Millions of Americans Want to leave the US. I actually did! (My life in in Spain)

When I decided to move [music] to Spain, When I decided to move [music] to Spain, my friends and family literally thought my friends and family literally thought my friends and family literally thought I was insane. It was everything. Not I was insane. It was everything. Not I was insane. It was everything. Not knowing anyone, adjusting to the knowing anyone, adjusting to the knowing anyone, adjusting to the culture. This process is not for the culture. This process is not for the culture. This process is not for the weak. My favorite thing about Barcelona weak. My favorite thing about Barcelona weak. My favorite thing about Barcelona is I feel like I'm in like this romantic is I feel like I'm in like this romantic is I feel like I'm in like this romantic movie. Like you're reading this romantic movie. Like you're reading this romantic movie. Like you're reading this romantic novel, you know. My name is Jacoria. I novel, you know. My name is Jacoria. I novel, you know. My name is Jacoria. I am 29 years old. I have been living in am 29 years old. I have been living in am 29 years old. I have been living in Barcelona now for [music] 11 months. Barcelona now for [music] 11 months. Barcelona now for [music] 11 months. I was living in Atlanta, Georgia. So, I was living in Atlanta, Georgia. So, I was living in Atlanta, Georgia. So, I'm an actress and model. I'm an actress and model. I'm an actress and model. Climb the corporate ladder. I grew tired Climb the corporate ladder. I grew tired Climb the corporate ladder. I grew tired of it and every day just felt robotic. I of it and every day just felt robotic. I of it and every day just felt robotic. I didn't feel fulfilled in the inside and didn't feel fulfilled in the inside and didn't feel fulfilled in the inside and so I started searching. I started so I started searching. I started so I started searching. I started looking. I thought maybe I just needed looking. I thought maybe I just needed looking. I thought maybe I just needed something new. I said, "You know what? something new. I said, "You know what? something new. I said, "You know what? Let me look into LA. Let me look into Let me look into LA. Let me look into Let me look into LA. Let me look into New York." And it was things that I New York." And it was things that I New York." And it was things that I loved about LA, but I didn't really like loved about LA, but I didn't really like loved about LA, but I didn't really like the culture there. As for New York, I the culture there. As for New York, I the culture there. As for New York, I knew the only place I would be happy knew the only place I would be happy knew the only place I would be happy would be Manhattan. And let's just say I would be Manhattan. And let's just say I would be Manhattan. And let's just say I don't have Manhattan money. One day I don't have Manhattan money. One day I don't have Manhattan money. One day I was scrolling on Instagram and there's was scrolling on Instagram and there's was scrolling on Instagram and there's this Instagrammer that I follow and she this Instagrammer that I follow and she this Instagrammer that I follow and she always posts about moving to Spain. You always posts about moving to Spain. You always posts about moving to Spain. You know, the new American dream now is to know, the new American dream now is to know, the new American dream now is to move to Europe. It's to move to Spain.

move to Europe. It's to move to Spain. move to Europe. It's to move to Spain. And I was just like, "Girl, yeah, And I was just like, "Girl, yeah, And I was just like, "Girl, yeah, right." [music] And that did it for me right." [music] And that did it for me right." [music] And that did it for me because not only was I tired of the because not only was I tired of the because not only was I tired of the corporate life back in the US, but I was corporate life back in the US, but I was corporate life back in the US, but I was also experiencing a ton of health issues also experiencing a ton of health issues also experiencing a ton of health issues regarding my gut from the food. So, I regarding my gut from the food. So, I regarding my gut from the food. So, I knew that the food was getting worse knew that the food was getting worse knew that the food was getting worse because my body was responding to it because my body was responding to it because my body was responding to it first. My first week in Barcelona, I was My first week in Barcelona, I was questioning everything. I was just like, questioning everything. I was just like, questioning everything. I was just like, "What the heck did I just do?" It was a "What the heck did I just do?" It was a "What the heck did I just do?" It was a lot more difficult than I thought. One lot more difficult than I thought. One lot more difficult than I thought. One of the things that shocked me moving to of the things that shocked me moving to of the things that shocked me moving to Barcelona was the dinner schedule. Barcelona was the dinner schedule. Barcelona was the dinner schedule. Nothing opens until like 9:00, 10:00 at Nothing opens until like 9:00, 10:00 at Nothing opens until like 9:00, 10:00 at night and I normally don't eat past night and I normally don't eat past night and I normally don't eat past 8:00. Also trying to grocery shop. In 8:00. Also trying to grocery shop. In 8:00. Also trying to grocery shop. In the US, I normally do my grocery the US, I normally do my grocery the US, I normally do my grocery shoppings on Sunday to prep for the shoppings on Sunday to prep for the shoppings on Sunday to prep for the prior week, but grocery stores here are prior week, but grocery stores here are prior week, but grocery stores here are closed on Sundays. What felt different closed on Sundays. What felt different closed on Sundays. What felt different for America was the pacing. [music] for America was the pacing. [music] for America was the pacing. [music] I'll be honest with you, when people are I'll be honest with you, when people are I'll be honest with you, when people are walking in front of me and they walk walking in front of me and they walk walking in front of me and they walk slow, it drives me crazy.

