I’m an American living in Spain – dinners cost just $11 and we get three-hour lunch breaks
CHEAP food and more free time are just some of the reasons you might be convinced to pack up and move abroad.
One American student who set his sights on a more laidback lifestyle in Spain hasn't looked back since.
MAKING MOVES
Sometimes embracing the meaning of "la dolce vita" means relocating to another destination.
He might have grown up worlds away in San Antonio, Texas, but Jeronimo Noriega doesn't regret much about moving to Oviedo, Spain.
Noriega explained to Business Insider how he had never even traveled to Europe before his family, which includes his parents and siblings, decided to move across the ocean.
Although he was born in Mexico, after spending most of his life in the US, living abroad was very "different" indeed.
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Speaking Spanish might have given him a bit of a leg up but that didn't mean life in another country was easy - at least not in the beginning.
Not used to conversing in another language on a daily basis, he felt his Spanish-speaking skills were a but "rusty."
Still, his grandparents had split their time between Spain and Mexico, so his parents thought the destination felt like a "natural fit."
A little over a year later - and with more practice speaking in the local dialect - he is already loving his "much better quality of life."
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WALK IT OFF
Not having to take a car everywhere has also made him a fan of his adopted country.
Now, he simply walks or takes public transportation.
No more "sitting in traffic."
Aside from feeling "healthier," he also appreciates the "strong sense of community."
WORKING IT
Another thing he believes Spain is winning at is their work culture.
He now has time to indulge in life's everyday pleasures - and for much longer.
From three-hour lunch breaks to "leisurely" coffee outings during the day, he was glad to give up the grind.
He has come to truly embrace the country's philosophy of "freedom" and "joy."
Prolonged dinners for a much lower price are just some of the pluses he's discovered while living in his new country.
LA DOLCE VITA COSTS LESS DOUGH
A "wonderful" five-hour dinner typically only costs $11 per person.
He no longer has to feel "rushed" or "guilty" when taking up too much time at a coffee shop or restaurant.
While he admits that you never know just what the future might hold, he doesn't see himself moving back to the States any time soon.
Still, he does admit to missing a few comforts from his old life.
These include seeing old friends and experiencing more "friendly" encounters, particularly in the customer service industry.
LAIDBACK LIFE
Now that he's "off the wheel," however, he is enjoying his slow-paced life away from the rat race.
According to Axios, more Americans are leaving - or thinking of leaving - the country for greener pastures.
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As they reported, a WSJ/NORC poll conducted found that only 36% of those surveyed believed that the American dream was still alive.
Their definition of this was based on the mentality of "if you work hard, you'll get ahead."