Cash is King in Barcelona—The Chicest City in Spain
Barcelona is like Paris or Rome—only smaller and a fraction of the price. All the trendy European and American designers have shops here. It’s also safe, cheap…and easy to get around. And it has some excellent—if bizarre—architecture. Real estate prices have come down to 2005 levels and if you're buying with cash you can negotiate down a further 10% to 20%.
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Fast Facts
Population: 40,448,191
Capital City: Madrid
Climate: Temperate; clear, hot summers in interior, more moderate and cloudy along coast; cloudy, cold winters in interior, partly cloudy and cool along coast
Spain Articles
The Travel-Rich Job Anyone Can HavePosted on May 19, 2012 by Andrea K. Gingerich
While on a working vacation in France, I decided to take a week-long side-trip to Spain. I had some friends from the Catalonian region in the north of the country and they invited me to visit. I’d never been there before, so I jumped at the chance to see a new part of the world.
Rent on the Coast in Spain from $508 a MonthPosted on May 8, 2012 by Steenie Harvey
A blue sky, blue-water scene is unremarkable in the tropics. But this is Europe. I’m in southern Spain, on Murcia’s Costa Cálida—the “warm coast.” Whoever thought up the name wasn’t exaggerating. Summer temperatures soar above 90 F, and there’s an annual dose of at least 320 days of sunshine. On the coast, spacious furnished rentals are $508 to $635 monthly.
Spain’s Secret Coast—From $64,000Posted on April 25, 2012 by Steenie Harvey
Not needed: coat, scarf or sweater. But some sun-block would be welcome. Early December and the afternoon temperature is nudging 70 F. Sunbathers are on Isla Plana’s beach, and children are building sand-castles. I can even see swimmers.
Spain’s Fire Sale Property BargainsPosted on April 10, 2012 by Ronan McMahon
Times are tough in Spain. Half her young are unemployed—if they haven’t emigrated. Her economy, banks and real estate industry is in tatters. Like in Ireland, they built too many homes. Homes that nobody would ever want. Speculators snapped them up, betting that prices would go even higher. Then the party ended in 2007. By 2008, all activity stopped completely.
Life in a Spanish Wine TownPosted on March 23, 2012 by Steenie Harvey
Wine has been produced in Jumilla and neighboring Yecla since the proverbial mists of time. If you’re a frequent wine-drinker, you’d make some serious savings living here. At less than $1 a bottle, it’s very nearly as good as free…
Distressed in EuropePosted on March 12, 2012 by Ronan McMahon
The economies of the PIIGS (Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece, Spain) are in disarray. Europe is in the throws of sovereign, political and financial crises. Greece is bankrupt and burning. Yields on Portuguese bonds hit 17% earlier this year.
Why Livable Europe Should Be On Your List…Posted on February 21, 2012 by Jennifer Stevens
What Life Overseas Really Looks Like…
Skeptics inquire: Are the opportunities overseas really as great as we at IL portray them to be? The short answer is “yes.” But don’t take my word for it… Listen, instead, to the many firsthand stories we’ve collected in this month’s issue—on-the-ground reports from folks who decided to answer the question for themselves…at the beach…in the hills…in cities…or on islands…
Murcia: Home of Spain’s Winter SunPosted on February 21, 2012 by Steenie Harvey
Firmly in Spain’s sunny south, between Andalusia and Valencia, Murcia is one of the country’s autonomous regions that gets overlooked in the dash elsewhere— usually farther south to the Costa del Sol or north to the Costa Blanca.
Spain Video: Where to Go For Winter Sun in EuropePosted on February 14, 2012 by Steenie Harvey
Europe’s sunshine doesn’t disappear in winter. It’s hiding away in southern Spain. Largely unknown to foreign travelers, Murcia slots between the regions of Andalucia and Valencia. Strung with beaches, its 156-mile coastline is called the Costa Calida—the warm coast. Summers can be blistering, but winters are really mild.
The Travel Writer and the Sea UrchinPosted on February 7, 2012 by Steenie Harvey
Saturday night in Murcia City, southern Spain. I’m in El Secreto tapas bar, trying to summon up the willpower to eat a sea urchin. It looks absolutely bizarre. And in all honesty, absolutely vile. But as all vacationers need to eat, food stories are a travel writer’s staple.
Use This Skill to Get Work AnywherePosted on January 20, 2012 by Barry OLeary
After a few years spent teaching in Ecuador, Brazil, Australia and Thailand I returned to England to catch up with family and friends, but I missed the adventure, learning a language and the creative energy of life overseas. And that’s how I ended up in Spain.
Homes in Wine CountryPosted on January 19, 2012 by anon
If a small Italian farmhouse with a vineyard sounds sweet, then look to the Abruzzo (pictured), a region of southern central Italy bordering the Adriatic Sea.
