Additional Coverage:
- I moved to Spain single and started dating locals. Most were still living with their parents and expected to split the dinner bill. (newsbreak.com)
Jennifer Fernández Solano embarked on a new life chapter by moving to Valencia, Spain, with hopes of finding love. She encountered a unique dating scene there, filled with men in their 30s who still lived at home and preferred to go Dutch on dates.
One of her early dating experiences involved meeting a Spaniard via a dating app. Despite the noisy backdrop of a Spanish indie pop venue, she learned he resided with his family in the suburbs — a setup she found unusual for someone in their mid-30s. After sharing some small plates, he suggested splitting the bill, confirming a cultural norm she would soon realize was typical in Spain.
Previously living in Australia, Fernández Solano was advised by her American roommate that if a man didn’t pay on the first date, it likely meant he wasn’t romantically interested. However, after moving to Valencia, she quickly learned that sharing the cost of dates was commonplace, attributed partially to the lower wages in Spain.
Finding commonalities proved difficult. The cultural and social norms were different, and the local dating apps like Tinder didn’t help much as many did not thoroughly fill out their profiles. The nightlife also didn’t align with her preferences; she was more accustomed to dining out or visiting cocktail bars rather than clubbing, which remained popular among adults of all ages in Spain.
After six months of frustration, Fernández Solano decided to set strict criteria for potential partners, which included a satisfying personal life and the ability to travel. Soon after, she met a Valencian man who matched her expectations.
On their first date, they bonded over a shared love for cheese. He was independently living and also tired of the club scene.
Two years later, the couple is ready to invest in an apartment together, looking forward to their future.
For those interested in sharing personal experiences of living abroad, Fernández Solano encourages submissions to be sent to an editor at Business Insider.