109 - Spain's Housing Crisis

An update with a few random thoughts about things going on in Barcelona and Spain. First, a bit of petty crime in my life. Then the official update about the causes of the massive Spanish blackout from two weeks ago. Finally, another anti-tourism protest with squirt guns... ¡Vaya!Support this podcast right here: https://expatmadrid.com/donate/

In this episode I explain several aspects of the housing crisis here in Spain. It's a big issue, with multiple factors like rising rent prices, absurd housing laws, okupas, youth unemployment and more. Also, I talk about some possible solutions, and the national blame game about who's ultimately responsible. More on the web here: https://expatmadrid.com/housing-crisis/Donate to the cause at https://expatmadrid.com/donate/

The big scandal in Spain last week involved the government trying to cancel a contract for 15 million bullets it ordered from Israel. Are your bullets ethically sourced? More on the web: https://expatmadrid.com/fifteen-million-bullets/Donate to the cause here: https://expatmadrid.com/donate/

Here are some of my favorite books about Spain. My tastes are a bit less mainstream, so you've got some books here that aren't on the typical list. Check out the links on https://expatmadrid.com/best-books-spain/Donate to the cause at https://expatmadrid.com/donate/

These days, a lot of people move abroad because of the glamour. It sure does look fun on Instagram! But there's a reality to living in Spain or elsewhere that you should know about before moving. Is Spain overrated? Find out in today's episode. Donate to the cause here: https://expatmadrid.com/donate/More on the web https://expatmadrid.com/Learn Spanish with Daniel on YouTube: https://youtube.com/learnspanishwithdaniel

I talked to Natasha Kennedy, an entrepreneur who's started an educational empire in Madrid, about integrating into Spanish society and much more. Natasha is the founder of the TT Madrid TEFL school as well as the BLC Spain satellite university teaching business skills and Spanish language fluency. More from her at https://theblcgroup.com/Donate to the cause here at https://expatmadrid.com/donate/

Is Daylight Saving a fascist plot to steal our sunshine? Maybe. Here in Spain we've been in the wrong time zone since World War II, but there may be an end in sight. More about Franco and Spanish time fascism on the web: https://expatmadrid.com/spains-daylight-saving/Donate to the cause here at https://expatmadrid.com/donate/Thanks for listening, and happy spring!

A few thoughts on Spanish customer service, local shops, gentrification, living in Spain with only one last name and much more. Check out the article on the web: https://expatmadrid.com/customer-service-spain/Donate to the cause here at https://expatmadrid.com/donate/

I recently had a really nice foodie experience here in Barcelona, at a place called Table by Ona. You can check them out at https://ona.restaurant But I'm not a foodie, really, or even someone who wants to write restaurant reviews. So here's what I think about food, and luxury, and farm-to-table, and hipsterism in general. Donate to the cause here at https://expatmadrid.com/donate/

Recently, there have been a few "sex scandals" involving Spanish politicians. First, there's the Minister and the Escort (a real-life Pretty Woman story?), then there's the allegations against Podemos founders Íñigo Errejón and Juan Carlos Monedero. None of it sounds good for the feminist-leaning coalition government. The other day was Women's Day here in Spain (and internationally) and I wanted to talk about that as well: Spanish feminism is divided over prostitution and the trans issue.More on the web: https://expatmadrid.com/sex-scandals/Donate to the cause here: https://expatmadrid.com/donate/