I am a Spaniard who worked 5 years in the US (Atlanta and Miami) and had a really good time there. With a good job life is easier and simpler in the US, but I found it not to be so rich and complex as in Europe for the less materialistic aspects of life. Cities in the US are not as charming, they don't "talk" to you, they have a fractal structure (replicate a piece 1,000 times and you get a city). Once, I had not visited Spain for a year and a half and when I came to Madrid I was able to appreciate it, because I did not pay attention to all Spain has before moving to the US (I was stunned as a tourist but with all the local knowledge in my head). I have also stayed several months in Mexico and Chile and visited up to 50 other countries for work or leisure. I think Spain has an excellent balance of many things except the job market. Nevertheless, I prefer Spain to live over any other nation, but as I am from Spain I might be biased. I would say the US is good to earn money and Spain is good for vacation or retirement, but cost of life is much less so maybe yo don't need many earnings anyway. I saved money in the US because I kept my frugal Spanish mindset and did not fall in spending as much as Americans do; it really paid off in Spain. Last fact: Even with insurance I did not find healthcare to be very good in the US. I prefer Spanish doctors because they care more and are excellent, both private and public. Private healthcare is quite affordable compared to the US and you don't need one really, you can rely on public healthcare too (although waiting time for non urgent interventions is a problem).
thank you for your comprehensive reply! Yes agreed the US is good for job opportunities. But if you can work remotely and you are not tied to your job by location - then better live elsewhere and have better quality of life 😊
I love your comment and totally agree with you. I am from the U.S. and lived in Madrid twice on a visa and visited 8 additional times. When I visit Spain, I stay anywhere from 3 weeks to 3 months. Spain is my favorite country and I´ve been to 30 countries. Madrid is my favorite city in the world! There is something different about Spain. I like it better than the U.S. The people are friendly and helpful. I can walk everwhere. I live my life outside. I feel a sense of community here. It´s easier to make friends. The food is better. Because the air is dryer and there are so many sunny days, I can have the windows open. I can be outside so much because I never get bitten by mosquitoes or melt from humidity. There are parks everywhere. People do not care that I am semi-retired/underemployed at age 41. People are other centered. I made more money in the U.S. though.
I have 3 passports and I've lived in several countries ever since I left my birthplace at 9 years old, and I can absolutely confirm that what you said has been my experience as well... I've lived in Miami, Chicago, Los Angeles, different cities in Venezuela, Jamaica, Guatemala, México, Türkiye and now Spain. In the places where I had a job I didn't have time to dwell on the bad parts. Europe can be boring at times, especially Spain since productivity is not their forte. I guess that's also why they have one of the longest life expectancies in the world.
Thank you for sharing your perspectives 🙏🏾 My husband and I are moving to Valencia in December, and your points totally resonate with us 100%. Life here in the US, even in a “cheaper” city (for us Houston) has become unsustainable financially. Plus, it doesn’t help that my husband got shot in the neck outside Whole Foods in a road rage incident. There are too many reasons to leave the US and not enough reasons to stay. Appreciate your content ❤
I went to visit my son in the US. He lives in a suburb of Austin with his girlfriend. They both have cars that they need to get to work. After three days, I told him to find me a hotel in the city center. It was cheaper than having to take an Uber to get a coffee.I can go days without having a real coffee or real bread, but what I don't understand is that for everything I have to go by car. I have two legs and I like walking a lot.
I agree with you. I am an American, and I live in a rural area. I have done so for many years. It is true that I have to drive to get what I want. I used to live in a semi-rural area and drive to work in the city---but I had my own business, and had to carry my own tools anyhow. Now, my partner and I--both retired--buy what we need once a week and stay home. I have a garden. BUT, when I visit my mother and extended family in another state, I stay with a friend who lives in a small city. I love staying with him, because it is so convenient----I get up in the morning and walk a block to the coffee shop (meanwhile, my friend has walked to work!) and eat breakfast and get a great cup of coffee (I love coffee in Greece, Egypt, Bulgaria, France, etc.!!!!). The suburbs are...bland, lifeless, soulless, depressing places. I'm surprised that the residents have not all just Xed themselves. My ex-wife #2 lived in an awful lifeless suburb before I married her. There wasn't a store within any reasonable walking distance. I've been to Europe a few times. I wish the US would learn a few things from Europe.
@@jamesbinns8528Hello, I am also retired and divorced. I recently moved to live on the outskirts of a small town, but I can walk there in 10 minutes. There I have all the services I need, shops, banks, post office, family doctor,... and a local train station that takes you to the city, but the city council has subsidized a bus line that takes you directly from the town to the central hospital, which is on the outskirts of the city. I only use my car for sightseeing or in winter because it rains a lot here. I really liked the people of the United States, they are friendlier and kinder than us and with my little English and Spanish I understand each other perfectly, but I hate their suburbs, I don't understand why to have a beer or buy a can of tomatoes, you have to go by car.
España y Polonia son dos paises europeos equivalentes,uno al norte y otro al sur,pero con historias similares,ambos han tenido una etapa de esplendor en el pasado,ambos han vivido la dureza de la guerra en el siglo XX,ambos han tenido opresion durante decadas y ambos han sabido salir del pozo y transformarse en paises europeos potentes dentro de la UE.Somos distintos,pero parecidos.Saludos.
@@edwmakina sino sabes nada de historia de nuestro país y/o Polonia, entonces es normal que no tengas ni la más mínima idea de lo que David ha escrito. Y si, al menos en las cosas que ha dicho si que se parecen en algo... un poco rebuscadas, pero si... hasta el punto de que en la primera etapa del Imperio Español, Polonia también fue una especie de "periferia" de dicho imperio, hasta el punto que en la capital hay varias construcciones españolas muy emblemáticas. Saludos.
Well, only one of them dominated the seas and half the world for 300 years. The Spanish language emerged from little Spain and today it is spoken by 550 million people.
You literally talked about all the struggles I have always had about the US. My parents immigrated here and I was born and raised in a typical American suburb. I have traveled a lot throughout my life and when I got a chance to live in Spain for 1.5 years I felt "at home". I have been dreaming of going back for a decade now. I always felt like I was the only one who felt this way, but apparently, a lot of people do. New subscriber!
Yankees spend most of their miserable lives working, eating and consuming spectacle.... they rarely ever think of the world they live in... I am starved for real art, culture and actual community.
Mari you're actually hilarious 😂 this is such a perfect video. I try explaining how car dependency affects our mental health in America and people are so used to their bubbles that it doesn't even make sense to them. I also work as a sign language interpreter in schools and have been in an active shooter situation. We can't wait to move to Spain for so many reasons!!
Spain is heaven on earth after spending as mba student in rural town with 30.000 population town in Georgia USA just 1.5 hours to Atlanta 12 months and 6 months in San Diego California UCSD tourism area studies and diploma. I had seen north to south mediterenean seaside cities, towns of Spain for 1 month and I adored the architectures , historical perfections in Spain. Spanish citizens had always lived on the mediterenean seaside since 1300s ongoing times today. The country is also very orderly, very developed, all spanish cities , towns have been connected with 250 km/ hour fastes trains and with 4 lanes motorways in 560.000 square kms Spain area.
Hello. I am Spanish, from Valencia, where Mari Schulz lives. Thank you for your words. I just have to make a small correction to your kind words. When you say that Spaniards have lived in Spain since 1,300, I suppose you mean the year 1300 BC. Spain, as a country with that name, has existed since the end of the fifteenth century, but what we could call Spain or more specifically Hispania has existed since before the arrival of the Roman Empire around the third century BC. Best regards.
My favorite part of living in Europe is that you can walk everywhere, well, perhaps not during Summer very hot days, but you can take clean and efficient buses, the Metro (I’m from Madrid) and stop everywhere for a bite. I’ve seen so many people who studied in American and after so many years decided that enough is enough and came back to Europe. Welcome to Spain and good luck on this new adventure. Witamy!
Love this! Lived all over the US. Now we live by Raliegh and HATE IT! The buses are dangerous, the streets are dangerous, the food is posion. We are heading to Zaragoza in January and can not wait to get the hell out of here.
Awesome video, all points 100% spot on. When we think of USA, we think of an advanced country of the future. A country that started new and does not have the bad from the old world. However, once you live in USA and you are old enough to compare to Europe and understand the differences, you actually see that Europe is at least 10-20 years ahead of the USA in most ways. The USA is all about profit in every aspect of live. As an example. There are way less farmers in USA compared to Europe. Most farms in USA are big corporations and the government does not interfere with their practices. Houses are built in bulk as cheap as possible and public transport would take away money from building roads....noooo! I encourage everybody who boards a plane in Europe, walking through a jetway that is all glass and see the stark difference when landing in USA. It starts that they still use ground personal to guide the planes. In rest of the world that is done via large monitors next to the gate. Once you go on the jetway to embark, that jetway is most likely a metal tube with no windows. When you enter the buildings, there are people to guide you everywhere, which is kind of nice, but shows that there is no structure and logic in things. In Europe, entering security, security check and boarding the plane, is mostly an automatic process, with gates opening automatically. In USA this is all still manual. I actually saw the first time in September of 2024 in New York, an automated gate to board the plane. However, people got confused and wanted to push open the gate and walk through. Also, go into a Home Depot in USA and than go to a European counterpart, like Bauhaus or Leroy Merlin in Spain. You will see that the USA is still in the 20th century. Just the lights section alone will keep you speechless. Check the bathrooms, kitchens or windows and doors and you see that the US stopped in 1970 to improve anything. The main reason is, profit. It makes more profit to sell cheap stuff and since the US is in it's own bubble, at least 95% of the people do not even know or realize that they are sold the past.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and facts! Was very interesting to read. I agree. When I landed in the NY airport for the first time I was in shock. I landed to an old terminal. Finally they are renovating the airport now! It was funny to see the poster saying NY’s airport is finally entering the 21st century 😁
Yeah. But not only it makes more profit to sell cheap stuff, but not improve or update almost nothing of the infrastructure since XX century too. Only pure profit and anything else, and they only fix or modernize when something already falls apart and many many streets in many cities they don´t minimal properly clean and take away all the garbage, smeeling very bad and having a very bad impression to see it and the ilumination in many streets (specially in little streets) is very dark too (which can make it very dangerous, very conducive to robberies, murders and rapes at night). Regards.
I am so happy I found your channel. I fell in love with Spain during my first visit to Barcelona and Figueres in 2016 and have been trying to plan how to stay there for a longer period ever since. We visited Cadaques and Girona in 2018 and Santiago de Compostela, Madrid and Valencia in 2021 after Covid slowed our plans. We are hoping to return next year to Malaga, Seville and Granada. I would really like to move there but am hesitant because of age and health concerns. I completely agree with your assessment of the US which is why it’s quite painful to return after a trip. Luckily I live in a walkable city and have since I ran screaming from the suburbs of Philadelphia after high school. I am grateful for any tips or advice you can offer and will be tuning in every week. Thanks and blessings!
Amazing you've travelled quite a lot around Spain, that's great! Andalusia is absolutely a gem and must-visit. Thank you, there will be more videos about Valencia and Spain 😊
I grew up in Spain, and I've lived in the US, in various places, for many years. I'm amazed at how well you summarized life in the US, having lived there for only 14 months. I couldn't agree more with your characterization. Congrats, you got yourself a new subscriber.
Excellent video but she forgot to talk about the main point that make everyone leave Spain and the rest of Europe: lack of opportunity & taxes. Spain is a great place to live broke, but it's not a great place to become wealthy.
@@axelcv10 Bingo. I'll be the first to admit that the US has problems, but I don't understand the complete one-sidedness of videos like this. I think a lot of people from Europe don't realize how huge America is, and they don't really see and experience it before jumping to conclusions. They complain about suburbs, but places like New York, Boston and San Francisco have higher population densities than many European cities. If you don't like it that's fine, but there's a reason why the US never has a shortage of immigrants breaking down the door to get in!
@@axelcv10 Wealthy people live in Europe, not in Africa or elsewhere for the same reasons explained in this video. Its better to live "broke" in Spain than become wealthy elsewhere. And finally, taxes are needed in order to have an healthcare system for everybody, to have better infraestructures and public services and less unequality.
