9 ms·

Barcelona is not one of the best all-around cities for sure. 1) climate -- not moderate, only good if you enjoy extremely hot summers 2) culture -- obscured b

by alt_f4 8y ago

Barcelona is not one of the best all-around cities for sure. 1) climate -- not moderate, only good if you enjoy extremely hot summers 2) culture -- obscured by the tourism industry in the city. Pretty much all restaurants try to rip you off, public parks charge entry for certain areas, everything culture-related is aimed and priced for tourists. 3) architecture -- nice, but not really exceptional. buildings really tight together in the city center. 4) quality of living - very high cost of life, low local salaries 5) EXTREMELY dirty. Diesel car pollution makes the air toxic and unbearable. No walking culture, everyone drives everywhere (which makes sense, the air is toxic) I would not move there.

function_seven 8y ago
How would you compare it to Madrid?
- the_clarence 8y ago
  Madrid is a thousand times better. You feel the spanish culture everywhere you go. You’re also not suffocating in Barcelona’s tourism.
  - atoav 8y ago
    The reason for Barcelona not having as much spanish culture might be that they are catalan..
    - sanedigital 8y ago
      There's no one "Spanish" culture. "Catalan" culture is just one of the many facets that make the "Spanish" culture as a whole. Barcelona isn't any more different from Madrid than Valencia, Sevilla, or Bilbao are. Basque, Valencian, and Andalusian culture are a just as "strong" and unique as Catalan.
sonnyblarney 8y ago
Barca has a specific kind of interesting architecture in places, but in others ... it's like ugly blocks of buildings from the 1960's. It's an odd town.
- sanedigital 8y ago
  Barça is the football team. Barna is a nickname for the town.
calgoo 8y ago
As someone who has lived in Barcelona for over 23 years now I agree with some of these points, but it also depends where you go in the city. 1) Climate - Yes the summers are warm, but not extremely hot, I have a lot worse time when i go visit the southern US for example. 2) Yes I totally agree we have way too much tourism in the city. However, the restaurants that try to rip you off etc are all in the touristy areas, and most of us who live here dont go down to those areas anyway. Regarding paying for parks, its 1 park, and if you live here its free. Most colture-related stuff has good cheaper offers for local citizens. 3) This is just personal taste, the city center is the old city with over 1000 years of history, its normal that the streets are small and disorganized. 4) Yes its expensive to live here, but we also have a great quality of life, with lots of places to go eat, drink and enjoy yourself. Yes the local salaries are quite on the low end, but if you find a good international company you should be fine. 5) I dont know where you come from, but its not unbearable; also there is tons of walking culture in this city. There is an great public transport that can get you almost anywhere in the city in just a few minutes. Most people dont drive, or even own a car, its mostly people living outside the city (or on rainy days). We do have days that are worse in regards to traffic and pollution, but this is a problem most large cities are facing and there are projects in place to improve. So im sorry if you have had a bad time in Barcelona, and I agree there are things that need work, but its not as horrible as you say. Hopefully they keep adding bike lanes and continue to reduce the car traffic in the city center.
- siquick 8y ago
  Thank you for the sane response. Having lived in the worlds most liveable city, Melbourne, for several years, I have so far found Barcelona to be far more enjoyable. The thing that has stood out is that people actually care about their city and socio-political events that affect their lives. I personally think the tourist issue is overhyped and most of them don't stray from the centre of the city.My local beach, Mar Bella which is only 1.5-2km from the city has zero tourists. Airbnb is a problem but this is a global phenomenon.
  - tluyben2 8y ago
    For me Barcelona easily wins of Melbourne; no idea what the criteria of most livable city is; streets littered with homeless, completely dead nightlife during the week and only average during the weekend (and I am 44, so I am not looking for much but even that is not there) and expensive. Barcelona or Lisbon are a lot nicer imho.
EnderMB 8y ago
The culture point was a shocking one for me. I spent a week in Barcelona and you had to spend money to do pretty much anything, and if you've not pre-booked it's likely that you won't be doing what you want to do until at least tomorrow.
- siquick 8y ago