slow, it drives me crazy. slow, it drives me crazy. And eventually that caught up to me. And eventually that caught up to me. And eventually that caught up to me. I've learned how to I've learned how to I've learned how to have a slower pace here in Barcelona. have a slower pace here in Barcelona. have a slower pace here in Barcelona. I'll be honest with you, I didn't walk I'll be honest with you, I didn't walk I'll be honest with you, I didn't walk at all in the US. If I did, it was like at all in the US. If I did, it was like at all in the US. If I did, it was like a picnic day, maybe a park day, but here a picnic day, maybe a park day, but here a picnic day, maybe a park day, but here in Spain I walk every day. I at least in Spain I walk every day. I at least in Spain I walk every day. I at least get 10K steps in a day. My first get 10K steps in a day. My first get 10K steps in a day. My first impression of walking around Barcelona, impression of walking around Barcelona, impression of walking around Barcelona, I was completely in awe. I was in love. I was completely in awe. I was in love. I was completely in awe. I was in love. The culture, the people and just how The culture, the people and just how The culture, the people and just how free people were, just how expressive free people were, just how expressive free people were, just how expressive they were. Energy here compared to the they were. Energy here compared to the they were. Energy here compared to the US is more vibrant. I see kids playing US is more vibrant. I see kids playing US is more vibrant. I see kids playing around outside all the time. The part of my life that became easier The part of my life that became easier was the metro cuz I'm able to get was the metro cuz I'm able to get was the metro cuz I'm able to get [music] around freely. The things that [music] around freely. The things that [music] around freely. The things that became more difficult here for me was became more difficult here for me was became more difficult here for me was also the metro. So it's dual. One also the metro. So it's dual. One also the metro. So it's dual. One because here I can get literally because here I can get literally because here I can get literally anywhere [music] in Spain. It's amazing. anywhere [music] in Spain. It's amazing. anywhere [music] in Spain. It's amazing. Back in the US, we know about traffic, Back in the US, we know about traffic, Back in the US, we know about traffic, we know about gas prices. [music] Here we know about gas prices. [music] Here we know about gas prices. [music] Here the metro is like only 22 euros for a the metro is like only 22 euros for a the metro is like only 22 euros for a monthly pass, unlimited. So I can get monthly pass, unlimited. So I can get monthly pass, unlimited. So I can get anywhere I need to go. What became anywhere I need to go. What became anywhere I need to go. What became cheaper [music] in Barcelona was cheaper [music] in Barcelona was cheaper [music] in Barcelona was definitely groceries. The quality of definitely groceries. The quality of definitely groceries. The quality of food. I'll be honest with you, like I food. I'll be honest with you, like I food. I'll be honest with you, like I said, I'm not the one to really said, I'm not the one to really said, I'm not the one to really >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> read the labels on the back of products.

>> read the labels on the back of products. >> read the labels on the back of products. However, my body do respond [music] and However, my body do respond [music] and However, my body do respond [music] and tells me if something that I'm eating is tells me if something that I'm eating is tells me if something that I'm eating is unhealthy or not and I will say the unhealthy or not and I will say the unhealthy or not and I will say the foods [music] that I eat here are foods [music] that I eat here are foods [music] that I eat here are organic, they're healthy. >> So, as an American, I definitely have >> So, as an American, I definitely have private health care and I don't pay private health care and I don't pay private health care and I don't pay monthly. It's different. So, you pay a monthly. It's different. So, you pay a monthly. It's different. So, you pay a rate for the full year and that for me rate for the full year and that for me rate for the full year and that for me was about 300€ for the full year with no was about 300€ for the full year with no was about 300€ for the full year with no copay. If I went to the dentist in the copay. If I went to the dentist in the copay. If I went to the dentist in the US, I would have had a copay. And the US, I would have had a copay. And the US, I would have had a copay. And the thing about it is in the US, you pay for thing about it is in the US, you pay for thing about it is in the US, you pay for your health insurance monthly. I was your health insurance monthly. I was your health insurance monthly. I was already paying about $200 already paying about $200 already paying about $200 monthly just coming out of my paycheck. monthly just coming out of my paycheck. monthly just coming out of my paycheck. And just getting to my dentist And just getting to my dentist And just getting to my dentist appointment, having to worry about appointment, having to worry about appointment, having to worry about deductibles and meeting your copay. So, deductibles and meeting your copay. So, deductibles and meeting your copay. So, I would probably say back in the US, I I would probably say back in the US, I I would probably say back in the US, I probably would have spent about maybe probably would have spent about maybe probably would have spent about maybe $300 on just getting my tooth fixed and $300 on just getting my tooth fixed and $300 on just getting my tooth fixed and probably spending about 2 to 3 weeks on probably spending about 2 to 3 weeks on probably spending about 2 to 3 weeks on just getting an appointment.

