Is Expat Life In Spain Really Better? Here’s What I Gained (And Lost)

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Before moving to Spain, I assumed expat life meant I’d miss home constantly. The food, the stores, the cars, the life. But once I landed, something unexpected happened. I didn’t miss the things. I missed how easy everything used to feel. I missed certain comforts. Not necessarily because they was better, but because it was familiar. Here’s what I’ve gained and lost moving abroad plus a free worksheet you can use to help you decide if it’s the right thing for you or not.

If I’m being completely honest, there isn’t much I miss about back home, aside from the people there. I miss my friends and my son, or course. But there isn’t a lot of “stuff” that I miss. I really do feel very complete here.

That said, there are some things that took some getting used to that made me miss things back home, especially in the beginning when I was still getting used to life here.

So What Do I Miss About The US?

Some Foods + Convenience

1. Large, iced coffees. While it’s not impossible to get an iced coffee here, they give you the ice rather begrudgingly and the coffees are much smaller. No more gallon of iced coffee to start my day off. (Probably a good thing in hindsight)
2. Real Mexican food. They try here in Spain, but it’s just not the same. Of course, I moved to Spain, not Mexico, so fair enough. If I want Mexican food, I make it at home.
3. Good internet. While it’s not terrible where I’m at, it’s definitely more spotty here than in the States.
4. A good mattress. While I’m sure they sell good mattresses here in Spain, I have yet to experience one here.
5. Bigger things. In the States, we do everything big. From food portions to cars, we love our space and comfort. That all changes in Europe. Every time I get into my friend’s car, I hit my head getting in. Spain is not built for tall people.
6. The variety of ethnic foods. While I know I can get a variety of ethnic foods here, I have to go into the city to find them. None of it is locally accessible to me. So I miss that for sure. That said, I’ve had some pretty amazing Ramen in Alicante.
7. Garbage pickup. Yes, we have garbage pickup here. But they don’t do garbage collection the way it’s done in the States. It’s not as convenient here. There are big receptacles at some point in each neighborhood, and you have to walk your trash bags and recycling down the street to them. They don’t have personal cans for each house that get picked up once a week here. There are no bigger cans in each apartment complex that get emptied. So every few days, I have to walk the trash down the street.
8. Going to the movies. While there are a few movie theaters in the city that show movies in English, I can’t just go to the movies any time I like because I don’t speak enough Spanish yet to understand them.

Everyday Comforts

1. First on the list is my kiddo and friends. It’s hard to stay part of their lives from such a distance and time difference. But I do my best to make it work. Thank goodness for video chat!
2. Being understood everywhere I go. Living in the States, it’s hard to appreciate the convenience of being understood everywhere. But move to a new country where you either don’t speak the language or aren’t very good at it, and it changes things considerably. Even the most basic of conversations becomes a challenge.
3. The freedom of driving. While I’m very happy to not have a car any longer and I can get around just fine, it’s sometimes tiring and tedious to constantly wait on public transportation. I’m also limited to the places public transportation takes me unless I go somewhere with friends. Part of this is that I live a bit more remotely. If I was in a bigger city, I wouldn’t feel this so much.

What I Don’t Miss About The US Now That I’m Living The Expat Life

1. The propaganda. No matter what side of the political spectrum you fall on, the US has an incredible amount of propaganda that we are fed from a very young age. You don’t even realize it until you leave the country and are no longer bombarded with it.
2. Constant politics. While no one in the world is currently immune to what’s going on the in the States, it’s not constantly in your face here. You can live your life without constant reminders that inspire extreme reactions one way or the other.
3. The constant go-go-go. American hustle culture is ridiculous. Americans are some of the hardest working people I have ever seen. We work two and three jobs (or more) just to make ends meet. I do not miss that particular struggle. I may not be a rich woman, but I can enjoy my life here without killing myself to just pay for food.
4. The contaminated/altered food supply. The moment I left the US, I dropped 20 lbs or bloat without even trying. When my son visits, he immediately drops weigh as well. It’s a common occurrence for Americans. Our food supply is so tainted and altered, that we spend most of our lives being “sick” with unknown issues. I was never more sick without having an actual disease than I was in the States. My body is so much happier now.
5. The high cost of medical care. When I left the States, I had just had an ER visit a few weeks prior. That one visit is something I’ll be paying off for a long time to come. I don’t have that here. The amount I pay for healthcare is affordable here. I’m happy to pay higher taxes every quarter and not stress about whether I can afford to go to the doctor every time something comes up (which gets more frequent as I age).

What I Actually Gained In Spain

So what did I gain? I gained space to slow down. I gained evenings without noise. I gained fresh food, affordable care, and time to notice myself again. I gained a life that feels lived, not just survived.

I may miss big coffees and easy garbage pickup, but I wouldn’t trade them for what I’ve found here: peace, presence, and a softness I never knew I was allowed to have.

Today’s Freebie

The Expat Reflection Grid is a gentle self-inventory designed to help you process the emotional layers of life abroad. Whether you’re feeling homesick, thriving, or somewhere in between, this printable helps you clarify what you genuinely miss from your old life and what you’ve gained in your new one. It’s part mindfulness, part reality check, and all about honoring your unique journey.

⭐ Grab Your Reflection Grid Here ⭐