Hola from Bear Club! I arrived yesterday from Madrid and am taking in the neighborhood near my hotel. Having spent a week in both Barcelona and Madrid, I am now in this Valencia Sports Bar that reminds me of where my friends and I hung out as “young right outta college “ idealists 😎 working on Washington DC…though not like the Spanish cities I’ve visited or Seoul, Hong Kong, Bangkok (taught in all), DC is close to SF, Chicago and NYC for public transportation and walkable neighborhoods. I left my car in Houston with my Dad when I was in DC.
Today as I have cold Spanish IPA and watch soccer, I am reminded of wonderful times past at the now closed Bullfeathers in DC…
The feeling I am having in Spain is the relaxed atmosphere of Europe along with the order of Asia (Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong)
BTW…being from Austin, I am a HARD SELL… the nachos at Bear Club are great!!
I'm from Texas, though I've lived in LA and NYC too. My dad was killed by a drunk driver here in June, and it's become a catalyst for my mom and me to consider moving to Europe. I have a four-year-old daughter and want to give her and my mom a better life.
Like you, I'm looking for walkability, infrastructure, and quality of life. I've worked in Lisbon, studied French in Paris, and visited Madrid a few times and Barcelona once. Interestingly, Madrid clicked more for me than Barcelona, even though I love being near water.
My mom and I are doing a quick scouting trip next week, Paris, Toulouse, Valencia, and Madrid. I'm still trying to figure out which country and culture would be better for my family, especially for my elderly mom and young daughter.
Would you say quality of life is notably better in France or Spain for families with kids and elderly parents? Hoping this trip brings clarity, right now I have none! Any insights are appreciated.
Hi Jared - I'm sorry to hear what you're going through. Un abrazo.
So I love all four cities you're going to. Given that I've only lived in one, I can't really comment on quality of life differences. We love Paris so much that we're spending a month there in April. There are certainly worse places to live :-)
That said, there's something about Valencia as it pertains to day-to-day, on-the-ground quality of life, especially in Russafa. It gets voted one of the best places to live in the world a lot. And, after a year here, I can say without a doubt - sin duda - that Valencia is even better than its press clippings indicate. I think this would be one hell of a place to raise a kid. There are lots of older people here on the streets day and night and they seem to enjoy life here. It's a very walkable neighborhood.
I do think the experience in other parts of Valencia might be different. For example, the Old City is awesome, the locals get swallowed up by tourists.
I hope the trip goes well. If you have any other questions, please ask.
I was surprised to find on my recent visit to London just how walkable a city it is, and how, when I was too tired to take another step, an Underground station would appear to let me sit down and ride a bit before the next line change. I felt extremely safe and calm there when I was out at night, which I was many evenings of my week there. I don't feel that safe in Toronto at night any more. I have now visited in spring, summer and late autumn, and would go back again at any season of the year.
That's great to hear about London. I'm excited to visit. I've never been to the UK.
I encourage everyone to go to Medium and read Carol's comment summarizing her recent trip and how she took everything in stride. And is proud to be Canadian!
Hola from Bear Club! I arrived yesterday from Madrid and am taking in the neighborhood near my hotel. Having spent a week in both Barcelona and Madrid, I am now in this Valencia Sports Bar that reminds me of where my friends and I hung out as “young right outta college “ idealists 😎 working on Washington DC…though not like the Spanish cities I’ve visited or Seoul, Hong Kong, Bangkok (taught in all), DC is close to SF, Chicago and NYC for public transportation and walkable neighborhoods. I left my car in Houston with my Dad when I was in DC.
Today as I have cold Spanish IPA and watch soccer, I am reminded of wonderful times past at the now closed Bullfeathers in DC…
The feeling I am having in Spain is the relaxed atmosphere of Europe along with the order of Asia (Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong)
BTW…being from Austin, I am a HARD SELL… the nachos at Bear Club are great!!
I know where The Bear Club is! Never been. I hope it's a Tyris IPA.
I hope you enjoy it here. Like I said in the other comment, this city has surpassed all expectations.
I'm from Texas, though I've lived in LA and NYC too. My dad was killed by a drunk driver here in June, and it's become a catalyst for my mom and me to consider moving to Europe. I have a four-year-old daughter and want to give her and my mom a better life.
Like you, I'm looking for walkability, infrastructure, and quality of life. I've worked in Lisbon, studied French in Paris, and visited Madrid a few times and Barcelona once. Interestingly, Madrid clicked more for me than Barcelona, even though I love being near water.
My mom and I are doing a quick scouting trip next week, Paris, Toulouse, Valencia, and Madrid. I'm still trying to figure out which country and culture would be better for my family, especially for my elderly mom and young daughter.
Would you say quality of life is notably better in France or Spain for families with kids and elderly parents? Hoping this trip brings clarity, right now I have none! Any insights are appreciated.
Hi Jared - I'm sorry to hear what you're going through. Un abrazo.
So I love all four cities you're going to. Given that I've only lived in one, I can't really comment on quality of life differences. We love Paris so much that we're spending a month there in April. There are certainly worse places to live :-)
That said, there's something about Valencia as it pertains to day-to-day, on-the-ground quality of life, especially in Russafa. It gets voted one of the best places to live in the world a lot. And, after a year here, I can say without a doubt - sin duda - that Valencia is even better than its press clippings indicate. I think this would be one hell of a place to raise a kid. There are lots of older people here on the streets day and night and they seem to enjoy life here. It's a very walkable neighborhood.
I do think the experience in other parts of Valencia might be different. For example, the Old City is awesome, the locals get swallowed up by tourists.
I hope the trip goes well. If you have any other questions, please ask.
Awesome, thank you for the insight. I will definitely report back soon.
I was surprised to find on my recent visit to London just how walkable a city it is, and how, when I was too tired to take another step, an Underground station would appear to let me sit down and ride a bit before the next line change. I felt extremely safe and calm there when I was out at night, which I was many evenings of my week there. I don't feel that safe in Toronto at night any more. I have now visited in spring, summer and late autumn, and would go back again at any season of the year.
That's great to hear about London. I'm excited to visit. I've never been to the UK.
I encourage everyone to go to Medium and read Carol's comment summarizing her recent trip and how she took everything in stride. And is proud to be Canadian!
https://medium.com/p/6111796275a0