Originally from Maynooth, Alannah Donovan moved to Barcelona four years ago. While she praises the city's lifestyle and public transport, she is currently unemployed and struggling with the local job market. According to Donovan, many companies offer 18,000 euros a year for roles that would pay 50,000 euros in Ireland, leading many expats to seek remote work abroad.
“"The salary in Barcelona is very low. I was earning 60% of what I would earn in Dublin; many foreigners choose to look for a remote contract in their own country."
Beyond economics, Donovan has noticed a shift in local attitudes. She reports experiencing hostility for speaking English in public, often being told to 'go home' by locals frustrated with gentrification. Despite this, she remains committed to the city and expresses a deep respect for the Catalan language, noting its historical parallels with the survival of the Irish language.
