Barcelona?

Any of you guys live or visit Barcelona? Me and my wife are thinking about moving there in the future (possibly a couple years) after she finishes college. What can you tell me about Barcelona? Things to do? Places to go? Places to eat/shop. I have a while to study up on the place (and learn Spanish). Anyways, just wanted to get some of you guys opinions and such.

Barcelona is awesome. The majority of people there speak Catalan, though...which is kinda like Spanish, but kinda not. It's a pretty unique place. I was only there for a week when I was 18 but it definitely left an impression on me. Between it and Madrid, it definitely has more of an eclectic hippie vibe to it. More of a night life kinda city too, in my opinion. I'd definitely move there for the aesthetics of it, as well.

I’ve never been, but know quite a lot about it, mainly due to love for Soccer and Architecture.

Its one of the most unique places on earth; I will go one day. You should probably visit it before moving, as the lovely lady above me said, its very artsy and eclectic, but in a good way.

Great weather, people and culture; They are very nationalistic and have their own language, flag, anthem etc.

From what I understand Barcelona welcomes foreigners and the atmosphere is very open and “chilled out”.

Good luck with your eventual move, hope it all works out the way you hope!

Thanks for the input so far. I'd definitely like to visit before moving. Hopefully we can arrange that.

really really cool city. One of those places where you kinda toss the guidebook away, get thoroughly lost, soak up every minute, and then reappear by accident somewhere familiar.

Had a great time.

Great city. Only got to spend a few days there but I could imagine living there for a few months for sure. Lots of culture and things to see and do. Also reasonably accessable to France and Italy and others so a good vantage point for other European travels.

Great place, beach, culture, nightlife, architecture.

my buddy married a catalan girl and moved there. He is well traveled and international and has lived in a few countries. He has been there for 2 or 3 years now and I visited him last year, but he is done with that city and wants to move back to the states. His main gripes were that people were really rude, its kind of dirty and immigrant problem is unreal.

Of course it all depends on your situation. I thought it was a cool city but once you get past the tourist stuff and actually have to live and have a daily life, its a little different.

It is one of my favourite cities in Europe, a beautiful city with nice tempered weather, a fantastic beach and overall a really nice culture with lots of things that you can see, but as mentioned when you get past that tourist race and the main attractions i think Spain is a fantastic country and there is lots to see.
If you have any interest in art and constructions of Gaudi (which is fantastic try to search for Sagra de familia). Another thing i really like about Barcalona and major cities in Spain is that the city is full of life the cotume is that you got out at night and just chill-eat whatever, and then the shops opens like 10 or so, and you have siesta in the middle of the day because it is really hot in daytime.

Originally Posted by guitarpkr76

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I'd definitely like to visit before moving. Hopefully we can arrange that.

You don't speak Spanish and you've never visited and you're going to move there? Your wife is from there perhaps? You are a missionary perhaps? Otherwise, what are you thinking, man?

It's a nice place with friendly laid back people. The Gaudi stuff is nice to watch but I was too busy checking out the Catalan females. Learn some Spanish before you go this will make communication nicer as they don't (want to) speak English.

I did not like Barcelona at all. The people had sone of the rudest attitudes I have ever experienced. The architecture was nice but las rambles, the main street with the shops, is way overhyped. If you do go though try the food market off of las rambles. The food inside there is amazing!!!

Originally Posted by Politely

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You don't speak Spanish and you've never visited and you're going to move there? Your wife is from there perhaps? You are a missionary perhaps? Otherwise, what are you thinking, man?
My wife is of Latin American heritage. She's an English major with a Spanish minor and wants to teach English as a second language. We love to travel and want to move somewhere after she gets out of college. She's always wanted to live in Spain so we said why not. Life's too short to stay in Louisiana forever. Also, we don't plan on staying there forever. Just for a while. Also, I started on Rosetta Stone this week and plan on studying pretty hard to become somewhat fluent before we go. Or at least be able to ask where the bathroom is. Thanks for all the input so far!

One common asumption people make about Barcelona is that Spanish is the official language. The truth of the matter is that Catalans are very proud people and prefer to speak their own language.

With that said, I hope you have the right version of Rosetta Stone if you're looking to work in a proffesional business setting. Also, payscales are all screwed up and apartments sometimes cost as much as a persons monthly income. Teaching English may be a way to get by but you will definitely not be going out every night.

Barcelona is a much, much better city to visit than to live in long-term. But if you're thinking of living there for something like a year, I'd say just go for it. All the negative stuff (petty crime, immigration problems, dirt, noise, Catalan attitude) will take about that long to get really annoying.