Relocation to Barcelona, hints

[xandr]

Dear all,

I've got a job offer from a company located in Barcelona and I'll like to get some opinions on the cost of living there starting from some points:

1. the offer is around 31k E/year, gross
2. relocation bonus is 2200E

The issue is that I'll probably go there with something like 200-300E, so I don't have too much money with me from the beginning.

Now, as I saw on this web-page: calculatusueldo dot com (java required) at the end of each month I could have around 2000E, net. Do you guys think I'll be able to rent something + pay utilities + food and other stuff that a human being needs (I don't drink nor smoke)?

And, do you think I'll be able to find and pay through an agency a flat from the relocation bonus? Anyone has some web references to web sites where individuals (not agencies) posts adds for flat rentals?

I'm from a EU country, Romania, the offer is in IT industry in a company where english is the primary language, although being from a latin speaking country will help me in learning spanish quickly.

Thanks.

[Stravinsky]

Originally Posted by xandr

Dear all,

I've got a job offer from a company located in Barcelona and I'll like to get some opinions on the cost of living there starting from some points:

1. the offer is around 31k E/year, gross
2. relocation bonus is 2200E

The issue is that I'll probably go there with something like 200-300E, so I don't have too much money with me from the beginning.

Now, as I saw on this web-page: calculatusueldo dot com (java required) at the end of each month I could have around 2000E, net. Do you guys think I'll be able to rent something + pay utilities + food and other stuff that a human being needs (I don't drink nor smoke)?

And, do you think I'll be able to find and pay through an agency a flat from the relocation bonus? Anyone has some web references to web sites where individuals (not agencies) posts adds for flat rentals?

I'm from a EU country, Romania, the offer is in IT industry in a company where english is the primary language, although being from a latin speaking country will help me in learning spanish quickly.

Thanks.

Property is expensive to rent in Barcelona, and I have been told on numerous occasions the cost of living there is as much as if you were in the UK. That may not mean much to you, but here in a rural area south of Valencia the cost of living is about 30% less than the UK. As an early retired couple with no mortgage / rent here we need around €1200 a month to live comfortably.

[martino cappuccino]

Hi Stravinsky,
1,200e a month seems a lot. People I have asked advice from have said a retired couple could live on about 7000e a year! Does your 1,200e include a mortgage? What are your costs re rates,water,electricity and grocery bills? By the way I dont think I will be bringing over my car after your advice. Cheers, Martino Cappuccino

[Stravinsky]

Originally Posted by martino cappuccino

Hi Stravinsky,
1,200e a month seems a lot. People I have asked advice from have said a retired couple could live on about 7000e a year! Does your 1,200e include a mortgage? What are your costs re rates,water,electricity and grocery bills? By the way I dont think I will be bringing over my car after your advice. Cheers, Martino Cappuccino

No we dont have a mortgage or pay rent

"Council" tax €400 pa (we have a pool with terracing and 800 m plot so its more than normal)
"Big" shop every two weeks about €90 - €120 depending on how much wine
Car insurance approx €500 pa on a 2 litre V6
"Car Tax" €120 pa (its a big engine)
House ins €320 pa
Diesel around €1.05 a litre
Water varies but from €40 - €70 ish per quarter (due to the pool)
Electricity is a killer ....... our bills are about €170 every two months
Telephone and ADSL with Telefonica without calls €70 per month
Mobile phone €15 per month
Meal out ... well a menu del dia you can get for €8 - 10 for three courses, but a good restaurant meal is probably €60 for two with drinks.

Matriculation of a Brit car to Spanish plates €600 - €900 if you do it on time and dont have to pay the tax

See the sticky on here for some cost of living costs.


I took a great deal of care working out what we needed when we came here and after a lot of research and asking questions it worked out to us needing about £1000 a month. I did know of people living on €6000 a year a year or so ago, but bear in mind inflation is running at 4% here ....

Personally I cant see any way someone could have a reasonable lifestyle on €7000 a year .... you might be able to exist, but so many times now the same kind of figure comes up all the time and its always around €10000 - €12000 a year

[xandr]

Hi guys,

Thanks for your hints.
Basically, the conclusion is that the gross amount of 31.000EUR/year is not enough to decently live in Barcelona?

[Stravinsky]

Originally Posted by xandr

Hi guys,

Thanks for your hints.
Basically, the conclusion is that the gross amount of 31.000EUR/year is not enough to decently live in Barcelona?

Well .... its all a bit hit and miss, but IF Barcelona is the same cost of living as the UK ........ I was living comfoprtably in the UK for 6 months on £1250 a month (equiv of €19,800 a year) with no mortgage or rent. So depending on what life style you want to achieve that would roughly leave you €933 a month for rent ...... Sorry its such a strange way of comparing but its all I can offer you.

[xandr]

Hi Stravinsky,

You said:

Car insurance approx €500 pa on a 2 litre V6

This include all the insurance cases (like robbery, vandalism or natural causes) or just specific car details, like an accident?
Cos here I'm paying around 800-900EUR/year for a 1.6 litre, that will basically cover everything.

I'm not considering importing my car from day one, but after 3-4 months I'll probably do it or I'll just sell it in Romania and get a new one here.

[Stravinsky]

Originally Posted by xandr

Hi Stravinsky,

You said:



This include all the insurance cases (like robbery, vandalism or natural causes) or just specific car details, like an accident?
Cos here I'm paying around 800-900EUR/year for a 1.6 litre, that will basically cover everything.

Its fully comprehensive and also includes European wide breakdown cover .... all fully comp insurance here has to do so.

The only problem on a used car is that there can be high excesses for damage not including a third party, i.e. self damage to the car. Its basically to exclude any exisiting damage .... otherwise you can get a report done by a professional listing any existing scratches and damage, but to be honest its more cost effective just to take the excess (normally €600)

[giorgioarmani]

Hey xandr, thats not a bad starting salary and definitely a bonus for you to have a job before you get here... most people dont even have that...

I suggest sharing an apartment for a bit until you find out what area you want to live in... For that you can pay anything from 250€-650€ depending on size, location, etc...

As for websites, the following should give you some decent orientation:

absolutebarcelona . com loquo . com idealista . com

Hope that helps...