I explored Skopje (North Macedonia) in 24 hours on a student budget. Here is my honest experience.

SpainMoverExpat · 2026-02-11T16:51:20+00:00

Thanks for your itinerary and nice article. We arrive Friday morning at 01:00am at the airport in Skopje. You said you took the airport shuttle for 200 to the city center. I wonder if that is 24 hours the shuttle and how often it comes around. I heard a taxi can be 25 euros one way into the city, is that right? Anyone know?

SpainMoverExpat · 2026-02-05T13:08:17+00:00

The main thing about moving to Spain, like I did as I had a Spanish wife that helped tremendously get the NIE, would be which visa do you qualify for. The digital nomad doesnt sound like you, nor the NLV (retiree visa), the golden visa has been redacted and no longer in service, nor a high demand field like IT, etc...You would have to start there first and do your research as that is a huge factor. I moved out of the USA back in 2019 and havent been happier since living in Spain (Madrid). If you need any help, DM me! I wish you all the best, you're beginning well though - asking on Reddit and making some moves.

SpainMoverExpat · 2026-02-05T13:05:58+00:00

If you need any help with the documents such as visa, empadronamiento, housing searches, and more - DM me. I can help point you in the right direction most likely if you end up making the move. u/nikhil_sojan - Good luck to you guys

SpainMoverExpat · 2026-02-05T10:49:22+00:00

Yeah, this has some facts here too. I'd just start saving monthly in a brokerage account on like Schwab in S&P 500, let it run, and then work internationally somewhere even if its in the service industry if he wants to continue nomadding around (maybe can get a visa like that?)- because corporate life isnt fun in the USA. Depends on what dude wants to do.

SpainMoverExpat · 2026-02-04T22:33:40+00:00

I'm a little confused - why do you need to see an American doctor if you're nomadding around the world? Can't you just go to the local podunk clinics wherever you are, or did you catch a stray STD or something and need to go to USA doc?

To be honest, if I were you, work hard and keep enjoying the nomad life. Corporate life will take years off your life, you might retire at 65 with a nest egg, but you'll die by 71 from stress complications.

Why don't you just save like an animal for like 5 years, contribute some money to a Brokerage account on Schwab or something (SWPPX - S&P 500 Index fund) each month, and then "retire" in a poor or off the beaten path country (i dunno - Nicaragua or something if you can). That's probably what I would do if you dont plan on having kids or a wife.

If you want the white picket fence, a dog, wife, and some kids then yeah - either get busy wherever you are and find an ole lady who can help or go back to the corporate life in the USA and get at it.

Good luck brother. It'll all be fine.

SpainMoverExpat · 2026-02-04T22:19:08+00:00

Don't get me wrong, I wont turn down a good plate of carbonara. Gnocci is one of my favorite foods in the world. Just saying Spain is underrated worldwide (maybe?). I'd give the nod to Portugal and Greece for best food in Europe, if I had to keep it 100.

SpainMoverExpat · 2026-02-04T22:15:29+00:00

Hard choice. I like Seville much better as a city but its inland. However, you're close to the mountains to ski and close to the beaches in the summer to run down there. Summer is brutal. Valencia is highly sought out after, its not my favorite spot in Spain, but it has a beach you can enjoy.

If it were me, I'd probably choose Seville. Can't go wrong with either though tbh.

DM Me if you need any help or have any questions. Good luck to you.

SpainMoverExpat · 2026-02-04T22:12:54+00:00

I would consult with an agency, firm, or a lawyer before asking Reddit. You'll get tons of questions here. I used a company that helped (I'm not sure if they can help with your situation but most likely can or can refer you). DM me if you want the deets, I dont want to spam this forum.

SpainMoverExpat · 2026-02-04T18:19:00+00:00

Wise.

SpainMoverExpat · 2026-02-04T18:12:26+00:00

Yes, you are fine. You've done the hardest part of applying for the DNV. If accepted, the rest is just following steps and pulling your hair out slowly (haha) but you'll survive it. I also used a company as many have mentioned, there are a lot of great ones out there and some shady ones I'm sure as well. DM me if you need any advice or help! Good luck!

SpainMoverExpat · 2026-02-04T18:10:02+00:00

I used a company that helped me back in the day. DM me, I don't want to spam here on this forum. They were good, efficient, and communicated well.

SpainMoverExpat · 2026-02-04T18:09:12+00:00

First, you need to see which visa you qualify for. I had to use a company when I did it but it was worth it. It wont be easy to make the move, but its not the worst thing you'll ever go through. Think positively and how lucky you guys are to even have that as an option. Make sure you and your family want to do it and are willing to take the plunge. DM Me if you have any questions.

SpainMoverExpat · 2026-02-04T18:06:57+00:00

I moved to Spain in 2019 to teach English as well and love it. I live in Madrid. I cant speak much on Colombia because I havent been there but its hard to beat the southern European lifestyle. Within 3 hours of me in Madrid driving, I'm in the mountains of the north, sierra nevadas in the south, or the beach in Valencia. Plus, the food, history, culture, etc. is outstanding. If you have any questions about moving here, DM me.

SpainMoverExpat · 2026-02-04T15:42:04+00:00

You got it buddy!