Just a slight inaccuracy on the healthcare in Europe. Healthcare is different from country to country, it's not always the case you get insurance through employment. For example in Spain there is a national healthcare system that automatically covers everyone and there are also private clinics, doctors and hospitals that health insurance can cover in different extances according to plan, in network, out of network, etc. One thing is definitely different: everyone has access to affordable healthcare and noone has to decide between treatment and food at the table.
As an American planning a move to Spain (allegedly in case work is watching) next year. Thanks for this video and it makes me more at peace before uprooting the family! Subscribed.
Thank you! 🙂 I believe you are making a right move, I find Spain a comfortable place for having a family. I feel more secure and decisive starting a family here than in the US
I completely agree with you. I’m moving to Madrid next week and I am super excited. The money from taxes mostly goes to our huge military forces in the US.
I think what resonated most for me is the walkability in suburbs. I live in Canada, in one of the suburb communities outside of Toronto. The most depressing thing I find in walking in the area I am in is that the building are flat, boring, and an eyesore. Theres no charm. There are sidewalks, some bike lanes, parks, but theres something missing. Not to far away is the city of Burlington. Many mixed use buildings preserved, close to the Lakeshore, many choices of cafes, bakeries, restaurants and very walkable. It may not have the wonderful architecture of Europe, but even the homes are wonderful Victorian style places with well kept gardens. Unfortunately, its slowly being ruined by huge condo towers going up in the immediate vicinity. Thats the thing about Canada and the US. Both provide economic opportunity (US more so) so they draw in a lot of people to live and work, but that draw greatly reshapes the city scapes, and preservation does not become a mindset. We are quick to tear down, pave over, and build cheaply. On the other hand, there is something that suburbs do quite well. In North America, you hear a lot of people starting their business "in their garage" or "in their basement". Its because a suburban style home does provide space to do hobbies, persue interests, keep various tools and so forth. Its a form of "productive fun" that statistically helps to generate a lot of new snall businesses. To me, an ideal city has an old and preserved downtown, Victorian style homes with large backyards, actual basements and garages, with bike lanes, wide sidewalks, but common meeting areas in various neighbourhoods that invites people in to gather and be sociable. They could be parks but with European style kiosks that have seating and serve basic snacks, beer, wine, mulled wine and warm cider in winter months, and make a point in having farmers markets. I feel a lot can be done to make things better.
I LOVE this! We are two Americans from Seattle moving to Spain in April 2025. I've been to Europe a LOT...so I know there will be a culture shock, but in the right direction. You definitely have a new subscriber in us! :)
I came as an immigrant to Germany and haven't been ever in the US (my wife was there shortly for a visit). Thnak you for sharing you impressions! it is really well done. Enjoy your life in Spain!
Excellent presentation. I am an Italian American former inner city teacher with Italian citizenship resident of Gran Canaria. I have been in Boston since May visiting my son and will return to Spain in a few weeks. When I got here I was in shape mentally and physically due to the factors you mentioned. I am so excited about returning to Europe in two weeks.. I am going to return to Spain and then stay two months this fall in Italy (Tuscany and Sicily) and then go back to my little town in Gran Canaria. Winter, stress, the sense of isolation and chaos left behind as well as those trips to the supermarket where one is in danger of being run over by people racing with shopping carts or driving over people who just cross the street or bike without looking, never mind the insane drivers giving you the finger and constant sirens. I'm looking forward to enjoying a meal or a drink speaking one of my five languages speaking to others or just chilling in the sea of fellow humans or eating a healthy meal that is affordable. La vida es dulce!! Also, I plan a trip to Eastern Europe in April and May. The last time that I was in Poland was in 1968.
Your videos are great. This one made us laugh and is so spot on. It’s refreshing to hear an honest take from someone who wasn’t born in the US and has seen different ways of living and can make an actual comparison. We all know about the food, the car culture, the dangerous streets and transportation but your common sense take on just walking down the street as well as the layout of cities and suburbs and the impractical way things are was simple and brilliant. You need to do another video that shows in comparison the adjustment phase once you got to Valencia. You’re crushing these videos. We look forward to each one. PS sad irony there was yet another senseless mass shooting at a high school near Atlanta today. US definitely has so much but does so little with it.
Ohh thank you so much for your kind words! 🥹 That inspires me so much to do more! And I've already took a note about the idea you brought up for the other video! Thank you, I will definitely make it in the future! 😄
Ireland is a total shithole. You will never find accommodation here, and if you do, it will cost you everything. After 20 years here, I am hoping to finally get out back to the continent. Last two years or so, Ireland is being flooded with indians and all sorts of migrants from muslim countries. It is going to get only worse here. No hope or future for this country.
Great video... I lived in Barcelona for a few years and now back in the "carcentric" USA. The USA is great, agreed, but not perfect. To make money, yes, but for quality of life, community, walkability, quality of food, no. I am looking forward to getting back to Europe, Spain or France, the cafe society, the neighborhood bakery, fruit stands, and a better sense of community.
I’m loving your videos! I’m curious about how well you speak Spanish and how you were able to learn it. I’m hoping you do more neighborhood videos to show the different options.
Thank you, Michelle! I have a good conversational level of Spanish. I studied in Spain as an exchange student and worked with Spanish people. I also had a Spanish tutor for a year to learn the grammar. Yes, I will! I know many of my subscribers are waiting for that kind of video, so I keep that in mind, thank you! 😄
I haven't experienced the states or many other countries, but I've been living in Spain for four years now and I won't exchange it for any other country. I absolutely love it.
@@saintpreferred9223 They earn nothing in Spain to start with, so don't have much taxes to pay. But indeed, social contributions, healthcare, retirement, unemployment taxes, VAT etc. leave you with NOTHING.
"It is absolutely amazing in every regard." Job-market... and also in some parts the health-care system, also when I look at the education system as a teacher, with a girlfriend who is also a teacher I think there is A LOT that has to improve.
@@adrianseanheidmann4559 You are right, my comment was supposed to be from my personal point of view, but it could have been misleading and I rephrased it. Yes Job market is an important issue that people must consider if they are thinking of moving here. I never suggest Spain to any friend who is thinking of coming and looking for a job, I tell them come only if you find a job before coming, like in the Tech sector. In Barcelona where I live I didn't have problems with the health care and I am pretty satisfied with it. And with the education system I don't know, but I hope it will be good. My son is starting school right tomorrow.
Well, not quite, part of the taxes in your salary goes to pay your health coverage, which doesn't include dental care. In Spain some employers do add private insurance as an extra benefit, other people pay it themselves, and it's very affordable, it often includes some dental care coverage
"Food on all parts of Spain is great," I gotta disagree on that one... living in Valencia for 7 years now, I think the traditional food is "alright", definitely not horibble, no no, but also just not that great. Often too friend, jiust too much oil and just lacking a bit of "finesse". It's incrdible that you can eat out at 1 star restaruants and it's actually affordable, but I'm just not into fine-dining.
@adrianseanheidmann4559 living in Valencia you'll find tons of cheap places for tourists to eat, so of course, you won't get great food there. Choose something better than tourist traps and you'll find excellent quality food.
@@adrianseanheidmann4559 I think the “too much oil” also applys to most of Andalucia. Im from Cartagena (Murcia) and Im pretty happy with food here, but I did find way too many fried dishes in Andalucia (pescaito frito) so Valencia could be the same. Where are you from btw? Im not saying food here is the best in the world by any means, but Ive been to the US, UK, Portugal and France and I would take Spanish food any day of the week.
@@manump23 "I think the “too much oil” also applys to most of Andalucia." Most definitely. I like Andalucian food and food culture in general. "I think the “too much oil” also applys to most of Andalucia" Yeah, exactly this. I LOVE fish. Funnily enough I'm from Northern-Germany, so I have no say in the culintary world in that sense, but would I notice everytime I'm back is the restaurant doesn't matter which ones, have obviously changed a lot of thing to appeal to the "German taste buds" and apparently this means way less oil and salt than is used in most places in Spain. I also gotta say that bread wise Spain is by and large like a desert to me, I think these long-ass, whole bocadillos are just wrong. Give me small belegte Brötchen anytime over these all the time anytime. I usually end up comparing Spanish food to the "neighbours" so Italy and Morcocca, I prefer both countires cuisine over Spain. I also absolutely dislike paella and croquetas but love risotto and biryani dishes plus arrancini. So if two of the main staple food aren't appealing to you, you gotta have a hard time.
As a Canadian I prefer to vacation in EU as it just feels more interesting and as you said the food is outstanding. Due to walking and food quality I can enjoy all the great cuisine and still not gain any weight . Even with language barriers vs the US I still prefer exploring in EU.
Hello, first let me congratulate you, your videos about moving to Spain are great, we love them. My wife and I are planing to retired in Spain as the two of us are of Spanish ancestry. Presently we live in Raleigh N.C. and as you we are fed up with how expensive living in us has become. I will like to ask you a few questions regarding the visa if you have some time. Thank you for the great tips and info you provide with your videos.
When will you reach the end of the honeymoon stage in Spain and have a crisis? As an American retiree I have thought of moving to Spain or France, but since I don't know anyone there I'm sure I would become depressed very quickly. During my career I worked with many Europeans who settled in the US and stayed here. I can't think of a single one who moved back.
More US Americans have been coming to Germany (for example) than the other way around for about 15 years. Times are changing. Security, universal HC, working conditions, social security, cost of living, affordable education and child care, vacation and sick days, job security, public transportation, lots of things within walking distance, kids are freer and more independent, etc. etc. These are the reasons they give.
@@arnodobler1096 Germany is notoriously unfriendly, as the many videos about how difficult it is to make friends with Germans attest. I have an American friend who went to University in Germany, married a German, had a child with him in Germany, lived there for 30 years, and after a divorce, returned to the US with her adult child. She found Germans very cold, but said "At least I wasn't a Turk," meaning as an American she was treated better than other foreigners. Her German son now has a good-paying job in the US.
@@bakarka Oh, to draw conclusions about an entire country from one experience, and then from hearsay, is very ignorant. Sorry! Germans, like many Europeans, define friends differently. They say US Americans are like peaches, soft on the outside, hard on the inside, we are like coconuts, hard on the outside, soft on the inside. We have friends for life. I can call friends at 4 a.m. and they drive 200 km.
@@bakarka Anglo-Saxons are too polite to be honest, Germans too honest to be friendly. Simply a cultural difference. I prefer honesty to fake friendliness.
Yep. I think you nailed it. Sorry to say. Our quality of life could stand a lot of improvement. Your observations are accurate. So on point. Painful to hear but a valid assessment.
Mari lo primero decirte que me he suscrito a tu canal, segundo te doy la razón en todo lo que has dicho y tercero esperando tu nuevo video que me he quedado con ganas de más.
There’s a Union Espanola de California on Alemany in San Francisco. I like San Francisca as that’s how my Ukrainian swim coach would pronounce it. Lots of people in run club here in the Marina. Lots of young people who graduated from competitive universities like Carnegie Mellon and MIT seeking to create community through running.
Well, Spain also has its disadvantages, depending on which area you live in, summer can be quite annoying, especially in August, and if you are from a country in northern Europe you will have to wear sunscreen because they are not adapted to it. There are 300 days of sun, that's why they call it. In the country of the Sun, the language for Anglo-Saxons is also complicated. It is easier for the Slavs because the phonetics are almost the same as the Slavic language and remember this is not the country of opportunities unless you live in Madrid or something like that. In any case I wish you luck.
Yes agreed! I find Spanish easy if you know English a lot of words correlate with each other. And yeah if you are moving to Spain as a foreigner you need to have an idea of what you will be doing here and how you will sustain yourself
@@Jose-is8zt, exactly. Eight years ago, I moved house, changed phone number, and abandoned Facebook in order to get rid of all my fake friends and uncaring relatives, of whom I had many. From time to time, I come across one or a few of them, and before they start asking me for my new contact details, I tell them that I am now living an isolated life. A couple of times, they said that being isolated is not good and that I should seek help :). Little do they know that isolation was actually the help I needed when I was with them.
hola Maria, soy de Valencia, ¿por que zona de la ciudad sueles moverte?.....hay muchas cosas ...MUCHAS para descubrir en Valencia, incluso entre aquellos que piensan que lo conocen todo.
