, if you’re planning to switch the Big Apple for the City of Counts in the near future, we strongly advise you to read the following text carefully. Here is what you need to know about this transition and becoming a resident of Spain.

Learning about the local culture before moving to Barcelona is essential

Gathering as much information about your new neighborhood, city’s culture, and its lifestyle is what helps expats adjust to their new surroundings. There is one important thing to point out about living in Spain. Even though Catalunya is a part of Spain, it has its own traditions, celebrations, culture, and even language. That’s why it would be a good idea to learn about Catalunya and its language if you will be moving from USA to Spain. The Catalan people take pride in every aspect of their culture and they will most definitely appreciate your effort. But don’t worry, you will manage to get by using only English.

The City of Barcelona
You will miss out on so many things by not speaking Catalan or Spanish.

Living costs in Barcelona are significantly lower than the ones in NYC

Compared to other cities, especially American ones, Barcelona’s living costs are significantly lower. Dining out, taxes, going out, and rent prices are actually quite reasonable. This is exactly why many choose to hire international moving companies NYC and become Spain’s residents. Of course, living costs depend a lot on people’s lifestyles. For example, for €500 you can find a great 2-bedroom apartment, but if you’re used to living in luxury apartments, you’ll need to prepare at least €2000 a month.

You will need to get used to the Mediterranean climate

Are you sick and tired of cold winters and rainy days? If so, you are going to love Spain! The entire country is perfect for hot weather fans. Since it is located on the sea, Barcelona has a Mediterranean climate.  This means that winter months can be wet but the temperatures aren’t low even if it’s the middle of December. Beware, July and August can be significantly hot. So, make sure to learn how to beat the heat before the summer arrives.

Residents of Barcelona live at a much slower pace

Since you will be moving to Barcelona from NYC, you’ll finally get the chance to get some peace and rest. People in Barcelona are living at a much slower pace than in NYC. So, don’t expect to get done with bureaucratic and administrative tasks on a day. Things don’t get done instantly here. But, instead of feeling stressed because of this, embrace the relaxed lifestyle.

You don’t need a car for getting around Barcelona

There’s nothing worse than being stuck in NYC’s traffic jams. Luckily, you can forget about them after moving to Barcelona. Here, you don’t even need a car! Metro and tram are the quickest and most convenient ways of getting around Barcelona. If you already own it, you should consider moving abroad a bicycle because it will be very useful to you in Barcelona.

Man driving bicycle
Ditch the car and opt for a greener lifestyle

There are many tourists attractions worth checking out

Once you create an international moving checklist, you should start writing down all of the attractions you’re going to visit after the move. Barcelona is filled with tourist attractions and we are sure you are going to love them. Some of the places you can’t skip visiting include:

  • Basilica de la Sagrada Familia
  • Gothic Quarter
  • Casa Mila
  • Palace of Catalan Music
  • Park Güell
  • Casa Batlló

There’s no need for moving all of your furniture from NYC to Barcelona

We have compared shipping furniture vs buying new to see which option is better when moving to Barcelona from NYC. The results show it’s better to do furniture shopping on-site than to move it with you. You can sell your old furniture, relocate and buy new pieces right here. The reason why we advise this is because, here, you can find some great pieces at affordable rates. It’s cheaper to buy furniture in Barcelona than to move it with you from NYC.

Settling in will be much easier if you embrace the local way of life

In order to avoid anxiety when traveling overseas, you’ll need to learn about the local way of life and embrace it. Trust us, after doing this, settling in will be much easier! You’ll meet new people, find exciting places, learn about their way of life. Embrace Spain’s spirit. Start to appreciate small things and enjoy the moment. You’ll feel better, healthier, and you will be more relaxed.

People drinking wine after moving to Barcelona from NYC
Immerse yourself in the local culture and embrace everyday activities

Getting your N.I.E after moving to Barcelona will be an uphill battle

If you want to become a resident of Barcelona, you’ll need to get one little green paper – the Spanish N.I.E Number. Unfortunately, in most cases, this is a pretty tiring and overwhelming process. To get an appointment, you’ll probably need to wait a couple of weeks. And, even if you get the appointment, there’s a big chance they’ll tell you you don’t have all the paperwork. After gathering all the paperwork, you’ll need to go to a bank, pay a tax, and then come back when the representative finds the time for you. Arm yourself with patience.

International relocations are simpler when you have reliable movers next to you

The last thing you need to know about moving to Barcelona from NYC is that the entire relocation process will be simpler with the help of professionals. And, we will be more than glad to help with your international move. Simply put us in charge of everything and focus on other things. Hire us and get the simplest possible moving experience.

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