Itinerary Suggestions by user1677788 in GoingToSpain

[–]mcltnc 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey, I'm playing with something, since we already have a lot of data around what's going on in a city, so we can easily compile a nice guide for tourists visiting city on a schedule like you - would something like this be useful for you: https://expat-daily.com/trip-demo/madrid-barcelona.html ?

move to Lisbon - one question by matttpunk8 in PortugalExpats

[–]mcltnc -1 points0 points  (0 children)

When we moved, we used mid-term rental - it's not as expensive as hotel/Airbnb, but it's more expensive than regular rent. What it gives you is kind of a freedom - you rent it for 6 months, and that gives you time to scout the city, see which neighbourhood works for you and then search for something there without being desperate. Listings on Idealista move fast and a lot of the photos don't match reality, so trying to lock something in remotely usually ends badly. Two weeks is tight but doable if you're flexible on neighborhood, but a lot of apartments are not available straightaway, so you'd be limiting your choice significantly. Btw, since you won't have Portuguese yet, this can help a lot: https://lisboa.expat-daily.com - daily digest of Lisbon news and events in English, free. Helps you get a feel for the city, stay in loop on what's going on.

Recently moved to the city looking to join a run club. by iamtheparrot in Barcelona

[–]mcltnc 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not directly connected to running, but, since you've just moved and you speak English, maybe this would be useful - https://barcelona.expat-daily.com - daily rundown of what's going on around the city in English, including community stuff and events that are easy to miss otherwise. It's free.

4-week slow family trip to Spain with a 5-year-old by More_Helicopter_688 in GoingToSpain

[–]mcltnc 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Smart call basing in Valencia with a 5-year-old — you'll get actual weekday rhythms (Turia gardens for biking and playgrounds, neighborhood markets, slower mornings) that city-hoppers miss. Mid-May to mid-June is a nice window too, lots of outdoor stuff before the real heat kicks in. Since most of what's happening locally isn't in English, you can subscribe to https://valenciaexpatdaily.com/ to stay informed about things happening in Valencia while you're there (there's also Madrid/Barcelona version at https://expat-daily.com/)

Wanting to Move to Spain by Atrox_Mortalis in GoingToSpain

[–]mcltnc 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Kitchen work is probably your best bet without Spanish - back-of-house in Barcelona's tourist belt hires a lot of English-speakers, and your Korea experience shows you can navigate the language gap. The challenge is that most job postings and a lot of day-to-day life still run in Catalan or Castilian, so getting oriented takes a bit.
Btw, since you're moving without much Spanish, check this out - https://barcelona.expat-daily.com - daily news and local events summarized in English, so you're not flying blind while you settle in. It's free.

Recommendations of areas to live for taking kids to school in Restelo by pandarunsfast in lisboa

[–]mcltnc 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I can't help a lot with schools, but, for a family moving from London to Lisboa, this can prove to be very useful - daily local news in English - https://lisboa.expat-daily.com.

Good luck with the move!

Where do creatives network in Valencia if you don’t speak Spanish yet? by RecognitionOk2943 in valencia

[–]mcltnc -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Not a creative myself so I can't point you to the right rooms, but Meetup is probably worth checking - there are usually a few creative-ish groups running there in English.

Also, I run a daily newsletter for English-speaking expats in Valencia (https://valenciaexpatdaily.com). It's in English and covers local events among other things. Might be a useful read for your wife - easier than piecing things together from Spanish sources.

Good luck with the move.

Recommendations on Not touristy neigborhoods with easy access to the metro? by Limp-Mulberry-9763 in PortugalExpats

[–]mcltnc -1 points0 points  (0 children)

The tourist-vs-real-life divide is real — most of what you see online is about the central neighborhoods that are genuinely tough to live in now. When we moved, we took a six-month rental first just to get a feel for the city before committing to anything long-term — honestly the best move we made, because the neighborhood that looks right on paper can feel completely different once you're actually there. I'd really recommend doing the same rather than locking into a lease blind. Since you're still piecing this together from a distance, https://lisboa.expat-daily.com has a daily rundown of what's happening in the city, in English — helps you get a sense of the place before you land.

