- I grew up in California, but at the time I was 30 I was no longer felt as if her lifestyle was for me.
- I moved to Spain to learn English and eventually ended up starting my business as a freelarder.
- I thought life’s life meant keeping busy, but my time in Spain has changed my view.
I was born and raised in California and thought that living my life meant to keep myself busy.
So, when I was offered the opportunity to move to Jaén – the capital of a province located in the Andalusi region of Spain surrounded by the mountains – I was worried.
Unlike its most celebrated, largest neighbors – Granada, Seville and Málaga – Jaén is not known for being a living place.
However, after living here for five years, Jaén has taught me that slowing down and enjoying the delicate beauties around me makes life more enjoyable.
Why did I leave California
After spending most of my life in the sunny state, I wanted to see the world more.
In 2017, I moved to Panama for two years to learn English. In my absence, my friends continued with their lives, advancing their careers and marrying.
At the time I returned to California – I had just turned 30 – some of my friends had their first baby. I felt like a stranger and pressured them to understand my life like everyone around me.
I spent three months in this naked state until I decided that California was no longer for me.
I started in Spain
When I came to Spain, I spent my first three years learning English, but eventually I left the program due to a low salary – 700 euros (about $ 730) a month – and late payments.
Looking for another opportunity, I applied and was accepted for a Autónomo (Freelance) Visa. Starting my business in Spain as an independent writer came with his challenges.
The visa process was required. I asked me to write a business plan in Spanish, provide documents from Spain and SH.BA and finish an interview in Spanish.
Plus, although the application information looks direct online, the Immigration Office required me additional documentation as contracts from clients, banking statements and tax documents that were not listed on the website.
I also pay more self-employment taxes than the US in the US, has a 15.3%self-employment tax, but in Jaén, I face a progressive tax rate between 19%and 47%. If my income increases, so does the percentage I have to pay.
Fortunately, the lowest living cost in Jaén helps me balance the highest tax rates.
I spent about $ 100 less on food items a month than California. My rent is $ 417 a month compared to more than 1100 dollars I paid to the US and because Jaén is a city standing by public transport, I don’t need a car, which saves me about $ 500 in months for car payments and insurance.
I have no plans to leave my life in Spain
With the money I was saving, I could pursue interests and passions that I could not have allowed at the SH.BA for example, twice a week, I receive Fleenco lessons in the morning and Latin dance classes at night.
My weekends are filled with flamenco shows, dancing salads, walks and dining households with friends.
My social life has also improved. I meet friends every week for lunch because a toastada and tea cup cost about 6 euros ($ 7). In California, coming out in the morning was something I could only afford to do maybe once a month.
Although Jaén does not have the population or withdrawals of larger cities, it does not play small in the event. Weekenddo weekend, there is either a city fair, massive fires known as lumbres, live music on the streets, and much more.
Whenever I need a little more excitement, I can pick up a bus, train, or blabla car (a traveling service) in a larger city like Granada, Sevilla, or Madrid and get a taste of life large city.
Even with my intermediate upper Spanish, adapting to different accents of the Spanish people has been an arrangement. Plus, there are fewer vegetarian and vegan opportunities here. However, in general, I cannot complain.
I am happy with my life in Spain and I cannot see myself trying to reintegrate into American culture. I’m on a two-year visa and plan to renovate as soon as I reach my border.