Real Stories: How It Works in Practice
Story 1: Jason's Family — From Thailand to European Stability
Family with two children (6 and 9 years old), Bangkok → Barcelona
Their story:
Jason and Elena lived 4 years in Thailand. Worked remotely for international companies, enjoyed warm climate and low prices. Seemed like paradise?
"The first two years were great," Jason shares. "But gradually we began to understand what we were missing. Culture. Art. That very European way of life."
What pushed them to relocate:
❌ Lack of cultural life: "In Bangkok, going to a good theater or world-class concert is a problem. We missed movie premieres, philharmonic, world-class museums."
❌ Education for children: "International schools in Thailand cost €15,000-20,000/year per child. And it's still not the level of Europe. Plus no prospect of European diploma."
❌ Visa instability: "Every 90 days we did visa runs — left the country and returned. It's humiliating and exhausting. No confidence in the future."
❌ No activities for children: "Children need music schools, sports sections, science clubs. In Thailand it's all poorly developed. Our kids sat by the pool all day — that's not childhood."
After moving to Barcelona:
✅ Children went to public school — free (previously paid €30,000/year in Bangkok)
✅ Weekly theater visits, museums, concerts
✅ Daughter started music school at conservatory
✅ Son plays in local football academy
✅ Stable residence — no more visa runs
✅ In 5 years permanent residence, in 10 European passport
Their words:
"Thailand was good as a temporary stop. But we realized: we don't need exotics — we need real life. Culture, safety, prospects for children. In Barcelona we finally feel at home. Yes, it's more expensive. But quality of life is incomparably higher."
Budget: €4,200/month (vs €3,000/month in Bangkok, but school now free)
Story 2: Mike— Escape from American Instability
Solo entrepreneur, 38 years old, Miami → Valencia
His path:
Mike moved to USA in 2018 on H1B work visa. Founded his startup, got green card. Seemed like the American dream came true?
"The last two years in America turned into a nightmare," Mikhail says.
Why he left USA:
❌ Visa policy like roulette: "Friends with green cards started getting rejections when returning to country. People literally turned away at airport. You can live in America 10 years, pay a million in taxes — and they can kick you out in one day."
❌ Police state: "In Miami I was afraid to go out at night. Friend was stopped by police, moved his hand wrong — they pressed him to car and held at gunpoint for 20 minutes. And he's a white entrepreneur with Tesla."
❌ Lack of stability: "Every election — new president changes rules. Deport migrants, close programs, introduce new restrictions. Impossible to plan life."
❌ Social tension: "America is split. Democrats vs Republicans. Whites vs Blacks. Pro-vaxxers vs anti-vaxxers. You can't just live peacefully — they constantly try to pull you into some conflict."
❌ Crazy prices: "Miami — one of most expensive cities in world. Studio costs $2,500/month. Health insurance $800/month. Car mandatory. Total life costs $5,000-6,000/month."
After moving to Valencia:
✅ Real safety: "I walk at 2 AM through city with laptop in hand. Here it's normal."
✅ Stable residence: "They gave me 3-year residence card. No surprises. Spain is rule-of-law state, laws work here, not whims of officials."
✅ Peaceful life: "There's no American hysteria here. People just live. Work, rest, enjoy life. Nobody tries to pull you into anything."
✅ Reasonable prices: "Apartment €1,100/month — 5 minutes from beach! Fresh and cheap groceries. Health insurance €70/month. Total living on €2,500/month — and it's comfortable life."
✅ Freedom of movement: "From Valencia for €30 I can fly to Paris, Rome, Berlin for weekend. From Miami any flight — minimum $400."
His words:
"I realized: the American dream is a myth. There you live in constant tension. In Spain I finally exhaled. Here I don't fear police, don't fear deportation, don't fear for my safety. I just live. And that's priceless."
Budget: €2,500/month (vs $5,500/month in Miami)
Story 3: Anna — Student Who Chose Between Countries
24 years old, freelance marketer, Kyiv → Barcelona
Her dilemma:
After university, Anna started working remotely with European clients. Earned $3,000/month and dreamed of moving to Europe. But where?
"I spent six months researching options," Anna shares. "Compared Portugal, Spain, Italy, Czech Republic, even Georgia."
Her criteria:
✅ Affordable cost of living (budget €2,000-2,500/month)
✅ Good weather (tired of cold winters)
✅ International community (wanted new friends from around world)
✅ Legal residence (tired of gray zone)
✅ Future flexibility(ability to stay or move on)
Why she didn't choose other countries:
❌ Portugal: "NHR visa being cancelled, new rules unclear. Plus in Lisbon everyone speaks English, no cultural immersion. And prices almost like Spain."
❌ Italy: "Bureaucracy — nightmare. Visa takes 6-12 months. Must submit documents only at consulate, only in person. Impossible."
❌ Czech Republic: "Prague — cold, gray, depressing winter. I wanted sun!"
❌ Georgia: "Great country for start, but not Europe. No prospect of European passport, no Schengen. It's temporary solution, I wanted long-term."
❌ Germany/Netherlands: "Crazy prices. Apartment from €1,500/month. Plus cold and rainy."
Why she chose Spain:
✅ Perfect price-quality combination: "In Barcelona I live on €2,200/month — comfortably. Apartment, groceries, gym, restaurants, travel — everything fits."
✅ 300 days of sun: "Winter +15°C, summer +28°C. I finally stopped freezing and enjoy every day."
✅ International scene: "Barcelona has thousands of nomads from around world. Every week meetups, networking events, parties. In six months I made more friends than in 5 years in Kyiv."
✅ Fast visa: "From submission to residence card — 2.5 months. In Portugal would wait six months."
✅ Future flexibility: "I got residence giving me freedom. Want — stay in Barcelona. Want — move to Valencia or Madrid. Want — in 5 years get permanent residence and can work anywhere in EU. Or go to Berlin — I'll have European permanent residence."
✅ Career prospects: "With European residence my freelance rates grew 50%. Clients see I'm in Barcelona — that's trust."
After 8 months in Barcelona:
✅ Income grew from $3,000 to $4,500/month
✅ Found international circle of friends from 15+ countries
✅ Learned Spanish to B1 level
✅ Travels Europe every month (Paris €30, Rome €40, Amsterdam €50)
✅ Already thinking about buying apartment in Spain
Her words:
"Spain is the perfect entry point to Europe for young people. Affordable, quality, fast, legal. You get not just residence — you get springboard for all Europe. Today I'm in Barcelona, in 3 years could be in Paris with Spanish permanent residence. That's freedom."
Budget: €2,200/month
What unites these three stories?
- Spain = stability that doesn't exist in Asia or America
- Spain = culture and quality of life missing in exotic locations
- Spain = optimal combination of price, weather and prospects for young professionals
- Spain = not final destination, but platform for all Europe
And all three say the same thing: "Only regret I didn't do this earlier."