The benefits of living in Spain vs California

Once a mecca of youth and vitality, for many Americans, California is becoming a challenging place to live. Increasing wildfires, a soaring cost of living and concerns around mental health and welfare have led many to think twice about life on the West Coast.

Yet, this is a state that is famed for its ‘dreamers’ mentality. And many are looking to leave ‘California dreamin’ behind for ‘sueños de España’, with a live-changing move across the Atlantic. 

Is a move right for you? Let’s take a look at the benefits of living in Spain vs California.

Cost of living

Okay, let’s put the dreams aside for a second and focus on cold hard facts. The cost of living shapes the financial reality of everyday life. So, if you’re thinking of moving from California to Spain, you'll need an insight into daily expenses. 

Let’s compare two of the largest cities in California and Spain:

Healthcare

Spain’s healthcare system is highly regarded, with a ranking of 26th in the world. And although California is the most ranked state when it comes to healthcare, the United States as a country comes in at 69th place in world healthcare rankings.

Overall, Spain’s healthcare system is considered superior to California’s. This is mainly because of accessibility and cost. Unlike in the US, Spain offers a universal healthcare system (SNS – Sistema nacional de salud ). This means citizens have free access to public healthcare, which is funded through taxes.

For many Californians, the idea of receiving basic medical services for free, regardless of your employment status or income, is a utopian idea. For Spaniards, it’s just life.  

Work-life balance

Spain has a very strong work-life balance, with a big emphasis placed on spending time with family and friends, truly savoring meals, and enjoying personal free time. While the Golden State is certainly one the better states when it comes to striking a healthy work-life balance, Spain’s “work to live” culture is something that will no doubt make a big impression on anyone moving to Spain from California.

Crime rate

Feeling safer is definitely a major factor for many Californians looking to move to Spain. Spain has some of the most tightly-regulated gun laws in the world and is perceived to be a safe country. But what do the numbers say? 

According to World Population Review, California has the highest crime rate of any state in the US. This includes homicides, violent crimes and robberies. These rates are far higher per capita than Spain.

The data tracking website Numbeo records crime rates across countries and cities. We can compare two major cities in Spain and California. 

Walkability 

Big Spanish cities like Barcelona, Madrid and Valencia are known for their pedestrian-friendly design. You’ll find very walkable city centre streets that criss-cross one another, punctuated by elegant plazas – town squares – and other public spaces. This makes getting around Spanish cities very easy, especially when compared to large cities throughout California and the US. 

Both Barcelona and Bilbao are ranked inside the top 20 of the most walkable cities in the world. And when you consider the beautiful architecture on display in Spain’s biggest cities, you’ll be more than happy getting around on foot! 

Public transportation and cycling

Spain’s public transportation systems are generally excellent. The likes of Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia and Seville offer reliable and affordable public transportation services, with metro, bus, tram and train networks that make it easy to get around. 

Spain is also one of Europe’s most bicycle-friendly countries – Barcelona was recently voted the third best bike city in Europe – with a large network of cycle lanes and excellent bicycle-sharing systems (Barcelona’s Bicing and Madrid’s BiciMAD, for example).

Social life

Spain is famed for having vibrant social scenes, particularly in the two big cities, Barcelona and Madrid. If you’re moving from California to Barcelona or Madrid, you might find social gatherings tend to be more relaxed and spontaneous, with a big emphasis on shared experiences and socialising at street parties and city-wide festivities.

Lots of our students at TEFL Iberia are particularly impressed by Barcelona’s festa majors. These are neighbourhood parties that feature various events, from live music and theatre to parades and dancing, and typically last a week or two. But you’ll find events happening all throughout the year, especially during the summer. And there are lots of meetup groups, making it easier to meet people and make friends. 

Location

Moving to Spain from California opens a whole world of opportunity and exploration. And not just in Spain. 

Say you move to Spain to train as an English teacher. With your student visa and Spanish residence card (TIE), you’ll be able to freely travel to the likes of France, Italy and Germany, immersing yourself in the diverse cultures of Europe. 

So, are you ready to make the move to Spain from California? At TEFL Iberia, we help Californains and other US citizens relocate to Spain. As one of Spain’s highest-rated TEFL providers, we offer a pathway for those who want to live and work in Spain. With specialist visa assistance and a dedicated accommodation service, we’ll be with you every step of the way, helping you settle into life in Spain and launch your career teaching English.

For a little extra insight, read our guide on moving to Spain from the US!

Want to know more? Contact us today to take your first steps to living and working in Spain.