Most Britons highly recommend moving to Spain because the country offers perks they can't find at home.
But like any country, it has its downside. One expat has shared her first impressions of the laid-back nation after moving to its capital city of Madrid.
According to Dani Moves, the siesta culture, late-night culture, and driving limitations were three of the biggest cons she experienced after the move.
She spoke of her experience on YouTube, where she routinely documents her life abroad.
Spain's late-night culture can come as a shock to newcomers
GETTY / DANI MOVES / YOUTUBE
Driving in Madrid
“Traffic and pollution,” was one of the first cons the expat shared, saying: “Everyone that I know that drives in Madrid has told me that driving in Madrid is terrible.
“There are so many rules, the police have cameras all over the city, so if you do something that you shouldn’t have done by accident, you’ll just get a bill to your house for €200 for something super silly.
“You really need to know the rules to drive in Madrid, it’s not easy to be a driver here. Also, some streets are small, you have to know where [the parkings] are."
She added: “It’s a bit complicated to drive in the city. If you need to get a licence here the exams are long."
Siesta culture
Another downside, according to Dani, is the siesta culture, which causes shops nationwide to close for several hours a day.
She said: “I have nothing against this anymore but in the beginning, I used to complain a lot. As a newcomer, you’re going to struggle to adjust to this.
“I don’t even know clearly what are siesta hours but I think [it’s] from 2pm to 5, sometimes 6pm”.
Late night culture
Many nights in Spain kick off several hours after nightfall. While many appreciate the seemingly endless days, others may struggle to adapt socially.
“People go out here in Spain at 9pm, sometimes you’re asked to meet at 10pm, I find it crazy,” warned Dani.
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The expat said driving in Madrid can be difficult
GETTY IMAGESThe content creator pointed out that the nightlife is so drastically different to other cultures. She explained: “I just think the late-night culture is a bummer.”
It comes as another expat who moved to Spain years ago warned prospective expats of the different ways “touristification” is changing the country.
“When I moved to Spain I fell in love [...] with Madrid,” James declared in the clip shared on the YouTube channel Spain Revealed. Over time, however, the expat's admiration has given way to frustration.
“In short what I loved was Madrid’s idiosyncrasy, but over the years I’ve watched as that idiosyncrasy has been eroded," he explained. “A lot of chains and franchises have moved in and a lot of [....] neighbourhood shops have been pushed out.”