"There’s no place like Barcelona" by Amanda Hughes
Amanda Hughes is the Head of Oak House School. A 54-year-old British national, she took a sabbatical year in 2001 to explore the Iberian Peninsula. She fell in love with Spain and decided to relocate permanently. She has lived in Barcelona for over a decade.
Why did you choose Barcelona?
In 2007, I was asked to consider a headship at another international school here. At the time, I wasn’t keen on moving again, as I thought I’d be spending more time living closer to my parents. However, I’ve always said that we usually regret the things we don’t try in life, so I decided to come and visit the school. As soon as I landed and caught a glimpse of the city—its surrounding towns, beaches, and mountains—I knew I had to bring my family to live in Barcelona. There’s no place like Barcelona, and we all feel incredibly lucky to call it home.
What are the city’s strengths?
There’s definitely a positive energy in the city and the region. We have a wide range of industries across all levels and sectors, which creates opportunities for most people to find their place. When it comes to education, the city offers many high-quality schools and universities; there’s a culture of high expectations and strong performance, which motivates our students to give their best. Museums, historical and cultural spaces, and events all help create real-life learning opportunities for the students in our care. On top of that, regional services such as public transport and healthcare are excellent in Barcelona, which supports the area’s continued development.
Which aspects of the city need to be improved? How?
It’s becoming increasingly difficult for teachers relocating to Barcelona to find suitable housing at a reasonable price. This poses a real challenge when it comes to recruiting and retaining staff, even though we offer salaries well above the standard agreement. While tourism is essential to our region, we need to find a balance—and access to housing is a key factor when deciding to settle here.
What do you expect from Barcelona in the coming years?
I believe the city will continue to thrive. The America’s Cup truly showcased the best of Barcelona. Events like this will help generate new business opportunities and creative solutions for the city.
Which city do you consider to be your home city? What do you miss most?
In the UK, I would say that South London is the city I consider home. I sometimes miss old family traditions like Bonfire Night, but to be honest, I never feel the urge to move back there. Barcelona is my home, and I feel very fortunate to live here and to work at an exceptional school, surrounded by a wonderful team.