just getting an appointment. just getting an appointment. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> So, for work, I am a founder of a >> So, for work, I am a founder of a >> So, for work, I am a founder of a creative academy [music] creative academy [music] creative academy [music] and I work remotely with some of my and I work remotely with some of my and I work remotely with some of my clients here in the US, but I also do clients here in the US, but I also do clients here in the US, but I also do freelance as well for different startups freelance as well for different startups freelance as well for different startups and agencies [music] here in Barcelona. and agencies [music] here in Barcelona. and agencies [music] here in Barcelona. When it comes to the monthly, how much When it comes to the monthly, how much When it comes to the monthly, how much I'm earning is definitely less than what I'm earning is definitely less than what I'm earning is definitely less than what I was making in the US. However, [music] I was making in the US. However, [music] I was making in the US. However, [music] since the cost of living here is lower, since the cost of living here is lower, since the cost of living here is lower, I'm actually able to afford more here. I'm actually able to afford more here. I'm actually able to afford more here. So, my monthly budget here in Spain is So, my monthly budget here in Spain is So, my monthly budget here in Spain is about 1200€ back in the US, it was about about 1200€ back in the US, it was about about 1200€ back in the US, it was about $3500. $3500. $3500. For rent utilities monthly, I spend For rent utilities monthly, I spend For rent utilities monthly, I spend around 800€ for my gym membership, around 800€ for my gym membership, around 800€ for my gym membership, that's 100€ it's a gym, but it's also a that's 100€ it's a gym, but it's also a that's 100€ it's a gym, but it's also a spa. And then for eating out, groceries, spa. And then for eating out, groceries, spa. And then for eating out, groceries, honestly, probably 100 euros, if that. honestly, probably 100 euros, if that. honestly, probably 100 euros, if that. [music] And then for shopping, just [music] And then for shopping, just [music] And then for shopping, just depending on how much I want to splurge, depending on how much I want to splurge, depending on how much I want to splurge, I may go to MAC or Sephora or Zara, and I may go to MAC or Sephora or Zara, and I may go to MAC or Sephora or Zara, and I would say my monthly amount I [music] I would say my monthly amount I [music] I would say my monthly amount I [music] would spend is around 200 euros. I think would spend is around 200 euros. I think would spend is around 200 euros. I think a lot of people come to Spain thinking a lot of people come to Spain thinking a lot of people come to Spain thinking that the housing market is super cheap, that the housing market is super cheap, that the housing market is super cheap, and it's not. [music] and it's not. [music] and it's not. [music] If you think you're going to come out If you think you're going to come out If you think you're going to come out here and spend 1,000 euros on your own here and spend 1,000 euros on your own here and spend 1,000 euros on your own apartment, you might, but it's not going apartment, you might, but it's not going apartment, you might, but it's not going to be in the major city. You probably to be in the major city. You probably to be in the major city. You probably are going to have to go on outskirts.