I haven't been ever to Canada so I don't know much. I wouldn't choose Canada just because it's cold and too extreme weather for me and one of my friends after a year returned back to Austria from Canada. She didn't like it. But can't tell you more 🤷♀️ Have been many times to Germany and that is not my vibe/culture. I am too loud for them apparently... 😁
that's interesting, so there are no shops in the residential zones? that'd be a pain in the neck. I am in Dublin but I've no car and it's fine. I want to retire to a coruña en el norte. I speak Spanish so touch wood I won't have any problems. I just want to stroll around have coffee, do pilates, and enjoy living in a lovely part of the world.
Things I dislike about Spain is the lack of cleanliness and how rude people can be. 😊 Agree with your comment about social isolation in the US, it is horrible. This society is very dysfunctional in many ways.
So true. They segregate us by neighborhoods keeping the well to do far away from the general populous. We sit on our coaches and buy things we don’t need. Our favorite foods are pizza, burgers and other JUNK. Also I had a needed surgery and with Full Coverage still paid $5000 out of pocket… Oh and the diets make all of us lose our Gal Bladders….Thanks for sharing!!
@mari_schultz No solamente tienes la suerte de vivir en Europa, sino que vives en la ciudad que, según algunas encuestas y rankings, es la mejor ciudad del mundo para vivir: Valencia. Y te lo digo porque soy valenciano. Es una ciudad grande pero no demasiado. Con veranos calurosos pero no sofocantes, inviernos suaves, una gran oferta cultural y numerosos monumentos históricos. Una deliciosa gastronomía, una oferta muy amplia de frutas y verduras sabrosas y muy baratas y también carnes y pescado de calidad. Y la mayoria son alimentos de cercanía. Por si todo esto fuera poco hay playa en la ciudad. Y a menos de dos horas de Madrid en tren de Alta Velocidad. La mejor y más amplia red ferroviario de Alta Velocidad está en España (bueno, la segunda despues de China). Saludos de un vecino tuyo. Espero verte algún dia por la calle.
A European citizen moving to the States will always find out the hardway and remind them of how convenient Europe actually is based on lifestyle and local amenities and other essential services. I do believe America is learning to apply basic European building blocks into their cities so people do have their fair share of convenience and local services. Once people experience life in a European country and a typical European lifestyle, then its actually really hard to go back to the older habits of living.. And some groups even have the audacity to bitch about 15 minute cities 🤦♂
As a Spaniard, I am curious about how two people coming from the US, being young and starting a life, feel in Spain, where the job market is probably the worst in Europe, salaries are a third (if not less) than in America. But at the same time I feel proud you chose Spain, it must be my chauvinistic side
yo también soy español y cuando deseconomizas la mente y te das cuenta de que no todo es dinero, aparte de dejar de focalizarte SOLO en lo negativo, descubres que hay otras cosas que valen mas la pena. Un trabajador en USA ganará mas dinero pero mira, es el segundo país en depresión....por ejemplo
Yes it's true about job market situation, that's why I recommend in my videos to have a clear idea of what you will do here and how will you sustain yourself (maybe business or online/remote job)
@@Arturod-w4t most yankees can't afford a modest life.... Americans continue to rack up credit card debt, hitting a record $1.14 trillion.... America is fake the life here is miserable....
@@mari_schultzwe live in Miami, looking for a remote job so we can move to Spain with our young kids, any ideas for remote jobs are welcome! Thank you!
I agree with many things you mentioned and your personal insight is spot on. The US is a young country and lack the history, charm, and beauty of Europe, for sure. I immigrated here from the Philippines at 8 years old. Very true, loneliness is huge in the US. Back in the Philippines, one never feels alone and lonely similar to Europe. I would love to retire in Spain, but taxes is much higher than the US, so I am at a standstill. Spain even tax Roth accounts!!! With that being said, I visited Rome and Paris many years ago and fell in love with Europe. Due to high taxes I am on hold, but would LOVE TO LIVE IN EUROPE :) too.
Yeah U.S. pension and Social Security benefits may be taxable in Spain, depending on how much you receive. The U.S.-Spain tax treaty helps prevent double taxation, but you will likely need to file taxes in both countries. We found out for ourselves that despite taxes in Spain being high it more or less equals out when considering the lower cost of living (40% difference with NC state for example, wealthier state will be more). But only to some point if you're earning I think more than 300K yearly then it's more beneficial to live in the US
Para tener los beneficios de atención médica universal, transporte público, educación gratuíta, carreteras en buen estado, etc. hacen falta los impuestos. Pagan más los que más ganan. Es en beneficio de todos, de la comunidad. Si la gente que te rodea tiene una calidad de vida estable, es más fácil que no haya sintecho, ni personas inestables mentalmente porque la seguridad social les atiende, etc repercute sobre tu calidad de vida. Nada es gratis, todo se paga con impuestos. En EEUU se pagan, quizás más, impuestos que en Europa, pero son indirectos. En EEUU los impuestos a dónde van? Quizás a ser la primera potencia militar del mundo? No sé, pero no todo se reduce al dinero. Salir con amigos, pasear, ir a tomarse dos cervezas, comer en familia practicamente todos los días, etc Cuando nos vayamos de este mundo, qué te vas a llevar? Dinero o momentos con los tuyos? Un cordial saludo desde España
@@pacoagullesestrada2497 and as far as i know, if you do the calculation you end up with more money in your pocket if you don't have to spend a fortune for a check up at the doctor's office or for insurances. not to forget quality of life is priceless.
Tu descripción de Estados Unidos es la de una distopía. Siempre me ha sorprendido cómo los mismos seres humanos son capaces de lo mejor y lo peor. Alii, aquí y, me imagino que en todas partes.
👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍Desde Málaga un saludo para ti. estoy de Cuerdo con todos los comentarios que has hecho,, yoo no cambiaria la forma de vida de España por la de USA,, hoy otro tiroteo en una escuela y de momento 4 muertos y 30 heridos alguno muy grave,, no se puede vivir en esa sociedad tan egoísta, y competitiva y con tanta competencia, prefiero compartir, y alimentar a mi alma con cultura!! Gracias por tu video amiga!!
I am an American and after visiting Spain I agree 100% with you!!! Luckily I work in NYC where I get to walk a lot and have access to amazing food everyday! Thanks for sharing!
Hello! I just found your channel on my TH-cam home page and it's very interesting. I'm Italian, and I also live in Valencia. I left Italy in 2019 because I became insecure about safety, about work, and because I realized that many people are losing their minds on a psychological level. Especially young people think they're in American Gangs, (but in reality they're idiots) they behave like criminals, commit acts of vandalism, etc... Valencia is a super safe city, you can find great jobs, it's really clean, the food is wonderful, and the people are really kind and warm-hearted. It was elected for three consecutive years 2022 - 2023 - 2024 the best city in the world for quality of life. As I always say, "Valencia warms your heart, welcomes you, makes you fall in love, and then marries you"
Hi, nice vid, tks for sharing. I would add that in Europe in general, people work to live, they don´t live to work. That means that we devote our free time to simply live and enjoy life., family, friends instead of dedicating that time to work just to get more money. Socializing is done on a daily basis., a simple stroll around commercial streets, having a drink with friends (and kids included) or even going to the cinema or a museum or whatever activity you want. Another important point is the fact that Americans don´t have the labour rights we have in Europe, namely 30 days holidays per year, paid sickness leave, paid maternity/paternity leave, 35-40h/week working schedule (if you work more hour for any reason, they are paid), minimum wage, etc. I think that Americans are basicaly an unhappy society, no matter what you earn. Everything is focused on "having things" and they forget to realy live., to enjoy and to seek happiness.
En el pasado era así, ya cada vez lo es menos, debido precisamente al estilo de vida más capitalista, en el que sin trabajar un monton de horas a la semana no puedes ganarte la vida.
Can I ask you something if you can give me your honest opinion. My wife, child and I are planning to leave the US for Valencia in 2026 but every time I’ve mentioned this to family and friends they respond that Spain is super racist and they don’t like anyone who is not a Spaniard or white. I understand that you are not dark skinned however, as a foreigner have you experienced this in Spain or seen it done to other people? I have a strong feeling that they are simply projecting their insecurities but I’d rather ask someone who is actually living there. Thank you!
I'd hate to break it to you, but that's how most countries are. That's one thing I love about America, everyone has a place regardless of ethnicity. Despite it's faults, no country comes close to America's diversity.
I find Spain being a tolerant country, not sure what kind of racism are you talking about... I have never ever experienced any form of racism or lack of respect while studying, working or now simply living in Spain. I see a lot of etnicities here in Valencia and all people are nice to each other. Respect locals, learn at least basic Spanish, embrace the culture, be nice to others and you'll be fine 🤷♀️
Cities in America are designed around the car so that’s what you get when you don’t put humans at the center of policy. Luckily in Europe, cities existed centuries before the invention of the car so they are designed for safety (walls and fortifications), small alleys, etc. They are more human and feel like that because they were designed for humans and not for cars and drive-thrus. The fatal flaw of the USA is their worship of the car which has created cities that are enormous wastelands devoid of any soul and character. Of course with a few notable exceptions. But they are a handful. This fatal flaw explains so much in terms of mental health, the sense of alienation and isolation, crime, lack of connection with nature and community, racism, lack of empathy, and even poor physical health. The list goes on and on. Architectural wise, again with a few exceptions, there is nothing remarkable required when you are in a car driving at speed all the time. No need for grandiose and beauty (no solo de pan vive el hombre. O iPhones). Better to have efficiency and repeatability. That’s what the current political polarisation misses. Even if the system is changed to be less capitalist, or more libertarian, or more socially cohesive, or the state is reduced, or increased… It doesn’t really matter; the urban problem will still be there haunting the pedestrians and subjugating it to the tyranny of the streets’ grid
Hello. This is the first video I see from your chanel, you have a new subscriber. I would like please set the music lower, due the music I have dificulties to understand you a litle. Also, other deaf people can find dificulties to undeptand you due the background music witch I recommend to lower its volume.
Your experience is on point! Regrettably, most of America neither affords nor is deigned for its people to enjoy healthy lives and lifestyles. Sadly, unchecked consumerism is driving American society over a proverbial cliff.
Hello! I live in the US for the past 40 years or, so I originally came over from Greece. I do agree with some of the things you are talking about such as human interaction, quality of food choices along with crime etc. No doubt these are good reason to consider! However, I must admit living in the US a person has much more chances to make it in life than someone in Spain or Greece. Europeans don't have these opportunities that's why you have major migration of young people to the US, Canada and Australia. I cringe when you said if you are in Europe and need help the government will help you, that is a socialistic mind set and I don't want the government to meddle into my affairs less government the better. Health care and education you said are free in Spain and elsewhere, well they are not you are paying for it with higher prices on everything. Don't forget your health care may cover you but you have to wait in other words it has been rationed you can't get the best care if you have so much bureaucracy in that system. Yes, we do pay a lot in the US, but we get the best care and there is no wait unlike Canada or the UK or your country. The cost of almost everything in Europe is much more than the US and that's due to energy dependency and also governments tend to be more socialistic in Europe. So bottom line some people do like this type of life others are running towards the US and if you are watching the news we are flooded with illegals crossing into the US by the millions. I do like Spain but it has its limitations like Greece and others like it. Best of luck sincerely!
Yes, I agree with you, America is for job opportunities, however, if you work remotely or have an online business than in my opinion there are better countries to live in for better quality of life. And regarding the government help - yes I do believe that, as I have real examples from my friends' lives. One was looking for a job for 6 months and was getting money help from the government to sustain herself and the other was in a severe depression and was getting money for not being able to work during a year! Does that work in the US? I doubt. There are even no paid sick leaves and you need to go to work while being sick. But thanks for your comment though! Saludos from Valencia!
there is no real economy in the usa... we are a constant war economy.... SOOOOOOO MANY people who are homeless.... Our government is ran by criminals... we are not a democracy....
Quédate en US. Enhorabuena por todo el dinero. Socialismo? Más bien tu ignorancia. Alemania, socialista? España? Francia? La UE socialista?... Tenéis gobiernos fascistas en US que os roban todos los impuestos para fabricar armamento y no quereis enteraros. No vuelvas a Europa. Quédate alli. Ya sabes, un esguince, 25.000$ Primero, Ambulancia, 5000$ En fin...
