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I'm excited to leave the US and pursue a new life in Barcelona, but the moving process isn't for the faint of heart

Shayna CondeMar 5, 2024, 21:12 IST

I fell in love with Barcelona after visiting in 2016.Shayna Conde

After visiting Barcelona in 2016, I couldn't stop thinking about the city, so now I'm moving there.
Landing a Digital Nomad Visa and an apartment in my desired area hasn't been easy so far.

I first visited Barcelona in 2016 as part of a five-week European trip with some of my graduate-school friends.

I immediately fell in love with the Spanish city, and after a major career shift in 2023, I finally committed to moving abroad.

To kick things off, I did a three-month trial run in Barcelona last year to get a feel for the city, and I'm currently working on securing a visa.

Here are five of my biggest takeaways from the process, so far.

As a single Black woman, I've found Barcelona to be very safe.

I've met friends from all over the world in Barcelona. Shayna Conde

It's also one of the most accessible cities I’ve lived in.

I don't find it difficult to move around Barcelona with a chronic illness. Shayna Conde

But I know navigating the housing market is going to be difficult.

Finding an apartment in Spain can be time-consuming. Shayna Conde

My apartment probably won't have all the appliances I'm used to.

I don't need AC, but it's good to set expectations before a move. Shayna Conde

Landing a Digital Nomad Visa hasn't been the smoothest process.

I'm working with a lawyer to figure out my visa. Shayna Conde

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