Villa in Spain: $120,000Posted on January 3, 2012 by Steenie Harvey
Tucked between the southern regions of Andalucia and Valencia, Murcia delivers the best of Spanish essentials: mild winters, wine villages, tapas bars, fantastic beaches and (for Europe) relatively low living costs. You may ask “why Murcia”—a region that’s almost unknown to North Americans. Especially when Spanish property values have slumped.
Winter at the BeachPosted on December 22, 2011 by Steenie Harvey
I never imagined breakfasting outdoors in December. Not in Europe. Then again, I’ve never visited the Murcia region before.
- How to Escape The Undertow
Posted on December 20, 2011 by anon
Old beliefs die hard—but we’re doing our best here at International Living to speed them on their way. From Penang, Malaysia to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico… Dublin, Ireland to the Pacific coast of Nicaragua… from Bilbao, Spain to Bangkok, Thailand, … this month’s issue is packed with boots-on-the-ground revelations about destinations you may think you know…
Drums, Buskers, and a Circus FestivalPosted on December 20, 2011 by Darius Fisher
A round-up of the weird and wonderful events taking place around the world over the coming months.
A Travel Writer’s Favorite Beach GetawayPosted on November 26, 2011 by Steenie Harvey
Even travel writers need escapes. One of my favorite getaways is Alicante, a city on Spain’s Costa Blanca. Yes, I know I’ve disparaged “the Costas” in the past. Spain-without-the-Spanish…paunchy northern Europeans overdosing on sun, sex, and cheap booze…hideous plastic donkeys…concrete jungles…acres of lookalike vacation homes. So why Alicante? Well, there’s a big difference between seaside cities and purpose-built resorts. Alicante is lively, sunny, and inexpensive, for sure. But it’s also charming, fairly sophisticated, and its ambiance is as Spanish as that of Madrid.
- Tossing out the Stereotypes: With Boots-on-the-Ground Revelations from Penang to Bilbao
Posted on November 24, 2011 by Jennifer Stevens
Old beliefs die hard—but we’re doing our best here at International Living to speed them on their way. From Penang, Malaysia to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico… Dublin, Ireland to the Pacific coast of Nicaragua… from Bilbao, Spain to Bangkok, Thailand, … this month’s issue is packed with boots-on-the-ground revelations about destinations you may think you know…
Art, Parks and Waterfront WalksPosted on November 24, 2011 by Glynna Prentice
From the balcony of my hotel room in the medieval center, the casco viejo, I look down on cobbled streets lined with enticing restaurants and bars, trendy shops, hair salons, butchers, bakers, and—a few blocks away—the largest enclosed food market in Europe. Down the street, on a raised platform, a juggler is performing. Tourists and locals stroll in small groups, laughing, joking, and window-shopping.
How to Profit From This Spanish CompanyPosted on October 19, 2011 by Chris Hunter
Today I’m going to tell you that you should buy a Spanish phone company. Your friends may laugh at you. Let them. It’s easy to repeat Warren Buffett’s advice at dinner parties: “Be fearful when others are greedy, and greedy when others are fearful.” It’s harder to follow when it comes to your own portfolio. But that is exactly what I recommend you do with this Spanish company.
Europe on Sale? Baloney!Posted on October 14, 2011 by Ronan McMahon
The economies of the PIIGS (Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece, Spain) are in disarray. Europe is in the throws of a banking crisis brought on by (among other things) exposure to Greek sovereign debt. Many of you have been asking if now is the time to jump in.
Rent in Cuenca, Spain from $539 per monthPosted on September 16, 2011 by Glynna Prentice
I’m in Cuenca, Spain, a provincial capital less than an hour by train from Madrid. For budding expats who dream of living in Spain, provincial cities like Cuenca are a great option.
Investment: Spanish Phone Company Hits the “Sweet Spot”Posted on September 16, 2011 by Chris Hunter
It’s easy to repeat Warren Buffett’s advice at dinner parties: “Be fearful when others are greedy, and greedy when others are fearful.” It’s harder to follow when it comes to your own portfolio.
Gourmet Bites in “Belle Epoque” San SebastiánPosted on September 16, 2011 by Glynna Prentice
I’ve come to this stylish, seaside city on Spain’s north Atlantic coast to drink in its legendary charm. The jewel of the Spanish Basque Country, San Sebastián has been a famed resort since the mid-1800s.
