From Manchester to Barcelona – Best. Decision. Ever. | First Anniversary

On By NoémiIn #TravelTuesday

If you had told me a year ago that packing my bags and leaving the grey Manchester for the sunny streets of Barcelona would be the best decision of my life, well… I probably WOULD HAVE believed you. – …in fact, I KNEW IT already.
You see, for me moving to Spain was always the plan. It wasn’t just some “let’s see how this goes” situation.

… And 365 days later I can tell you that sometimes all you need is a bit of sun, good food, and a city that actually wants you to enjoy life.

I spent 10 long years dealing with England, its miserable weather, and the constant feeling of just getting through the day.
I wanted out.
I wanted the sun, happier people, better food, and a quality of life that was a bit more than just surviving until the next vacation.

Escaping the Rainy Hellhole

Let’s just be honest – Manchester’s weather is depressing. I don’t care how much they say “you can get used to it” or how charming people try to make the rain sound. I swear, living under constant grey skies does something to you.
It’s shit. – … y punto, ya.
I don’t think I fully realized how much the constant rain and gloom in England were messing with my head until I got away. – In Manchester, you wake up, and it’s either raining or about to rain. Even in summer, you might get some nice days for a week or two – …and maybe, just maybe you get lucky enough and it’s actually sunny for a while, instead of experiencing 4 seasons in just a few hours…

Now, I wake up to sunshine. Every. Single. Day.
OooOoOkaAaay… Maybe not every single day, but let’s agree on 95% of the days. 🤝
The difference this makes to my mood is insane. I go outside more. We went out and enjoyed more things here in a year than in the last like 3 years in Manchester. Seriously. I’m more active. I feel lighter – mentally, and hey-ho… physically too!

The sun is an antidepressant in itself. No more Seasonal Affective Disorder, no more dragging myself through miserable-looking streets. Just blue skies, warm air, and a permanent invitation to go outside.
It’s funny how people back home say:
– Don’t you miss the seasons?
As if grey skies and 11 and a half months of cold count as a season.
– No, I do not miss it.

People Actually Seem to Like Life Here

Maybe it’s the sunshine – maybe it’s the wine… – but people here are just happier.
In Manchester – and the same applies to Hungary too, by the way – it always felt like people were just trying to survive the day. Everyone’s wrapped up in their own negative dark little bubble, rushing around, grumpy, and avoiding eye contact. Here? Strangers will actually talk to you, even if it’s just a simple Hola and a wave. And guess what? … People smile. Not just grunting at you, and killing you with their eyes, and God forbid, accidentally bumping into someone on the street… The energy is different – lighter, warmer, more welcoming. People are out in the streets, socializing, laughing, actually enjoying themselves.

…Immma leave this here now – just fits too perfectly after the previous video.

Mental Health Glow-Up

Speaking of antidepressants – my mental health? This is the biggest change of all.
In England, I was always on edge. Stressed. Depressed. Rushing from one thing to the next. Even when I had a day off, I either felt guilty for not being “productive” or there was not much to do besides some occasional pub runs or – since it’s probably raining… – watching all of Netflix.

Barcelona has a completely different energy. People take their time here and they don’t live to work – they work to live… They enjoy life. They don’t just live for the weekend or the two-week holiday in August. Every day has a little joy.
It’s not about constantly grinding and running on caffeine and anxiety. It’s about enjoying a long lunch outside. Going to the beach just because – …and because you can. Going for a walk in the beautiful old town or sitting at a café or in the sand with a good book and not feeling guilty for doing it.
… and Life feels lighter without the unnecessary stress and burnout.
My sister came for a quick visit from Hungary in January. She was amazed by the sea. We spent afternoons there just laying on a blanket and listening to the waves. She said this… THIS right here is making a difference. The fact that you can just come here whenever you want and just… be. This is a once-a-year holiday for some people but for me? A Tuesday afternoon.

Food That Actually Tastes Like Something

Let’s talk about food. Because wow. I didn’t realize how bad British food was until I moved here. It has the taste of a disappointment – …vinegary chips, unseasoned fish, Indian curry, and Turkish kebab.
OooOoOkay… I’ll always have a love for a full English breakfast but… what else, really?

In Spain even the most basic things taste better – … just think about pan con tomate, for example. It’s about quality ingredients. Fresh meat and seafood, juicy fruits and vegetables. Everything is vibrant and packed with flavor not some overpriced frozen rubbish… I can walk down the street, and from 10 meters away, I can smell the peaches from the nearby Frutería.

SoOo, to sum up… Well, basically, I’m Never Leaving

Moving to Barcelona was the best thing – … it is home now.
A year here has changed me. I’m happier, healthier, and actually living instead of just existing.
Would I ever move back to the UK – … or to Hungary? Absolutely not. I love my friends and family there – …I often go to visit – but no, I do not miss the rain, the meh vibes, and the general doom and gloom quality of life.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I think I will go for a walk in Montjuïc and visit my favorite spot…

… not bad for a Tuesday afternoon mental-health walk, no?

