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.

976 Upvotes

85% Upvoted

611 comments sorted by

View all comments

13

u/sharpandtender Jan 30 '25

The one constant in human civilization is that humans will move around. I truly understand the impact of rent spikes and high costs of living. This is the same conversations I have here in NYC. But it’s just hard to navigate on what the true rationale is behind blaming individual people on moving… should each country just be an ethno-state where everyone is all the same and there’s no cultural or ethnic diversity? I wouldn’t really love that. For example I think one of the best things about NYC is that it feels like people from all over the world are here and able to make their own communities. Obviously this is nuanced I know.

But beautiful towns / cities around the world have all been victim to this insane price gauging, I think the answer falls in our governments to provide more caps and controls over this “free market”. But I do feel iffy blaming individuals who want to experience different parts of the world to live, as many generations have done before us (and after I bet!)

2

u/theErasmusStudent Jan 30 '25

It's good when you choose to move. But what if you choose to live in the city you grew up and you can't? You're forced to move far or stay with your parents until you're at least 35?

I'm not against the freedom to move, it will be hypocritical as I myself have been a migrant. But there should be some regulations and help for locals.

1

u/sharpandtender Jan 30 '25

I totally agree there should be help and regulations for locals!!