Joan M's Experience in Barcelona, Spain

What attracts you to living in Barcelona? Do you recommend it? What's it like?

Barcelona is a very beautiful city, where although there is a considerable population, it can also be peaceful. It is pretty safe at night but you should always be with someone if you're out at night, especially in areas like the metro which are quite lonely at night, but personally, I've never had any problems.

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What's the student lifestyle like in Barcelona?

There are different universities so there are lots of young people in the city. There are lots of student events on where you can go and get to know people if you want to - you've got to put yourself in these situations to meet people.

How much does it cost to live in Barcelona?

I have heard that shared flats can cost from 250/300 euros to 450 euros. But I couldn't say for sure as I already live here by myself. You can also go into student accommodation but that is more expensive.

Was it difficult to find accommodation in Barcelona? Do you have any advice?

I live here, so I didn't have any problems. But there are lots of students that search for housemates on Facebook and there are lots of advertisements for flat shares.

What’s the country’s food like? What are your favourite dishes?

I think that it is really good and varied.

What places do you recommend visiting in Barcelona?

Any tourist brochure can describe the most important places of the city to visit, but you can find something to suit your tastes. There is a range of museums and exhibitions. You can also enjoy the views from Collserola, there is an array of possibilities.

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What about eating out in Barcelona? What are your favourite places?

I don't usually eat out in Barcelona as I always eat at home, but for the students, places like 100 Montaditos, El Konnig and lots of others I think would be ideal. There are also lots of restaurants of different cuisines, but there are some restaurants that say they're authentic and they're not, so be careful.

Where do you recommend for nightlife in Barcelona?

On Olympic Street (Vía Olímpica) which is by the beach, there are lots of important clubs with famous names. If you're looking for tickets online they tend to sell out fast, so it's best to check them all and see if you can get in for free. On the marina and Las Ramblas there are lots of bars and there are other clubs that aren't on the beach but have the same name like Sutton or Bikini. You can choose which type of bar you want to go to depending on your preferences.

Do you have any advice for future students in Barcelona?

Have a great time and be careful with the weather. Although it is usually sunny, it can be quite unpredictable. Barcelona is known for being quite stormy and windy. I would also advise that you don't always enter the first place you come across, be selective with where you go. Also, keep an eye on your belongings because pickpocketing is quite common here so don't leave your things unattended (bags, backpacks and even bikes)... this is especially important for foreigners as they tend to be the main targets of pickpocketers.

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