Why, after living in ten other countries, Spain still feels like 'The One’
I spent five glorious years living in Spain, and even though I later moved to Switzerland for work, Spain still feels like home. Before I stumbled upon that gem of a country, I roamed the world, hopping from one place to another like a serial swiper on Tinder—curious, hopeful, but ultimately unimpressed. No matter where I landed, it always felt like something was missing. Too workaholic, too meh, too chaotic, too dull—every place had its dealbreaker.
Here’s the thing: I firmly believe your chosen country (and city) has to vibe with your personality. Spain? Total match. But I’m not starting with the cliché perks like sun and sea—plenty of other countries have those, including mine. (And I still like Croatian beaches a tiny bit more than any other ones, for instance in and around Split, Rovinj, Pula, Zadar, and Dubrovnik, not to mention the islands).
That said, I still need to make a disclaimer: when I say Spain, I mean the coastal haven stretching from Barcelona to Cádiz. Sure, northern Spain is gorgeous, but let’s be real—if I wanted rain, I’d have moved to the UK. The Canary Islands are a dream, but they’re a little too isolated from the rest of the world for my taste. And along with the rest of continental Spain, Madrid is fantastic, but why live without the sea if you can have it?
So here are five reasons why, ultimately, I want to go back and live surrounded by palm trees and the orange blossom scent for the rest of my life.
5. Live and let live
One of Spain's most underrated superpowers? Its "you do you" attitude. Spain is, by and large, a live-and-let-live kind of place. Whether you're deeply traditional and family-oriented, a rainbow-haired free spirit, or somewhere in between, you're likely to find your groove without a side of judgment. Have five kids, don’t want kids at all? No one cares.
What I love most about my Spanish friends, beyond the fact that they’re adorably friendly, is their ability to embrace you as you are—no lectures, no moralizing, no need for elaborate justifications. To be fair, I’m a white, heterosexual woman, so I don’t stand out much. But I’ve seen people from all walks of life settle in Spain because they craved that kind of freedom—and guess what? They stayed.
Spain’s magic lies in its effortless, peaceful acceptance of diversity. It’s a country where differences don’t demand a spotlight—they’re just a natural part of life. People don’t waste energy dissecting your choices or trying to fit you into a mold; they’re too busy living their own lives. (Sure, I’m talking mostly about urban areas, but plenty of pueblos seem to share this vibe too.)
Whether you’re blending in or standing out, you’re free to simply exist, and that level of tolerance is rare. For many, it’s a refreshing escape from places where every aspect of life is open for debate. In Spain, it’s more of a collective shrug: “Cool, let’s grab a drink.”
4. Slow (but not lazy) life
Spain often gets pigeonholed as the land of eternal sunshine, sangrias, and siestas. Sure, that’s part of the charm, but let’s clear something up: in this capitalist, 24/7 grind era, the siesta myth is wildly exaggerated. When I worked in Valencia, our US-based colleagues had this hilarious mental image of us perpetually lounging by the beach, cocktail in hand, or snoozing under a palm tree.
Reality check: it’s 2024 (almost 2025!), and unless you’re a retiree, toddler, unemployed, or on sabbatical, a two-hour nap on a workday isn’t on the agenda. In truth, people in Spain’s private sector often work long hours, and while salaries aren’t jaw-dropping, they hold up pretty well compared to countries like Portugal, Greece or Croatia. And here’s a twist: public administration is surprisingly efficient. It’s digital, quick, and feels like it belongs in the 21st century—most of the time, anyway.
Now for the real magic: in Spain, work doesn’t monopolize your existence. Sure, there are exceptions (looking at you, madrileños), but for most, the mantra is simple: clock in, clock out, go live. Life happens on sunny terraces (even in February), chatting with friends, not screens. It’s about morning runs, evening strolls with family, and savoring the present moment. You care more about the conversation at lunch than that passive-aggressive comment from yesterday’s meeting.
And honestly, isn’t that how it should be?
3.Endless cultural riches
Spain has enriched me in ways that words—ironically—can hardly capture. But let’s just say the ticket to this cultural feast was learning the language. And once I did? It was like unlocking a treasure chest. Spanish cinema blew my mind. I’d thought Almodóvar was the wild side of the spectrum… until I realized he’s practically mainstream. Spanish music is a rich tapestry—flamenco guitars strumming with passion, soulful ballads that hit you right in the chest, and rhythms that make you want to dance even if you don’t know how to.
