Hispanic Life for Expats

Henry

https://imlanguages.com/team-henry/

Hispanic Life for Expats 

Whether you prefer living in a Mediterranean old city, surrounded by a blue sea, a white stone City wall, and the coral view of the orange fields, or in a vibrant metropolis, full of delicious food and nightlife connected to both Asia and Europe, or even the capital of bars and Tapas, expats seem to love Hispanic cities.  According to a survey done by an expats group, InterNation, three Hispanic cities are amongst the top five best cities for expats to live and work.   Hispanics is a term used to cover everything related to Spain and Hispano-America: language, food, traditions, and culture. Shall we take a closer look at these three cities.  May be you would like to try to experience them and start equipping yourself by learning Spanish.

Lady Valencia

Valencia, Spain came in number one — making it the world’s best city in which to live and work. Valencia is a 2,000-year-old city that lies on Spain’s south-eastern coast at the confluence of the Turia River and the Mediterranean Sea. It is known for its pretty beaches, buzzing food scene, and rich culture. The city was built in 138 BC by the Romans, then conquered by the Goths, then for almost seven centuries, was part of the Islamic Hispania (Al-Andalus) and finally invaded by the Crown of Aragon. Valencia is full of rich history, modern art, and exquisite cuisine. It is the birthplace of the famous Paella Valenciana, Fideuà, and Orxata and Michelin-star restaurants like El Poblet and Ricard Camarena.

Spanish is a co-official language in the region, alongside Valenciano, both languages coexist harmonically, even though Spanish -Castellano- is the dominant one. If you are looking for a perpetual summer life experience, you should try Valencia. The city is one of the most affordable in Spain, amiable and cheerful people, and incredibly well connected to other iconic sights of the region like Ibiza, Barcelona, Madrid, or Granada.

Valencia is placed first on the list of 50 cities in the Expat City Ranking 2022 due to its quality of life, friendly people, and affordability. According to InternNations.com, Expats describe public transportation as affordable (85% happy vs. 70% globally) and love the great opportunities for recreational sports (92% vs. 75% globally) where 92% of Expats feel safe in Valencia (vs. 81% globally).

Don México

Since Mr. James Bond chased Spectre across a Día de Muertos parade and Alfonzo Cuarón decided to bring to the silver screen life in Colonia Roma, tourists are looking at the ancient capital of the Aztec Empire with other eyes. México is the prince of tourism in America, but now thousands of people looking for a more affordable city are placing Ciudad de México on their list. Lately, the demographic index has changed in places like Colonia Roma and Condesa, becoming a hotspot for Expats to hang out, live and work.

Sheathed by the Popocatepetl volcano, the meadows of Ciudad de México shape an enormous metropolis ranked among the most populated cities in the world, where art, history, and culinary know-how collide in a chaotically beautiful experience. This city is a city of contrasts in all aspects of life, whether flying in a hot balloon over Teotihuacan or drinking margaritas in front of the Zocalo during the Independence Day celebrations, Mexico is to be lived.

México is the largest Spanish speaker country in the world with more than one hundred million natives. It is a favorite destination for US-American and Canadians to learn Spanish, but their variation is by far the most used because it is shared by other neighbouring countries, including the southeast of the United States.

Mexico City ranks first worldwide in the Ease of Settling In Index. Expats feel at home (82% happy vs. 62% globally) and welcome (89% vs. 66% globally) there, and 87% describe the residents as generally friendly (vs. 66% globally). The city performs equally well in the Personal Finance Index (1st). Expats there are the most satisfied with their financial situation (73% happy vs. 60% globally). Despite its average performance in the Working Abroad Index (24th), Expats are happy with both their career opportunities (71% vs. 58% globally) and their jobs overall (73% vs. 64% globally).

However, a third of survey respondents said they were unhappy with their safety. It also performed poorly in transport, climate, and environment.

Madame Madrid

The Spanish capital is home to 865 bars placing it in the top 5 cities with more bars per square kilometer, a city with around 3 million people, and an endless list of leisure offers. Madrid was not the capital of Spain until the XVI century, but ever since the city has grown in population and influence, becoming the second-largest city in the country and the first most visited.

Diversity in Madrid is key, while walking by the city, one can see different ethnical backgrounds, cultures, and foods. In view of art and culture, this city houses the globally well-known Museo del Prado, the modern Museo Reina Sofia protecting Picasso’s most famous work: Guernica, as well as a world heritage site, El Retiro Park. The recreative offer is remarkably alternative, it goes from Theater to concerts, from emblematic Tapas to top cuisine-awarded restaurants like DiverXO o Paco Romero. In Madrid, there is always something to do.

In the Expat City Ranking 2022, Madrid is ranked fifth out of 50. It performs best in the Quality-of-Life Index (4th). Expats love the climate and weather (88% happy vs. 62% globally) and their travel opportunities (95% v. 82% globally). Madrid is in the third place for Leisure Options, where Expats are particularly happy with available culture and nightlife (90% happy vs. 67% globally) and the culinary variety and dining options. Referring to Personal Finance Index, which means the cost of living, the city is ranked seventh globally, so household income is enough for a comfortable life there.

Madrid is also home to the variant Madrid-Toledo, known as the 西班牙文 European accent, a culturally strong and internationally notorious Spanish variation very popular in Hong Kong.

Spanish as a Tool for Expats

If you choose to learn Spanish, you could get more than a fun summer school experience, as it can be transformed into a tool, a key to open a new beginning, whether in a house looking at the Mediterranean Sea while drinking Sangría during the summer, in an apartment in Condesa surrounded by delicious restaurants and joyful people, or dancing in Chueca in an afterparty with your significant other. What matters is what you can do with Spanish!

If you would like any further information about our Spanish course in general or course for DELE/SIELE preparation or would like to talk to one of our representatives, you can contact us directly by dropping us a line 或 call us!