Hello! For those who have migrated to Spain for long-term (as citizen), which place/city/province would you recommend provided the following criteria/preferences of mine. I will be applying for DNV soon and hope to be in Spain next year.

Background

• Entering from a third-world SEA country (Philippines), hence the eligibility for shorter length of stay for applying for citizenship
• I will be bringing with me two medium-sized dogs with thick fur (Chow chows) that need cooler climate.
• Used to humid, hot days, and heavy rains. However, I kinda hate it. We have an average of 31C/24C throughout the year and could hit 38-42 on summers + the humidity. I am not a big fan of temperatures that are super cold though.
• Works as self-employed. I earn around ~4400-7400 USD/mo with an average of maybe 5500.
• Single, just bringing the dogs with me. So 1-2 beds are fine. Late 20s but not really much of a party person or a beach person.

Preferences

• Tolerable climate/weather
  • I have two dogs that need cooler climate. They are used to AC (24 Celsius) and generally okay with daily temps of 24-28C with a fan. I heard Madrid, Valencia, and Southern Spain gets really hot on summer
  • I’d rather have tolerable climate for my dogs (less hot). If there is an adequate heater on winters, I think I can adapt.
  • I’m cool with buying a portable aircon if there aren’t one in the rental place. If the suggestion is still on places that gets really hot, if airconditioning and heater are tolerable, you can suggest it.
• Rent and Neighborhood
  • It will just be me so 1 or 2 beds at most is fine. For the first 2-3 years, I’d like to limit myself into (hopefully) renting the same place or moving at most once only. Honestly not sure what’s a good price I could spend for a stay.
  • I saw that Barcelona is really expensive in terms of rent. But I’m not so sure about the outskirts.
  • My dogs are fine on apartments. They are particularly behave except they will bark on strangers. I don’t need a large place. A medium-sized place (50-90sqm) might be fine. Preferably on the ground floor.
  • Preferably has some parks and greeneries. I rarely go outside (except working out or walking my dogs). This is mostly for walking the dogs and walking once in a while
  • Not into very loud and busy alley way (for working and for my dogs).
  • I like a small town feel but still with some sense of community. As a possible expat, I’d like to connect to people and expand network, find friends.
  • I don’t really see myself owning a car in 2-3 years (or until I get a citizenship or if I build a family early on for necessity). But I’m fine with public transports to get groceries nearby or things I need.
  • With access to necessities such as hospitals, supermarkets, veterinarians, etc. Doesn’t have to be walking distance but a commute of 20-30 minutes do not hurt.
• Culture, Vibe, etc.
  • I don’t really go out a lot. And I’m not much of a beach person (which is ironic since I’m from the Philippines) but maybe it will change if I’m nearby one. Not much of a party person either but fine with chill vibe, maybe going out to pubs once in a while. I know this is an antithesis of the Spain fiesta vibe but who knows maybe I would adopt that.
  • A semi-urban, small town feel with necessities around. If nearby the city center, as long as there are parks, greeneries, and not so loud, it’s fine.
  • Spanish level is beginner level on DuoLingo (lol). But I plan to get more serious learning months before I go (and maybe even try to find a school there or here). I speak Filipino which is probably the closest language to Spanish.
  • A bonus would be having a community of expats, or maybe IT professionals nearby for networks and finding friends, or dates or whatnot. But I’m really fine living alone (but that’s sad lol)

If there are any other thing that helps you to recommend me something, please ask away.

Thanks for your help! See you soon!

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