Is life in Europe supposed to be good? Don't come if you don't have money! Restore real Spanish life for you

Is life in Europe supposed to be good? Don't come if you don't have money! Restore real Spanish life for you

Living in Spain is dream of many people. Most people imagine romantic walks on beautiful cobbled sidewalks, dining in restaurants with flamenco music and drinks in sangria bars al fresco.

While it may be a dream come true, life in Spain is not always what you imagine it to be. Spain has some of most beautiful places in Europe, but living here is not same as coming here.

High quality of life, but not for everyone.

Contrary to what most people think, most Spaniards actually work long hours: they have a two-hour lunch break from 2pm to 4pm (I know that sounds great) , but they are open until 20:00 or 21:00 every day of week. It's a full day job and more tiring than a normal 9 to 5 schedule.

Not everyone finds a job here. Unemployment remains relatively high in Spain: 18.75% in 2017 (4.7% in UK and 4.4% in the US). Despite college degrees and extensive work experience, some of Stephen's friends were still unemployed after months of searching.

Spain's job market is terrible so if you're thinking about looking for a job in Spain, think twice.

The cost of living is low, as is wages.

Spain (especially Granada) is very cheap compared to rest of Europe. An apartment in Granada costs €300 to €600 per month, even a three-storey house in suburbs costs about €700 per month.

In terms of food, food is very affordable in Granada, famous for its traditional tapas. Nearly every restaurant and tapas bar offers free food such as patatas bravas or carne con salsa, as well as drinks (beer and wine only €2-3). A lunch set costs about 10 euros, while mid-range meals cost an average of 5-8 euros.

Unfortunately, average wages in Granada are as low as prices. Most professionals earn between 1500 and 3000 euros per month. This means an annual income of approximately 20,000 to 40,000 euros after taxes.

Living in Spain is easy, sometimes too much.

Granada has a small-town vibe and a boho-hippie style that many travelers love. Very cool and casual; no one was in a hurry, everyone enjoyed beauty of city.

It's very nice for tourists, but it's different when you stay here. Everything freezes during sleep (after sleep) and on Sunday. Everything shuts down and you discover that Granada has been turned into a zombie city at time.

Whether you're going to bank or post office, be prepared to wait for ‥‥‥ because no one is in a hurry. It's same with customer service in a store or restaurant - you often wait for staff chat to finish. I think, as a Chinese, this is something you will never get used to.