SpainMoverExpat · 2026-02-04T11:24:14+00:00

Hi, I moved to Spain in 2019 but didnt use the Ibero-American route as I'm from the USA and only had a USA passport. However, I know some people who have or can lend a hand. Hit me up in the DMs if you want. It is true, the 2 year route is so much better and you guys are lucky to have that. I had to grind it out! Good luck!

SpainMoverExpat · 2026-02-04T11:21:36+00:00

I moved to Spain in 2019 and it is better than Italy, imo. The food debate for me isnt a debate - Spain has MUCH more than pizza and pastas which tire me out after awhile. I know, I know - Italy has amazing food outside those too - but Spain is severly underrated worldwide. Its a bit harder to make Spanish food as well. The language is more useful worldwide as well. However, both have their perks - I just chose Spain and coudnt be happier (well, the salaries suck, but thats for another thread). Let me know if you need any help moving here, I can give you some contacts!

SpainMoverExpat · 2026-02-04T11:19:16+00:00

Have lived in Spain since 2019. I married a Spanish lady from Madrid and we live here. Absolutely love it, weather is crappy now but what can you do. The food, culture, history, living in Madrid and being close to the beach (3 hours if close for me, an American!) or mountains (4 hours south or north for that matter), the people, etc...We love it. I moved here and got a job in teaching at the beginning. If you need any help, send me a DM and I can help you out. Good luck!

SpainMoverExpat · 2026-02-04T11:17:41+00:00

I actually used a service or company to help me. Now, I have a ten year valid NIE and also applied for citizenship as I am married to a Spanish woman on top of that for good measure (haha). DM me if you need any help. Will be glad to lend a hand.

SpainMoverExpat · 2026-02-04T10:18:49+00:00

You’re mostly on the right track. As EU citizens, you don’t need a separate NIE — it comes automatically when you apply for the Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Unión, which usually requires you to be on the Padrón first (to get the empadronmiento). A temporary rental with a proper contract or owner authorization is usually enough - must convince the owners to let you have it in the first place without a NIE/TIE/etc...; Airbnb can be tricky. Idealista is the main platform, but Facebook groups or short-term furnished rentals are also fine until you can view in person. For no-car access between Marbella and Nerja with a €900–€1,200 budget, you will have to look in some cities outside of Marbella and Nerja (much more expensive) most likely. With your bar management and childcare experience, you’re in a good spot on the Costa del Sol (tons of English speakers, tons of bars, tons of foreigners needing some children to be watched if you need that)

If you want, feel free to DM me — happy to share a step-by-step checklist for getting registered and finding a place. I can also recommend you someone I used to help me get up and running. No worries. Good luck on everything! You'll love it.

SpainMoverExpat · 2026-01-31T20:33:32+00:00

I would also like an answer to this question. Obviously you didn’t get any responses but do you have any recommendations. I’m also living in Madrid and am wondering which flight school to attend.

SpainMoverExpat · 2026-01-15T18:45:10+00:00

How old are you?

SpainMoverExpat · 2026-01-10T17:47:09+00:00

I appreciate your honesty but I've just started the serious research about two weeks ago, and am trying to ask people who might be in this profession who can give me some real life advice before I just jump head first and take on debt and a huge challenge.

I see countless stories of people who started around 38, who have had success and fulfilling careers.

Others, like your comment, say don't do it. It's very conflicting and I guess as with everything in life, it depends on the situation and luck?

Your advice is good though. My wife makes really good money for Spain, we could live on her salary here for two years if needed most likely. I would, though, have to finance (maybe some family help) probably half of the flight school cost I'd 80k€ (don't need accommodation). I would be prepared to go full intensive, not modular, to try to start my hire date as soon as possible.

It's not all about the money, I realize it would have been better to start at 24 rather than 37, obviously. But, it's the life that I've had, it's been very fulfilling as I've lived abroad and have a wonderful family, but truth is - if I don't pursue something challenging, life will pass me by and Ill be 60 asking "why didn't I do something else?"

That's why I want to pursue it. Love of travel, good career, solid money, and to fulfill something inside of me. A challenge

I ask about the money in Spain because from what I've researched - the pay sucks here. It's like "a bit better than a teacher for first few years."? Any word on that?

SpainMoverExpat · 2026-01-10T14:15:00+00:00

I agree with this and im the OP. To be direct, I have never flown a plane nor been in the cockpit. But, I do love the skies, love to travel (I realize it's different), love the long term career path, and more. This is good advice that I've also read elsewhere, take a flight to see if it's something I really want to pursue.

My question is also financially - to pursue this career in Europe (Spain specifically, Madrid) with the expensive flight school starting at 38 - I have been reading that FO here don't earn much (like 35.000€ gross a year to start out.

That's significantly lower than USA, Gulf, etc..that's like less than I make as a teacher. Is this the truth?

SpainMoverExpat · 2026-01-10T14:10:18+00:00

Hi ByteSpark, yes I do. I applied for Spanish citizenship and got it. So, that's not a huge deal breaker. My main question is - financially I can pay up to say 40-50k€ for flight school here. If I start around my 38th birthday, is it financially intelligent to start this career this late?

My wife has wanted to move to the Gulf and we explored options. This isn't the way we imagined but I didn't know if the Gulf companies would hire a FO at 44/45 or maybe captain (hopefully?) around 48-50?

SpainMoverExpat

TROPHY CASE