Wages are at exttemely highest points in all throughout USA states , even in smallest towns and villages for masters, doctorates, medical specialists, even for barbers and coifeurs that medical specialist can easily earn similar net wage yearly of 180.000 USD in smallest town of Missisipi like in New york Manhattan 250.000 USD per year. Barbers charge 15 USD to 25 USD from male customers in smallest towns, villages in the USA. Even servants in restaurants can earn 3000 USD per month net wage with tips like in Los Angeles restaurant servants. I had applied many jobs at Sioux Falls, South Dakota worst state ever compared to Florida , the administrators told me all jobs are filled up at fastest rate. Even in North Dakota Fargo jobs are filled by Americans at ease without any hassle at fastest rate. Brand new cars are same in North, South Dakotas like in California and Florida at its best and fully loaded and cheapest levels. Where do all American taxes go to in the country? For sure to interstate motorways monthly debts ongoing to banks , World Bank as whole USA is established by motorways, with double decker trains connecting all big cities above 1.5 million.
No, I don't like being around people after having dealt with them for 60+ years. I rather like my little one bedroom house-bubble. That said, I do miss traveling and visiting places. Spain was on my list of places I might want to move to at one time. But I can't handle people on airplanes anymore (I remember when humans used to behave on planes) so I don't go. Too poor to go anyway.
I switched from DaVinci Resolve to CapCut to edit faster. A lot of creators use this editor, it's super easy :) In the future I would like to progress to a more complex editor but for now it's perfect! Just do it! You should definitely start your channel! 🙌
Well it is a beautiful story about Spain and I was in Spain just last year. I have to say it is very save in Spain if you live in gagged community or apartments other way it is not. And you have a lot of communications with people in Spain because wall in most houses is so thing that you can talked with neighbors without even seeing them. Food is grate and cheap, but the salary is suck. Medical care in Spain... long story, you will see buy your self. Good Luck Mary.
So much Spain-bashing, makes me wonder if you've ever lived here. Yes, there are gated communities composed of luxury chalets, but I lived in Madrid for 8 years (2 of them working as an Uber driver, so I really got to know most parts of the city including those gated communities) and now been living in the Cádiz bay area for 3 years and never felt unsafe. May be you lived or frequented Madrid's infamous Cañada Real? Spanish people tend to speak loudly but I must be quite deaf, can't believe I missed the opportunity to converse with the neighbours. Salaries are not the best but neither are they the worst in the EU, and food is accessible, if what you crave is becoming rich USA system may be better suited for you. Public medical care has been there when my family has needed it, and I get my heart medications with a discount/subsidy of 40% in any pharmacy with the only requisite of visiting my assigned health center doctor once a year to have my prescription renewed.
@@agmfett Man I don't have any thin against Spain, I actually love Spain more then US, but her video so full of negative fillings... She is asking for it. You can found negative staff everywhere if you looking for it. I live in US for 20 years and yes we saw better times, but if you will sitting in house watching news it will be scary go outside, in reality I have never been in scary situation here. And my medications is free paid buy insurance, yes whole medical system need to be changed, but... I can tell you in Soviet Union was everything is much better specially safety and everybody had a job...
I was born in Peru and came to the US 25 years ago, now I have the Spanish citizenship and planning on moving there in the near future... yes, you can make money in the US, but at what cost?
America is for hard working people but maybe noy for every one.. you work hard you play hard you live good , lots of things you say are true , but I think you have a hard time getting used to here, maybe your own country was easier and more to your tasted and yes is hard to make friends here cus every one is so busy making money, we all have different taste . good to hear you found a place you like.
I agree no one ever mentioned how everything is outdated in the us. Even some people’s homes the furniture is very old. The work offices the furniture and carpets are old, Or ugly like they really don’t care how it looks. The quality of food is bad. It feels lonely there. everyone is worried about paying bills . Depression is high people are on some antidepressants or anxiety pills
Didn’t finish watching the video, especially from someone who lived in the US for such a short time. To each their own. I immigrated to US 25 years ago. Never regretted. Been in Europe, many great places, but would never move there, thanks. I’d rather live in my “depressing” suburbs, drink fantastic coffee I make at home (not paying an arm and a leg for the same thing in a city coffee shop) and drive my car anywhere I want.
You are so lucky you can make coffe at home. We do not have coffee machines at home in Europe, we always have to go to a city coffee shop and pay and arm and a leg. God bless America and the home made american coffee!
I have lived in the US since the 80s and traveled to different States, but I have also traveled to Europe, Central America and Argentina. my favorite place to drink coffee is Italy, Asados in Buenos Aires area amazing, I love walking all over Paris, Amsterdam and even London, love the fact that I can travel to several countries in Europe by train, so I dont even need to own a car!!. I started to look for a place to live in Europe for a couple of years now, like you said To each their own!!!.
Europe is older than US so obviously they are more walkable because they were planned before cars were invented. I do prefer Europe to the US but some complaints are actually not reasonable. America used to be more like Europe but after the Second World War it has been torn down and there are no longer communities
Ouch... the truth hurts. I just got back from a month long trip to Italy. My son and I were amazed how much better it was than the USA. There were some small annoyances, but overall it's much better. I've been to Spain before and loved it. I'm hoping to take my son to Barcelona this coming November so he can see Gaudi's work. Spain is awesome!
What a great and very accurate summary of the differences. Europe or America, no comparison really... Oh, noticed the coffee you were drinking. I remember struggling trying to find any good coffee in America but cannot remember any bad coffee in my recent trip to Italy and France and that included buying coffee from some very small villages....
Oh let her be young and naive. She'll take a second look at those terrible suburbs if she has kids and the studio in central Velencia doesn't cut it anymore.😂
@arnodobler1096 I agree Spain is awesome, but so is the US. Nothing wrong with being a soccer mom. What's wrong with being active with your kids to make sure they play sports and have confidence? Only weak men feel the need to put down women 😁.
@@dannielz6 I belittle women? You turn women into cab drivers in Canada and the US because of the infrastructure or lack of it. Here, children from the age of 7 go to school on their own, on foot, by bike or by bus. You want to talk about independent children? At midday they can go to the playground or soccer pitch on their own, there are clubs for everything here, even for the children. Children in Europe are much freer and more independent than in North America. There are books and documentaries about it, on YT also from families who have had the experience. Forest kindergartens are everywhere here. There's also a YT video “Kids gone wild” I think. Helicopter parents don't raise independent, self-confident children with skills.
In most videos comparing the quality of life in the USA and the EU, the content creators usually start with a disclaimer that the lifestyle in America just wasn't working for them, but this is only their opinion. I think that this almost discredits them, and I'm glad that you didn't do this. The only people who can actually be happier living the "American" lifestyle are certainly rich people who can afford to live in the most exclusive "pedestrian-friendly" neighborhood, and shop in the bourgeois grocery stores. I don't see how you can objectively claim that having unhealthy food, 🛒 higher insurance payments, 🏥 insanely higher rent or mortgage rates, 💰 no mobility whatsoever unless you own a car 🚗 which is very expensive (especially when you factor in parking fees for having a social life and oil changes which occur more frequently when you have more things to do certain months), and utterly boring and uninviting public spaces 😒 might work out just fine for SOME PEOPLE. That is so unnecessarily apologetic to American capitalism. Considering the average person (median national income earner), this way of living is working out for absolutely NO-ONE in the USA. 🤦 And that's an unbiased appraisal based on empirical observation. 🤷 There is zero need to worry about offending someone for educating them on this social reality. Keep up the good work! 👍
Sorry to hear that you had a poor experience of the US, which has immense variety. I eat at fresh food at restaurants in a walkable city that is incredibly social and all of my friends and family members have no depression and good exercise and health and unemployment is only 3% (compared to very high in Europe). Plus I see reports of a lot of poverty in Europe, it goes both ways. It sounds like you had trouble making friends here. Good luck in Spain.
I actually made Spanish friends there from Barcelona how funny 😅 but American friends were always busy and we were meeting with them maybe once in a quarter 🥲
Mucha pobreza en Europa. Si comparamos la pobreza de Europa con la de EEUU gana Estados Unidos por mayorí son miles las personas que duermen en las calles solamente en Nueva York. Mientras que en España. Y en todas las partes de Europa. No se ven la cantidad de pobres durmiendo en las calles. Ni cogiendo comida de los basureros.
@@Javierxr23 es que ni reuniendo a todos los sin techos de toda Europa se conseguiría igualar al número de sin techos que hay solo en el estado de Nueva York. Así que mejor no queramos compararlos con todo el país entero. Saludos.
I am a Spaniard who worked 5 years in the US (Atlanta and Miami) and had a really good time there. With a good job life is easier and simpler in the US, but I found it not to be so rich and complex as in Europe for the less materialistic aspects of life. Cities in the US are not as charming, they don't "talk" to you, they have a fractal structure (replicate a piece 1,000 times and you get a city). Once, I had not visited Spain for a year and a half and when I came to Madrid I was able to appreciate it, because I did not pay attention to all Spain has before moving to the US (I was stunned as a tourist but with all the local knowledge in my head).
I have also stayed several months in Mexico and Chile and visited up to 50 other countries for work or leisure. I think Spain has an excellent balance of many things except the job market. Nevertheless, I prefer Spain to live over any other nation, but as I am from Spain I might be biased. I would say the US is good to earn money and Spain is good for vacation or retirement, but cost of life is much less so maybe yo don't need many earnings anyway. I saved money in the US because I kept my frugal Spanish mindset and did not fall in spending as much as Americans do; it really paid off in Spain.
Last fact: Even with insurance I did not find healthcare to be very good in the US. I prefer Spanish doctors because they care more and are excellent, both private and public. Private healthcare is quite affordable compared to the US and you don't need one really, you can rely on public healthcare too (although waiting time for non urgent interventions is a problem).
thank you for your comprehensive reply! Yes agreed the US is good for job opportunities. But if you can work remotely and you are not tied to your job by location - then better live elsewhere and have better quality of life 😊
I love your comment and totally agree with you. I am from the U.S. and lived in Madrid twice on a visa and visited 8 additional times. When I visit Spain, I stay anywhere from 3 weeks to 3 months. Spain is my favorite country and I´ve been to 30 countries. Madrid is my favorite city in the world! There is something different about Spain. I like it better than the U.S. The people are friendly and helpful. I can walk everwhere. I live my life outside. I feel a sense of community here. It´s easier to make friends. The food is better. Because the air is dryer and there are so many sunny days, I can have the windows open. I can be outside so much because I never get bitten by mosquitoes or melt from humidity. There are parks everywhere. People do not care that I am semi-retired/underemployed at age 41. People are other centered. I made more money in the U.S. though.
I have 3 passports and I've lived in several countries ever since I left my birthplace at 9 years old, and I can absolutely confirm that what you said has been my experience as well... I've lived in Miami, Chicago, Los Angeles, different cities in Venezuela, Jamaica, Guatemala, México, Türkiye and now Spain. In the places where I had a job I didn't have time to dwell on the bad parts. Europe can be boring at times, especially Spain since productivity is not their forte. I guess that's also why they have one of the longest life expectancies in the world.
let's just hope Spain won't collapse in the neat or not so distant future.
Atlanta is the best ;)
Thank you for sharing your perspectives 🙏🏾 My husband and I are moving to Valencia in December, and your points totally resonate with us 100%. Life here in the US, even in a “cheaper” city (for us Houston) has become unsustainable financially. Plus, it doesn’t help that my husband got shot in the neck outside Whole Foods in a road rage incident. There are too many reasons to leave the US and not enough reasons to stay. Appreciate your content ❤
@@PlantBasedPassport oh my goodness! 🤯 that’s insane…
I’m glad you are moving here! You’ll totally enjoy it! Saludos!
I went to visit my son in the US. He lives in a suburb of Austin with his girlfriend. They both have cars that they need to get to work. After three days, I told him to find me a hotel in the city center. It was cheaper than having to take an Uber to get a coffee.I can go days without having a real coffee or real bread, but what I don't understand is that for everything I have to go by car. I have two legs and I like walking a lot.
I agree with you. I am an American, and I live in a rural area. I have done so for many years. It is true that I have to drive to get what I want. I used to live in a semi-rural area and drive to work in the city---but I had my own business, and had to carry my own tools anyhow. Now, my partner and I--both retired--buy what we need once a week and stay home. I have a garden.
