Where to move to Spain

If you are thinking about where to move to Spain, here is a quick rundown that will illustrate the key aspects of each region.

Cities of Barcelona and Madrid.

Unless you are a very well-off businessman who can afford property around 1.5M and above, both capitals represent a steep path in the search for quality of life. Massive immigration has concentrated around the suburbs, thereby making the central areas very expensive. That is, what formerly were middle class districts, now they have become upper class in terms of cost of living and what was upper class before now it is luxury properties around 12.000 euros or more the square meter. Street safety has become a valuable asset. On the other hand, Barcelona is definitively a city bustling with dynamism, entertaintment, and business opportunities for the well qualified.

Northern-Western coast of Spain

Galicia and Asturias they are affordable regions. Plenty of abandoned houses in villages in the mountains. It can be an option for certain profiles of foreign settlers who wish to devote their time and efforts to renovate the property. For those willing to live in the capitals, they are still affordable. You can find apartments to renovate from 1500 euros /m2 .

Basque country

The town of San Sebastian is definitively the jewel of the crown. It is also one of the most expensive areas of Spain, you are looking at about 11.000 euros per square meter, depending on the area, but definitively it is worth it and well invested, 20 kms from France and sporting fantastic nature and beaches. San Sebastian has turned the tradition of "bar touring" into religion where people socialize and enjoy the local gastronomy. It is pretty much a tourist resort in itself but not crowded like the one you can find on the Mediterranean coast.

Catalonia

Mostly this is associated with mass tourism and not without a reason. Prices in downtown Barcelona, in well-off districts start at 12.000 euros per square meter. The suburbs of Barcelona connected through regional commuting (Trenes de cercanías) are bustling with African and Latino immigration. It also holds working class population. As in the case of Madrid, in terms of cost of living, what were depressed and marginalized suburbs have become the new Middle Class, the Middle class districts are now the upper class and what was formerly upper class now it is luxurious boroughs starting at 13.000 euros per square meter. Other provinces, Gerona and Tarragona are highly tourist destinations, overcroweded four months a year. Gerona is a pretty expensive destination, bordering with France, still has a provincial atmosphere. Lerida sets itself apart from the other three regions of Catalonia. It is mostly dedicated to agriculture and North African population represents nearly 25% of the capital and growing every year and up to 50% in the province and villages. It is way cheaper than Barcelona, Gerona or Tarragona.

Mediterranean coast

For decades, it was the destination of Spanish retirees. Today it has incorporated hundreds of thousands of expats. The weather is scorching during the summer, you can safely count of weeks at over 45º Celsius. Mass tourism is pandemic for four months and pretty crowded too the rest of the year. This area has become the target of squatters, basically all properties under 50.000 are squatted. Apartments under 70.000 are, with some exceptions, a source of problems. If you buy an apartment here, you need to install an alarm and an armored door. If you do that, you are safe. If you decide to buy it, keep in mind that you should not buy it as an investment with rental purposes, you risk not being paid and unable to evict the illegal dwellers. This situation is endemic in Spain. The recommendation is to pay great attention to the area in which the property is located AND to the general condition of the building. It is better to find a 45 m2 studio in a modern building in a well-off area than to a 150 m2 in the marginal suburbs, even if this one is cheaper than the studio. Properties under 3000 euros /m2 are not recommended.

Andalucía

In Sevilla prices start at 4000 euros per square meter, but quality at that level does not correspond to its cost. Depending on your circumstances (a digital nomad?), and/or philosophy of life, you may instead consider a large property to renovate in some provincial village with enough land to grow your small farm. For the house alone prices start at 180 euros/m2 but do take into account several thousands for renovation. Keep in mind the issue of the water supply. If there is no municipal service of water canalization, in a region with few days of rain and scorching summers, water from a well may not be a safe bet. If you are looking for an independent house in a secluded village, I would advise the Northern part of Spain where rains are abundant and water would not be an issue.

Inland Spain

Regions like Leon, Palencia, Teruel. They are the regions of Spain with the lowest income per capita and traditionally are modest regions. There are certain bargains for landplots. You can find 3000 m2 for 6000 euros while you are allowed to build a home. Other landplots classifieid as "no urbanizable" are prohibited from building. Beware however that these are depressed areas with basically no public services. Water will be served from a private well, no municipally-run water supply through canalization. Yet, they may suit young couples willing to devote time and energy to make it a home.