  It sounds like you really didn't try because there are things on literally every weekend for free or low cost. Everything from free or lowcost music festivals, to street parties, to lighting installations in the park. And thats just been the last 3 weeks in a very small radius. Theres also free museums and music gigs are incredibly good value. Plus the beach is free, the mountains are free, walking around Montjuic is free.
  - EnderMB 8y ago
    That's no different to any other major European city. The difference was that in Barcelona you had to have pre-booked, otherwise things that usually aren't ticketed in cities like Amsterdam or London like parks aren't fully accessible to you. We still had a lovely time, but when you've got limited time in a place it's worth noting that you need to book things before you go. People that like to set plans to see certain things at certain times might find themselves disappointed, even if they were happy to pay a bit extra to book on the day.
EugeneOZ 8y ago
1) Summer is less hot than in California; 2) Looks like you were here only as tourist - locals just avoid touristic restaurants, there's a plenty of good restaurants in Barcelona; 3) Barcelona has a lot of really exceptional architecture examples, not just "old church" buildings like in all other cities of Europe. "Really tight together in the center" - 4.75 meters sidewalk on the each side of the street, it's numbers for Eixample district, center of Barcelona. If all you saw was Gothic district ("old town") - it's just small district of the culture legacy; 4) It depends on skills. Salaries here are good enough by Spanish measures; 5) Pure lie. Really, you want to say you measured air pollution levels? Or you can see transparent gases? Try to check your map next time - maybe you'll see huge source of the fresh air - sea. See some photos of the streets to argue about "extremely dirty". One criteria is against OP: it's not a cheap city, definitely. Most expensive in Spain, one of the most expensive in Europe. https://instagram.com/p/BgYt8jwAiAp/ https://instagram.com/p/BgYt8jwAiAp/ https://instagram.com/p/Bh_gZkcHRvf/ https://instagram.com/p/Bh_gZkcHRvf/ https://instagram.com/p/BgJJQlWA_mJ/ https://instagram.com/p/BgJJQlWA_mJ/
- alt_f4 8y ago
  > 5) Pure lie. Really, you want to say you measured air pollution levels? Or you can see transparent gases? I don't need a special device to tell me the air is bad whilst I'm suffocating :)
  - EugeneOZ 8y ago
    If you are suffocating near the sea, where do you live?
sanedigital 8y ago
There's no way you've spent more than a week total in the city if these are the conclusions you've come to. Barcelona, like all large cities, has its drawbacks, but they're not the ones you've listed. 1. Climate is far better than most large US cities, and moderate. July highs of 86F are hardly "extremely hot". 2. Absolutely not true for 95% fo the city. Maybe get out of Gotic next time? 3. I don't even know how to respond to this point. Most cities have dense centers. Few have buildings like the Palau de la Música Catalana, the Sagrada Familia, or the Cathedral. 4. High cost of life? Compared to the rest of Spain, sure. Compared to the US? Not particularly. Salaries are low locally but purchasing power is higher. 5. Again, no idea what you're talking about. Most people walk or take the metro everywhere. Average air pollution in Barcelona is lower than most major US cities and many other major European cities as well.
- alt_f4 8y ago
  > 1. Climate is far better than most large US cities, and moderate. July highs of 86F are hardly "extremely hot". How about August. I was there in September, it was 28-30C throughout the day almost every day. Either way, that's a personal preference. > 2. Absolutely not true for 95% fo the city. Maybe get out of Gotic next time? I did and I have also been to places outside of Barcelona. For example, I've had much better quality food at same or lower prices in London, Rome and Milan. The truth is, in this regard, Barcelona is very much second rate. > 3. I don't even know how to respond to this point. Most cities have dense centers. Few have buildings like the Palau de la Música Catalana, the Sagrada Familia, or the Cathedral. Sure, I don't really mind it. I was somewhat amused at how certain parts are overbuilt, but not with really old buildings, but just stuff that looks to be from the 70s or 80s. Most historical cities have done a better job at protecting their historical city centres. > 4. High cost of life? Compared to the rest of Spain, sure. Compared to the US? Not particularly. Salaries are low locally but purchasing power is higher. I think your claim here is obviously false. According to Numbeo: Local Purchasing Power in Barcelona is 40.50% lower than in San Francisco, CA Local Purchasing Power in Barcelona is 20.21% lower than in New York, NY Local Purchasing Power in Barcelona is 48.42% lower than in Austin, TX and so on. I don't think there is even one mid-sized or major city where that holds true.

