Where should this dyke live
who am i:
27 yrs old
future US expat (wanna be)
bachelors in psych, TEFL certified (at the end of this month)
looking into digital nomad visa or job seeker visa but open to student visa for Masters in teaching
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I’m planning to move to Spain in spring 2027, and I’d really appreciate advice from people familiar with northern Spain.
For context: I’ve been researching moving out of the US for over a year now (almost 2). I’ve narrowed down both the country and the language I want to learn, and I’m currently saving as aggressively as I can to make this happen. Even with that, I probably won’t be able to afford a scouting trip beforehand, so I’m relying heavily on research and hearing from real people online.
A little about me/my priorities:
-I’m trans and gender non-conforming
-I have a cat and a pet snake (I’ll be getting proper CITES permits for her)
-I’ll either be teaching English remotely as a digital nomad or trying to work as an English teacher locally
-I love outdoorsy/creative lifestyles more than big-city hustle
-I’m athletic and would love access to hiking and possibly pole dancing classes
-I do best in cooler weather and struggle more with extreme heat (anything above 90°F honestly wrecks me lol)
What I’m looking for:
-A walkable area with decent public transportation
-Access to vets that treat both cats and exotic pets
-Reliable internet-
-Queer-friendly and ideally somewhat alternative/witchy spaces
-Easy access to nature and greenery
-A slower pace of life where I can focus on creativity, community, and culture
I’ve mostly narrowed my search to northern coastal Spain. Here’s where I’m at so far:
Galicia
I’m really drawn to the ocean sunsets and the rainier climate. I’m from Washington state, so the gloomy/coastal vibe honestly feels comforting to me. My concern is that some areas seem less walkable and more isolated, which could make things harder socially and logistically (especially healthcare and vet access).
Biscay/Basque Country
Slightly warmer, but I’ve found more queer and alternative spaces while researching. Rent seems higher, but I’m also seeing better infrastructure overall, including exotic vets and transportation.
I’ve also been researching Cantabria, Asturias, and Navarre. I actually made a giant spreadsheet ranking regions based on:
-queer/witchy friendliness
-vet access
-walkability/public transit
-weather
-greenery/nature
-wifi quality
-cost of living
Right now, Cantabria is somehow winning lol.
If anyone has experience living in these areas--- especially as an LGBTQ+ person, foreigner, remote worker, or someone without a car ---I’d really appreciate your thoughts. I know every place has pros and cons........
I’m mostly trying to understand what daily life actually feels like in these regions.
Please be kind. I’m looking for information based on what would fit my priorities and lifestyle, not necessarily what others would personally choose for themselves. Thank you :)