are going to have to go on outskirts. are going to have to go on outskirts. What surprised me about how people live What surprised me about how people live What surprised me about how people live here compared to the US is the roommate here compared to the US is the roommate here compared to the US is the roommate culture. I'll be completely honest with culture. I'll be completely honest with culture. I'll be completely honest with you, having a roommate in the US, you, having a roommate in the US, you, having a roommate in the US, they're going to think like, "Okay, how they're going to think like, "Okay, how they're going to think like, "Okay, how old are you? Why do you still have a old are you? Why do you still have a old are you? Why do you still have a roommate? Like, what's going on?" Here, roommate? Like, what's going on?" Here, roommate? Like, what's going on?" Here, that's just part of the culture. I feel that's just part of the culture. I feel that's just part of the culture. I feel more wealthy in Barcelona than I did in more wealthy in Barcelona than I did in more wealthy in Barcelona than I did in the US for sure. It's like, I'm making the US for sure. It's like, I'm making the US for sure. It's like, I'm making [music] [music] [music] a lot less. However, like, I'm able to a lot less. However, like, I'm able to a lot less. However, like, I'm able to get more and have more, you know? get more and have more, you know? get more and have more, you know? >> [music] >> So, when it comes to visa, I originally >> So, when it comes to visa, I originally didn't come to Spain with any visa path didn't come to Spain with any visa path didn't come to Spain with any visa path at all. I was advised by my lawyer that at all. I was advised by my lawyer that at all. I was advised by my lawyer that I had 60 days within being in Spain to I had 60 days within being in Spain to I had 60 days within being in Spain to apply for a student visa within Spain. apply for a student visa within Spain. apply for a student visa within Spain. That pathway, [music] unfortunately, That pathway, [music] unfortunately, That pathway, [music] unfortunately, didn't work out for me. It took the didn't work out for me. It took the didn't work out for me. It took the Spain government about 4 months to even Spain government about 4 months to even Spain government about 4 months to even [music] give me back a response. And we [music] give me back a response. And we [music] give me back a response. And we had to go a different visa route, and so had to go a different visa route, and so had to go a different visa route, and so then we tried the digital nomad visa.

then we tried the digital nomad visa. then we tried the digital nomad visa. [music] Let's just say it just wasn't [music] Let's just say it just wasn't [music] Let's just say it just wasn't practical to go that route. I started practical to go that route. I started practical to go that route. I started looking into that, and I was just like, looking into that, and I was just like, looking into that, and I was just like, "This is This is impossible." Spain "This is This is impossible." Spain "This is This is impossible." Spain passed [music] a law in January stating passed [music] a law in January stating passed [music] a law in January stating that if I was here prior to [music] that if I was here prior to [music] that if I was here prior to [music] December 2025, then they will grant me December 2025, then they will grant me December 2025, then they will grant me residency. And with that residency, I residency. And with that residency, I residency. And with that residency, I [music] will get to work either [music] will get to work either [music] will get to work either freelance or just having working rights freelance or just having working rights freelance or just having working rights for companies without them having to for companies without them having to for companies without them having to sponsor me. And let's just say I really sponsor me. And let's just say I really sponsor me. And let's just say I really got lucky. I was able to obtain both. I got lucky. I was able to obtain both. I got lucky. I was able to obtain both. I am a Spain tax resident. That kicked in am a Spain tax resident. That kicked in am a Spain tax resident. That kicked in actually this month. When it comes to actually this month. When it comes to actually this month. When it comes to banking, mail, and documents, I do still banking, mail, and documents, I do still banking, mail, and documents, I do still have a US address that I have all of my have a US address that I have all of my have a US address that I have all of my information forwarded to. [music] When information forwarded to. [music] When information forwarded to. [music] When it comes to banking as well, because I it comes to banking as well, because I it comes to banking as well, because I do have clients from the US, I use this do have clients from the US, I use this do have clients from the US, I use this app called Wise, and it's [music] app called Wise, and it's [music] app called Wise, and it's [music] actually super convenient. Spain actually super convenient. Spain actually super convenient. Spain government here literally dot their i's government here literally dot their i's government here literally dot their i's and cross their [music] t's, so if and cross their [music] t's, so if and cross their [music] t's, so if anything is wrong, they're sending your anything is wrong, they're sending your anything is wrong, they're sending your application back. So, with that being application back. So, with that being application back. So, with that being said, definitely [music] said, definitely [music] said, definitely [music] hire the help that you need. Me, I could hire the help that you need. Me, I could hire the help that you need. Me, I could not do it on my own. I saw [music] the not do it on my own. I saw [music] the not do it on my own. I saw [music] the documentation. I saw what they were documentation. I saw what they were documentation. I saw what they were asking for, and I knew better.

