Moving to Barcelona... take the bike?

jayloo. I have friends in barcelona. It's a beautiful place to visit / be (think amsterdam / glasgow) with better architechture, weather and a cafe culture. But unless you not only speak catalan, but are catalan, you're unlikely to find work out there, of any shape or form, maybe not even bar work.

Well, I'm a nearly white-blonde with blue eyes, so I don't think I am able to blend in very well. But I speak quite a lot of Spanish and am going to learn more. I know about the Catalan thing, that's why I'm taking it in 6 mo intervals. I plan on teaching English, doing massage (I'm licensed in the States and I've heard it's better there now, from someone who is Spanish-American and also a massage therapist), doing whatever else. I keep running into people who know people in Barcelona, so I'll have a few contacts.

Basically, it seems my best option but getting there may put the lie to that idea.

Thanks for your thoughts! Maybe not spending $500 & buying a beater there really would be the best idea.

unemployment is high in spain and unless you speak the lingo your chances of getting a job are slim.
I have a good friend who works out there but she is a language teacher so the lingo is not a problem, the cost of living is nearly as high as london, rents are very high out there.

I'm savin' a ton of money before I get out there and am used to NYC rents so won't get sticker shock. In fact, I'll probably be paying less than I do where I live right now ('course I'll be making less, too).

spain is a country with rich cycling culture. Im sure youll find better bikes there, but I reckon the geared varierty would be more suitable for hot weather & hilly areas. (Ive never been to barcelona, excuse me if its flat & cool)

the bit by the sea is flat but it's surrounded by hills. when i explained to my friends partner who was really into his mtb's that i rode SS mtb he thought i was mad. next day i went for a walk in the hills directly behind the city (to the south of tibidabo) which involved walking up escalators in the street and a furnicular railway, it's that steep. i could see why a ss mtb wouldn't be much use there.
you will be fine for rolling round the city as long as you don't have to visit the far north suburbs above the diagonal.

your near the mountains take a geared bike you twit........and enjoy it

anyone seen Rik?

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I live in Palma de Mallorca, the arse end of Cataluna. You can easily buy a bike on compraventa the gumtree of Spain. Dunno 'bout fixed riding there, never seen anyone here on fixed, it's mostly weekend lycra clad white bidon boys on carbon orbeas.
People think you are a freak if you ride a bike for non sporting purposes, but I am so I'm not that bothered. It is dangerous and you could well find yourself squashed like that cat.
Spanish is fine you don't really need catalan unless you work in a govt position.
Good Luck