Omar, a Venezuelan living in Madrid for eight years, warned migrants on the YouTube channel La Blue Kombi that delivery jobs are now collapsed.
Speaking about his experiences living in southern Madrid, Omar said that arriving without planning can lead directly to failure. He offered his account as a guide for prospective migrants seeking economic stability and quality of life in Spain.
Working as a food delivery driver was once a fast and profitable path for new arrivals, according to Omar, who took a delivery job when he first landed on the Iberian peninsula. He explained that competition was minimal eight years ago and earnings allowed workers to build a solid financial foundation.
Food Delivery and Hospitality Work
Omar said that eight years ago food delivery workers earned significantly more with Glovo, but the sector is now collapsed because almost every immigrant arriving in Spain takes it as their first job.
He noted that while delivery riders can still cover small daily expenses, the work no longer provides a reliable source of savings. The hospitality sector also presents steep challenges for immigrants, according to Omar. After spending five years working as a waiter on a terrace in central Madrid, he described the work as demanding and noted that monthly wages rarely exceed 1,300 euros, the typical mileurista earnings level.
Omar stated that experienced waiters refuse to work for 1,300 euros and demand higher pay from employers. As a result, many companies hire workers with no prior experience and let them learn through hard knocks on the job.
High Rental Prices and Bureaucracy
Omar described housing as the single hardest challenge of living in Spain, where basic wages fail to keep up with rising property inflation. A recent report indicates that living with dignity in Madrid requires more than 2,000 euros per month, a figure that contrasts sharply with common earnings.
Residing in Getafe, Omar pays 700 euros a month for his apartment, a rate he described as exceptional due to an older lease contract and a benevolent landlord. In contrast, a friend who moved two months ago pays 1,400 euros a month for an identical apartment with the exact same floor plan.
Surging rental prices force most immigrants to share apartments, a living arrangement Omar maintains despite years of financial stability. He also criticized the bureaucratic hurdles to renting, calling requirements for high income and pay slips absurd, which forces many tenants to rely on favors from friends or family to sign lease agreements.
Transportation and Daily Living Expenses
Living in southern Madrid municipalities like Getafe or Leganes provides distinct logistical benefits, according to Omar.
The source also cited Miguel, a Colombian resident in Spain, who stated that arriving with a Colombian mindset is a mistake, particularly regarding laws, adding that he had seen several people step out of line without wanting to earn a living. Additionally, another case noted a couple who purchased a home in Malaga without a mortgage after saving money by living in a converted van.
Madrid public transport system is highly efficient, according to Omar, who highlighted the monthly travel pass costing about 42.50 euros for unlimited trips. He contrasted this with individual single tickets for tourists or occasional trips, which can cost up to 3 euros per ride.
Beyond rent, Omar keeps his routine household expenses around 300 euros per month. This total includes monthly food costs ranging between 150 and 200 euros, shared internet service, and electricity bills for heating and cooking.
Adapting to local culture includes practical household habits, Omar noted. Although his kitchen includes a dishwasher, he uses it solely for storage, and he added that the Madrid summer heat dries laundry in just one hour without needing a clothes dryer.
Quality of Life and Advice for Migrants
Despite economic difficulties, Madrid remains a major destination for Latin American immigrants due to safety and leisure time. Omar compared his life in Spain to acquaintances living in the United States or England, who earn higher incomes but live solely to work.
Social culture in Spain provides daily relief, according to Omar, who described having a morning coffee or a beer as sacred traditions in local life. He noted that specialized shops across Madrid sell products like flour for arepas, traditional sweets, and native soft drinks, ensuring immigrants do not miss their home culture.
For those planning to move to Spain in the coming months, Omar advised against arriving without a clear plan. He warned that the official appointment system for legal paperwork is collapsed, making it essential for newcomers to bring enough savings to cover three to four months of living without income.
Omar concluded that migrating to Madrid is worth the effort for those who know how to organize and prioritize their expenses. He expressed his enduring affection for the city, stating that he loves Madrid after eight years of living there.
