Mon, 28 May 2012
| Index | Last | Var.(%) |
|---|---|---|
| BEL 20 | 2119.44 | 0.28 |
| DAX | 6339.94 | 0.38 |
| IBEX 30 | 6543 | 0.13 |
| CAC 40 | 3047.94 | 0.32 |
| FTSE 100 | 5351.53 | 0.03 |
| AEX | 292.76 | 0.23 |
| DJIA | 12454.83 | -0.60 |
| Nasdaq | 2837.53 | -0.07 |
| FTSE MIB | 13154.8 | 0.36 |
| TSX Composite | 11576.47 | 0.09 |
| ASX | 4109.2 | 0.69 |
| Hang seng | 18778.74 | 0.35 |
| Straits Times | 2776.08 | 0.12 |
| ISEQ 20 | 500.94 | 1.55 |
Text size
From Barcelona blogger Jeremy Holland says farewell to his time in Barcelona and his Barcelona blog. As sad as it is to say goodbye, Expatica wishes Holland nothing but the best in his new expat territory.As some of you might know, I no longer call Barcelona home, having left in April for literally the greener pastures of Holland. It was a bittersweet decision; when I look back at all the places I've lived Barcelona was the city I stayed in the longest -- eight years!
So, why did I leave?
As with any major decision there were a variety of factors, most of which was brought about by the arrival of our daughter about a year and a half ago.
The economy was of course one reason. Even in the boom years, the salary to hours worked ratio was never one of the city's top selling points, with ten hour days being the norm and EUR 1,500 a month classified as well-paid.
When we were just a couple this didn't seem so important. We could live in a place without an elevator, go out with friends, travel, and enjoy all that Barcelona had to offer (concerts, beach, festivals). But without having any type of family support, this type of work schedule and wage makes raising a child there difficult and expensive. 
Plus, what's the point of having a kid if you're working and stressed all the time?
Written by an American expat, From Barcelona is a blog dedicated to the city, the life and the people of the capital of Catalunya (Catalonia). He's the author of From Barcelona: Stories Behind The City Vol 1.
Expatica's Getting Started section will provide practical information on how you can open a bank account, exchange your driving licence, improve your Spanish, and more.
Here's a guide to an extensive list of groups and clubs in Madrid for expats, from sports groups to social and family gatherings.
A brief introduction to our Tax section for Spain, from help with inheritance tax to accounting advice.
Here's a short introduction to our Banking section for those living in Spain, from what to ask the experts to opening a Spanish bank account.
Twitter
LinkedIn
Facebook
Google+
0