Poetry, paintings, history-rich art, and museums? An endless supply of beauty and drama, where every brushstroke and sculpture seems to tell a story about love, history, or heartbreak. And let’s not even get started on the architecture—the jaw-dropping, over-the-top masterpieces that range from Gothic cathedrals to Gaudí’s whimsical creations.
What makes it all even better? The vibrant mix of Latin American influences. Thanks to the cultural melting pot, Spanish traditions feel even richer, layered with flavors from across the Atlantic. So with theater, concerts, paintings, books, movies, quirky TV shows (hello, Spanish First Dates), and the sheer beauty of the country, it’s only natural that I fell head over heels.
Spain is a never-ending love letter to creativity.
2. Sense of humor
Speaking of quirky, let’s talk about the Spanish sense of humor—second only to the Bosnian one, in my humble opinion. Spanish humor is like its people: direct, brutally honest, occasionally crossing into politically incorrect territory. If you’re easily offended, this might not be your cup of café con leche. But if you’re game for a little irreverence, it’s wildly entertaining.
A big part of the humor comes from the language itself—a treasure trove of expressions that are as clever as they are bizarre. Take Me voy a ir yendo (literally, “I’m going to go going”), a phrase that sounds like it belongs in a surrealist poem yet feels perfectly natural in conversation. When I first arrived, I started jotting down on my phone the idioms and sayings (refranes) I heard from friends and coworkers. Pretty soon, my little note went viral, with people enthusiastically contributing their favorites each morning (Ese ya lo tienes? “Got this one yet?”).
Spanish humor is dark—the kind that would scandalize your prim aunt but leave you smirking all day, like Pulgoso, that snickering cartoon dog. And while happiness may not come from constant grinning, let’s face it—smiling is a pretty great place to start.
1. Living well on a budget
My number one reason why Spain is the greatest place to live? Simple: what feels like a luxury elsewhere is surprisingly affordable in Spain. Now, don’t get me wrong—real estate has definitely not stayed in the “affordable” category (it was back in 2018 when I first moved), but the little joys of everyday life? Still a steal. Let’s start with food—the heart of any Mediterranean lifestyle. A trip to any market (mercado) or supermarket is an exercise in culinary abundance and price tags that won’t make your wallet cry. Jamón? Cheap. Tomatoes that taste like sunshine and magic? Also cheap. A bottle of very drinkable wine? €3. Yes, you read that right.
To give you a more specific idea: I’m a bit of a matcha fan. You know, that green, frothy, Japanese drink that some coffee drinkers are swapping their lattes for? Well, elsewhere, it’s treated as an extravagant treat—prohibitively expensive and only found in specialty health food shops. But here’s the kicker: at Mercadona (the most popular and beloved Spanish supermarket chain), a box of matcha will cost you €3.20. Yep. Three euro twenty. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Everyday items that would cost 3, 4, or even 5 times as much in places like Switzerland, the United States, Austria, or even Croatia? They’re just part of your average shopping trip.
But affordable living isn’t just about cheap food and everyday staples. Spain also offers quality public health and education that won’t leave you drowning in debt. Public transportation can’t compare to the Swiss one, but it’s ok and decently priced. If you want to avoid paying for a gym membership (which, by the way, is cheaper than most other European countries anyway), you’ve got sunshine as your fitness trainer. The weather is glorious, and the great outdoors is a perfect free gym for hiking, running, yoga, or simply stretching out your legs on a leisurely walk.
As that old classic tune says, “The moon belongs to everyone, the best things in life are free.” Spain is living proof of this sentiment. You can live well, stress-free, and like royalty on a budget that would only land you a cardboard box under a bridge somewhere else.
It’s the kind of place that stays with you, creeping into your bones with every sunset, every terrace café, and every lazy stroll along the coast. In a nutshell, this place is the perfect balance of tradition and modernity, of slow mornings and vibrant evenings, of simplicity and celebration. While Switzerland offers its own version of order and beauty, Spain offers vida—the freedom to live, to connect, to laugh, and to embrace life without overcomplication.
And that, my friends, is something I’ll always find myself coming back to.
What are your feelings about Spain? Leave a comment below.
You can search for Spanish spots and all other destinations currently featured on mucho mundo here and consult the blog articles here.
