Spain vs. USA (2009, apartment, unemployment)

[Eduardo983]

Originally Posted by King0fthehill

Not counting the stuff that makes the news (soccer hooligans, blatant racism, etc), I've heard terrible things from people who've studied abroad there -- and these are from "normal" WHITE Americans. I'd vouch that Spain is second to only Russia in terms of xenophobia these days; it's that bad.

There is a lot of xenophobia in Spain towards Non-EU citizens.

[suzie02]

Originally Posted by eskercurve

LOL, this is true. However, I was only 13 at the time so no alcohol and my spanish was limited ... I've since learned much more and can speak almost fluently. If I go again I may just stay up very late, though now I have been ground into the typical USA lifestyle of going to bed at 9 PM and waking up at 5 to get into work at 7

It is easy to adjust. I also wanted to add that Spain has the same time than Germany even though it is in the same timezone as England. So where I grew up it didn't get dark at night in the summer until 10pm. Don't forget about siesta either.

[Leovigildo]

Originally Posted by City of Rain

well, spain alone cant be compared to the US as spain is just one state where as the US is a collection of 50 states.

that said, spain is a member of the EU which makes it quite obvious which place would be the best to live.

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Spain is a collection 17 "Autonomous Governments".
From an American standpoint, you'll need a lot of dollars if you plan to retire here.
If you plan to work here, you'll need a resident permit, quite difficult unless you have a EU passport.
Language, you'll need a working knowledge of Spanish, but there are some English living here during the last 50 years that don't speak Spanish.
Well, in comparison with any other European country....
We have sun, wine, fun...

[Leovigildo]

Originally Posted by HighlandsGal

When I studied in Malaga in 2000, there was definitely racism portrayed against the North Africans...

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Yes, there's racism portrayed against Spanish by moors.

[Leovigildo]

Originally Posted by Hasdrubal

Spain seems too liberal on a lot of issues (gay marriage, drug possesion, drinking age, soft on smoking bans, etc) but this only happens in the big cities. People tend to be very conservative in the middle-sized and small ones, indistinctively of their political beliefs. And this includes racism, especially against South Americans mestizos and North Africans.

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No difference. I'd say they are more liberal in little cities in the countryside. For example, they have almost no drinking age laws, they smoke pot everywhere, there are gay/lesbian bars, gay couples, etc. Less racism because there are almost no minorities. They might stare at them because they are not used to minorities, but they also stare to noisy Sunday Drivers, stupid transplants, etc.

[pigeonhole]

No difference. I'd say they are more liberal in little cities in the countryside. For example, they have almost no drinking age laws, they smoke pot everywhere, there are gay/lesbian bars, gay couples, etc. Less racism because there are almost no minorities. They might stare at them because they are not used to minorities, but they also stare to noisy Sunday Drivers, stupid transplants, etc

You've got it. Nobody is more open than a Modern-day Spanierds. Nothing for them is shocking...wait, "haven't you heard of El Ferrol, Franco's birthplace? they had a statue of Franco on a horse there" MAMAMIA, now THAT'S SHOCKING! " They removed, that statue, and fast... probably the youngsters who do the Botellon /(ie get drunk and stoned out of their wits on saturday nights) were traumatized to see that statue, it had to be removed...

[Leovigildo]

Pigeon

Yes, I knew the statue of El Ferrol del Caudillo. Quite impressive, just as the library devoted to Franco.
Impressive equestrian statue. I read that wanabee politicos removed it to the harbour area.

They removed, that statue, and fast... probably the youngsters who do the Botellon /(ie get drunk and stoned out of their wits on saturday nights) were traumatized to see that statue, it had to be removed...

Is it true?

Youngsters are brainwashed for the most part, they don't know if Franco was a football player or somebody related to Attila the Hun. Yes, Botellón, pills and reefers. In Galicia they have "orujo".

They are the children of overindulgent parents that prospered under Franco, bought two apartments, a house on the beach, another in the town and a "600"...

Their children are the "Ni-Ni" generation, "ni estudian/ni trabajan" (they don't study/they don't work).

[The Anchorite]

Spain is a beautiful and diverse country with a good standard of living. The economy is in terrible shape there but people just seem to get on with it, live simply and enjoy their family life. They had some very bad times in the not to distant past so most adults understand how precious their freedom is. The area around Barcelona is exceptional for its natural beauty and productive economy.

One of the nicest countries in the world so if you have the chance to live there go for it.

[City of Rain]

Originally Posted by kevxu

There are a variety of cultural areas within Spain, and some of these areas enjoy considerable autonomy under a devolved system of government, e.g. Catalunya, Galicia, etc.

im aware of this, but a country of less than 50 million cant be compared to a country of 300 million.. its just not fair at all.

i didnt meant to say anything bad about spain. i love spain.. i spent 2 weeks there this summer and i also spent 2 weeks in california 2 years ago..

and i can say that CA is a freaking joke compared to Spain

if anything, you should compare EU to USA and countries of the EU to states of the US.. thats the only fair thing to do. i mean, it wouldnt be fair to compare vermont to germany..

[david1990]

I have nothing against the Spanish, but Spain does not compare with USA. I think Spain is a good place to live, but there are better places in Europe such as Germany or France ... also, the Spanish are racist ..
Even Dan Brown told them.....
Peace