Our Attempt to Cut Costs and Travel in Europe with Five Roommates Was Chaotic

As newlyweds and recent college alumni, both 27 and 26 years old respectively, my husband and I faced mounting student loans and escalating living expenses in Santa Barbara, California.

We were eager for both financial relief and an adventurous escape. After meeting during our studies in the Middle East and marrying in late 2016, my husband's long-standing wish was to reside in Barcelona.

So began our nightly routine of scouring online listings for apartments. Each evening made our escape plans more thrilling.

Eventually, we secured a rental in the Gothic Quarter. Though not our ideal home, the rent was a steal and included utilities, helping us save nearly $850 monthly compared to our Santa Barbara apartment. We quickly paid our deposit and flew to Spain the following month.

Reality Set In on Arrival

Upon arrival, we were swiftly greeted by a sense of alarm. The landlord welcomed us and walked us through the apartment. We anticipated four roommates as per our agreement, but were surprised by a fifth unexpected occupant, adding complexity to our living situation.

With seven of us crammed inside, I knew maintaining a friendly atmosphere was essential.

Navigating Language Barriers

Our eclectic roommates included a British Renaissance-type figure, a scholar from Bulgaria, two Moroccan men, and their cousin, the unexpected addition. Communication was a hurdle as some barely knew English.

Although I spoke Spanish, many of our Moroccan roommates primarily used Arabic. Conversations often felt like a linguistic standoff—hindered even when employing improved gesture-based communication. Simple inquiries like whether the cousin contributed to rent or requests for quiet Parcheesi games were unresolvable.

Household Frustrations

Frequently, our groceries vanished, prompting me to label every item meticulously. Despite this strategy, it encouraged us to buy groceries more regularly. The communal kitchen was often overtaken by dirty dishes and cookware; we ended up storing our own set in our room.

Sharing a single bathroom with six others proved nightmarish. The sizable bathroom was persistently unclean and reeked, until my husband devoted hours to a deep cleaning. His hard work earned him temporary house hero status.

The WiFi Struggle

One of the key dilemmas was intermittent WiFi. Conducting work, studies, or leisure activities from home was often disrupted. Our landlord attempted to resolve this by providing another network.

We discovered that a Moroccan roommate was monopolizing the faster network, leaving the rest with sluggish speeds.

Sharing the new connection aggravated tensions, causing disputes. After one friend moved out, three newcomers replaced them in less than a week, ballooning our residence to nine in a five-bedroom domicile.

This overcrowding marked our decision to depart. After three tiresome months, we left for Bulgaria and later Romania for their Christmas markets. Shortly after, our Bulgarian friend also exited.

Reflections on Our Experience

Despite challenges, the arrangement wasn't entirely in vain. We economized, adventured across Europe, and developed lasting friendships with some housemates and fellow travelers.

However, given a chance to redo it, we'd likely reconsider.