"I want a Barcelona with affordable rents," by Zsuzsanna Lorinc
Zsuzsanna Lorinc was born in Paks, Hungary. At the age of 24, she moved to Barcelona, a city where she has lived ever since, except for a three-year period in Paris. She is the mother of a ten-year-old son and works as an Invoice Control Specialist at Media MarktSaturn GBS, an international administrative center of Media MarktSaturn established in Barcelona in 2020. From there, billing, administrative, and financial services are managed for various countries, including Germany, Switzerland, Poland, and the Netherlands. The company employs people from 35 nationalities who communicate in 20 languages.
Why did you choose Barcelona to live in?
I was planning to go study in London, but before that trip, I came to Barcelona on vacation. It was then that I fell in love with the city—its climate, its people, its culture, and above all, the sense of freedom I felt here. I knew from the very first moment that our story was going to be long. And here I am, still enjoying it, but now accompanied by my son, cherishing the things that Barcelona gives us every day.
What aspects of the city would you highlight as positive?
Primarily the climate. I also love being able to have the sea nearby and, at the same time, the mountains. Barcelona is an easy city to get around and explore. I like its neighborhoods and architecture, and also that you can find cultural and leisure activities for all ages. I am impressed by the number of parks in Barcelona, and since I have a son, I visit many of them and always find fun for the little ones. And finally, though no less important, I think it’s worth highlighting that Barcelona offers job opportunities.
What aspects of the city need improvement? How?
One of the city’s challenges is improving access to housing and making rents more affordable. Prices are too high, and with a single income, it’s impossible to maintain a normal life. In recent years, safety has changed a lot; unfortunately, Barcelona is no longer the same city I knew when I first came, and this worries me greatly for everyone’s future, but especially for my son and for young people. I think that nowadays tourism has already exceeded the limit the city can handle, which affects our daily lives in several ways, mainly due to the lack of tranquility in some areas and the rising prices in shops. Traffic is also getting worse, and with all the construction, moving around the city is almost impossible.
What do you hope for in Barcelona in the coming years?
I hope for a city that is more inclusive, greener, resilient, and livable in the face of climate change. With affordable rents, less tourist pressure on housing, and more job opportunities for everyone. I hope we can once again feel the same sense of safety throughout the city, as we did before.
Which city do you feel is yours? What do you miss most about your hometown?
Nowadays, Barcelona is my city. I lived in Paris for three years, but I always wanted to come back because here I feel at home, and I also believe that I can offer my son a better future. From my hometown, I miss my family a lot, but sometimes you have to take steps to grow while at the same time building a new home where you feel happy.
