I quit my job in London to move to Barcelona and start a business. I fly back for meetings twice a month - but it's worth it.

"I spent a year in Barcelona in 2013 while studying economics and Spanish as part of my four-year degree in the UK. I loved everything about the city: the food, the culture, the beaches. Plus, it's relatively affordable, the people are beautiful, and the weather is amazing. I knew it was only a matter of time before I went back."

"It showed me how easy the journeys were and that commuting between the UK and Spain was viable. There were multiple flights a day, and return tickets typically cost around £60 ($80) compared to £130 ($174) for my monthly railcard in London. Life is also much better value in Barcelona than in London. At the restaurant beneath our apartment, it is hard to spend more than £35 on a meal for two, and coffees cost roughly half what we paid in London."

A consultant who studied in Barcelona in 2013 returned frequently after graduating and eventually moved there permanently, citing food, culture, beaches, affordability and favorable weather. After establishing a career in Westminster and becoming a director at a communications agency, the consultant chose to leave a stable role to launch an independent business in Barcelona. Commuting twice a month to London, the typical routine is arriving Tuesday morning and departing Wednesday evening. Frequent, low-cost flights make the travel viable compared with London rail expenses. Local restaurants and coffees offer much better value, making the extra commuting time worthwhile for improved quality of life.

Read at Business Insider