Remote Work in Bilbao: Is it a Digital Nomad Paradise (or Just…Wet)?
okay, so. bilbao. i’m currently staring out a window at what can only be described as a grey soup. it’s not raining raining, more like the sky is perpetually sighing. apparently, this is normal. like, consistently normal. you’re a short flight from barcelona if you need actual sunshine, or a drive to san sebastian for, like, fancy pintxos and slightly less gloom.
i’m a touring session drummer, which means i need wifi, a relatively quiet space (earplugs only go so far), and access to…well, drums. finding all three in one place isn’t always easy. i’ve been bouncing around europe for a while now, and bilbao was a bit of a gamble. everyone keeps saying portugal is the place to be, but it’s getting packed. bilbao felt…under the radar. and honestly? it kinda is.
so, is it a digital nomad paradise? let’s break it down. the internet is…fine. not blazing fast, but usable. i’ve had zoom calls without completely dissolving into pixelated chaos, which is a win. co-working spaces are popping up, but they’re not everywhere. i found WeWork Bilbao, which is predictably expensive, but has decent coffee. i’ve also been checking out some local cafes.
*cost of living: okay, this is where it gets interesting. i was talking to a guy at a bar - a proper, smoky txoko - and he told me rent has gone up like crazy in the last couple of years. he wasn’t wrong. a one-bedroom apartment in the casco viejo (old town) is gonna set you back around €800-€1200 a month, maybe more if you’re picky. outside the center, you can find something for €600-€900. groceries are reasonable, like, you won’t starve. pintxos are…a weakness. a delicious, expensive weakness.
here’s a super rough breakdown (everything in euros, obviously):Expense Monthly Cost Rent (1-bed) 700 - 1200 Groceries 250 - 400 Utilities 100 - 150 Internet 30 - 50 Co-working (avg) 200 - 300 Pintxos & Drinks …too much
safety? honestly, i feel safer here than i do in a lot of bigger cities. it’s not a place where you’re constantly looking over your shoulder. still, you know, common sense stuff. don’t flash your cash, don’t wander down dark alleys at 3 am. i’ve been reading the Bilbao subreddit and people seem pretty chill.
the vibe: it’s…gritty. in a good way. it’s not all polished tourist traps. there’s a real working-class feel to the place. the Guggenheim is obviously a big draw, and it’s impressive, but don’t let it fool you into thinking the whole city is a museum. it’s not. it’s a city with a history, a bit rough around the edges, and a surprisingly good music scene. i’ve found a few places that host live music, mostly smaller venues. check out Yelp for live music in Bilbao.
drunk advice from a local: “don’t order the caldo at that place near the river. it tastes like sadness.” (i haven’t tried it, and honestly, i’m not planning to).
overheard gossip: “apparently, the mayor is obsessed with pigeons.” (i have no idea if this is true, but it’s a good story).
something a local warned me about:* “the buses are…an experience. just accept that you’ll be late sometimes.”
finding drum spaces is the biggest challenge. i’ve been emailing studios, but it’s slow going. i’m thinking of just setting up a kit in my apartment and hoping the neighbors are forgiving. or deaf. i also found a listing on TripAdvisor for music lessons that might lead to a rehearsal space.
so, is bilbao a digital nomad paradise? no. it’s not a postcard-perfect, instagrammable paradise. it’s a real city, with real people, and real weather. but it’s got character. it’s affordable (relatively), it’s safe, and it’s got a vibe that’s different from anywhere else i’ve been. if you’re looking for something a little bit off the beaten path, bilbao might just be your jam. just pack an umbrella.
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