BUT, when I visit my mother and extended family in another state, I stay with a friend who lives in a small city. I love staying with him, because it is so convenient----I get up in the morning and walk a block to the coffee shop (meanwhile, my friend has walked to work!) and eat breakfast and get a great cup of coffee (I love coffee in Greece, Egypt, Bulgaria, France, etc.!!!!).
The suburbs are...bland, lifeless, soulless, depressing places. I'm surprised that the residents have not all just Xed themselves. My ex-wife #2 lived in an awful lifeless suburb before I married her. There wasn't a store within any reasonable walking distance.
I've been to Europe a few times. I wish the US would learn a few things from Europe.
@@jamesbinns8528Hello, I am also retired and divorced. I recently moved to live on the outskirts of a small town, but I can walk there in 10 minutes. There I have all the services I need, shops, banks, post office, family doctor,... and a local train station that takes you to the city, but the city council has subsidized a bus line that takes you directly from the town to the central hospital, which is on the outskirts of the city. I only use my car for sightseeing or in winter because it rains a lot here. I really liked the people of the United States, they are friendlier and kinder than us and with my little English and Spanish I understand each other perfectly, but I hate their suburbs, I don't understand why to have a beer or buy a can of tomatoes, you have to go by car.
@@Roque-Cachamuiña-gs1wd oh id be the same, I wouldn't want to be trapped, needing a lift!
España y Polonia son dos paises europeos equivalentes,uno al norte y otro al sur,pero con historias similares,ambos han tenido una etapa de esplendor en el pasado,ambos han vivido la dureza de la guerra en el siglo XX,ambos han tenido opresion durante decadas y ambos han sabido salir del pozo y transformarse en paises europeos potentes dentro de la UE.Somos distintos,pero parecidos.Saludos.
WTF? Polonia no se parece EN NADA a España, y no sé de qué etapa de ''esplendor'' polaca hablas...
@@edwmakina sino sabes nada de historia de nuestro país y/o Polonia, entonces es normal que no tengas ni la más mínima idea de lo que David ha escrito.
Y si, al menos en las cosas que ha dicho si que se parecen en algo... un poco rebuscadas, pero si... hasta el punto de que en la primera etapa del Imperio Español, Polonia también fue una especie de "periferia" de dicho imperio, hasta el punto que en la capital hay varias construcciones españolas muy emblemáticas.
Saludos.
Well, only one of them dominated the seas and half the world for 300 years. The Spanish language emerged from little Spain and today it is spoken by 550 million people.
You literally talked about all the struggles I have always had about the US. My parents immigrated here and I was born and raised in a typical American suburb. I have traveled a lot throughout my life and when I got a chance to live in Spain for 1.5 years I felt "at home". I have been dreaming of going back for a decade now. I always felt like I was the only one who felt this way, but apparently, a lot of people do. New subscriber!
ooh I get you! 🥹 Well nothing is impossible if you really want it! I'll root for you 😊
Yankees spend most of their miserable lives working, eating and consuming spectacle.... they rarely ever think of the world they live in... I am starved for real art, culture and actual community.
yankee individualism is gross
@@mari_schultz Thank you, I appreciate it! It's just harder doing the move alone for me
@@andynull8869 sure is
Mari you're actually hilarious 😂 this is such a perfect video. I try explaining how car dependency affects our mental health in America and people are so used to their bubbles that it doesn't even make sense to them.
I also work as a sign language interpreter in schools and have been in an active shooter situation. We can't wait to move to Spain for so many reasons!!
haha I'm glad you enjoyed it! 😁
oh my goodness 😨 well, you are on the right path, kudos!
Spain is heaven on earth after spending as mba student in rural town with 30.000 population town in Georgia USA just 1.5 hours to Atlanta 12 months and 6 months in San Diego California UCSD tourism area studies and diploma. I had seen north to south mediterenean seaside cities, towns of Spain for 1 month and I adored the architectures , historical perfections in Spain. Spanish citizens had always lived on the mediterenean seaside since 1300s ongoing times today. The country is also very orderly, very developed, all spanish cities , towns have been connected with 250 km/ hour fastes trains and with 4 lanes motorways in 560.000 square kms Spain area.
Hello. I am Spanish, from Valencia, where Mari Schulz lives. Thank you for your words. I just have to make a small correction to your kind words. When you say that Spaniards have lived in Spain since 1,300, I suppose you mean the year 1300 BC. Spain, as a country with that name, has existed since the end of the fifteenth century, but what we could call Spain or more specifically Hispania has existed since before the arrival of the Roman Empire around the third century BC. Best regards.
My favorite part of living in Europe is that you can walk everywhere, well, perhaps not during Summer very hot days, but you can take clean and efficient buses, the Metro (I’m from Madrid) and stop everywhere for a bite. I’ve seen so many people who studied in American and after so many years decided that enough is enough and came back to Europe. Welcome to Spain and good luck on this new adventure. Witamy!
@@gerardosalazar161 exactly! Thanks! 😃
Love this! Lived all over the US. Now we live by Raliegh and HATE IT! The buses are dangerous, the streets are dangerous, the food is posion. We are heading to Zaragoza in January and can not wait to get the hell out of here.
I hear you! Kudos for the move! 🥳
To Zaragoza? I live in Zaragoza!
exMichigan in Spain 🇪🇸🇪🇺👍,Was stationed in the USAF in Zaragoza in the 80s. How I knew back then Spain was my true home🍷🍷
Awesome video, all points 100% spot on. When we think of USA, we think of an advanced country of the future. A country that started new and does not have the bad from the old world. However, once you live in USA and you are old enough to compare to Europe and understand the differences, you actually see that Europe is at least 10-20 years ahead of the USA in most ways. The USA is all about profit in every aspect of live. As an example. There are way less farmers in USA compared to Europe. Most farms in USA are big corporations and the government does not interfere with their practices. Houses are built in bulk as cheap as possible and public transport would take away money from building roads....noooo!
I encourage everybody who boards a plane in Europe, walking through a jetway that is all glass and see the stark difference when landing in USA. It starts that they still use ground personal to guide the planes. In rest of the world that is done via large monitors next to the gate. Once you go on the jetway to embark, that jetway is most likely a metal tube with no windows. When you enter the buildings, there are people to guide you everywhere, which is kind of nice, but shows that there is no structure and logic in things. In Europe, entering security, security check and boarding the plane, is mostly an automatic process, with gates opening automatically. In USA this is all still manual. I actually saw the first time in September of 2024 in New York, an automated gate to board the plane. However, people got confused and wanted to push open the gate and walk through.
Also, go into a Home Depot in USA and than go to a European counterpart, like Bauhaus or Leroy Merlin in Spain. You will see that the USA is still in the 20th century. Just the lights section alone will keep you speechless. Check the bathrooms, kitchens or windows and doors and you see that the US stopped in 1970 to improve anything. The main reason is, profit. It makes more profit to sell cheap stuff and since the US is in it's own bubble, at least 95% of the people do not even know or realize that they are sold the past.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and facts! Was very interesting to read. I agree. When I landed in the NY airport for the first time I was in shock. I landed to an old terminal. Finally they are renovating the airport now! It was funny to see the poster saying NY’s airport is finally entering the 21st century 😁
Yeah. But not only it makes more profit to sell cheap stuff, but not improve or update almost nothing of the infrastructure since XX century too. Only pure profit and anything else, and they only fix or modernize when something already falls apart and many many streets in many cities they don´t minimal properly clean and take away all the garbage, smeeling very bad and having a very bad impression to see it and the ilumination in many streets (specially in little streets) is very dark too (which can make it very dangerous, very conducive to robberies, murders and rapes at night).
Regards.
I am so happy I found your channel. I fell in love with Spain during my first visit to Barcelona and Figueres in 2016 and have been trying to plan how to stay there for a longer period ever since.
We visited Cadaques and Girona in 2018 and Santiago de Compostela, Madrid and Valencia in 2021 after Covid slowed our plans. We are hoping to return next year to Malaga, Seville and Granada. I would really like to move there but am hesitant because of age and health concerns. I completely agree with your assessment of the US which is why it’s quite painful to return after a trip. Luckily I live in a walkable city and have since I ran screaming from the suburbs of Philadelphia after high school. I am grateful for any tips or advice you can offer and will be tuning in every week. Thanks and blessings!
Amazing you've travelled quite a lot around Spain, that's great! Andalusia is absolutely a gem and must-visit.
Thank you, there will be more videos about Valencia and Spain 😊
OMG! we stayed a week in Spain, and we really liked it, despite the fact that we spent half a week on the Altantic coast and the other half in Ibiza.
I grew up in Spain, and I've lived in the US, in various places, for many years. I'm amazed at how well you summarized life in the US, having lived there for only 14 months. I couldn't agree more with your characterization. Congrats, you got yourself a new subscriber.
Yay thanks! 😊🎉
The most realistic video on this subject, period.
Excellent video but she forgot to talk about the main point that make everyone leave Spain and the rest of Europe: lack of opportunity & taxes. Spain is a great place to live broke, but it's not a great place to become wealthy.
@@axelcv10
Bingo. I'll be the first to admit that the US has problems, but I don't understand the complete one-sidedness of videos like this. I think a lot of people from Europe don't realize how huge America is, and they don't really see and experience it before jumping to conclusions. They complain about suburbs, but places like New York, Boston and San Francisco have higher population densities than many European cities. If you don't like it that's fine, but there's a reason why the US never has a shortage of immigrants breaking down the door to get in!
@@axelcv10 Wealthy people live in Europe, not in Africa or elsewhere for the same reasons explained in this video. Its better to live "broke" in Spain than become wealthy elsewhere. And finally, taxes are needed in order to have an healthcare system for everybody, to have better infraestructures and public services and less unequality.
Just a slight inaccuracy on the healthcare in Europe. Healthcare is different from country to country, it's not always the case you get insurance through employment. For example in Spain there is a national healthcare system that automatically covers everyone and there are also private clinics, doctors and hospitals that health insurance can cover in different extances according to plan, in network, out of network, etc. One thing is definitely different: everyone has access to affordable healthcare and noone has to decide between treatment and food at the table.
My wife and I could not agree with you more! Great video! And the quality of food in Europe is so much better! We feel much better in Europe.
US is good for business opportunies but quality of life no way..
As an American planning a move to Spain (allegedly in case work is watching) next year. Thanks for this video and it makes me more at peace before uprooting the family! Subscribed.
Thank you! 🙂 I believe you are making a right move, I find Spain a comfortable place for having a family. I feel more secure and decisive starting a family here than in the US
I completely agree with you. I’m moving to Madrid next week and I am super excited. The money from taxes mostly goes to our huge military forces in the US.
And endless wars ☮️☮️
I think what resonated most for me is the walkability in suburbs. I live in Canada, in one of the suburb communities outside of Toronto. The most depressing thing I find in walking in the area I am in is that the building are flat, boring, and an eyesore. Theres no charm. There are sidewalks, some bike lanes, parks, but theres something missing. Not to far away is the city of Burlington. Many mixed use buildings preserved, close to the Lakeshore, many choices of cafes, bakeries, restaurants and very walkable. It may not have the wonderful architecture of Europe, but even the homes are wonderful Victorian style places with well kept gardens. Unfortunately, its slowly being ruined by huge condo towers going up in the immediate vicinity. Thats the thing about Canada and the US. Both provide economic opportunity (US more so) so they draw in a lot of people to live and work, but that draw greatly reshapes the city scapes, and preservation does not become a mindset. We are quick to tear down, pave over, and build cheaply. On the other hand, there is something that suburbs do quite well. In North America, you hear a lot of people starting their business "in their garage" or "in their basement". Its because a suburban style home does provide space to do hobbies, persue interests, keep various tools and so forth. Its a form of "productive fun" that statistically helps to generate a lot of new snall businesses. To me, an ideal city has an old and preserved downtown, Victorian style homes with large backyards, actual basements and garages, with bike lanes, wide sidewalks, but common meeting areas in various neighbourhoods that invites people in to gather and be sociable. They could be parks but with European style kiosks that have seating and serve basic snacks, beer, wine, mulled wine and warm cider in winter months, and make a point in having farmers markets. I feel a lot can be done to make things better.
Bravo Mari! That was a great comparison and summary of differences. Keep up the good work.
