24 - Everything in Barcelona is Fake

Barcelona has recently had a bus route removed from Google Maps... you won't believe why. Also, how Google Maps has changed travel in the last couple of decades. Donate to the cause here: https://expatmadrid.com/donate More on the web at https://expatmadrid.com/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/spain/message

Why do Americans love living in Spain? From the laid-back lifestyle and the food, to the (lack of) guns and the politics, here's why people from the US are flocking to Spain in ever-increasing numbers. Donate here: https://expatmadrid.com/donate Much more about Madrid, Barcelona and Spain on the web: https://expatmadrid.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/spain/message

Big news today! The Spanish government is suggesting that they might get rid of the Golden Visa scheme for real estate investors. Is it really going to happen? How will this affect Spain? What about other visa options for people who want to move here? All questions I answer here in this episode. Donate to the cause at https://expatmadrid.com/donate Mucho más on my website: https://expatmadrid.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/spain/message

Felicity Hughes writes one of my favorite blogs about Madrid, about the history of places and things you don't find on normal tourist itineraries. She's also got a new book out, about Barrio de las Letras, and she's working on Lonely Planet's new Madrid guide (out in 2025). More about Madrid and Spain on my blog: https://expatmadrid.com/ And on Felicity's blog: https://themakingofmadrid.com/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/spain/message

A few more random thoughts here, about formal vs informal education, a new corruption scandal in Spain known as Caso Koldo, and the (possibly underwhelming) celebrations for Women's Day 2024. More on the web: https://expatmadrid.com/education-koldo-women/ Donate to the cause, I'll probably spend it on coffee and sparkling water: https://expatmadrid.com/donate --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/spain/message

I just came back from a 105 kilometer walking tour of some nearby parts of Catalonia. Here's the story. More on the web: https://expatmadrid.com/walking-tour-catalonia/ Donate to the cause! I appreciate donations of any size, right here: https://expatmadrid.com/donate --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/spain/message

On a recent episode of the Tim Ferriss podcast, Noah Kagan explained his theory that Barcelona is the new Austin. As someone who lives in Barcelona, of course I've got some thoughts about his reasons. More on the web: https://expatmadrid.com/barcelona-new-austin/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/spain/message

There are a lot of pickpockets in Barcelona – a city that's already got a reputation for being unsafe. Recently, the problem has escalated and the court system is on the verge of collapse. Here are a few tips for avoiding pickpockets in Spain, as well as some facts about petty crime of all kinds. More on the web https://expatmadrid.com/pickpockets-barcelona/ Donate to support the cause: https://expatmadrid.com/donate Thanks for listening! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/spain/message

Hey hey! New episode today all about the Catalan Crypto Community, and how to use bitcoin in Barcelona. Is it even possible? I went and found out... More on the web: https://expatmadrid.com/bitcoin-barcelona/ Donate (fiat currency, please) to support the podcast at https://expatmadrid.com/donate --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/spain/message

A couple of random thoughts today, about the 2024 election and about quitting Twitter (or maybe I should call it X). Donate to the podcast here: https://expatmadrid.com/donate Links and more Spain stuff on the web: https://expatmadrid.com/election-year-quitting-twitter/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/spain/message