by alt_f4 8y ago

function_seven 8y ago

How would you compare it to Madrid?

the_clarence 8y ago
Madrid is a thousand times better. You feel the spanish culture everywhere you go. You’re also not suffocating in Barcelona’s tourism.
- atoav 8y ago
  The reason for Barcelona not having as much spanish culture might be that they are catalan..
  - sanedigital 8y ago
    There's no one "Spanish" culture. "Catalan" culture is just one of the many facets that make the "Spanish" culture as a whole. Barcelona isn't any more different from Madrid than Valencia, Sevilla, or Bilbao are. Basque, Valencian, and Andalusian culture are a just as "strong" and unique as Catalan.

sonnyblarney 8y ago

Barca has a specific kind of interesting architecture in places, but in others ... it's like ugly blocks of buildings from the 1960's. It's an odd town.

sanedigital 8y ago
Barça is the football team. Barna is a nickname for the town.

calgoo 8y ago

As someone who has lived in Barcelona for over 23 years now I agree with some of these points, but it also depends where you go in the city. 1) Climate - Yes the summers are warm, but not extremely hot, I have a lot worse time when i go visit the southern US for example. 2) Yes I totally agree we have way too much tourism in the city. However, the restaurants that try to rip you off etc are all in the touristy areas, and most of us who live here dont go down to those areas anyway. Regarding paying for parks, its 1 park, and if you live here its free. Most colture-related stuff has good cheaper offers for local citizens. 3) This is just personal taste, the city center is the old city with over 1000 years of history, its normal that the streets are small and disorganized. 4) Yes its expensive to live here, but we also have a great quality of life, with lots of places to go eat, drink and enjoy yourself. Yes the local salaries are quite on the low end, but if you find a good international company you should be fine. 5) I dont know where you come from, but its not unbearable; also there is tons of walking culture in this city. There is an great public transport that can get you almost anywhere in the city in just a few minutes. Most people dont drive, or even own a car, its mostly people living outside the city (or on rainy days). We do have days that are worse in regards to traffic and pollution, but this is a problem most large cities are facing and there are projects in place to improve. So im sorry if you have had a bad time in Barcelona, and I agree there are things that need work, but its not as horrible as you say. Hopefully they keep adding bike lanes and continue to reduce the car traffic in the city center.

siquick 8y ago
Thank you for the sane response. Having lived in the worlds most liveable city, Melbourne, for several years, I have so far found Barcelona to be far more enjoyable. The thing that has stood out is that people actually care about their city and socio-political events that affect their lives. I personally think the tourist issue is overhyped and most of them don't stray from the centre of the city.My local beach, Mar Bella which is only 1.5-2km from the city has zero tourists. Airbnb is a problem but this is a global phenomenon.
- tluyben2 8y ago
  For me Barcelona easily wins of Melbourne; no idea what the criteria of most livable city is; streets littered with homeless, completely dead nightlife during the week and only average during the weekend (and I am 44, so I am not looking for much but even that is not there) and expensive. Barcelona or Lisbon are a lot nicer imho.

EnderMB 8y ago

The culture point was a shocking one for me. I spent a week in Barcelona and you had to spend money to do pretty much anything, and if you've not pre-booked it's likely that you won't be doing what you want to do until at least tomorrow.

siquick 8y ago
It sounds like you really didn't try because there are things on literally every weekend for free or low cost. Everything from free or lowcost music festivals, to street parties, to lighting installations in the park. And thats just been the last 3 weeks in a very small radius. Theres also free museums and music gigs are incredibly good value. Plus the beach is free, the mountains are free, walking around Montjuic is free.
- EnderMB 8y ago
  That's no different to any other major European city. The difference was that in Barcelona you had to have pre-booked, otherwise things that usually aren't ticketed in cities like Amsterdam or London like parks aren't fully accessible to you. We still had a lovely time, but when you've got limited time in a place it's worth noting that you need to book things before you go. People that like to set plans to see certain things at certain times might find themselves disappointed, even if they were happy to pay a bit extra to book on the day.

