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Common Ground News

Why Barcelona is the best place to live?

Author

Carter Sullivan

Updated on March 03, 2026

Why Barcelona is the best place to live?

It has perfect weather all year round. Lying in the Mediterranean region, the temperature of Barcelona is fairly moderate. With its poised climate, the city offers excellent living conditions throughout the year. The weather is predictable and rainfall is also quite balanced.

Herein, what is the best area to live in Barcelona?

1. L'Eixample. Without a doubt, the area of Eixample is one of the best to live in Barcelona. It is located in the heart of the city and offers not just the best location, transport connection, and services and shopping offers, but also a unique atmosphere and vibe, that you won't find anywhere else in the whole city.

One may also ask, is Barcelona a safe place to live? Compared to some major cities, Barcelona is and feels like a very safe place to explore, except of course if you count its one major vice: pickpocketing. Keeping yourself and your belongings out of harm's way is easy if you use a little street sense and navigate the city wisely.

Also question is, what is a good salary to live in Barcelona?

I'd say a good salary to live in Barcelona is around 16000-18000 euros/year.

Is Barcelona expensive to live in?

Barcelona is more expensive than the rest of Spain (except for Madrid), but much cheaper than London for example. If you do not need to live in the city center, you can rent a shared room from €200/month (Share Houses Barcelona Capital), or you can rent an apartment from €500/month (Rent Houses Barcelona Province).

What should I avoid in Barcelona?

Barcelona is not dangerous but there are pickpockets. So beware of your camera, phone and handbag, even (or especially) when you are in a restaurant or monument, as these are the places we tend to feel more secure, and pickpockets know that.

Is it safe to walk around Barcelona at night?

In general, it's a safe city, even at night, you just need to avoid some areas at night, such as the neighbourhood of Raval, but even there, there are some streets full of bars where you can walk safely.

How much is average rent in Barcelona?

Renting a flat short term
You can rent a nice double bedroom in Barcelona from 60 euros a night to 150 euros.

What is the average rent in Barcelona?

List of prices in Barcelona Current as of May 2020.
Food[Edit]
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area€1,041
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area€788
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio€88

What is the best area in Barcelona to stay?

The 10 Best Neighborhoods in Barcelona for Tourists
  1. Barri Gòtic. If you're looking to stay in the heart of Barcelona, you can't get more central than the medieval Barri Gòtic – the city's historical heart.
  2. El Raval.
  3. El Born.
  4. Eixample.
  5. Montjuïc.
  6. Gràcia.
  7. Barceloneta.
  8. Poble Sec.

Where should I stay in Barcelona for the first time?

The best area to stay in Barcelona for first time visitors is Barrio Gotico (the Gothic Quarter). This is the historical and geographical heart of the city and one of the best places to stay in Barcelona if you want to be close to all the important landmarks, attractions and activities – not to mention the tapas bars!

What are the safest areas in Barcelona?

Some areas of the city are safer than others, especially at night. The safest zones are those with few tourists because crime follows the jet-lagged, unaccustomed traveler. The safest areas are L'Eixample and Gràcia. The least safe are El Raval and the Gothic Quarter.

Can foreigners buy property in Barcelona?

Yes. There are no restrictions on buying property in Spain, whether it's commercial, residential or land. In fact, Spain encourages investment by foreigners, both resident and non-resident. You will require a financial number which can acquire by visiting a police station with your passport.

How much is average rent in Spain?

The average monthly rent is about 600 euros.
Obviously, if you move away from the central areas and avoid cities like Barcelona or Madrid, you can find rentals of 400 euros easily.

Can you live in Barcelona without speaking Spanish?

Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia, an autonomous region in northeastern Spain. It is possible to live in Barcelona and not speak a word of Spanish, but aside from being cuturally indolent, you'll find it means being labelled as a guiri (a disparaging term for foreigners).

How much money do you need to live comfortably in Spain?

Although you can live comfortably in Spain for around $25,000, costs are rising. Spain is an incredible country to base from, as flights to other Eurozone countries are inexpensive from all the major cities: Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao, Valencia, and Sevilla.

Is it worth living in Barcelona?

It genuinely is an amazing city to live in
Whatever its flaws – and every city has them – Barcelona is honestly a great place to live. Aside from its many sights, attractions and events, it's the lifestyle and quality of life that most people appreciate.

Is it cheaper to live in Madrid or Barcelona?

Madrid may be the capital city, but Barcelona is one of the most visited spots tourists go to when in Spain. But with that being said, they are still one of the cheaper places to visit, as per northern European standards. "Barcelona is more European than Madrid." What does it mean being European?

Is it expensive to eat out in Barcelona?

On average, the cost of food in Barcelona is not expensive. For example, meal prices range from 7 to 20 euros, being that lunch is usually cheaper than dinner. Prices are reasonable, with meals starting at 9.50 euros including soup or salad and a main course (pasta or vegetables).

What is the hourly wage in Spain?

The yearly minimum wage of 12600 euros is arrived at by multiplying monthly wage by 14. In those cases where workers are not paid 14 minimum wages per year, the monthly wage is 1050 euros. Spain has a government-mandated minimum wage. No worker in Spain should be paid less then this minimum pay rate.

