I just been reading some other forums and I am shocked. People mention a wage of 18,000E before tax, as being good. But that is what I earn here in Poland. And I am not earning a huge wage or even what a SW engineer earns. But my cost of living is much lower here then it would in BCN, for example, to rent a flat here I would pay 400E for a large flat. And food and other essentials are cheaper.
I worked out (a guesstimate :0 ), that to live on a similar level, with my wife not working in BCN (she earns an ok, a little below average in Poland) and paying for my mortgage in Poland I would have to earn around 37,000E per year before tax, is this realistic? It seems like a lot, when reading the forum. But with less I would be worried, with school and other costs for a start.
Hi Equerdo. Sorry to rain on your parade, but I’m afraid what you’ve read up on so far is right - it’s very difficult to earn more than 20,000 per year in Barcelona, which would normally be a healthy sum - apart from the fact that the cost of living is so expensive. Flats cost a fortune (think minimum 900 Euros for around 60m2, unless you go outside the city centre), and the current economic downturn has had barely no effect. Transport is cheap enough, but utiliry bills have gone up almost 20% since the same time last year.
If it’s not being too personal, how much has your boss offered you for the new post? I’m guessing that figures have been mentioned here, otherwise they wouldn’t have offered you the job, right?! If you give us an idea as to the amount (net) you might be earning, we can all chip in with details as to how much we think you’d need, etc. in comparison to your current life in Poland.
I don’t want my reply to seem negative (I’m an Englishman living in Barcelona, so know exactly the situation), but rather want to offer some sound advice, which is what I was missing when I came! Hope we forum jusers can help!
I have to agree With BCN Rentals… €900 is the Bare minimum of a flat to rent and its more like 42Sqm
I have a few mates that are renting “BedRoom” for around €450 a month… It is expensive And yeap Utility bills are sky high and people are struggling to break even :(
Again like BCN says… Give some details and maybe we can help….
The other issue is you have a Mortgage in Poland as I read right? 2 times Payments is going to be a struggle
Thanks for the information and help. You are not being negative, I need realistic figures. I know how it is when one moves from one country to another, as a child I moved to Sydney, and 20 years later moved back to Poland. So on-site info is important.
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My boss has not mentioned a figure, more likely they will wait for my expectations. I have asked for a range, just to have a better clue what is on the table. But this may not be provided.
I earn about 16,000 E a year after paying tax (which is a comfortable wage in Gdansk) and my wife also earns 3/4-wage of about 5,000E after tax.
So, I sum it up like this. If we earn 21.000E after tax in Poland (and I pay much less here for my flat and food) I would expect about 32-33,000 to equal the standard of living that I have in Poland. Am I correct? Can we live comfortably on 32,000E (Netto) for a family of 3 somewhere in central in Barcelona. My kid is going to school this year. And we have a car and other nomal home objects, so no need to spend money on this.
The plus is that my boss seems to want me there, so I am better position to negotiate.
Yes, I have a mortage, and that is a problem. If I cannot rent it out (not a lot of rental places in Gdansk, so its possible) I will need to increase the pay to about 37.000E, this seems like a lot. But maybe in IT it is a realistic figure. In Poland people in IT earn a lot more then average.
It looks like my company is located in: Esplugues De Llobregat near Barcelona. Doesn’t seem to far from center, any ideas about a good location for rental being close to center and not take 2 hours to get to work?
Well 37k is very comfortable But! Yes there is a “BUT”...
It all depends were in Barcelona you want to live… Prices for rent have come down in April in some places as much as 20% - 25%
If you can drive you can always look “Outside” of Barcelona were you can live a lot comfortably…
For instance I live In Salou Its 1hr 10 mins to get to my offices in Barcelona.
Remember I am sure your boss knows this too.. Some People in Catalonia have had to take a Pay Cut in there salary to keep working. To Save jobs.
So €37k is very good…
Regards Mac
Well, as they say, if you don’t ask…..the good thing thing I do not NEED to move, and my boss knows this. On the other hand Barcelona is not Gdansk, and I would like a change, Barcelona sounds great:) . I dont need to live in the complete center but both my wife and myself like living close to where we can go out on the weekend, both during the day and night. So somewhere like Gracia would be prefarable or somewhere close to water. But as you say, i understand the costs are higher. What is the tax on a salary of around 37K… Please remember that my wife will probably not work for a while (until she learns the language), so all of us will be living off one wage. Thus my wage needs to be higher. You say 37K is very good, what is comfortable (less?) for a family of 3, without excess.