EugeneOZ 8y ago

1) Summer is less hot than in California; 2) Looks like you were here only as tourist - locals just avoid touristic restaurants, there's a plenty of good restaurants in Barcelona; 3) Barcelona has a lot of really exceptional architecture examples, not just "old church" buildings like in all other cities of Europe. "Really tight together in the center" - 4.75 meters sidewalk on the each side of the street, it's numbers for Eixample district, center of Barcelona. If all you saw was Gothic district ("old town") - it's just small district of the culture legacy; 4) It depends on skills. Salaries here are good enough by Spanish measures; 5) Pure lie. Really, you want to say you measured air pollution levels? Or you can see transparent gases? Try to check your map next time - maybe you'll see huge source of the fresh air - sea. See some photos of the streets to argue about "extremely dirty". One criteria is against OP: it's not a cheap city, definitely. Most expensive in Spain, one of the most expensive in Europe. https://instagram.com/p/BgYt8jwAiAp/ https://instagram.com/p/BgYt8jwAiAp/ https://instagram.com/p/Bh_gZkcHRvf/ https://instagram.com/p/Bh_gZkcHRvf/ https://instagram.com/p/BgJJQlWA_mJ/ https://instagram.com/p/BgJJQlWA_mJ/

alt_f4 8y ago
> 5) Pure lie. Really, you want to say you measured air pollution levels? Or you can see transparent gases? I don't need a special device to tell me the air is bad whilst I'm suffocating :)
- EugeneOZ 8y ago
  If you are suffocating near the sea, where do you live?

sanedigital 8y ago

There's no way you've spent more than a week total in the city if these are the conclusions you've come to. Barcelona, like all large cities, has its drawbacks, but they're not the ones you've listed. 1. Climate is far better than most large US cities, and moderate. July highs of 86F are hardly "extremely hot". 2. Absolutely not true for 95% fo the city. Maybe get out of Gotic next time? 3. I don't even know how to respond to this point. Most cities have dense centers. Few have buildings like the Palau de la Música Catalana, the Sagrada Familia, or the Cathedral. 4. High cost of life? Compared to the rest of Spain, sure. Compared to the US? Not particularly. Salaries are low locally but purchasing power is higher. 5. Again, no idea what you're talking about. Most people walk or take the metro everywhere. Average air pollution in Barcelona is lower than most major US cities and many other major European cities as well.

alt_f4 8y ago
> 1. Climate is far better than most large US cities, and moderate. July highs of 86F are hardly "extremely hot". How about August. I was there in September, it was 28-30C throughout the day almost every day. Either way, that's a personal preference. > 2. Absolutely not true for 95% fo the city. Maybe get out of Gotic next time? I did and I have also been to places outside of Barcelona. For example, I've had much better quality food at same or lower prices in London, Rome and Milan. The truth is, in this regard, Barcelona is very much second rate. > 3. I don't even know how to respond to this point. Most cities have dense centers. Few have buildings like the Palau de la Música Catalana, the Sagrada Familia, or the Cathedral. Sure, I don't really mind it. I was somewhat amused at how certain parts are overbuilt, but not with really old buildings, but just stuff that looks to be from the 70s or 80s. Most historical cities have done a better job at protecting their historical city centres. > 4. High cost of life? Compared to the rest of Spain, sure. Compared to the US? Not particularly. Salaries are low locally but purchasing power is higher. I think your claim here is obviously false. According to Numbeo: Local Purchasing Power in Barcelona is 40.50% lower than in San Francisco, CA Local Purchasing Power in Barcelona is 20.21% lower than in New York, NY Local Purchasing Power in Barcelona is 48.42% lower than in Austin, TX and so on. I don't think there is even one mid-sized or major city where that holds true.