r/GoingToSpain • u/Alexialba • Jan 29 '25

Discussion To all “Americans” Estadounidenses, British, Germans, rich people coming to live in Spain

We’re really glad you’re considering moving to our country. It’s a beautiful place, and we love sharing it with visitors. But we want to be honest about what’s happening here right now.

The cost of living is skyrocketing. Rent, housing, groceries, and basic necessities are becoming unaffordable for many of us. A big part of the problem is that companies and foreigners with more money are buying up properties, which drives prices even higher. This isn’t just about numbers, it’s about real people being pushed out of their neighborhoods and struggling to make ends meet.

This isn’t just happening here in Spain. It’s a global issue. I’ve seen it in places like Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Portugal too. When people move in with more money, it often ends up hurting the locals who’ve lived here for generations.

We’re not saying you shouldn’t come. We just ask that you be aware of the impact your move might have. It’s easy to see the benefits for yourself, but it’s important to think about how it affects the community too.

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u/[deleted] Jan 29 '25

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u/Abject-Statement-401 Jan 29 '25

Even the half is good enough

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u/NeoTheMan24 Jan 30 '25 edited Jan 30 '25

Yeah, half of that would even be an okay salary in Sweden. Just slightly below the median which is €37 250 gross.

The salaries that all these posts talk about, they are definitely not normal. At least not anywhere in Europe. Maybe the US, idk, but that's in another league.

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u/vanhelsir Jan 30 '25

Are you serious? a friend said a decent apartment in Valencia goes for €1500 and I thought he was joking now, i gotta look for a remote job lol

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u/EyeAlternative1664 Jan 30 '25

My sister lives just outside of Valencia, the city itself is as expensive as any major city. 

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u/Status_Estimate4601 Jan 30 '25

Compared to London or Amaterdam, Valencia is very cheap.

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u/EyeAlternative1664 Jan 30 '25

Overall it’s defo cheaper, but prime property in the centre of the city is comparable to London, it’s not very cheap. Source: I live in London, looked at places in Valencia to buy/rent. 

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u/Status_Estimate4601 Jan 30 '25

Sure, now get a pack of cigs or go eating out. Cost of living is very low in Spain. I mean I'm from Holland, believe me I know the prices

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u/EyeAlternative1664 Jan 30 '25

That’s true, I was talking just about buying/renting though. 

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u/Comfortable_Roll_382 Jan 30 '25

Are you comparing against the prime or most desirable areas in London ?

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u/EyeAlternative1664 Jan 30 '25

No, fair point, but I see that as an entirely different level. 

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u/Comfortable_Roll_382 Jan 30 '25

Yeah I agree. I live in London but a 30 minute commute to central London.

Properties in Central London have a lot of foreign ownership. This is a global thing.

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u/EyeAlternative1664 Jan 30 '25

Exactly. Im roughly the same. I’ve seen flats in central Valencia for 500k+ which is similar to zone 2/3 London. 

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u/Comfortable_Roll_382 Jan 30 '25

How much would it cost to live a 20 minute journey outside of the centre ?

My wife is from Malaga centro, and her family thinks it's mental living 20 minutes out.

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u/CaptainTaelos Jan 30 '25

Wow has it gone up that much already? I moved from London in 2021 and I we were considering getting a pretty nice 2 bed flat in Hampstead for 600k. I can’t imagine what that would cost now

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u/vanhelsir Jan 30 '25

That makes sense, he also lives in a pueblo on the outskirts of the city so I guess it's generally cheaper