Madrid may be one of the best cities in Spain and Europe in general. Getting the opportunity to live here is an experience of a lifetime. Madrid is located in the center of Spain and is at the same time, the capital of the country with 3 million inhabitants. There is always something fun to do and something new to explore. What might be the catch? In this article, we cover all pros and cons of living in Madrid.
Table of Contents
Pros
Living in a capital city
Living in a capital city equals diversity. You can take this culturally and ethically. You have everything that you need at your fingertips.
A capital city also means good transportation. Everything is well-connected. There is a metro, train, and bus at your disposal. The good thing is that if you are under 26 years old you can get a special card. This means unlimited public transport for only 20€/month!
Despite it being a Spanish city, you can easily get around speaking English. As a capital, not everybody speaks as great English as others but in general, better than in other Spanish cities and villages.
The weather
You are living in Spain! This means fabulous weather. Winters are in general mild to cold and summers are hot. Regardless of the time of the year, it is almost always sunny. This has a major impact on your mood.
The climate of Madrid is dry and without humidity with pleasant temperatures. The best seasons to come here are spring and fall as it has the most pleasant temperatures of the year. Many “Madrileños” go to a place near the beach for the summer to cool down as the city doesn’t have a beach itself.
Good Food
Spain is all about tapas and Madrid is no exception. You have a wide choice of the best restaurants, all over the city. It can happen that you don’t know which one to choose. However, the quality of food in Madrid is very good in general.
The good thing about Madrid is that most of the time when you order something to drink, it automatically comes with a small tapa. This doesn’t happen in all Spanish cities so, enjoy it!
Career options
Careerwise, Madrid might be a good option. Almost all big (Spanish) companies are located here. Companies such as Amazon, Apple, and Samsung are located here and always looking for new talent. If you want to build up a big career in tech, you may get lucky here.
Being the capital of the country and the most populated city, it offers dynamism when looking for jobs. On top of this is the unemployment rate in the city, usually a few points below the national average, which is always good. It is a city that never stops, therefore, new jobs are created constantly.
Education
Education-wise, you have a great variety of education centers and universities. Some of them are even among the best valued in Spain. Therefore, this is a great city to spend your student years. Thanks to the valued universities, Spanish degrees have international recognition. Which is good for your job hunt later on in your career.
Thanks to the universities, this city is popular among students of other countries to go on an Erasmus exchange program.
If you want to learn a new language like Spanish, this is another great option. Madrid offers great learning opportunities and is a great city to learn a new language and explore new cultures. But be careful, you might never want to leave!
It is a city that never stops...
Good nightlife
The nightlife in Madrid is like no other. The best neighborhoods for restaurants, bars, and clubs are La Latina, Chueca, Malasaña, and Salamanca. Make sure to wear your most comfy shoes as you will dance the night away without a doubt.
There is something for everyone and something to do every night. Even on a Monday, you have the possibility of finding a place with a lot of life. But don’t worry, it is also okay to enjoy a beer on one of the many terraces, without going all out.
Quality of life
Quality of life in Spain, in general, has high rates. However, Madrid has been able to climb into the top 6 of best urban life in Europe. One of the main reasons for sure is the transport system. The system in Madrid is very efficient with trains, buses, and subways. The crime rate is also relatively low for a capital city.
Spain has one of the best balances between work and leisure. People here work to live but don’t live to work. This is one of the reasons why people love Spain so much. They often have less stress than in their home country.
Cons
No beach
As this city is located in the center of the country, there is no beach. Summers get unbearably hot in Madrid and there is no place to cool down. However, thanks to public transport, you can reach another city with a beach like Valencia in only 2 hours. Perfect to spend a day or even a weekend!
Spain has one of the best balances between work and leisure. People here work to live but don’t live to work. This is one of the reasons why people love Spain so much. They often have less stress than in their home country.
Accommodation
Finding good accommodation can be tough in a city like Madrid. Most apartments are listed with a brokerage, which means that you have to pay them a fee for their services. Getting an apartment directly from the owner is the cheapest option but almost impossible to find. The best thing is to look for something in Facebook groups. But be careful as there is a lot of spam and phishing here as well.
Spanish Salaries
It’s no secret that the salaries in Spain are pretty low. Prepare that you won’t have all the freedom in the world when working for a Spanish company. Life, in general, is cheaper, but it is all in balance. A cheaper cost of living also means lower incomes.
As an expat seeking to find work here, this is something that you should consider. The ideal scenario would be to work remotely from Madrid or to work without being dependent on income here.
Air quality
The quality of air in Madrid is not the best. It is one of the most populated cities in the world so this is no surprise. Smog is common here and is contributed by smokers. Smoking in Madrid is very widespread. When seated outside, expect smokers to be around.
Cost of Living
The cost of living is not as high as in other cities, however, living in Madrid can still be quite costly. If you have a Spanish salary it is important to save where possible.
The rental prices vary depending on the area. Although it is very unlikely that you will find something under €800 monthly (no costs included). When choosing a room in a shared flat you will pay around €400 – €500 a month.
As you can read, there are many advantages to living in Madrid. Of course, there are some disadvantages as well, like everything does in life! There is a reason why people love Madrid. Once you get a taste of the Spanish lifestyle and culture, it is hard to let go…
Apartment rental Madrid
Globexs offers a fine selection of furnished apartments for rent in Madrid. The rental process is specifically designed for digital nomads: Fully furnished apartments, fast wifi, flexible contracts and no hassles.
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