Sadly much of what you say is true in my experience. I left Barcelona after 8 years. I always had my own businesses and never lived off the state in any way. Barcelona is a beautiful city, great food, wonderful climate, great architecture and art, music and sport and yet I was happy to leave. I always felt unwelcome. The Catalans or Spanish give off a sense of ' you're welcome to visit but don't stick around... this is ours!' I call it the Barcelona malaise. Many young creatives and entrepreneurs go to Barcelona. Stay 3 years and are slowly gnawed away to the point where they are happy to leave. My son is still there, I can't understand it. He is happy with his lifestyle but not really moving forward and happy with his life. It is an important distinction. I don't miss Barcelona at all. Happy in the madness of Tokyo. If a a girl or a country doesn't want your presence, cut ties and head for greener pastures