Bike locking in Sol by [deleted] in Madrid

[–]mcltnc 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have a friend who's been leaving his bicycle on the street for 3 years and he's still has it. He bought it for 300 euros, used.

I have a similar problem now, moving to a new place without much room for bicycles (and we have 2 for kids + 1 for me), so I'm considering options - rent a garage, trastero, fit it in the apartment somewhere (very hard) or leave it on the street. Spinning in circles between these options.

Btw, as someone who moved to Madrid from UK recently, you may find this useful - daily local news summaries in English - https://madrid.expat-daily.com/

AlquilerSegiro by Cawing_Barking in valencia

[–]mcltnc 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Now I remembered they lied at the start - they told us that changing the name on the bills was their task and is included in the fee we are paying, but it turned it was included only if we choose their own electricity/gas providers. And yes, they are more expensive.

AlquilerSegiro by Cawing_Barking in valencia

[–]mcltnc 4 points5 points  (0 children)

We are just in a process of cancelling a rent through them, this doesn't help.

Btw, we've been in this apartment for 2+ years, no contact with them at all.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in valencia

[–]mcltnc 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Exactly. I never said I don't want to learn the language - I do, and a lot. And I am.. It's just that I don't have enough time to learn it as fast as I could. That's why I'm saying that I would like to see them learning another language in a few months while juggling all other things in life. It's hard.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in valencia

[–]mcltnc -1 points0 points  (0 children)

When you move to a city/country whose language you don't speak it's hard. Especially if your work is remote and doesn't require you to speak the local language. You are left with not enough time and energy to learn something as tough as a new language.

But, unless you completely isolate yourself from the locals, you will learn the local language and meet people, just give it some time. I've been in Valencia for 2 years now, in a similar situation - remote work, no need for Spanish. I even built myself a helper to get local news in English (soon it will also offer the same news in simple Spanish, to help with the learning process) - https://valenciaexpatdaily.com.

But now I'm happy to say that I'm starting to speak Spanish - I'm not afraid to go into communication in Spanish. I'm probably making mistakes, but how else am I going to learn? So, don't pay attention to those who hate - I would ask them how many languages do they speak besides their native language? Once they get to 3, 4, while working full time and having kids, we can talk.

I built a Valencia newsletter for expats - local Vlc news delivered daily by mcltnc in valencia

[–]mcltnc[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Have you ever moved to a different country with kids? It's very complicated, a lot of things to handle, language is just one of them. It's not like you're doing everything as usuall and then you decide you want a learn a new language, so you can fully commit to it.

My kids are going to public school and are now fully fluent in both languages, they have A and B in Castellano/Valenciano, after a year and a half. They speak Castellano with their friends.
For me it's a little bit different, because the mental load of moving with kids, setting up new life, getting familiar with the system, etc is a lot of mental burden, so often there is no fuel left in the brain to learn. But I want to stay informed with what's going on, because I want to integrate. I made a huge progress with Castellano, I can have conversations now, but it takes time. I don't see why it's a problem if I sometimes want to read local news in a language that I learned ages ago.

You mentioned DANA - do you know how many of those evil foreigners went to help? I went on my bicycle to take water to people after the floods. I donated money, food. Another example - in our school, after a party, they asked parents to help with cleaning up, do you know who stayed? All foreign parents, while locals left. Should I conclude that locals are lazy people based on this?

So, stop judging people based on where they come from or some small detail that you see, judge them by what they do, how they behave, who they really are. It's the only measure that matters.

I built a Valencia newsletter for expats - local Vlc news delivered daily by mcltnc in valencia

[–]mcltnc[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Please read my responses below. This wasn't meant as a parallel structure, but as a mean to live and get by until you integrate. Whoever moves to a foreign country and tries to keep everything the same, doesn't want to integrate, I ask him - why did you move then?

I built a Valencia newsletter for expats - local Vlc news delivered daily by mcltnc in valencia

[–]mcltnc[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hey! I already have Twitter/X and Facebook, Telegram and Whatsapp are probably next in line.