I LOVE this! We are two Americans from Seattle moving to Spain in April 2025. I've been to Europe a LOT...so I know there will be a culture shock, but in the right direction. You definitely have a new subscriber in us! :)
@@thespaindiaries amazing! Thanks 😄
I came as an immigrant to Germany and haven't been ever in the US (my wife was there shortly for a visit). Thnak you for sharing you impressions! it is really well done. Enjoy your life in Spain!
Excellent presentation. I am an Italian American former inner city teacher with Italian citizenship resident of Gran Canaria. I have been in Boston since May visiting my son and will return to Spain in a few weeks. When I got here I was in shape mentally and physically due to the factors you mentioned. I am so excited about returning to Europe in two weeks.. I am going to return to Spain and then stay two months this fall in Italy (Tuscany and Sicily) and then go back to my little town in Gran Canaria.
Winter, stress, the sense of isolation and chaos left behind as well as those trips to the supermarket where one is in danger of being run over by people racing with shopping carts or driving over people who just cross the street or bike without looking, never mind the insane drivers giving you the finger and constant sirens. I'm looking forward to enjoying a meal or a drink speaking one of my five languages speaking to others or just chilling in the sea of fellow humans or eating a healthy meal that is affordable. La vida es dulce!! Also, I plan a trip to Eastern Europe in April and May. The last time that I was in Poland was in 1968.
Wow amazing plans you have! Thanks for sharing! 🤩
I hope you and your family are ok with the flooding. Prayers for all!
Thank you! Yes, we are safe!🙌🏻
Your videos are great. This one made us laugh and is so spot on. It’s refreshing to hear an honest take from someone who wasn’t born in the US and has seen different ways of living and can make an actual comparison.
We all know about the food, the car culture, the dangerous streets and transportation but your common sense take on just walking down the street as well as the layout of cities and suburbs and the impractical way things are was simple and brilliant.
You need to do another video that shows in comparison the adjustment phase once you got to Valencia.
You’re crushing these videos. We look forward to each one.
PS sad irony there was yet another senseless mass shooting at a high school near Atlanta today. US definitely has so much but does so little with it.
Ohh thank you so much for your kind words! 🥹 That inspires me so much to do more!
And I've already took a note about the idea you brought up for the other video! Thank you, I will definitely make it in the future! 😄
@@mari_schultz Yay! Looking forward to it. Keep up the great work!
He vivido en España, EEUU, y Irlanda, Europa es mejor. Estoy planeando a volverme a Irlanda.
Ireland is a total shithole. You will never find accommodation here, and if you do, it will cost you everything. After 20 years here, I am hoping to finally get out back to the continent. Last two years or so, Ireland is being flooded with indians and all sorts of migrants from muslim countries. It is going to get only worse here. No hope or future for this country.
Preach - American suburbs are the WORST! And pedestrian friendly places are in high demand, therefore more expensive.
Exactly, pedestrian friendly cities or areas is a luxury in the US 🥲
I live In the USA and yes America needs to work on that. When I went to Europe I loved walking and feeling like I’m in a community
whats crazy is the zoning in the usa has roots in racism. If you build a wall to keep someone out soon it will be used to keep you in.
@@randyfernandez5361 I wish that people like us could somehow influence the legislators to adopt more human-centric rules for development.
I really dislike the suburbs too, even if it’s where we live. I would happily move to DC if homes weren’t a gajillion dollars.
Great video... I lived in Barcelona for a few years and now back in the "carcentric" USA. The USA is great, agreed, but not perfect. To make money, yes, but for quality of life, community, walkability, quality of food, no. I am looking forward to getting back to Europe, Spain or France, the cafe society, the neighborhood bakery, fruit stands, and a better sense of community.
I lived in US and Spain, best video I saw so far covering most of the topics, you deserve more subscribers, way to go. Thx
thanks!! 🥹
Thank you for nice compliments about Warsaw,my home city. Greetings from Poland.
I’m loving your videos! I’m curious about how well you speak Spanish and how you were able to learn it. I’m hoping you do more neighborhood videos to show the different options.
Thank you, Michelle! I have a good conversational level of Spanish. I studied in Spain as an exchange student and worked with Spanish people. I also had a Spanish tutor for a year to learn the grammar.
Yes, I will! I know many of my subscribers are waiting for that kind of video, so I keep that in mind, thank you! 😄
I haven't experienced the states or many other countries, but I've been living in Spain for four years now and I won't exchange it for any other country. I absolutely love it.
Your taxes are amazing, too...
@@saintpreferred9223 They earn nothing in Spain to start with, so don't have much taxes to pay. But indeed, social contributions, healthcare, retirement, unemployment taxes, VAT etc. leave you with NOTHING.
@@saintpreferred9223 The taxes that I pay are totally worth the social services that it provides to me and others.
"It is absolutely amazing in every regard." Job-market... and also in some parts the health-care system, also when I look at the education system as a teacher, with a girlfriend who is also a teacher I think there is A LOT that has to improve.
@@adrianseanheidmann4559 You are right, my comment was supposed to be from my personal point of view, but it could have been misleading and I rephrased it.
Yes Job market is an important issue that people must consider if they are thinking of moving here. I never suggest Spain to any friend who is thinking of coming and looking for a job, I tell them come only if you find a job before coming, like in the Tech sector.
In Barcelona where I live I didn't have problems with the health care and I am pretty satisfied with it. And with the education system I don't know, but I hope it will be good. My son is starting school right tomorrow.
I like Spanish big tomatoes!
I'm American and this is spot on. I desperately want to get to Europe, but the path to get there and live legally before retirement is very difficult.
What's your profession ? There are also opportunities to work as english teachers, but I do not know what requirements are.
just burn your passport pretend you're an asylum seeker. :)
In some UE countries it's possible to get a passport, if you have ancestors from this country. That's an easy option
It's enough that your spouse have ancestors from UE country
@@kaledonia1983 that market is so damn saturated. I myself know at least 10 American English teachers personally.
Well, not quite, part of the taxes in your salary goes to pay your health coverage, which doesn't include dental care. In Spain some employers do add private insurance as an extra benefit, other people pay it themselves, and it's very affordable, it often includes some dental care coverage
healthcare in Europe is much more affordable, that's a fact :)
Food on all parts of Spain is great, but mediterranean food is just amazing. You will love it I'm sure. Enjoy your stay.
"Food on all parts of Spain is great," I gotta disagree on that one... living in Valencia for 7 years now, I think the traditional food is "alright", definitely not horibble, no no, but also just not that great. Often too friend, jiust too much oil and just lacking a bit of "finesse". It's incrdible that you can eat out at 1 star restaruants and it's actually affordable, but I'm just not into fine-dining.
@adrianseanheidmann4559 living in Valencia you'll find tons of cheap places for tourists to eat, so of course, you won't get great food there. Choose something better than tourist traps and you'll find excellent quality food.
@@Xiroi87 Did you just call me a tourist?
@@adrianseanheidmann4559 I think the “too much oil” also applys to most of Andalucia. Im from Cartagena (Murcia) and Im pretty happy with food here, but I did find way too many fried dishes in Andalucia (pescaito frito) so Valencia could be the same.
Where are you from btw? Im not saying food here is the best in the world by any means, but Ive been to the US, UK, Portugal and France and I would take Spanish food any day of the week.
@@manump23 "I think the “too much oil” also applys to most of Andalucia." Most definitely. I like Andalucian food and food culture in general.
"I think the “too much oil” also applys to most of Andalucia" Yeah, exactly this. I LOVE fish. Funnily enough I'm from Northern-Germany, so I have no say in the culintary world in that sense, but would I notice everytime I'm back is the restaurant doesn't matter which ones, have obviously changed a lot of thing to appeal to the "German taste buds" and apparently this means way less oil and salt than is used in most places in Spain. I also gotta say that bread wise Spain is by and large like a desert to me, I think these long-ass, whole bocadillos are just wrong. Give me small belegte Brötchen anytime over these all the time anytime. I usually end up comparing Spanish food to the "neighbours" so Italy and Morcocca, I prefer both countires cuisine over Spain.
I also absolutely dislike paella and croquetas but love risotto and biryani dishes plus arrancini. So if two of the main staple food aren't appealing to you, you gotta have a hard time.
Im american, and ur analysis was spot on!!! Great video
As a Canadian I prefer to vacation in EU as it just feels more interesting and as you said the food is outstanding. Due to walking and food quality I can enjoy all the great cuisine and still not gain any weight . Even with language barriers vs the US I still prefer exploring in EU.
Spain is awesome 🎉
Hello, first let me congratulate you, your videos about moving to Spain are great, we love them. My wife and I are planing to retired in Spain as the two of us are of Spanish ancestry. Presently we live in Raleigh N.C. and as you we are fed up with how expensive living in us has become. I will like to ask you a few questions regarding the visa if you have some time.
Thank you for the great tips and info you provide with your videos.
Thank you so much! Sure, you can dm me on Instagram or Facebook. Links are in the channel description
Why didn't you move to Poland? It sounds as if it's not a bad place. I recently visited Spain and loved it.
found an opportunity to move to Spain and as it was our dream we jumped on it :)
When will you reach the end of the honeymoon stage in Spain and have a crisis? As an American retiree I have thought of moving to Spain or France, but since I don't know anyone there I'm sure I would become depressed very quickly. During my career I worked with many Europeans who settled in the US and stayed here. I can't think of a single one who moved back.
I lived in Spain before and didn’t have one 😁 but this is smth for the future video as well, how the things progress with time
More US Americans have been coming to Germany (for example) than the other way around for about 15 years. Times are changing. Security, universal HC, working conditions, social security, cost of living, affordable education and child care, vacation and sick days, job security, public transportation, lots of things within walking distance, kids are freer and more independent, etc. etc. These are the reasons they give.
@@arnodobler1096 Germany is notoriously unfriendly, as the many videos about how difficult it is to make friends with Germans attest. I have an American friend who went to University in Germany, married a German, had a child with him in Germany, lived there for 30 years, and after a divorce, returned to the US with her adult child. She found Germans very cold, but said "At least I wasn't a Turk," meaning as an American she was treated better than other foreigners. Her German son now has a good-paying job in the US.
@@bakarka Oh, to draw conclusions about an entire country from one experience, and then from hearsay, is very ignorant. Sorry!
Germans, like many Europeans, define friends differently. They say US Americans are like peaches, soft on the outside, hard on the inside, we are like coconuts, hard on the outside, soft on the inside. We have friends for life. I can call friends at 4 a.m. and they drive 200 km.
@@bakarka Anglo-Saxons are too polite to be honest, Germans too honest to be friendly. Simply a cultural difference. I prefer honesty to fake friendliness.
Yep. I think you nailed it. Sorry to say. Our quality of life could stand a lot of improvement. Your observations are accurate. So on point. Painful to hear but a valid assessment.
Because Spain is an awesome place to live in.
Mari lo primero decirte que me he suscrito a tu canal, segundo te doy la razón en todo lo que has dicho y tercero esperando tu nuevo video que me he quedado con ganas de más.
Maravillosa reflexión Mari!
Gracias por tu visión😊
There’s a Union Espanola de California on Alemany in San Francisco. I like San Francisca as that’s how my Ukrainian swim coach would pronounce it. Lots of people in run club here in the Marina. Lots of young people who graduated from competitive universities like Carnegie Mellon and MIT seeking to create community through running.
Y LO MAS IMPORTANTE .... ESPAÑA ESTA LLENA DE ESPAÑOLES. SABIAS GENTES QUE VIVE Y DEJAN VIVIR
Well, Spain also has its disadvantages, depending on which area you live in, summer can be quite annoying, especially in August, and if you are from a country in northern Europe you will have to wear sunscreen because they are not adapted to it. There are 300 days of sun, that's why they call it. In the country of the Sun, the language for Anglo-Saxons is also complicated. It is easier for the Slavs because the phonetics are almost the same as the Slavic language and remember this is not the country of opportunities unless you live in Madrid or something like that. In any case I wish you luck.
Yes agreed! I find Spanish easy if you know English a lot of words correlate with each other. And yeah if you are moving to Spain as a foreigner you need to have an idea of what you will be doing here and how you will sustain yourself
@@mari_schultz ok
I LOVE being alone. People depress me.
😂 You are just like me, being with people depresses me and puts me in a bad mood sometimes.
