{"id":7814,"date":"2021-01-20T13:16:44","date_gmt":"2021-01-20T12:16:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.barcelonaglobal.org\/blog\/?p=7814"},"modified":"2021-01-22T14:54:32","modified_gmt":"2021-01-22T13:54:32","slug":"expat-life-in-barcelona","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.barcelonaglobal.org\/blog\/en\/living-in-barcelona\/expat-life-in-barcelona\/","title":{"rendered":"Living in Barcelona: First impressions of the city in Covid times"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><!-- VideographyWP Plugin Message: Automatic video embedding prevented by plugin options. --><br \/>\n<div class=\"row wpb_row row-fluid\"><div class=\"wpb_column columns medium-12 thb-dark-column small-12\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\t<div id=\"thb-team-937\" class=\"thb-team-row team-dark\">\n\t\t<div class=\"row style1 regular-padding\" data-columns=\"medium-12\" data-pagination=\"true\" data-autoplay=\"\" data-autoplay-speed=\"4000\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"thb-team-member small-12 medium-12  columns member_style4\">\n\t\t<div class=\"team-container\">\n\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"400\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" class=\"attachment-full thb-lazyload lazyload\" alt=\"\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.barcelonaglobal.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/New-Project-4.png\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.barcelonaglobal.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/New-Project-4.png 400w, https:\/\/www.barcelonaglobal.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/New-Project-4-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.barcelonaglobal.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/New-Project-4-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.barcelonaglobal.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/New-Project-4-12x12.png 12w, https:\/\/www.barcelonaglobal.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/New-Project-4-180x180.png 180w, https:\/\/www.barcelonaglobal.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/New-Project-4-90x90.png 90w, https:\/\/www.barcelonaglobal.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/New-Project-4-370x370.png 370w, https:\/\/www.barcelonaglobal.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/New-Project-4-20x20.png 20w, https:\/\/www.barcelonaglobal.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/New-Project-4-185x185.png 185w, https:\/\/www.barcelonaglobal.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/New-Project-4-48x48.png 48w\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-information\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"member-title\">Chen\u00e9 Koscielny<\/h6>\n\t\t\t<p class=\"job-title\">South African journalist<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<style>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/style>\n\t<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row wpb_row row-fluid\"><div class=\"wpb_column columns medium-12 thb-dark-column small-12\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p><strong><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">South African journalist, serial expat and Barcelonian-by-choice, Chen\u00e9 Koscielny, shares her views on living in Barcelona. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><strong><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">Chen\u00e9 will write regular posts for <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.barcelonaglobal.org\/blog\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">Barcelona Global<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"> &#8211; which aims to make Barcelona one of the world&#8217;s best cities for talent and economic activity.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><strong><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">Living in Barcelona<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"> was never part of my life plan, neither was moving here in the full throes of a global pandemic obviously, but if there&#8217;s anything 2020 has taught us, it is that life doesn&#8217;t always go according to plan.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">So, here I am, living and working in Barcelona &#8211; a city I&#8217;d previously only associated with Sangria, tapas and Gaudi &#8211; in that order. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">I&#8217;ve lived in Cape Town, Paris, Berlin, London and Geneva, but Barcelona never held much attraction beyond a city break by the sea.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">Five months after swapping postcard-inspiring Swiss mountains and lakes for the decidedly scruffier shores of Spain, I celebrated the arrival of 2021 by trying to eat 12 grapes (not easy) washed down with a lot of Cava (no challenge here) &#8211; the Spanish way to see in the New Year. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">(I learned too late that you&#8217;re meant to cut up the grapes and remove the seeds!) It seemed also like a good time to reflect upon my first impressions of Barcelona as the city had just been named the eighth <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">best city in the world to live in according to the <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bestcities.org\/reports\/2021-worlds-best-cities\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">2021 World&#8217;s Best Cities Report.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<h3><strong><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">Life in Barcelona during Covid\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<h3><strong><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">Hot, hot, hot &#8230; <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">Originally from Africa, I&#8217;m not supposed to be fazed by heat, but the closest I&#8217;ve come to Barcelona&#8217;s suffocating August temperatures was the Abu Dhabi desert. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">You soon understand why the few unlucky Barcelonians who don&#8217;t manage to escape the city in summer, stay out of sight most of the day. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">Stepping outside after 8am is like slamming into a brick wall. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">Your limbs turn to lead and crossing the street requires massive effort.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">In praise of air-con, beer and siesta<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">Doing anything, not to mention moving to Barcelona in August, is only possible with full-blast air conditioning. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">Taking a siesta is no luxury, as by lunchtime you all but pass out anyway. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">Amazingly, though, when dusk falls, the city comes to life as people stream to pavement bars and restaurants to enjoy an ap\u00e8ro, a beer and some olives or patatas bravas. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">A Spanish friend tells me: \u201cFor us, life is outdoors. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">We sleep at home, but the rest of the day we are outside. <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">\u00ab<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">This culture coupled with tiny apartments has made lockdown especially tough. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">If you live outside of Barcelona &#8211; like many expat families &#8211; you may have more space, though accommodation prices are eye-wateringly high. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">Everything else seems very affordable if you come from Geneva or London, <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">but house prices are on a par with some of the most expensive cities in the world.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">One of the major thrills of being new in Barcelona is the luxury of being able to pop to the beach &#8211; in the city or to nearby Gava Mar or Sitges &#8211; to cool down. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">The beach holiday vibe is always within reach, even as the <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/english.elpais.com\/economy_and_business\/2021-01-04\/the-spanish-tourist-sector-closes-its-worst-year-since-the-1970s.html#?sma=newsletter_inenglish20210108m\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">country&#8217;s tourism revenues dropped by more than 75% in 2020 &#8211; figures not seen in 50 years.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<h3><strong><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">Covid ghost town &#8211; a sign of the future?\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">In August the streets are usually empty, locals say, but this year the relentless lockdowns have turned Barcelona into a virtual ghost town at times.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">Macabre graffiti-ed shop shutters and boarded up windows have become a depressingly familiar sight. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">Like everywhere in the world, COVID has taken its toll on local businesses, particularly hotels and restaurants in a city reliant on tourism. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.elperiodico.com\/es\/barcelona\/20210102\/traspasa-restaurante-barcelona-11428583\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">A third of local restaurants have gone bust<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"> as a result of the restrictions, El Periodico reported in January 2021.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">The new culture of homeworking means the center is a mere whisper of its former frenetic self. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">This is a big concern for <\/span><\/span><strong><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">Barcelona Global<\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"> , who fear gentrification will leave the city without a heart as companies desert the center. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">They propose a <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.barcelonaglobal.org\/blog\/en\/que-necesita-barcelona\/como-hacer-que-el-centro-de-la-ciudad-vuelva-a-ser-de-los-barceloneses\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">long-term policy of encouraging economic life to return<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"> through the entrepreneurial use of historic spaces such as Barcelona Tech City&#8217;s development of the Pier complex.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">More English, please!<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">One of the biggest surprises of living in Barcelona to date has been the fact that English is not nearly as common as one would think! <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">Barcelona is an international city and you&#8217;ll be just fine with English, right? <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">Wrong!<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">Maybe I&#8217;ve just been unlucky, but I can count on one hand the number of restaurants, bars, shops, taxis &#8211; not to mention public services where I&#8217;ve been served by someone who could speak or even understand two words of English.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">If you want to live in Barcelona, \u200b\u200beven if you work for an international company, you need Spanish. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">On the positive side &#8211; it has forced me to enroll in Spanish classes and allows me to practice my Spanish every day. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">It makes life harder, for sure, but if you want to make the most of your experience, you should learn the language anyway.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">There is a caveat in Barcelona! <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">Catalan is also widely used. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">I&#8217;m all for integration, but learning two new languages \u200b\u200bat the same time is a stretch. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">So, I&#8217;m with <\/span><\/span><strong><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">Barcelona Global<\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">\u00a0in advocating that businesses need to make more of an effort with English to attract foreign talent to the city.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">Foodie heaven &#8211; no more?\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">Barcelona is foodie heaven, everyone told me: \u00abYou&#8217;ll love it.\u00bb<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">Well, sadly, due to Covid mainly, I haven&#8217;t had a chance to experience much of this yet. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">I&#8217;ve eaten in a few good restaurants, tried some Catalan dishes and gorged on paella and tapas, but because of lockdown, it&#8217;s been somewhat limited. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">With a third of the restaurants not reopening, I hope this won&#8217;t detract from the city&#8217;s reputation as a culinary capital.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">Service with a smile\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">My experiences as a foreigner in Paris and Geneva have made me highly suspicious of anyone being helpful or polite. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">Brushing off rudeness has been part of my expat armor for years. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">However, so far in Barcelona &#8211; and maybe I&#8217;m still in the honeymoon phase &#8211; I&#8217;ve found people open and <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">willing to help &#8211; often with a smile!<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">Working in Barcelona\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">I&#8217;ve managed to find a part-time job for a digital agency in a few months and will be writing regular posts for Barcelona Global, suggesting that despite the economic downturn and job losses, the city still offers opportunities for foreigners, particularly in the digital sector &#8211; more about this in an upcoming post.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">All in all, moving to Barcelona has been a surprisingly positive experience so far and I can&#8217;t wait to experience the city&#8217;s post-pandemic splendour.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">What has your experience been as a Barcelonian-by-choice? <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">Are you thinking of moving to the city and do you have some questions? <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">Comment below or drop me a message on <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><a href=\"mailto:chenekoscielny@gmail.com\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">chenekoscielny@gmail.com.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">If I&#8217;m unable to answer your question, I&#8217;ll try to find someone who can.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">For news about the city and the people, international and local, who bring it to life, <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.barcelonaglobal.org\/blog\/en\/english-newsletter-barcelona-global-blog\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">sign up today to the Barcelona Global Blog in English.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>South African journalist, serial expat and Barcelonian-by-choice, Chen\u00e9 Koscielny, shares her views on life in Barcelona after five months. Chen\u00e9 will write regular posts for the English blog of Barcelona Global \u2013 which aims to attract international talent and economic activity to the city.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":182764262,"featured_media":6575,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[269],"tags":[20,274,279,275,277,28,273,271,276,278,272],"thb-sponsors":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Living in Barcelona: First impressions of the city in Covid times What is it like living in Barcelona \u2013 Barcelona Global Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Thinking of moving to Barcelona? 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