Last Updated on May 4, 2026 by Bruno Bianchi
Moving to Spain as an American? See Settleguru’s full U.S.-tax checklist for FBAR, FATCA, FEIE, and state exit.
Moving to Spain family life looks dreamy on Instagram—until you’re hauling 16 suitcases, hunting for housing, and enrolling kids in school fast. In this interview, a US family shares what it’s really like after landing on the Costa del Sol. You’ll learn what surprised them most (from late dinners to kids’ independence), what daily life feels like compared to the US, and how their monthly budget changed across rent, utilities, healthcare, and more. We’ll also cover their Digital Nomad Visa approach and the emotional side nobody warns you about: grief.
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Start the Moving to Spain Hub →A quick apartment tour: what “Spanish space” looks like
Before diving into visas and budgets, the interview begins with a real-world apartment walk-through—because housing is where the “moving to Spain family” dream hits reality fast.
Kitchen size, terraces, and daily living
They point out a “pretty good size kitchen”—big by Spanish standards—and multiple terraces/balconies. Even with a street view, the outdoor space matters: it’s large enough for a chair and morning coffee, which is the kind of quality-of-life detail many families look for.
Drying clothes vs using a dryer
A small but telling change: they miss their US dryer, especially in rainy season. Clothes drying on the terrace becomes normal quickly—one of those everyday adjustments you don’t think about until you live it.
Heating and A/C expectations
Their apartment doesn’t have the standard wall-mounted heat/AC units common in many Spanish rentals, so they use a heater. It’s a useful reminder: check climate control carefully when renting, especially if you’re arriving from the US.
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Explore Cities →Their timeline: from “maybe Spain?” to landing in 6 months
They’re Jennifer and Chad from Omaha, Nebraska, now living in Fuengirola (Costa del Sol). They landed in Spain on September 18th, 2025, and the entire move—from casual conversation to touchdown—took only six months.
Why they didn’t wait for retirement
They had talked about retiring abroad (Spain, Portugal, Panama), but after traveling to Europe repeatedly, the question became: “Why are we waiting?” The urgency was simple—life is short—so they started exploring an earlier move.
Why Spain: language, learning, and schooling needs
Their decision wasn’t just about beaches.
Spanish felt “learnable” for their family
Jennifer speaks around A2 Spanish, and their oldest son also has A2. They also mention dyslexia in the family, and they believed Spanish would be easier to learn due to more consistent phonics.
The biggest driver: their child’s school fit
Chad emphasizes the most practical reason: their middle child’s schooling. After traveling around Spain to choose a city, Fuengirola had a school that accommodated him well, and that tipped the decision.
Visa choice: how they used the Digital Nomad Visa
They moved on the Spain Digital Nomad Visa, but with an important detail many Americans search for.
W2 vs 1099: how they qualified
Jennifer originally had a W2 remote job in the US, but at the time, they believed Spain was not processing/allowing W2 positions for the Digital Nomad Visa. So she switched from W2 to 1099 with the same company and qualified that way.
Arrival reality: 10-day Airbnb and 16 suitcases
When they landed, they had:
- An Airbnb for 10 days
- No long-term housing
- 16 suitcases
- Immediate priorities: find housing, get empadronamiento, enroll kids in school
They describe this as the biggest stress point right after arrival—everything had to “click” quickly.
Life in Spain vs the US: what surprised them most
This is where the interview becomes especially relatable for anyone planning a family move.
Work isn’t your identity in Spain
One striking moment: they arrived at city hall early for empadronamiento, but the doors didn’t open until 9:00 a.m. At 8:00 a.m., the streets felt almost empty. To them, it symbolized a slower pace and a different relationship with work and time.
Kids have more independence
They noticed Spanish parents often give kids more freedom earlier. Teens (even 13–14) staying out late felt shocking compared to US norms—yet they describe the town as very safe.
Late dinners and a “life-first” culture
They’re surprised by how late people eat and stay out, even on weekdays. At 10:00 p.m., restaurants can still be busy—with families and kids out.
