Hello fellow expats
I'm heading to Barcelona for a postdoc research for at least 6 months at Universitat de Barcelona and could use some advice of yours. I'm looking for tips on managing daily expenses and finding suitable accommodations(preferably close to the university) and also the city's transportation options. Any general advice on living in Barcelona would be greatly appreciated. Oh, I forgot to ask about affordable eating sports.
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Well, even though I'm not from Spain, I fully understand the experience of living abroad. When I relocated to Chile for my job, figuring out how to manage everyday costs was very important. In Barcelona, it is a good idea to begin by visiting neighborhood markets to buy food because they often cost less than large grocery stores. Regarding a place to stay, search for apartments with shared living spaces or rooms near the University of Barcelona. Web pages such as Idealista or Spotahome can be useful for that purpose. To travel within the city, Barcelona offers a reliable public transport network including buses, metro trains and tram services. A T-10 ticket could be the most suitable option for your everyday travel. When it is about dining outside, there are many budget-friendly places near the university zone, particularly if you go to the nearby tapas bars. Enjoy your time in Barcelona—it's a vibrant city with so much to offer!
I am kinda concerned about food. How did you manage yours? Do you cook yourself?
No, I often do not have time for cooking so I usually purchase meals from fast food places or restaurants. However, when money is tight, my diet consists of instant noodles or canned products.
Thanks; I came to know a lot of things. I almost forgot about NIE. I read some articles and watched some of the videos on YouTube about others experiences working there. Thanks to these articles https://www.barcelona-life.com/barcelona/expats and https://gowithguide.com/blog/tourism-in-spain-statistics-2024-your-in-depth-travel-guide-5686 I am sure about the daily transportation, which is Renfe regional trains and those ALFA or Flix buses. I also looked for some local pubs.,
No problem! Glad you found those articles and videos helpful. Certainly, understanding NLE could seem complex at first if it's new to you; however, with some practice, it becomes manageable. For daily travel, Renfe regional trains are quite dependable and for journeys that take more time the ALFA or Flix buses can be very helpful.