🍷☀️

See you at the next one,

Noémi

______________

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48 thoughts on “From Manchester to Barcelona – Best. Decision. Ever. | First Anniversary”

  2. Unknown's avatar Anonymous

    Amazing content. Great writing skills. I was in Barcelona a year ago. I would certainly go back and even live there. Such an a awesome city!

    Wishing you the best.

    Liked by 2 people

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  3. I see your point having lived on 3 continents plus some spells in London. The weather sure can affect the mindset for many of us although the Australian midsummer can be a bit fierce for some! Congratulations on turning your dream into reality. That fruit store looks fantastic!!

    Liked by 4 people

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words 🙂 … here the end of July and August was a tiny bit hotter than expected after 10 years in England, haha – buuut, I choose this still, with no hesitation!

      Liked by 1 person

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  9. I moved to Spain about 6 months ago after many years living in London. I miss seeing my close friends as often as I used to, but Spain has something unique. I’m happier, healthier, and in the right mindset. It was definitely the right decision to make.

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  12. My goodness Noémi. I couldn’t agree with you more. Just back to Canada after 2 months in the south of Spain. Nothing like walking to the panadería for your daily pan, and frutería for your fresh fruit and vegetables. I enjoyed daily walks along the sea and eating food that is from farm-to-table and not transported 1000 of miles/kilometres before arriving at my table. Tomatoes taste like tomatoes! Avocados are huge and creamy. Oranges are sweet and juicy and reasonably priced. I enjoyed my pitufo con tomate y aceite for breakfast with a cafe con leche. I’m looking outside to grey skies and snow flurries and ache to be back where my soul is soothed and my heart belongs. Thank you for sharing and congratulations on a successful move.

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  14. Unknown's avatar Anonymous

    So happy for you!! I have also lived near Manchester on a canal boat (in the Winter too) and it was so dreary! It was always cloudy and just about to rain. Great weather for ducks but not for humans. Beach always is better and Spain is a beautiful happy country. Glad you can be there. I am writing from a sick America who is flushing itself down the loo. I am hoping this too shall pass. I don’t know, but if I had the opportunity I would love to live in Spain! Thank you for your gorgeous blog writing! Kat xxx

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  15. Sweet! Glad you made the move and escaped the twilight existence described by Thoreau: “The mass of men live lives of quiet desperation. What is called resignation is confirmed desperation.” Who needs gray skies week after week when sunny skies, nice people, and great food is available? Props for finding the strength to make the move! 😎👏❤️

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  18. There’s a piece of this that resonates with me – not the dismay at the dreary weather so much, but the feeling that there’s a constant fight and malaise that needs a change to re-ignite a spark. Congratulations on having the courage to see it through!

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  20. I know what you mean! I left Blighty over forty years ago and came to Peru, I like to go back and visit, drink cider and stock up with Marmite and HP sauce. However, yes …. one thing I do really miss…….. Autumn!

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  23. Thought initially the Barcelona tourism department would love your post, until I remembered all the anti-tourist publicity from the locals last summer! Not sure they want more expats discovering beautiful Barcelona.

    Liked by 3 people

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  37. Unknown's avatar Anonymous

    Congratulations on finding someplace where you can be happy.

    My wife and I spent two weeks in Spain about 20 years ago. We visited Madrid, Cordoba, and Grenada, and we had a wonderful time.

    Thank you for reminding me of that terrific trip.

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  38. Sounds amazing and agree about the British weather, although I think living in the countryside helps me with this abit versus city living. I’ve got the opportunity to visit Barcelona twice this year, I’ve never been, and I can’t wait and reading this makes me even more excited. I’ve grown up reading about it, watching the football team, loving Johan Cruyff, reading Orwell and Zafon too has probably put a romantic version of it in my head, but I look forward to finding out, and your vivid description adds to the anticipation… I’m looking for recommendations for Catalan writers to read too if you have any?

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  39. Sarada Gray's avatar Sarada Gray

    I lived in Madrid for a couple of years so I know what you mean. We’ve recently moved to Scotland from England and although the weather isn’t great I’ve come to the conclusion that England is an unhappy country. People seem a lot happier here too

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  43. jeudibeudi's avatar jeudibeudi

    Gosh your experiences in Hungary and England resonates with me but I live in Northern California. The weather is beautiful but it’s gotten to the point for a lot of people that it’s difficult to enjoy each day because of the cost of living. Wages are not keeping up with rent and groceries. I love the little town I live in but it’s depressing that I have to work all day to pay for my necessities. I’m working towards a similar goal of moving somewhere new that has a better balance between work and life. It seems like California is becoming a lot like Manchester with the exception we get lots of sun.

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  46. Pingback: How to move to Spain | Details, storytime and a random Q&A – The World Through My Glasses

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