Meet Angela, a family living in Mas Alba
We recently spoke to Angela and her family…
Where did you move from, what was the town like?
We moved from the United States, the town of Menlo Park in California.
Which town have you moved to here, and who did you move with?
My kids, my husband and I moved to Mas Alba, Sant Pere de Ribes.
What was the biggest thing you had to get used to?
Local bureaucracy.
Is there anything you still cannot get your head around?
Local bureaucracy 😉
What is the best and worst thing about living in Mas Alba?
The best thing in Mas Alba is the beautiful nature and quietness while being so close to the beaches in Sitges. The worst is not being able to ride a bike or walk to town. In addition, there is no services close by like a Pharmacy, Post Office etc.
What would have helped you the most when you first arrived?
Maybe some friends who could give us advice.
Where are your favourite places to relax, get advice and play?
We like to go hiking in Garraf Park to exercise/ relax and on the sea promenade in Sitges.
Is there any Expat business you know that you want to give a shout-out to?
We had valuable and professional advice from Rossana Roccari at Happy Expat.
What problems have you faced since living near Sitges?
There are few medical centers in Sitges and Sant Pere de Ribes. We often have to go to Barcelona for more professional medical care.
What do you miss the most about your hometown?
What I miss about Menlo Park (which is not my hometown by the way), is the predictability and the very well-organized local administration. Public schools there, provide an excellent education and sports opportunity.
What would be the one piece of advice you would give someone moving to a new international town?
Get as much help as you can, especially if you come from outside the EU.
