Pros and Cons of Living in San Sebastian
Last updated on Jul 04, 2023
Summary: The pros of living in San Sebastian, Spain include its beautiful beaches, its vibrant culture, its delicious cuisine, and its mild climate. The city is also known for its excellent public transportation system and its low cost of living. On the other hand, the cons of living in San Sebastian include its high cost of housing, its limited job opportunities, and its lack of nightlife. Additionally, the city can be quite crowded during the summer months, making it difficult to find a quiet place to relax.
What are the pros and cons of living in San Sebastian?
Expats, digital nomads and retirees living in San Sebastian responded:
"Expats and digital nomads living in San Sebastian appreciate the city's stunning natural beauty, with its picturesque beaches and lush green hills. They also enjoy the city's vibrant culture, with its lively nightlife, delicious Basque cuisine, and friendly locals. Additionally, the city's excellent public transportation system makes it easy to get around. On the other hand, some expats and digital nomads may find the cost of living in San Sebastian to be quite high. Additionally, the city can be quite crowded during the summer months, making it difficult to find a quiet place to relax," remarked one expat in San Sebastian.

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With over 40 years of professional experience, Balcells Group provides legal advice on immigration, business, real estate, and tax. They help individuals, companies, investors, students, entrepreneurs, highly-qualified professionals, digital nomads, and more, to enjoy successful law processes in Spain by guiding their clients every step of the way. They speak Spanish, English, Catalan and Russian.
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With over 40 years of professional experience, Balcells Group provides legal advice on immigration, business, real estate, and tax. They help individuals, companies, investors, students, entrepreneurs, highly-qualified professionals, digital nomads, and more, to enjoy successful law processes in Spain by guiding their clients every step of the way. They speak Spanish, English, Catalan and Russian.
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What do expats in San Sebastian appreciate most about the local culture?
"Expats in San Sebastian appreciate the city's relaxed atmosphere and the friendly locals. They also enjoy the city's vibrant culture, with its many festivals, museums, and galleries. The city's stunning natural beauty, with its beaches, mountains, and parks, is also a major draw for expats. The city's excellent cuisine, with its traditional Basque dishes and world-renowned pintxos, is another highlight. Finally, expats appreciate the city's excellent public transportation system, which makes it easy to get around," explained one expat living in San Sebastian.

With over 40 years of professional experience, Balcells Group provides legal advice on immigration, business, real estate, and tax. They help individuals, companies, investors, students, entrepreneurs, highly-qualified professionals, digital nomads, and more, to enjoy successful law processes in Spain by guiding their clients every step of the way. They speak Spanish, English, Catalan and Russian.
Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

With over 40 years of professional experience, Balcells Group provides legal advice on immigration, business, real estate, and tax. They help individuals, companies, investors, students, entrepreneurs, highly-qualified professionals, digital nomads, and more, to enjoy successful law processes in Spain by guiding their clients every step of the way. They speak Spanish, English, Catalan and Russian.
Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.
What do expats find most challenging?
"Expats in San Sebastian may find it challenging to adjust to the slower pace of life in the city. The local culture is very relaxed and laid-back, and it can be difficult for those used to a more fast-paced lifestyle to adjust. Additionally, the language barrier can be a challenge for expats, as Spanish is the primary language spoken in San Sebastian. Finally, the local cuisine can be a challenge for expats, as it is heavily based on seafood and other regional specialties," explained one expat.
About the Author
Joshua Wood, LPC joined Expat Exchange in 2000 and serves as one of its Co-Presidents. He is also one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. Prior to Expat Exchange, Joshua worked for NBC Cable (MSNBC and CNBC
Primetime). Joshua has a BA from Syracuse and a Master's in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Mr. Wood is also a licensed counselor and psychotherapist.
Some of Joshua's articles include Pros and Cons of Living in Portugal, 10 Best Places to Live in Ireland and Pros and Cons of Living in Uruguay. Connect with Joshua on LinkedIn.
Additional Information:
- Expat Guide to San Sebastian
- Retire in San Sebastian Guide
- 7 Tips for Living in San Sebastian
- Pros & Cons of Living in San Sebastian
- Cost of Living in San Sebastian
- Health Care in San Sebastian
- The Essential Guide to San Sebastian
- Healthcare & Health Insurance in Spain
- Best Places to Live in Spain
- Real Estate in Spain
- 10 Best Places for Families to Live in Spain
- Pros and Cons of Living in Spain 2025
- 2025 Guide to Moving to Spain