An American woman moves to Spain, saving thousands a month.
31-year-old Shona Lamb is originally from Los Angeles, but during her semester abroad in 2015, she “falls in complete love” with Spain. She decided to move in a year.
She emailed her in a small town just outside Barcelona that Los Angeles one-bed flats went from £1,550 to £1,550 to £270 a month. Shauna spends 155 pounds on food each month, but she says she's “all organic.”
“The quality of the food here is much better. Fresh produce, food and wine are at prices that will shock the people of America,” she said. “My overall expenses are much lower than in the US, and I'm getting more for my money.”
Shawna added that “incredible health care” is “not sacrificing a lot of money.” She said private insurance costs £54 a month without any out-of-pocket or deductibles.
Shauna explained that she was drawn to “the way people socialize, great food” and how cheap and easy it is to travel to other parts of Europe.
“After studying there, I didn't want to go back to corporate work in the US, but I signed that June contract and had to go back,” she shared.
“I worked for a company for 1.5 years before throwing a towel to live my dream life again in Spain. I kept thinking about Spain and how wonderful my experience was and how happy I was.”
Shauna said in Spain, “life seems slow,” adding that “work-life balance” is much better. People prioritize connectivity and spontaneity (I'm very big about this).
“Europeans are always willing to enjoy coffee with friends, eat long meals and enjoy the outdoors.
“I like that a lot of people don't plan for the US… our lives have to be planned for T. I love the notion that Europeans and Spaniards are especially safer with the unknown, and have made life unfold in a natural and calm manner, and I think it's much better in the nervous system.
“Our nervous system is very much go-gogo and stressful in the US. The cost of living is low, the food is fresh and overall a better work-life balance.”
“There's a strong sense of community. I'm really grateful for this. “I don't feel judged here. Life isn't like competition like America.”