@@Jose-is8zt, exactly. Eight years ago, I moved house, changed phone number, and abandoned Facebook in order to get rid of all my fake friends and uncaring relatives, of whom I had many. From time to time, I come across one or a few of them, and before they start asking me for my new contact details, I tell them that I am now living an isolated life. A couple of times, they said that being isolated is not good and that I should seek help :). Little do they know that isolation was actually the help I needed when I was with them.
great informative video, thank you for that!
hola Maria, soy de Valencia, ¿por que zona de la ciudad sueles moverte?.....hay muchas cosas ...MUCHAS para descubrir en Valencia, incluso entre aquellos que piensan que lo conocen todo.
What are your thoughts on Canada??
Why you choosed only spain?
Germany wasn't goo?
I haven't been ever to Canada so I don't know much. I wouldn't choose Canada just because it's cold and too extreme weather for me and one of my friends after a year returned back to Austria from Canada. She didn't like it. But can't tell you more 🤷♀️
Have been many times to Germany and that is not my vibe/culture. I am too loud for them apparently... 😁
@@mari_schultz then it´s clear that you have a more Spanish vibe XD.
that's interesting, so there are no shops in the residential zones? that'd be a pain in the neck. I am in Dublin but I've no car and it's fine. I want to retire to a coruña en el norte. I speak Spanish so touch wood I won't have any problems. I just want to stroll around have coffee, do pilates, and enjoy living in a lovely part of the world.
that sounds so peaceful 😌
As a tourist or one who lives there: One's experience is so much different if one speaks the local's language.
Things I dislike about Spain is the lack of cleanliness and how rude people can be. 😊 Agree with your comment about social isolation in the US, it is horrible. This society is very dysfunctional in many ways.
I'm agree with you, nice video, and Europe and Spain are great places to Live, gracias y un abrazo desde Barcelona.
So true. They segregate us by neighborhoods keeping the well to do far away from the general populous. We sit on our coaches and buy things we don’t need. Our favorite foods are pizza, burgers and other JUNK. Also I had a needed surgery and with Full Coverage still paid $5000 out of pocket… Oh and the diets make all of us lose our Gal Bladders….Thanks for sharing!!
@mari_schultz No solamente tienes la suerte de vivir en Europa, sino que vives en la ciudad que, según algunas encuestas y rankings, es la mejor ciudad del mundo para vivir: Valencia. Y te lo digo porque soy valenciano. Es una ciudad grande pero no demasiado. Con veranos calurosos pero no sofocantes, inviernos suaves, una gran oferta cultural y numerosos monumentos históricos. Una deliciosa gastronomía, una oferta muy amplia de frutas y verduras sabrosas y muy baratas y también carnes y pescado de calidad. Y la mayoria son alimentos de cercanía. Por si todo esto fuera poco hay playa en la ciudad. Y a menos de dos horas de Madrid en tren de Alta Velocidad. La mejor y más amplia red ferroviario de Alta Velocidad está en España (bueno, la segunda despues de China). Saludos de un vecino tuyo. Espero verte algún dia por la calle.
Gracias! It's true all you say, I'm grateful to be able to live in this city :) Saludos!
A European citizen moving to the States will always find out the hardway and remind them of how convenient Europe actually is based on lifestyle and local amenities and other essential services.
I do believe America is learning to apply basic European building blocks into their cities so people do have their fair share of convenience and local services.
Once people experience life in a European country and a typical European lifestyle, then its actually really hard to go back to the older habits of living..
And some groups even have the audacity to bitch about 15 minute cities 🤦♂
The Medical industrial complex where you need gofund me to pay your medical bills.
As a Spaniard, I am curious about how two people coming from the US, being young and starting a life, feel in Spain, where the job market is probably the worst in Europe, salaries are a third (if not less) than in America. But at the same time I feel proud you chose Spain, it must be my chauvinistic side
yo también soy español y cuando deseconomizas la mente y te das cuenta de que no todo es dinero, aparte de dejar de focalizarte SOLO en lo negativo, descubres que hay otras cosas que valen mas la pena. Un trabajador en USA ganará mas dinero pero mira, es el segundo país en depresión....por ejemplo
Yes it's true about job market situation, that's why I recommend in my videos to have a clear idea of what you will do here and how will you sustain yourself (maybe business or online/remote job)
@@Arturod-w4t most yankees can't afford a modest life.... Americans continue to rack up credit card debt, hitting a record $1.14 trillion.... America is fake the life here is miserable....
@@mari_schultzwe live in Miami, looking for a remote job so we can move to Spain with our young kids, any ideas for remote jobs are welcome! Thank you!
Bravo, Mari! Truth-telling, insightful, just pitch perfect description of what is undeniably real in America ... With a dash of edgy humor.
Eres encantadora e inteligente, gracias por tus indicaciones sobre mi pais y en general asi es en la UE. Espero que te vaya bien en España 😊
muchisimas gracias Ana!! 😊
I agree with many things you mentioned and your personal insight is spot on. The US is a young country and lack the history, charm, and beauty of Europe, for sure. I immigrated here from the Philippines at 8 years old. Very true, loneliness is huge in the US. Back in the Philippines, one never feels alone and lonely similar to Europe. I would love to retire in Spain, but taxes is much higher than the US, so I am at a standstill. Spain even tax Roth accounts!!! With that being said, I visited Rome and Paris many years ago and fell in love with Europe. Due to high taxes I am on hold, but would LOVE TO LIVE IN EUROPE :) too.
Yeah U.S. pension and Social Security benefits may be taxable in Spain, depending on how much you receive. The U.S.-Spain tax treaty helps prevent double taxation, but you will likely need to file taxes in both countries.
We found out for ourselves that despite taxes in Spain being high it more or less equals out when considering the lower cost of living (40% difference with NC state for example, wealthier state will be more). But only to some point if you're earning I think more than 300K yearly then it's more beneficial to live in the US
Para tener los beneficios de atención médica universal, transporte público, educación gratuíta, carreteras en buen estado, etc. hacen falta los impuestos. Pagan más los que más ganan. Es en beneficio de todos, de la comunidad. Si la gente que te rodea tiene una calidad de vida estable, es más fácil que no haya sintecho, ni personas inestables mentalmente porque la seguridad social les atiende, etc repercute sobre tu calidad de vida. Nada es gratis, todo se paga con impuestos. En EEUU se pagan, quizás más, impuestos que en Europa, pero son indirectos. En EEUU los impuestos a dónde van? Quizás a ser la primera potencia militar del mundo? No sé, pero no todo se reduce al dinero. Salir con amigos, pasear, ir a tomarse dos cervezas, comer en familia practicamente todos los días, etc
Cuando nos vayamos de este mundo, qué te vas a llevar? Dinero o momentos con los tuyos?
Un cordial saludo desde España
Thanks, I appreciate your feedback and insights. Very helpful!
@@pacoagullesestrada2497 bien dicho todo! Saludos! 😊
@@pacoagullesestrada2497 and as far as i know, if you do the calculation you end up with more money in your pocket if you don't have to spend a fortune for a check up at the doctor's office or for insurances. not to forget quality of life is priceless.
Tu descripción de Estados Unidos es la de una distopía. Siempre me ha sorprendido cómo los mismos seres humanos son capaces de lo mejor y lo peor. Alii, aquí y, me imagino que en todas partes.
👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍Desde Málaga un saludo para ti. estoy de Cuerdo con todos los comentarios que has hecho,, yoo no cambiaria la forma de vida de España por la de USA,, hoy otro tiroteo en una escuela y de momento 4 muertos y 30 heridos alguno muy grave,, no se puede vivir en esa sociedad tan egoísta, y competitiva y con tanta competencia, prefiero compartir, y alimentar a mi alma con cultura!! Gracias por tu video amiga!!
buen dicho, Juan! te entiendo perfectamente, tambien prefiero el ambiente más unido que competitivo!
This was such a very well put together video. Truly spoke to my dilemma between the US and Spain.
4:45 that street is beautiful.
I am an American and after visiting Spain I agree 100% with you!!! Luckily I work in NYC where I get to walk a lot and have access to amazing food everyday! Thanks for sharing!
Hello!
I just found your channel on my TH-cam home page and it's very interesting.
I'm Italian, and I also live in Valencia.
I left Italy in 2019 because I became insecure about safety, about work, and because I realized that many people are losing their minds on a psychological level.
Especially young people think they're in American Gangs, (but in reality they're idiots) they behave like criminals, commit acts of vandalism, etc...
Valencia is a super safe city, you can find great jobs, it's really clean, the food is wonderful, and the people are really kind and warm-hearted.
It was elected for three consecutive years 2022 - 2023 - 2024 the best city in the world for quality of life.
As I always say, "Valencia warms your heart, welcomes you, makes you fall in love, and then marries you"
Beautiful words!🤩 Thank you for sharing! And I’m glad you enjoy my channel 🥹 Welcome ☺️
@@mari_schultz Thank'you so much 😀
In 2023 it was Málaga (another beautiful Spanish city), not Valencia.
Regards.
@@salvador9369 For me the best is Valencia, they are different tastes.
Although Malaga is a wonderful city, I feel better in Valencia.
Me alegro mucho de que estés bien entre nosotros ❤
Hi, nice vid, tks for sharing. I would add that in Europe in general, people work to live, they don´t live to work. That means that we devote our free time to simply live and enjoy life., family, friends instead of dedicating that time to work just to get more money. Socializing is done on a daily basis., a simple stroll around commercial streets, having a drink with friends (and kids included) or even going to the cinema or a museum or whatever activity you want. Another important point is the fact that Americans don´t have the labour rights we have in Europe, namely 30 days holidays per year, paid sickness leave, paid maternity/paternity leave, 35-40h/week working schedule (if you work more hour for any reason, they are paid), minimum wage, etc. I think that Americans are basicaly an unhappy society, no matter what you earn. Everything is focused on "having things" and they forget to realy live., to enjoy and to seek happiness.
exaactly, nailed it! I don't share that consumerism philosophy either. That's why I didn't like that kind of lifestyle there
En el pasado era así, ya cada vez lo es menos, debido precisamente al estilo de vida más capitalista, en el que sin trabajar un monton de horas a la semana no puedes ganarte la vida.
My congratulations on finding your haven. Now, how do you earn adequate money living there?
The more I learn about the US and A
the happier I am to be living far away
Subscribing cause small creators make the best content of TH-cam
Can I ask you something if you can give me your honest opinion. My wife, child and I are planning to leave the US for Valencia in 2026 but every time I’ve mentioned this to family and friends they respond that Spain is super racist and they don’t like anyone who is not a Spaniard or white. I understand that you are not dark skinned however, as a foreigner have you experienced this in Spain or seen it done to other people? I have a strong feeling that they are simply projecting their insecurities but I’d rather ask someone who is actually living there. Thank you!
I'd hate to break it to you, but that's how most countries are. That's one thing I love about America, everyone has a place regardless of ethnicity. Despite it's faults, no country comes close to America's diversity.
@@dannielz6 so you currently live in Spain?
Amigo....en España siempre vas a vivir ``de puta madre´´ seas negro...blanco...bicolor ....a franjas....hetero o gay
I find Spain being a tolerant country, not sure what kind of racism are you talking about... I have never ever experienced any form of racism or lack of respect while studying, working or now simply living in Spain. I see a lot of etnicities here in Valencia and all people are nice to each other. Respect locals, learn at least basic Spanish, embrace the culture, be nice to others and you'll be fine 🤷♀️
@mari_schultz thank you, I figured that my family and friends were just projecting their internal insecurities.
the road is overcme by the one who walks. useful information for those who want to change their lives
Cities in America are designed around the car so that’s what you get when you don’t put humans at the center of policy. Luckily in Europe, cities existed centuries before the invention of the car so they are designed for safety (walls and fortifications), small alleys, etc. They are more human and feel like that because they were designed for humans and not for cars and drive-thrus.
The fatal flaw of the USA is their worship of the car which has created cities that are enormous wastelands devoid of any soul and character. Of course with a few notable exceptions. But they are a handful.
This fatal flaw explains so much in terms of mental health, the sense of alienation and isolation, crime, lack of connection with nature and community, racism, lack of empathy, and even poor physical health. The list goes on and on. Architectural wise, again with a few exceptions, there is nothing remarkable required when you are in a car driving at speed all the time. No need for grandiose and beauty (no solo de pan vive el hombre. O iPhones). Better to have efficiency and repeatability.
