Thinking of moving to Spain and taking on a home renovation? In this episode of the Live and Invest Abroad podcast, we chat with Vanessa Clements, a UK expat who shares the highs and lows of buying, renovating, and raising a family in Catalonia.

Vanessa and her husband moved to Spain with a young child, soon discovered they were expecting another, and embarked on an ambitious renovation project. From unexpected structural issues to navigating Spain’s unique real estate and construction landscape, she reveals the crucial lessons she learned along the way.

Some key takeaways from this episode:

✅ Why hiring a bilingual project manager is a must

✅ How to avoid costly mistakes when buying and renovating abroad

✅ The reality of Spain’s construction process and what to watch for

✅ The challenges of raising multilingual kids in Catalonia

View before and after photos of the reno here.

00:00 Intro

1:01  Why did you decide to move to Catalonia?

2:53  What did your family think about you moving abroad?

5:58 House hunting process

10:45  Talk a little bit about the house that you bought and why did you fall in love with it?

14:14 Learning curve during the home buying process

16:55 Renovation challenges and lessons learned

32:07 Giving birth in Spain vs UK

35:27 Nursery, child care and public schools in Catalonia, Spain

42:06 English education and language adaptation

If you're considering purchasing property overseas, we can connect you with a trusted real estate expert in your desired location. Fill out our Buyer Matching Questionnaire and get matched to an experienced local estate agent to help you with your search.

Connect with Vanessa Clements on Instagram: @Vanessa_in_Girona

Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with anyone considering an international move!

If you could live anywhere, where would you go?

In this episode, we dive into what it takes to move abroad and successfully build a new life in a foreign country. Jen Barnett shares her experiences, from making the big decision to navigating cultural differences and practical logistics. Whether you're dreaming of an international move or actively planning your next steps, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.

Timestamps:

0:00 Introduction

0:50 How it started - Jen's first steps to moving abroad

7:47 Safety in Mexico vs the U.S.A.

13:23 Expatsi test - how to figure out where to move abroad

16:23 Top reasons Americans are leaving the U.S.

17:55 Top countries for Americans moving abroad

23:21 Cost of living31:33 How to move from dreaming into action

44:14 Community over the individual

44:51 Adjusting to life abroad and managing expectations

49:24 Finding community in your new home

About Jen Barnett

Jen Barnett is the co-founder of expatsi.com, a platform for people who want to leave the U.S. Aspiring emigrants start with the Expatsi Test, a 20-question assessment that matches people with the best countries based on their needs and budgets. More than 200,000 people have used the test to kick off their journeys.

Jen and her husband and co-founder Brett Andrews offer group scouting trips and webinars for popular locations and connect Americans to experts who can help them move abroad, including immigration attorneys, relocation consultants, realtors, local experts, and more.

Jen and Expatsi have been featured on CNN, CNBC, the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, MSN, Reuters, U.S. News & World Report, and many others.

Jen and Brett answer questions live each week on TikTok and post free content to most social media channels under the handles @expatsi or @expatsitest.

Resources & Links🌍

Follow Jen & explore her resources:

Move Abroad Membership (Use THIS LINK to get 35% off the first month of membership)

Move Abroad Con in Austin, Spring 2024

https://www.tiktok.com/@expatsi

https://www.instagram.com/expatsitest/

https://expatsi.com

🏡 Ready to find your dream home abroad? Fill out our Buyer Matching Questionnaire to be connected with a trusted local real estate expert

CNN article we referenced: https://edition.cnn.com/travel/american-woman-relocates-to-spain-but-returns-home/index.html

🔔 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode with anyone considering an international move!