Somehow i always knew i would live in spain to learn flamenco, eat tapas, play the guitar and live the best days of my life.  Even though i have detoured so many times, living in many great cities around the world, something wonderful attracts me there and i have yet to discover it.

I am an Ozzie with an American husband, and a 4 y.o. boy.  We have been planning spain for 1.5 years now.  We spent 3 months last summer in Alicante looked into the possibility of this area to live in.  Finally, even though it has the beach, quiet family life, its missing the exciting city life and eccentric people. 

So Barcelona could be what we are looking for. 

Could you very helpful people, recommend ideal areas around BCN. Safe neighbourhood, communal swimming pool.
Would it be best to walk around BCN and take phone numbers from alquiller signs or from websites?  Any other good website besides http://www.idealista.com?  What about suburbs not far from BCN?  And what do you think of other regions next to BCN.

Thank you and have a fantastic spanish day!

Hi Mari-Therese,

You may want to look into San Cugat, a suburb of Barcelona that is quite nice and very close.  They have a great community, good schools, etc. (I happen to work at a school there).  It is pricey, so keep that in mind, but it has everything you were describing and is an easy train/bus ride from Barcelona city center.

Also, a good webiste to check out is http://www.loquo.com.  They have everything from real estate to tutoring jobs.

Barcelona is amazing.  Good luck with realizing your dream, you will love it here.
Laura

Hi Laura,

How lovely of you to read and write me.  Thanks for the tip.

How is the school that you are working for?  I’m also looking for an international school for my 4 y.o boy.  He speaks french and english so i’m undecided between french and english school.

Have a wonderful day,

Mari-Therese

Hi Mari-Therese,

I just sent you a PM with more information on my school.

Saludos,
Laura

Mari-Therese - 19 May 2007 04:52 PM

Somehow i always knew i would live in spain to learn flamenco, eat tapas, play the guitar and live the best days of my life.  Even though i have detoured so many times, living in many great cities around the world, something wonderful attracts me there and i have yet to discover it.

I am an Ozzie with an American husband, and a 4 y.o. boy.  We have been planning spain for 1.5 years now.  We spent 3 months last summer in Alicante looked into the possibility of this area to live in.  Finally, even though it has the beach, quiet family life, its missing the exciting city life and eccentric people. 

So Barcelona could be what we are looking for. 

Could you very helpful people, recommend ideal areas around BCN. Safe neighbourhood, communal swimming pool.
Would it be best to walk around BCN and take phone numbers from alquiller signs or from websites?  Any other good website besides http://www.idealista.com?  What about suburbs not far from BCN?  And what do you think of other regions next to BCN.

Thank you and have a fantastic spanish day!

I would forget Barcelona, the weather is horrible year round and the crime is terrible.  I would seriously check out Valencia.  At least visit for a weekend.  Go around the neighborhoods, etc.  for apartments for Valencia and around http://www.openskyproperty.com

Forget neoman’s comments, he’s a little biased! 😊 Barcelona is one of, if not THE top city in Europe. If you’re into cosmopolitan energies then it’s the place to be.

As for places to live in BCN, I covered this topic rather extensively at the topic where to live in Barcelona. :D

Oh, note that Barcelona is not really the most Spanish city in Spain. In fact, it’s definitely not the place to go if you’re only interested in tapas, flamenco and bull fights. Check out Sevilla or somewhere in Andalucia for that.