How Living in Spain Changed My Life in Unimaginable Ways

My name is Cepee, rhymes with "peppy," and I’m the proud daughter of Colombian and Iranian immigrants. Though I grew up in Houston, Texas, I’m now navigating life in Malaga, Spain.

In my 20s, I did a lot of job hopping. The travel bug bit me early, and I could barely survive on two weeks of vacation a year. So, I worked diligently for nine months to self-fund my summer travels around the world each year.

Before moving to Spain in 2015, I spent a few years in Austin, Texas, working in human resources for a tech company. Although I had been in the workforce for over a decade, it was the first time I loved the work culture and the people I worked with—it got me to stay put for more than a year.

Though I had a comfortable life, I never fully connected with the city or found my people—you know, the ones you're meant to do life with. Each year became more and more predictable, a mirror of the previous years. For the first time in a long while, travel wasn’t a major part of my life.

In Austin, I became increasingly complacent, falling into a rhythm of monotony. It was time to shake things up, and a transformative trip to Morocco was the jolt I needed.

Cepee has created a community for women over 30 looking to move abroad.

Close to the end of my trip to Morocco, I made a quick stop in Madrid for a few days. I was already familiar with the city, as I had lived and studied Spanish there, and even did my Master's degree there. Walking through this vibrant city awakened a part of me that had been dormant for many years. Life in Austin felt like sleepwalking compared to the energy I felt being back in Spain.

When I got back to Austin, all I could think about was Spain. I had this crazy idea to move back.

Doubts gnawed at me, though. At 35, was I too old to move abroad? What would I do there? Would I have to teach English? The more I tried to be rational, the stronger the pull became. What did I have to lose? If things didn't work out, I could always return, find another job, and plug back into conventional life.

As time passed, I knew that my good life in Austin was getting in the way of a greater life abroad. Within a year, I packed my bags, quit my job, rented my condo, and moved to Madrid, Spain, on my own.

Life in Madrid: Embracing the Spanish Culture

Spain held a special place in my heart. It was one of the first countries I traveled to in my 20s. While I loved every country I visited, Spain was my Goldilocks moment where everything felt just right.

Madrid, in particular, captured my spirit with its vibrant energy; it really is a city that never sleeps. People of all ages are out and about day and night, some well into the wee hours.

Austin had its social scene, but it never clicked for me the way Madrid did, which is something I realized had been missing from my life. Being car-dependent in the US didn’t encourage spontaneity the way a pedestrian-friendly city can.

Madrid was different. I could step outside and be right in the middle of the bustling city life. Its energy was infectious and always made me feel alive, whether I was in the crowd or taking long walks around the city, marveling at where I lived. I always felt like the luckiest person in the world to be living this life.

©iStock/Sami Auvinen

I also fell in love with the weather! Madrid does get hot in the summer, unbearably so for most people. For me, it’s my favorite time in the city. There’s nothing like hanging out with friends all day on a warm, sunny day, going to concerts in the park, sitting on a terrace for drinks, and enjoying life as night falls.

Contrary to what some might believe, it's not hot in Madrid year-round. Unlike Houston, which didn't have seasons—just hotter and hotter—Madrid offered the beauty of four distinct seasons, a rhythm I miss now that I live in Malaga.

Spain's charms go beyond Madrid. It's a rich country in terms of history, topography, and culture. It's fascinating to have so much to explore inside a country that is smaller than my state.

Living in Spain has transformed my life in ways I could never have imagined. In Texas, I felt like I was on the hamster wheel of life. I would get up, go to work, work out, come home, cook dinner, watch TV, and do it all over again the next day. Living a mundane life made me feel older than my years.

Of course, there are fun things to do in any city, but the culture and car dependency in Texas deterred me from making any effort. It wasn't until I discovered Spain, particularly Madrid, that the world seemed to fall into place for me. Like finding the perfect match in a trying dating scene, Spain ignited a spark within me, something magical.

In Spain, the rhythm of life beats to a different tune. I can walk everywhere or take public transportation to meetups, the theater, cultural events, and any other outing. I’m not just waiting for the weekend; my day-to-day life is fulfilling!

Here, spontaneity is life. People don’t have to plan their lives weeks in advance just to have a coffee. It's so easy to bump into friends as I run errands around the city. In Madrid or Malaga, where I now live, I've found a sense of belonging, a feeling of community in the city.