So, I'll be honest with you. The hardest So, I'll be honest with you. The hardest part about moving abroad was everything. part about moving abroad was everything. part about moving abroad was everything. [music] It was the paperwork. It was not [music] It was the paperwork. It was not [music] It was the paperwork. It was not knowing anyone. It was adjusting to the knowing anyone. It was adjusting to the knowing anyone. It was adjusting to the culture. It was the language barrier, culture. It was the language barrier, culture. It was the language barrier, learning how to live a completely learning how to live a completely learning how to live a completely different life. There was a moment 2 different life. There was a moment 2 different life. There was a moment 2 months in where I was questioning my months in where I was questioning my months in where I was questioning my decision on actually moving to decision on actually moving to decision on actually moving to Barcelona. Not because I didn't enjoy Barcelona. Not because I didn't enjoy Barcelona. Not because I didn't enjoy it. It was just very difficult, and I it. It was just very difficult, and I it. It was just very difficult, and I was under a lot of stress, and I feel was under a lot of stress, and I feel was under a lot of stress, and I feel like my easy way out would would have like my easy way out would would have like my easy way out would would have just to have left. I actually ended up just to have left. I actually ended up just to have left. I actually ended up visiting the US maybe about 3 months visiting the US maybe about 3 months visiting the US maybe about 3 months later after that, and I was ready to go. later after that, and I was ready to go. later after that, and I was ready to go. If [music] you're moving abroad, If [music] you're moving abroad, If [music] you're moving abroad, if you're stressed or feeling a little if you're stressed or feeling a little if you're stressed or feeling a little discouraged, don't give up yet. When I discouraged, don't give up yet. When I discouraged, don't give up yet. When I moved to Barcelona, I literally lost moved to Barcelona, I literally lost moved to Barcelona, I literally lost everything in the process, especially my everything in the process, especially my everything in the process, especially my job, my corporate job. Mind you, I went job, my corporate job. Mind you, I went job, my corporate job. Mind you, I went to school for years to [music] achieve to school for years to [music] achieve to school for years to [music] achieve the level of success in the position the level of success in the position the level of success in the position that I had. So, I didn't really know who that I had. So, I didn't really know who that I had. So, I didn't really know who I was outside of my job title, and so I was outside of my job title, and so I was outside of my job title, and so when that was taken away from me, I when that was taken away from me, I when that was taken away from me, I actually had to really get to know actually had to really get to know actually had to really get to know myself for who I was and not the degrees myself for who I was and not the degrees myself for who I was and not the degrees that I got and not the corporate title that I got and not the corporate title that I got and not the corporate title that I achieved for me. [music] I'm extremely happy in Barcelona. I love I'm extremely happy in Barcelona. I love it every day. I look [music] I look it every day. I look [music] I look it every day. I look [music] I look forward to waking up every day. I would forward to waking up every day. I would forward to waking up every day. I would absolutely never move permanently back absolutely never move permanently back absolutely never move permanently back to America. [music] I think for me is I to America. [music] I think for me is I to America. [music] I think for me is I feel free. I feel like if I move back to feel free. I feel like if I move back to feel free. I feel like if I move back to the US is like I feel caged [music]

the US is like I feel caged [music] the US is like I feel caged [music] again. Barcelona definitely feels like again. Barcelona definitely feels like again. Barcelona definitely feels like home. Not just because of the beauty of home. Not just because of the beauty of home. Not just because of the beauty of the city and the culture, but definitely the city and the culture, but definitely the city and the culture, but definitely because of community. There's so many because of community. There's so many because of community. There's so many people that have been just wanting to people that have been just wanting to people that have been just wanting to help me and that's been here for me and help me and that's been here for me and help me and that's been here for me and I would say I I was able to create I would say I I was able to create I would say I I was able to create chosen family here and it feels amazing. chosen family here and it feels amazing. chosen family here and it feels amazing. I'll be honest with you when I moved to I'll be honest with you when I moved to I'll be honest with you when I moved to Barcelona, I had no idea what I [music] Barcelona, I had no idea what I [music] Barcelona, I had no idea what I [music] was stepping into. Prior to me moving, I was stepping into. Prior to me moving, I was stepping into. Prior to me moving, I had never visited Barcelona before. I had never visited Barcelona before. I had never visited Barcelona before. I didn't even know that Barcelona was like didn't even know that Barcelona was like didn't even know that Barcelona was like a major hub. I know I didn't know how a major hub. I know I didn't know how a major hub. I know I didn't know how important Barcelona was until I got here important Barcelona was until I got here important Barcelona was until I got here and I'm like, oh and I'm like, oh and I'm like, oh the whole world wants to move here. But the whole world wants to move here. But the whole world wants to move here. But [music] I will say my experience here [music] I will say my experience here [music] I will say my experience here has I feel like I'm in a fairy tale has I feel like I'm in a fairy tale has I feel like I'm in a fairy tale and it's been really healing for my and it's been really healing for my and it's been really healing for my inner child.