I came to Barcelona in 2005, and my goodness there was a lot I didn’t know! An ex-pat friend and I often joke that if we had known what it would take to establish ourselves in this sunny metropolis by the sea, we never would have come. Yes, it was that hard.

Don’t let these less than encouraging words burst your bubble if you’re hot on moving to Barcelona. Come! Come now while prices on apartments are low! Come, but bear in mind these useful tips:

1. Learn at least some Catalan.

Did you know we speak Catalan here? Never heard of it? I hadn’t when I boarded my flight to Barcelona by way of Paris, but found out real quick that Catalan is not Spanish, and that you need to speak it to get a number of jobs in this city.

Catalan is spoken throughout Catalonia, in Andorra, and on the islands of Ibiza, Mallorca, Menorca and Formentera. It’s a language, not a dialect, and is a very important part of the culture here.

Depending on how long you plan on staying, you’ll need to take a stand on Catalan: To learn or not to learn it. If you want to work in a public school, or in almost any “local” job, you’ll need it. If you’re working for a foreign company or teaching English, you won’t.

All Catalans are bilingual, so you can also get by with Spanish. That said, Catalans appreciate it when you speak in Catalan – go figure! I’ve been here six years and speak very little Catalan day to day, but understand a lot and have taken a couple of courses. I can order coffees and ask for the time. The Catalan government offers FREE classes to those who are interested in learning the language.

2. Rent a room before you rent a flat.

I recommend living in either one of the Eixample neighborhoods, Gracia, Barri Gotic, Poble Sec, Poble Nou, Raval, or La Ribera if you want to be where the action is in Barcelona. There are many other barris, or neighborhoods, but most of them are out of the way or ugly (La Pau, for example, is awful). Still, the best way to find out which barri is right for you is to rent a room in one of these areas and then explore from there.

3. Know your budget for renting a room or apartment.

Renting a room can range anywhere from €200 to €600 a month, depending on how big it is, the zone, cool-factor, private bathroom, etc. Renting a flat usually runs somewhere between €600 and €1200 (and up), but these prices have come down a lot recently thanks to very high unemployment in Spain.

If you find an apartment through a rental agency, expect to pay at least one month’s rent as a commission. You may also need to have a work contract, which is a perfect catch-22.

4. Know how to work in Barcelona.

It’s not easy right now to get a job in Barcelona or anywhere in Spain because of that nasty unemployment issue. The economy here is not great. However, depending on what your skills are you may be able to find gainful employment. Infojobs.net and Loquo.com are logical places to begin your search.

If you’re not European, and you don’t have a visa, you will have to work illegally. Many employers do not want to break the law, so you Americans and Canadians out there, bear this in mind! If you’re interested in getting legal in Spain, you need to see an immigration attorney. Don’t think you can do it on your own, no one is that smart or that patient.

5. Meet people.

The best way to get into the groove and find your place in Barcelona is through people who already live here and know the drill. Meetup.com has a ton of groups in Barcelona, many of them perfect for practicing your Spanish/Catalan, meeting locals, and getting a better idea of what Catalonia is all about.

6. Other Web resources

Aside from Meetup.com, here are a few sites that I have found useful over the years. Good luck!

* In English, a guide to what’s happening in the city: http://www.barcelona-metropolitan.com/

* Short-term rentals and info on the city: http://suitelife.com/

* Multi-language paper and web on Barcelona: http://www.bcnweek.com/

Other tips for moving to Barcelona?

Did you move to Barcelona and have other advice for those looking to make the move? Ready to establish yourself in Barcelona but have some questions? Talk to us in the comments section.

The post Moving to Barcelona: What you need to know appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Glorieta de Montera
Caballero de Gracia, 10
1- 3:45 PM & 8:30 – 11:45 PM
Telephone: 91 523 44 07
Metro: Gran Via

Glorieta de Montera, along with its sister restaurants La Finca de Susana, Bazaar, and Ginger, strikes an ingenious balance between fine dining and cheap eats. All three Mediterranean restaurants have classic, white, minimalist décor injected with just enough creativity to keep them from teetering into the banal.