The biggest takeaway from my Spanish experience was self-discovery. I came to realize that moving abroad was more than just changing countries; it was an opportunity to choose myself, explore my identity, and create a life that I love. We often fall into the path that society sets out for us and somehow get trapped.

Specifically, when I moved to Spain, I started having all these bizarre and creative ideas. Things I had never imagined doing started to pique my interest. I began blogging and organizing monthly in-person events, founding She Hit Refresh, a community-based business of over 13,000 members that teaches women 30 years and over how to move abroad. I’ve come a long way from that job hopper!

In Spain, I've found not only freedom but fearlessness—the courage to defy the status quo and chart my course. Here, I’m more willing to take risks and choose who I want to be than in the US.

When I arrived in Spain back in 2015, one of the things that struck me was the significantly lower cost of living compared to the United States—specifically, rent prices. At first, I rented a room in a shared apartment in Malasaña—a historic and hipster neighborhood—for €450, all bills included.

Cepee lived in the the historic Barrio de las Letras neighborhood in Madrid.|©iStock/Sami Auvinen

When I left Madrid in 2020, I was living in a 40 square meter one-bedroom railroad apartment on the top floor in the Barrio de las Letras neighborhood for €900. While some may have considered my rent high at the time, I always prioritized living in the city center and in renovated apartments. My last place offered convenience with one of the oldest markets in Madrid, Mercado de Antón Martín, at my doorstep, as well as cafes, bars, and restaurants all around. The neighborhood had that quintessential Madrileño charm. My street was quiet yet close to the vibrant areas of Huertas, Lavapies, and Sol, and just a short walk from the tranquil Parque Retiro.

As with many places, the cost of living has gone up immensely. It’s hard to come by my previous rental prices in the city center these days. While prices remain comparatively more reasonable than in the US, they are still high for residents relying on a local salary. Beyond rent, other expenses from public transportation to groceries, dining out to entertainment, and even travel are notably affordable. That’s a big perk to living here. I can afford to live life on my terms without having to work myself into the ground like I would in the US.

To give you an idea, a glass of wine typically costs between €2 to €5, while a daily lunch menu can range from €12 to €15, including a first course, main course, dessert, and drink. For dinner, prices at nice restaurants can vary widely, starting from around €20 per person and going up to whatever fits your budget. Examples of some of my monthly expenses in Madrid:

• Monthly MetroCard: €55

• Monthly private health insurance: €60

• Monthly groceries: €250

• Monthly gym membership: €50

• Monthly phone plan: €25

When I first moved to Madrid, I lived off my €1000 per month English teaching salary, supplemented by my savings. However, as I transitioned out of teaching, I managed to secure higher-paying opportunities and comfortably budgeted around €1500 to €2000 per month toward living expenses.

The cost of living in Malaga used to be significantly lower than in Madrid. However, prices have now almost caught up with the capital city. Additionally, finding an apartment in both cities can be difficult. There is stiff competition among prospective renters, and apartments tend to get snatched up quickly. I recommend giving yourself ample time, ideally a month or more, to secure long-term housing.

A New Chapter in Malaga: Finding Peace on the Costa del Sol

My life has changed since relocating from Madrid to Malaga. I have a much simpler life, and I take solace in the mundane things. Mornings are now my favorite part of the day. I wake up and start with a workout, which means taking a short walk from my house to the beach, going for a seaside run, taking in the enchanting colors of the sky, and listening to the seagulls cooing above.

In these fleeting moments, I feel so grateful for the life I’ve built in Spain. I never would have thought that the stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea would be my daily backdrop.

I also love the spontaneous weekend adventures my partner and I take around the province of Malaga to explore nearby picturesque towns and villages. When wanderlust hits, we take advantage of Malaga's well-connected airport to explore Europe for a little weekend getaway.

Life is good. And without a doubt, moving to Spain was the best decision of my 30s.

Are you thinking of moving abroad? If living through a global pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that our time here is fleeting and precious. A move abroad is doable; you just need to do your research–figure out where you want to move, what visa you need, and how you will support yourself. Arm yourself with knowledge, forge a plan, and do it!

What do you have to lose? Less than you think. If you’re worried about leaving your comfortable lifestyle in the U.S., it will be there for you if you ever want to move back. Houses? Cars? Jobs? Those are all replaceable, but the years you spend wondering instead of doing them are not. Take the leap and make your dream come true.