Barcelona Central old area , where places have been done up it will cost 1200 -1500 , this price havnt drop yet as most are rented
as holiday lets aswell , not easy two fine good place in Barcelona there old and run down . jurdy
Great replies so far, sorry for not getting back sooner. 3000 Euros a month is a pretty handsome wage over here, and there are very few people who earn as much, so if you do get offered that amount of money, then jump at it (assuming you won’t need to do a 90 hour week!!). Again, living outside of BCN itself will save you some money, often a considerable amount, and you might even prefer that. Take for example nearby Casteldefels, which is a 20 minute train ride from Barcelona, and has 2 great beaches. I rented an paartment there when I first arrived here (9 years ago) with a space to park my car, a communal swimming pool and RIGHT in front of the sea (like cross the street, and you’re on the beach) - although my apartment didn’t have the views, it was at the back (but i didn’t care). I paid 600 Euros p/m. Nowadays in central BCN, it’s very difficult to find any rental for lower than 1100 Euros, with no parking, often no lift, and although you are closer to everything, 20 minutes is not far to travel to say go out at night, and I think your wife and girl might enjoy living outside Barcelona more - especially if your wife isn’t going to work.
Anyway, let us know what the boss says, and hope we’ve been helpful!
Great replies so far, sorry for not getting back sooner. 3000 Euros a month is a pretty handsome wage over here, and there are very few people who earn as much, so if you do get offered that amount of money, then jump at it (assuming you won’t need to do a 90 hour week!!). Again, living outside of BCN itself will save you some money, often a considerable amount, and you might even prefer that. Take for example nearby Casteldefels, which is a 20 minute train ride from Barcelona, and has 2 great beaches. I rented an paartment there when I first arrived here (9 years ago) with a space to park my car, a communal swimming pool and RIGHT in front of the sea (like cross the street, and you’re on the beach) - although my apartment didn’t have the views, it was at the back (but i didn’t care). I paid 600 Euros p/m. Nowadays in central BCN, it’s very difficult to find any rental for lower than 1100 Euros, with no parking, often no lift, and although you are closer to everything, 20 minutes is not far to travel to say go out at night, and I think your wife and girl might enjoy living outside Barcelona more - especially if your wife isn’t going to work.
Anyway, let us know what the boss says, and hope we’ve been helpful!
Yes, that sort of a location would be good as well…(understatement ) Thanks for the location. Its not that I need to live in the center, I just hate to be totaly cut of from life outside of work. For example, if it would take +1 hour to get to the city, in real terms, that sort of distance at night, means you will stay home. I agreee that 20 minutes is not far. Thanks again.
Great replies so far, sorry for not getting back sooner. 3000 Euros a month is a pretty handsome wage over here, and there are very few people who earn as much, so if you do get offered that amount of money, then jump at it (assuming you won’t need to do a 90 hour week!!). Again, living outside of BCN itself will save you some money, often a considerable amount, and you might even prefer that. Take for example nearby Casteldefels, which is a 20 minute train ride from Barcelona, and has 2 great beaches. I rented an paartment there when I first arrived here (9 years ago) with a space to park my car, a communal swimming pool and RIGHT in front of the sea (like cross the street, and you’re on the beach) - although my apartment didn’t have the views, it was at the back (but i didn’t care). I paid 600 Euros p/m. Nowadays in central BCN, it’s very difficult to find any rental for lower than 1100 Euros, with no parking, often no lift, and although you are closer to everything, 20 minutes is not far to travel to say go out at night, and I think your wife and girl might enjoy living outside Barcelona more - especially if your wife isn’t going to work.
Anyway, let us know what the boss says, and hope we’ve been helpful!
no parking ... walk very where , no lift, get fit , lol Ja ja ja
biggest problem for most is there no net ..... now adays you need the inter net
jurdy
jejeje Jurdy. I was just picking up on what Equerdo had mentioned as the kind of things he’d be looking for. I have a car but hardly use it, and prefer to walk everywhere, too!!
sorry - I always talk about after tax - i.e. what you’ll get net to spend. No point calculating on 2bruto” then realising you’ll be short. You’d have to check the tax thing maybe on the other part of this forum with any accountants who are in the know, I’m afraid i’m useless at that kind of thing!
, that would be helpful.
