[nemesis1637]

American here. Moved to Spain three and a half years ago and will never look back.

Edit: Though, if we did it again we might consider Lisbon. I'd never been until recently and it's pretty awesome. And there are other benefits/ease.

[anovikov]

There is a big pain point about Lisbon: it takes 2-3 years to get your first residence permit. Before then, you live legally in the country, but if you try to cross the border (even as there is no border!), you are now an illegal alien. That situation is simply not present in Spain because they issue residence permits very quickly, before your 90-days visa free stay expires.

Otherwise, i agree with you. Portugal is a better place to live than Spain. I actually recommend people - and several has followed my recommendation - to firstly get a residence permit in Spain, then go to Portugal and apply there, and live in either country until Portuguese one comes out.

[nemesis1637]

'That situation is simply not present in Spain because they issue residence permits very quickly, before your 90-days visa free stay expires.'

This is a common misconception. For almost all residency permits, you must apply from the United States. You are not allowed to apply while in Spain. There are exceptions, but not many. Though, with the new digital nomad visa which did not exist when I moved, it is possible to apply while in Spain. But, it most likely will not be issued within 90 days. I have many friends that have done so and are forced to live illegally for a period before it gets approved. I've never seen a single residency permit get issued within 90 days (other than student visas). The Govt. is EXTREMELY slow. Much more so than the U.S. even. Even our renewals have taken much more than 90 days each time. The easiest option that some people do when in a bind is to enroll in Spanish classes and get a student visa--that one can be applied for in country and is relatively 'fast' (in Spanish terms).

'to firstly get a residence permit in Spain, then go to Portugal and apply there, and live in either country until Portuguese one comes out.'

For most residency permits (in Spain) you have to physically be in the country for more than 183 days (half of the year). So this is not possible (unless you want to switch back and forth). Your renewal would not be approved.

[tchalla]

What part of Spain and how’s the tax situation?

[nemesis1637]

Valencia. Taxes are outrageous, for sure. But all other cost of living is much cheaper. And my daughter will most likely go to a European university so when that cost savings is considered, it's a huge net gain regardless of the taxes. My wife and I both work remotely for U.S. organizations. Earning a U.S. salary with Spanish cost of living allows us to have a quality of life far beyond what we had in the U.S.

[tchalla]

So basically it’s move to Spain but work remotely for US. I think it’s worth mentioning that part upfront because working remotely for US changes the entire equation of the move.

[nemesis1637]

It possible to work in Spain and be fine. But finding a job in Spain would be challenging (especially if you're not fluent in Spanish) and the average salary is much lower than the U.S. (but so is cost of living). So, it's possible but not nearly as easy.