Live Well in Europe: Where to Find the Good Life for Less in France, Spain, and ItalyPosted on August 29, 2011 by International Living
Europe has so much to offer a potential expat…great food, a diverse choice of cultures, stunning countryside where life is quiet and relaxed and the buzz of everyday life seems a million miles away, awe-inspiring mountains for skiing and soft, sandy beaches for wiling away summer days…
But isn’t Europe expensive? That’s the observation we hear most about Europe and the answer is that Europe can be expensive…unless you know the right places to look!
In this report we’ll tell you about our favorite places in “Romantic Europe” and hope to make you dream of new places in the “Old World.”
Culture in Venice and Oysters in IrelandPosted on August 22, 2011 by Darius Fisher
Here’s a round-up of some of the weird and wonderful events taking place across the globe this September.
IL’s Best: 10 Cities Where You Can Eat WellPosted on August 22, 2011 by International Living
From steaks in Buenos Aires to tapas in Madrid, some cities are worth visiting for the food alone. Below, our writers give their tips and recommendations for eating well in 10 of the world’s culinary capitals. First up is Bangkok. Bangkok’s lower Sukhumvit Road area is an oft-missed foodie’s paradise.
Medieval Spain for $539 a MonthPosted on August 22, 2011 by Glynna Prentice
I’m in Cuenca, a provincial capital less than an hour by train from Madrid. For budding expats who dream of living in Spain, provincial cities like Cuenca are a great option. It’s within 60 minutes of Madrid and offers a relaxed, inexpensive lifestyle in a scenic setting.
Late Nights and Sunshine and Alicante, SpainPosted on August 22, 2011 by Steenie Harvey
Even travel writers need escapes. One of my favorite getaways is Alicante, a city on Spain’s Costa Blanca.
“How I Escape the Canadian Winter”Posted on August 22, 2011 by Gerry Blackwell
Living in Valencia, Spain, for three months last winter was not just a welcome retreat from the cold Canadian winter… but great fun, too. Fallas, a city-wide, week-long party in March, served as the fitting and noisy climax.
The World’s Best Retirement Haven in 2011Posted on August 22, 2011 by International Living
In IL’s annual Global Retirement Index, we rank the top 23 places in the world to retire — and lay out why they make sense — so you can more easily target the destination that’s right for you. The 23 countries are rated out of 100 points in categories such as real estate prices, cost of living, culture, health care, special benefits for retirees, infrastructure, safety/stability and climate.
Our Annual Retirement Index: All the Scores and How It’s ScoredPosted on August 22, 2011 by International Living
Putting together the Annual Global Retirement Index, which ranks the best countries in the world to retire, is a major undertaking. Here’s how we did it.
Video Tour: The Beautiful City Bilbao, SpainPosted on August 11, 2011 by Glynna Prentice
IL editor Glynna Prentice is in Bilbao, on Spain’s northern coast. Bilbao is one of the country’s biggest cities. It’s also a major industrial center and port. But Bilbao is also a very livable city.
Video Postcard: Vitoria—A Charming City in Spain’s Basque CountryPosted on August 4, 2011 by Glynna Prentice
Vitoria is in the green, mountainous interior of northern Spain, about a 45-minute drive south of Bilbao, the industrial port city on Spain’s north coast.
Video Postcard: A Tapas Festival in Cuenca, SpainPosted on August 4, 2011 by Glynna Prentice
In this video, IL editor Glynna Prentice is at a tapas festival in Cuenca, Spain. Cuenca is less than 2 hours east of Madrid, and has a beautifully-preserved medieval center that is a World Heritage site.
Living in Cuenca, Spain: An Affordable Medieval City Close to MadridPosted on August 4, 2011 by Glynna Prentice
If you live in Cuenca, Spain (the provincial capital) you can enjoy affordable, convenient small-town living…yet you’re as little as 45 minutes from central Madrid and its big-city action.
Living in Spain: Seaside vs. Beach TownsPosted on August 1, 2011 by Glynna Prentice
I love living by the sea…but I’ve never felt the need to live by a beach.
Video Postcard of Cuenca, Spain: A World Heritage City Since 1996Posted on July 21, 2011 by Glynna Prentice
In this video, IL Mexico editor Glynna Prentice takes you on a tour of Cuenca, Spain, a medieval mountain city less than 100 miles east of Madrid. Cuenca is the capital of Cuenca province, which is in the central Spanish region of Castilla-La Mancha.
“I Reinvented Myself in Spain…”Posted on July 21, 2011 by Barry OLeary
In 2003 I was working as a sales representative in London, but I was restless and unhappy. Deep down I knew life was about more than just money and I was curious to learn about other cultures so I did a course in TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language).
This “A-List” Stock Is Selling at a “D-List” PricePosted on July 6, 2011 by Chris Hunter
I’m in Barcelona, Spain. I’m here to see firsthand what’s going on, as Europe lurches closer to full-on crisis.
