Camille, a creator on TikTok, explained why she left the United States and moved to Spain. Her reflection sparked thousands of reactions and reignited the debate on migration and quality of life.
"I once heard that people go to the United States to make money and to Spain to live, and that is precisely my intention; I came to Spain to live, to find the joy I lost in the hustle while chasing the American dream."
With that phrase begins the video that the Puerto Rican creator @camilleenespana shared on TikTok, which has gone viral. In it, she explained that in the United States she learned "to survive, to sacrifice myself, and to work hard," but she insists that it came at a high cost: "It cost me, and I left my best years there, always rushing, reaching one goal and chasing others; now it’s my turn to rest, enjoy, and simply be."
Camille stated that she chose Spain "for its high quality of life, for its rich culture, for its healthcare system and public transportation, for its cuisine, and its endless beauty."
The debate that sparked TikTok
Their testimony unleashed a flood of comments. Many praised their decision: “I admire you for your bravery. The best decision is to find peace,” wrote one user. Others questioned the shift: “While you’re pursuing a goal in Spain with the salaries here, you’re losing another part of your life.” There were also those who resonated with their reflection: “I’m dying to leave. Here, you don’t really live, you just work.”
Practical questions were abundant: “How did you find your apartment?”, “How much did it all cost?”, “How did you bring your pet?”. Camille responded that she traveled with her dog on a direct flight from Chicago to Madrid and secured housing through a real estate agency after several unsuccessful attempts on digital platforms.
"7 tips for migrating to Spain"
In response to the avalanche of questions, the creator published a second video in which she explained that she arrived with a non-lucrative visa and provided essential recommendations: “Number one, if you don’t watch the video, this is the advice I hope you take away: talk to an immigration lawyer, and that immigration lawyer should be someone who specializes in immigration laws in Spain.”
Among the tips shared were to thoroughly research on social media and forums, organize each step using tools like Google Sheets, start saving from the very beginning, and manage expectations: “It is important not to come to this country or any country with the mentality that you are going to recreate your life from where you come from (…) It is your responsibility to adjust to the culture and not expect the culture of the place you are moving to to adjust to you.”
He also insisted on reflecting on the impact of tourism: “In Spain, there are more cities than Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, Málaga (…) I didn’t want to be part of the problem.”
The video sparked new reactions: congratulations, warnings about bureaucracy and taxes, and hundreds of requests for a breakdown of expenses.
A debate that never ends
Camille's experience adds to an increasingly visible conversation on social media. A few days ago, a young Spaniard who moved to Texas stated that “this is not a country to enjoy, people come here to farm money”, in a testimony that also went viral on TikTok.
In the same way, a Cuban woman who left Spain to move to the United States confessed: “Here you earn more, yes, but you live worse (…) I wish I hadn't made the decision to come”, in a video that garnered thousands of reactions.
Another creator, based in Miami, explained why he left Spain after seven years and stated that “Spain started to smell like Cuba to me”, a phrase that sparked intense debate among migrants.
Frequently Asked Questions about Migration and Quality of Life between the United States and Spain
Why did Camille decide to move from the United States to Spain?
Camille decided to move to Spain in search of a better quality of life and to find the joy she lost while pursuing the "American dream." In her testimony, she highlighted the high quality of life, the rich culture, the healthcare system and public transportation, the cuisine, and the beauty of Spain as the main reasons for her decision.
What challenges did Camille face when moving to Spain?
Camille faced several challenges when moving to Spain, including the search for housing and the immigration process. She secured an apartment through a real estate agency after several failed attempts on digital platforms and arrived with a non-profit visa, recommending consulting with a lawyer specializing in immigration laws in Spain.
What differences exist between the quality of life in Spain and the United States according to testimonies on TikTok?
Testimonials on TikTok highlight that Spain offers a better quality of life in terms of peace of mind and enjoyment of life, while the United States is seen as having more economic opportunities but with a higher cost of living and associated work stress. People like Camille and other content creators have pointed out that in Spain, life is meant for enjoyment, whereas in the United States, people work to earn money.
What recommendations did Camille give for those looking to migrate to Spain?
Camille shared several tips for those who wish to migrate to Spain, including: consulting with an immigration lawyer specialized in Spanish law, researching on social media and forums, organizing steps with tools like Google Sheets, saving from the beginning, and adjusting cultural expectations. Additionally, she suggested considering other Spanish cities beyond the more well-known ones to avoid issues related to mass tourism.
Filed under:
