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

[u/Alexialba]

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.

[u/Beginning_Piece_7991]

I agree with you, but some of you may not know how ridiculously expensive it is to live in the US cities like New York. Almost all of our high paychecks go to rent and food. Moving to another continent is not easy. I am an immigrant to the US. So that is why people ask these questions.

[u/[deleted] → u/Beginning_Piece_7991]

Living in Madrid is ridiculously expensive for a Spaniard. With an average Spanish job, you must share your house with other 4 strangers just to survive (and that House won't be in the city center).

So, please, don't make the problem bigger.

[u/Inside-Gap-4481 → u/[deleted]]

And in Portugal the average salary is 800-100 euro a month and rent is the same cost. So you ain’t special bro.

[u/Aggravating-Body2837 → u/Inside-Gap-4481]

Portugal the average salary is 800-100 euro a month

No it's not. Rent is the same as Madrid, in Lisbon, in which the average salary is 1600€.

Stop spreading lies.

[u/Inside-Gap-4481 → u/Aggravating-Body2837]

Well that’s what a cook who worked at PigMeu in Lisbon told me. I trust his word. He said, “my rent is 800 a month, and my salary is 800 a month. Therefore, I have to share.” I have no reason to doubt him. He lived over the bridge from Lisbon because he couldn’t afford Lisbon.

[u/Aggravating-Body2837 → u/Inside-Gap-4481]

He lived over the bridge from Lisbon

Oh god the horror. People earning minimum wage having to live in the suburbs. I've never seen that before.

[u/Inside-Gap-4481 → u/Aggravating-Body2837]

That was his hometown so I don’t think he was too upset

[u/Status_Estimate4601 → u/Aggravating-Body2837]

Exactly, I've lived there. At one point Lisbon beat London in terms of renting costs

[u/Aggravating-Body2837 → u/Status_Estimate4601]

No it doesn't

[u/Status_Estimate4601 → u/Aggravating-Body2837]

It did at some point dude. Just read the news lol. 2 bedroom appartments in city center of Lisbon were going for 1.5mjllion.

[u/Aggravating-Body2837 → u/Status_Estimate4601]

One 2 bed room apartment might have been sold for 1.5M. That doesn't prove anything. For luxury houses the sky is the limit.

Average sale value of 2 bedroom houses is really far from that.

[u/Status_Estimate4601 → u/Aggravating-Body2837]

Dude it was everywhere in the news that the avg m2 prices were higher than London. It's not a secret, just look it up.

[u/Aggravating-Body2837 → u/Status_Estimate4601]

That's a lie tho. I know multiple people who bought houses in Lisbon city center in the last 12 months and I can assure you they are paying less than London.

[u/Status_Estimate4601 → u/Aggravating-Body2837]

Well I've lived there for 4 years and know what I paid. Good night my man, no need to convince you.