Why are salaries so low in Spain?

Because there are so many unemployed people longing to get that job (high offer) that their cost is lower (salaries). This makes estate prices to be the most expensive in Spain and this translates into other costs by economies of scale.

What do I need to know about moving to Barcelona?

10 Things to Know Before Moving to Barcelona
  • Rent isn't as cheap as you think.
  • Watch out for dodgy sublets.
  • Choose your neighbourhood wisely.
  • Don't get discouraged by the admin.
  • Learn Spanish.
  • Get an old bike and a new lock.
  • The city is incredibly noisy.
  • Pick up a new hobby.

What should you not wear in Barcelona?

Avoid wearing casual shorts in the city, save them for the beach, wearing them elsewhere will generally label you as a tourist. A skirt or loose-fitting light weight fabric trousers are more suitable since they will protect you from the sun.

What are the bad areas of Barcelona?

Too touristy, too dirty, housing quality is of dubious quality, expensive and quite unsafe (a lot of pickpocketing and break-ins happening). I would add Poble-Sec to the list of not-so-safe areas. I would recommend 4 neighbourhoods: Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, Poblenou, Eixample and Horta.

Where should you not stay in Barcelona?

Areas to avoid in Barcelona
  • The Metro Without a Travel Belt. A ride on Barcelona's crowded metro with a wallet in your pocket is a recipe for petty theft.
  • Crowded, Touristy Areas While in a Large Group.
  • Beaches and La Sagrada Fam'lia.
  • Ciutat Vella After Dark.
  • La Rambla.
  • Eixample.
  • Gracia.
  • Sarriˆ-Sant Gervasi.

How bad is pickpocketing in Barcelona?

Pickpockets Barcelona
Although Barcelona is considered generally safe for tourists, there are an large amount of pick-pockets and bag thieves in all Barcelona areas that have popular tourist attractions. Other areas of the city generally does not have problems with pickpockets except near major tourist attractions.

Is it easy to get a job in Barcelona?

Finding work in Barcelona is not impossible but it can require time and patience. Although, as Barcelona is one of the largest international cities in the world, finding a job in Barcelona as an expat can be easier than in other parts of Spain.

Is it safe to walk at night in Barcelona?

In general, it's a safe city, even at night, you just need to avoid some areas at night, such as the neighbourhood of Raval, but even there, there are some streets full of bars where you can walk safely.

Are Barcelonians friendly?

People from Barcelona are some of the most warm and friendly people I've met. I lived there for 6 months and never got the impression of Catalans being racist or rude. They're very inclusive and want to share their culture with anyone who comes to visit. It really does feel like a different culture.

Can you drink the water in Barcelona?

Yes, the tap water in Barcelona is safe to drink.

Is the Gothic quarter in Barcelona safe?

Barcelona's Gothic Quarter has the Cathedral, Plaza del Rey and many other fabulous sites that most visitors want to 'oohh and ahh' over. For the most part it is safe to walk the streets of the city center at any time of night, because there are always people out in Barcelona. Violent crime is not a problem.

How much money do I need to move to Barcelona?

It all depends on your lifestyle. Overall for one person 1000 Euros is more than enough to live in Barcelona and for 2 it would be 2000 Euros per month. This is again the maximum limit, you can always control your expenses and survive in amount less than this.

How much is a cup of coffee in Barcelona?

Espresso Coffee in Coffee shop: €1.25 - up to €2.50 in tourist places. Bottle of beer from supermarket 1 litre €1.25. Glass of beer from bar: €2.50. Glass of beer in Irish Bar: €5.00.

How much is the average rent in Spain?

ExpenseU.S.$
Housing (rent of furnished, one- or two-bedroom apartment)€600$744
Utilities (gas, electricity, water, phone, internet)€130$161
Groceries€270$335
Entertainment (dining out and other)€450$558

Is Barcelona cheaper than London?

According to daily updated crowd sourcing websites, Expatistan and Numbeo, Barcelona is 51% cheaper to live in than London.

Does it get cold in Barcelona?

Winters in Barcelona are mild. December, January and February are the coldest months, with average temperatures around 16 °C (61 °F) during the day and 10 °C (50 °F) at night. Slight frost at night is more common on the hills around the city and in the outer metropolitan area (far from the sea, like in Montjuic).

How much is a Coke in Spain?

Cost of Living in Spain
Restaurants[ Edit ]
Domestic Beer (1 pint draught)2.50 €
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle)3.00 €
Cappuccino (regular)1.63 €
Coke/Pepsi (12 oz small bottle)1.73 €

Is it worth buying a house in Spain?

According to recent research, Spain came out as second of 33 countries as best for first-time buyers. The reasons given were a combination of reasonable property prices combined with a favourable cost of living as well as good average salary growth levels – all good reasons for buying in Spain.

Can an American move to Spain?

Americans can visit Spain for up to 3 months without needing a visa. After you have lived in Spain for five years, you can apply for the right to permanent EC residence. This will allow you to live and work in Spain, and the rest of the EU, for as long as you like.

Are drinks expensive in Barcelona?

Barcelona Drink Prices. Compared to the UK, drinking in Barcelona is cheap. A glass of wine will cost €3 on average and a beer even less. Drink local, Catalan wine.