Walkability becomes daily “exercise”
They chose city life partly for walkability. In the US, exercise can feel like a scheduled task; in Spain, movement becomes automatic:
- Walking to groceries, doctors, library
- Kids walking home from school
- Driving mainly for school drop-off
Real monthly budget: Spain vs the US (their numbers)
They compared similar categories, using a Florida beach-area apartment as a US reference.
Rent: cheaper in Spain for their lifestyle
- US (Florida beach-area comparable): $2,500/month
- Spain (their apartment): $1,900/month
Utilities: more expensive in Spain for them
- US: $110/month
- Spain: $350/month
They suspect part of the utility difference is smaller washing machines leading to frequent loads (one per day for a family of five).
Phone + internet: much cheaper in Spain
- US: $150/month
- Spain: $55/month
Car insurance: similar
- US: $60/month
- Spain: $50/month
Health insurance: dramatically cheaper for them
- US employer plan: $660/month
- Spain public health cost (as they describe it): $75/month
Food and groceries: slightly cheaper, better quality
They say groceries are a bit cheaper in Spain and quality feels better (the transcript numbers are messy here, but the direction is clear).
Restaurants: more expensive for their family
They spent more eating out in Spain:
- US: $410/month
- Spain: $470/month
They note fewer “deals” like kids-eat-free nights compared to the US (aside from menú del día).
Pets: zero in Spain, but with a cost
They spent about $150/month on pets in the US, but $0 in Spain because they couldn’t bring their two big dogs and left them in the US.
Total monthly comparison
- US total: $4,980/month
- Spain total: $4,235/month
That’s about 85% of what they spent in the US for similar items.
The emotional part: what people don’t talk about
This is the most powerful section—and the one many expat stories skip.
Leaving family, friends, and “everything you know”
They describe the emotional hit of moving somewhere you know no one, plus the stress of letting go of belongings—selling items for pennies on the dollar because the timeline is too fast.
The weight of the decision when you have kids
A constant question: Is this best for them—not just now, but for their future?
The overlooked truth: grief can exist with happiness
Jennifer says something many families feel but rarely say out loud:
You can love the move and still grieve the life you left behind.
They describe grieving:
- Familiar routines
- Knowing where everything is in a grocery store
- Language simplicity if you don’t speak Spanish well
- The comfort of “automatic” life
How the kids are adapting: school, language, friends
Overall: better than expected.
Oldest child: quick social integration
Their oldest is in ESO4 (10th grade equivalent). He found friends within a week and began meeting them to hang out.
Youngest child: language barrier but still bonding
Their youngest doesn’t know Spanish and initially found it hard to connect with Spanish-only classmates. But he walks home daily with a Spanish-speaking child, and they “somehow” communicate and become friends.
Middle child: routine and independence
Their middle child also doesn’t know Spanish, and it’s harder—but he takes the public bus home daily and is integrating into the city routine.
If they had one extra year: what they’d do differently
They both come back to the same two themes.
Sell belongings slower and smarter
With more time, they’d sell items closer to their real value instead of rushing to get rid of everything fast.
Spend more time with family and friends
Because their last months were consumed by logistics and selling, they would prioritize more quality time and reassurance with loved ones before leaving.
Health Insurance for Your Spain Visa
- Health Insurance for Spanish Visas — Complete guide covering all visa types and family coverage
- NLV Health Insurance Guide — Requirements and approved providers for the Non-Lucrative Visa
- Health Insurance Costs in Spain — What to budget for private health insurance
Conclusion: what to take from this “moving to Spain family” story
This interview shows the full picture: the practical wins (walkability, slower pace, lower total monthly spend) and the real costs (utilities, restaurant spending, fast logistics, and emotional grief). If you’re planning a move with kids, their experience highlights what matters most: pick a location that supports schooling, understand visa pathways, budget beyond rent, and make space for the emotional transition—not just the paperwork.
This article is based on the contributions and experiences of Spainguru community members and is no legal advice. Consider consulting a legal expert for personalized guidance.
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