That’s what the current political polarisation misses. Even if the system is changed to be less capitalist, or more libertarian, or more socially cohesive, or the state is reduced, or increased… It doesn’t really matter; the urban problem will still be there haunting the pedestrians and subjugating it to the tyranny of the streets’ grid
Hello. This is the first video I see from your chanel, you have a new subscriber. I would like please set the music lower, due the music I have dificulties to understand you a litle. Also, other deaf people can find dificulties to undeptand you due the background music witch I recommend to lower its volume.
ha, thanks for telling me! Will be more careful with that in the future! 🙂
Try Alaska, it is very small town.
Great vídeo! Congrats for hard decision, I’m Brazilian but I love America and Spain
great video
Your experience is on point! Regrettably, most of America neither affords nor is deigned for its people to enjoy healthy lives and lifestyles. Sadly, unchecked consumerism is driving American society over a proverbial cliff.
Hello! I live in the US for the past 40 years or, so I originally came over from Greece. I do agree with some of the things you are talking about such as human interaction, quality of food choices along with crime etc. No doubt these are good reason to consider! However, I must admit living in the US a person has much more chances to make it in life than someone in Spain or Greece. Europeans don't have these opportunities that's why you have major migration of young people to the US, Canada and Australia. I cringe when you said if you are in Europe and need help the government will help you, that is a socialistic mind set and I don't want the government to meddle into my affairs less government the better. Health care and education you said are free in Spain and elsewhere, well they are not you are paying for it with higher prices on everything. Don't forget your health care may cover you but you have to wait in other words it has been rationed you can't get the best care if you have so much bureaucracy in that system. Yes, we do pay a lot in the US, but we get the best care and there is no wait unlike Canada or the UK or your country. The cost of almost everything in Europe is much more than the US and that's due to energy dependency and also governments tend to be more socialistic in Europe. So bottom line some people do like this type of life others are running towards the US and if you are watching the news we are flooded with illegals crossing into the US by the millions. I do like Spain but it has its limitations like Greece and others like it. Best of luck sincerely!
Yes, I agree with you, America is for job opportunities, however, if you work remotely or have an online business than in my opinion there are better countries to live in for better quality of life.
And regarding the government help - yes I do believe that, as I have real examples from my friends' lives. One was looking for a job for 6 months and was getting money help from the government to sustain herself and the other was in a severe depression and was getting money for not being able to work during a year! Does that work in the US? I doubt. There are even no paid sick leaves and you need to go to work while being sick.
But thanks for your comment though! Saludos from Valencia!
The only thing you get taxes wise is a overblouted defense budget and endless wars.in the USA. Tax breaks for the rich and corporate elite.
LOL Imagine defending the US healthcare system... 40.years of brainwashing have been really effective
there is no real economy in the usa... we are a constant war economy.... SOOOOOOO MANY people who are homeless.... Our government is ran by criminals... we are not a democracy....
Quédate en US. Enhorabuena por todo el dinero. Socialismo?
Más bien tu ignorancia.
Alemania, socialista?
España?
Francia?
La UE socialista?...
Tenéis gobiernos fascistas en US que os roban todos los impuestos para fabricar armamento y no quereis enteraros.
No vuelvas a Europa.
Quédate alli. Ya sabes, un esguince, 25.000$
Primero, Ambulancia, 5000$
En fin...
Wages are at exttemely highest points in all throughout USA states , even in smallest towns and villages for masters, doctorates, medical specialists, even for barbers and coifeurs that medical specialist can easily earn similar net wage yearly of 180.000 USD in smallest town of Missisipi like in New york Manhattan 250.000 USD per year. Barbers charge 15 USD to 25 USD from male customers in smallest towns, villages in the USA. Even servants in restaurants can earn 3000 USD per month net wage with tips like in Los Angeles restaurant servants. I had applied many jobs at Sioux Falls, South Dakota worst state ever compared to Florida , the administrators told me all jobs are filled up at fastest rate. Even in North Dakota Fargo jobs are filled by Americans at ease without any hassle at fastest rate. Brand new cars are same in North, South Dakotas like in California and Florida at its best and fully loaded and cheapest levels. Where do all American taxes go to in the country? For sure to interstate motorways monthly debts ongoing to banks , World Bank as whole USA is established by motorways, with double decker trains connecting all big cities above 1.5 million.
No, I don't like being around people after having dealt with them for 60+ years. I rather like my little one bedroom house-bubble. That said, I do miss traveling and visiting places. Spain was on my list of places I might want to move to at one time. But I can't handle people on airplanes anymore (I remember when humans used to behave on planes) so I don't go. Too poor to go anyway.
What editing software do you use? Editing is what’s keeping me from YouTubing 😊
I switched from DaVinci Resolve to CapCut to edit faster. A lot of creators use this editor, it's super easy :) In the future I would like to progress to a more complex editor but for now it's perfect!
Just do it! You should definitely start your channel! 🙌
Well it is a beautiful story about Spain and I was in Spain just last year. I have to say it is very save in Spain if you live in gagged community or apartments other way it is not. And you have a lot of communications with people in Spain because wall in most houses is so thing that you can talked with neighbors without even seeing them. Food is grate and cheap, but the salary is suck. Medical care in Spain... long story, you will see buy your self. Good Luck Mary.
So much Spain-bashing, makes me wonder if you've ever lived here. Yes, there are gated communities composed of luxury chalets, but I lived in Madrid for 8 years (2 of them working as an Uber driver, so I really got to know most parts of the city including those gated communities) and now been living in the Cádiz bay area for 3 years and never felt unsafe. May be you lived or frequented Madrid's infamous Cañada Real? Spanish people tend to speak loudly but I must be quite deaf, can't believe I missed the opportunity to converse with the neighbours. Salaries are not the best but neither are they the worst in the EU, and food is accessible, if what you crave is becoming rich USA system may be better suited for you. Public medical care has been there when my family has needed it, and I get my heart medications with a discount/subsidy of 40% in any pharmacy with the only requisite of visiting my assigned health center doctor once a year to have my prescription renewed.
@@agmfett Man I don't have any thin against Spain, I actually love Spain more then US, but her video so full of negative fillings... She is asking for it. You can found negative staff everywhere if you looking for it. I live in US for 20 years and yes we saw better times, but if you will sitting in house watching news it will be scary go outside, in reality I have never been in scary situation here. And my medications is free paid buy insurance, yes whole medical system need to be changed, but... I can tell you in Soviet Union was everything is much better specially safety and everybody had a job...
I was born in Peru and came to the US 25 years ago, now I have the Spanish citizenship and planning on moving there in the near future... yes, you can make money in the US, but at what cost?
America is for hard working people but maybe noy for every one.. you work hard you play hard you live good , lots of things you say are true , but I think you have a hard time getting used to here, maybe your own country was easier and more to your tasted and yes is hard to make friends here cus every one is so busy making money, we all have different taste .
good to hear you found a place you like.
I agree no one ever mentioned how everything is outdated in the us. Even some people’s homes the furniture is very old. The work offices the furniture and carpets are old, Or ugly like they really don’t care how it looks. The quality of food is bad. It feels lonely there. everyone is worried about paying bills . Depression is high people are on some antidepressants or anxiety pills
Didn’t finish watching the video, especially from someone who lived in the US for such a short time. To each their own. I immigrated to US 25 years ago. Never regretted. Been in Europe, many great places, but would never move there, thanks. I’d rather live in my “depressing” suburbs, drink fantastic coffee I make at home (not paying an arm and a leg for the same thing in a city coffee shop) and drive my car anywhere I want.
You are so lucky you can make coffe at home. We do not have coffee machines at home in Europe, we always have to go to a city coffee shop and pay and arm and a leg. God bless America and the home made american coffee!
@@cardi3200clueless comment if you didn’t understand what I meant. Good luck in Spain! Enjoy sidewalks and all the fun😂
I guess you are from some crappy country.
I have lived in the US since the 80s and traveled to different States, but I have also traveled to Europe, Central America and Argentina. my favorite place to drink coffee is Italy, Asados in Buenos Aires area amazing, I love walking all over Paris, Amsterdam and even London, love the fact that I can travel to several countries in Europe by train, so I dont even need to own a car!!. I started to look for a place to live in Europe for a couple of years now, like you said To each their own!!!.
@@cardi3200 are you joking right 🤔
Europe is older than US so obviously they are more walkable because they were planned before cars were invented. I do prefer Europe to the US but some complaints are actually not reasonable. America used to be more like Europe but after the Second World War it has been torn down and there are no longer communities
Ouch... the truth hurts. I just got back from a month long trip to Italy. My son and I were amazed how much better it was than the USA. There were some small annoyances, but overall it's much better. I've been to Spain before and loved it. I'm hoping to take my son to Barcelona this coming November so he can see Gaudi's work. Spain is awesome!
What a great and very accurate summary of the differences. Europe or America, no comparison really... Oh, noticed the coffee you were drinking. I remember struggling trying to find any good coffee in America but cannot remember any bad coffee in my recent trip to Italy and France and that included buying coffee from some very small villages....
For example, hotels are not always up to date in Europe though, Romania. Some of those hotels (even 5 stars) got stuck in communist days.
Affordability? When it comes to food and public transportation, maybe. But when it comes to buying an apartment or a house....
House of cards
Oh let her be young and naive. She'll take a second look at those terrible suburbs if she has kids and the studio in central Velencia doesn't cut it anymore.😂
@@dannielz6 There, her children can grow up in freedom and independence, and she doesn't have to be a soccer mom like in the US.
@arnodobler1096
I agree Spain is awesome, but so is the US. Nothing wrong with being a soccer mom. What's wrong with being active with your kids to make sure they play sports and have confidence? Only weak men feel the need to put down women 😁.
@@dannielz6 I belittle women? You turn women into cab drivers in Canada and the US because of the infrastructure or lack of it. Here, children from the age of 7 go to school on their own, on foot, by bike or by bus. You want to talk about independent children? At midday they can go to the playground or soccer pitch on their own, there are clubs for everything here, even for the children. Children in Europe are much freer and more independent than in North America. There are books and documentaries about it, on YT also from families who have had the experience. Forest kindergartens are everywhere here. There's also a YT video “Kids gone wild” I think. Helicopter parents don't raise independent, self-confident children with skills.
In most videos comparing the quality of life in the USA and the EU, the content creators usually start with a disclaimer that the lifestyle in America just wasn't working for them, but this is only their opinion. I think that this almost discredits them, and I'm glad that you didn't do this.
The only people who can actually be happier living the "American" lifestyle are certainly rich people who can afford to live in the most exclusive "pedestrian-friendly" neighborhood, and shop in the bourgeois grocery stores. I don't see how you can objectively claim that having unhealthy food, 🛒 higher insurance payments, 🏥 insanely higher rent or mortgage rates, 💰 no mobility whatsoever unless you own a car 🚗 which is very expensive (especially when you factor in parking fees for having a social life and oil changes which occur more frequently when you have more things to do certain months), and utterly boring and uninviting public spaces 😒 might work out just fine for SOME PEOPLE. That is so unnecessarily apologetic to American capitalism.
Considering the average person (median national income earner), this way of living is working out for absolutely NO-ONE in the USA. 🤦 And that's an unbiased appraisal based on empirical observation. 🤷 There is zero need to worry about offending someone for educating them on this social reality. Keep up the good work! 👍
You got lucky. Spain let you in.
Sorry to hear that you had a poor experience of the US, which has immense variety. I eat at fresh food at restaurants in a walkable city that is incredibly social and all of my friends and family members have no depression and good exercise and health and unemployment is only 3% (compared to very high in Europe). Plus I see reports of a lot of poverty in Europe, it goes both ways. It sounds like you had trouble making friends here. Good luck in Spain.
I actually made Spanish friends there from Barcelona how funny 😅 but American friends were always busy and we were meeting with them maybe once in a quarter 🥲
Mucha pobreza en Europa. Si comparamos la pobreza de Europa con la de EEUU gana Estados Unidos por mayorí son miles las personas que duermen en las calles solamente en Nueva York. Mientras que en España. Y en todas las partes de Europa. No se ven la cantidad de pobres durmiendo en las calles. Ni cogiendo comida de los basureros.
@@Javierxr23 es que ni reuniendo a todos los sin techos de toda Europa se conseguiría igualar al número de sin techos que hay solo en el estado de Nueva York. Así que mejor no queramos compararlos con todo el país entero.
Saludos.