Polite staff and an ample, interesting menu may lead you to believe you’re going to get whopped by the bill, but you’ll be pleasantly surprised: fettuccini with chicken and dried tomatoes costs just €5.99, and risotto with asparagus and artichokes or rice with squid costs €5.98.

The portions are generous, as is the half carafe of wine that comes with the meal. Since everyone loves a bargain, the crowd is understandably eclectic: from the dread-locked malasaña types to ladies who look like your sweet old Aunt Ethel and, of course, lots of fashionable thirty-somethings mixed in.

Cervecería 100 Montaditos

If you need to refuel after, say, spending hours at the Museo del Prado, why not head over to one of the best sandwich places in the city of Madrid? The Cervecería 100 Montaditos is a well-known chain throughout Spain, and it’s a perfect place for a cheap, filling snack. The sandwiches are small but filled with yummy goodness. There’s anything and everything on this menu: salmon, ham, solomillo, tuna, and more. All sandwiches come with a free side of chips! They also offer salads for around €6.

Make sure to check the Cervecería out on a Wednesday, because that’s when all sandwiches cost only €1. (If you don’t get there early, be prepared to wait in line!)

There are multiple Montaditos in Madrid: visit the chain’s site to find the one closest to you.

La Gata Flora
Calle San Vicente Ferrer, 33
Telephone: 915 21 27 92
Metro: Tribunal

La Gata Flora is a popular Italian restaurant in Madrid’s Malasaña neighborhood. From the name you may have guessed that the restaurant has something to do with cats, and it does! The entire restaurant is decorated with photographs of cats, hanging cat lights, and pillows with embroidered cats.

Check out their menu del día for €10, which comes with an appetizer, main meal, dessert and wine! Try the berengena (eggplant)—it’s super tasty.

A Dos Velas
Calle de San Vicente Ferrer, 16
1-5 PM & 8 PM – 12 AM, Mon – Sat
Telephone: 91 446 18 63
Metro: Tribunal

Creative dishes with a fusion flare are what you’ll find at A Dos Velas. There are many different flavors, from Indian to Argentinian and Mediterranean. The service here is quite good and the dining area, decorated with dark tiles and exposed brick, is a wonderful place to relax.

A Dos Velas offers three prix fixe menus: lunch, dinner and group dining. The friendly feel of the place will have you coming back again and again.

Con Dos Fogones
Calle de San Bernardino, 9
1-5 PM & 8 PM-1 AM
Telephone: 91 559 63 26
Metro: Plaza de Espana

Salads, hamburgers, and Argentinian beef are only some of the tasty dishes you’ll find on the menu at Con Dos Fogones. The atmosphere is classy, and bursting with colors and stylish décor.

They offer a menu del Mediodía for €10, Monday-Friday, and a Menu Nocturno for €17.50, which includes an appetizer, main course, and dessert. And their prix fixe menus don’t stop there: they also have a group menu for €35.

The post Madrid: Top five Cheapo-friendly restaurants appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Conveniently, most of these attractions are located in the city center, within walking distance of each other. And best of all, several have free admission.

We recently put together a list of our “Top 10 Seville Attractions” in our Seville city guide, and found the following attractions offered free admission daily, or at least at some point during the week:

Top free attractions in Seville

1. Catedral de Sevilla/Giralda Tower — The entrance fee is €7 for adults and €2 for children and students, however stop Admission is €5 for the first floor, €8 for both floors, and an extra €5 for the gardens! However, on Tuesday afternoons the whole shebang is free from 1-5 PM.

3. Archivo de las Indias — Admission to this priceless collection of rare documents is always free!

4. Museo de Bellas Artes — One of Spain’s best art museums, second only to Madrid’s Prado. Admission is only €1.50, and free for visitors with an EU passport.

5. Alcázar — A ticket to the palace will cost €7, but students always get in free.

Want more? See all 10 top attractions in Seville, with complete descriptions, hours, prices, and budget tips for when to get for free!

Also see: Our list of recommended budget hotels in Seville.

The post Seville: Top attractions with free admission appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.