My name’s TJ, and I recently moved to Granada for a three-month placement with the Coworkingspace Anda CoWork. I’m part of their digital marketing team, working on social media and community projects while getting to know what life here is like as an English-speaking expat.
In this blog series, I’ll be sharing my experiences of living, working, and discovering Granada. Everything from cultural surprises to the small everyday moments that make this city feel like home.
I arrived in Granada late at night in September. I didn’t start working at ANDA Cowork until the following Tuesday, so my first couple of days were mostly spent exploring the city and settling into my new neighbourhood right beside the Plaza de Toros.
The first thing I noticed straight off the plane was the heat. Granada in September is warmer than I expected. Walking through the streets near my apartment, I immediately noticed the city’s charm. Seeing all the historic architecture and narrow white streets, and watching people enjoy their morning coffee or lunchtime beer, I knew straight away that I was a long way both physically and culturally from rural Ireland.
Once I started at ANDA Cowork, I was immediately struck by how welcoming everyone was, even those who don’t speak English. It felt like a true international community. I also noticed that each regular had their own distinct spot in the offices, personal spaces that made the place feel lived-in and comfortable. I hadn’t realised that ANDA is split into two different buildings, both designed with clients in mind, full of natural light, greenery, and plants. It is clear a lot of thought has gone into creating a productive and inspiring coworking environment.
The obvious pro of living in Granada is the weather. A welcome change from Ireland, it makes both discovering the city and commuting to and from work so much more enjoyable.
The biggest challenge for me is, of course, the language, and with the Andalusian accent on top, it makes things even trickier. That said, the locals are incredibly patient and even seem excited when I try to speak the little Spanish I’ve learned over the last few weeks. For me, this goes a long way. It takes the fear out of daily interactions and, in turn, makes learning Spanish much easier.
Of course, I experienced some culture shock. The two biggest adjustments were the siesta hours and most places being closed on Sundays. These threw off my usual routines during the first week. Gradually, I’ve come to get used to these small tweaks of everyday life and have come to appreciate the relaxed feel they bring to the city. Granada feels more human than other cities I’ve experienced in Europe, and I think these examples contribute to that.
I am now going into my third week in Granada and feel completely settled, no longer like a deer in the headlights. After my first day at ANDA CoWork, any worries I had about work were quickly put to bed. The team was welcoming, the environment was inspiring, and I immediately felt like I could be productive and supported in this new setting.
Exploring the city has been a real highlight so far. Walking through the streets in the warm weather makes even simple errands feel like part of the adventure.
If I had to sum up Granada for other foreigners, I would say it is charming, vibrant, and surprisingly easy to navigate, especially once you get used to the rhythm of local life. Every day brings something new to discover. My experience so far has been nothing but positive.
If you’re moving to Granada or looking for a productive workspace with a welcoming international community, check out ANDA CoWork. It has been the perfect base for exploring and working in this beautiful city.