07. Never Mind the Leap

Moving to a new country. Challenges, tears, sweat, endless to-dos...

Has it been it easy? Nope. Is it going well? Hell yeah!

Partly out of necessity and partly out of curiosity, I discovered a few apps that became absolute lifesavers; from landing, getting to know, and understanding a whole new city, to staying organized and healthy. Besides my friends and family, I must say these tools have been of great help along the way.

So, yeah, here’s my top 5 must-have apps that made all this madness a bit smoother and much more enjoyable. Thank you, top 5 must-have apps!

1. Flush

Let’s just say I’ve developed an uncanny ability to locate restrooms. On a four-hour drive to Andorra (4 days after landing), Flush became my unexpected best friend. The app is wonderfully straightforward: open it, and boom! restroom options all around (relief).?

Filters like accessibility and fees make the search even more convenient. The best part: It’s free, fast, reliable, and doesn’t bombard you with unnecessary features. For someone with, let’s call it, “a proactive approach to bathroom planning,” Flush has been an an “incredible tool”.

2. Bandsintown

Since moving, I’ve been eager to dive into the music scene... I already got tickets for Catriel y Paco Amoroso and DeeCracks (both highly recommended if you love raw energy and great vibes). This app (which I already used around 10 years ago) made it very easy to find their shows and book tickets without any hassle. Honestly, I don't remember how it was back then, but nowadays, its clean layout organizes events perfectly, showing all the info you need at a glance. I also love how it syncs with my Spotify to recommend concerts I might’ve missed, based on my algorithm.

3. AllTrails

Walking is my main (and honestly, only) outdoor activity, and once I start, I find it hard to stop. I found AllTrails, since I didn’t know where to go in Barcelona for a relaxing and long walk (less traffic lights, more space, etc.) I’ve increased my usual walking distance from 3 to 6 km (about 3.7 miles), discovering cool paths and scenic routes I’d never have found otherwise.?

The app’s filters are perfect for tailoring my walks, whether I want something easy, long, or close to home. Reviews and photos from other users also provide a solid sense of what to expect before heading out. The offline maps and polished interface made it a joy to use, even before having data roaming. It truly turned my daily walks into mini adventures.

4. FamilyTree

Funny enough, this whole relocation / moving-to-another-continent journey all started with FamilyTree. I was using it to trace my Spanish ancestry, and that’s how I discovered the connection that led me to pursue my European passport. (Gracias abuela Elvira!)

The app helps with guided steps and a timeline view that makes generations alive. The clean, simple interface keeps all your related ancestors organized while making a deeply personal task feel approachable.?

For me, it wasn’t (isn’t) just about ancestry, it was about rediscovering my roots and taking the first step towards a new chapter. Every now and then I keep taking a look a it to revisit names, surnames, cities and stuff.

5. SuperCook

Since I’m not a fan of buying prepared food, when I moved, SuperCook became my kitchen buddy. It’s genius. I just type in whatever random ingredients I have, and it comes up with recipes that actually make sense. I love how the app categorizes options by cuisine or meal type, making it easy to try something new.

The app is practical yet visually engaging, with clear photos and no unnecessary distractions. On busy days when grocery runs aren’t an option, or say for instance you went to the market a couple days ago and all you got is some dry noodles, a couple eggs and some spinach, this thing helps you get creative without sacrificing flavor or time, and gives you a recipe for some spinach bu?uelos before you even thought about it.

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If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that apps won’t solve your problems, but they’ll definitely make your life easier sometimes. Now, go download these before your storage keeps filing up with memes.

Fins aviat!