Madrid officially holds the title of the third sunniest European capital after Maltese Valletta and Portuguese Lisbon. For many sun-hungry residents of London, Gothenburg and Oslo, this fact alone places Madrid at the top of the list of the most attractive cities to live in Spain.
However, not only northerners appreciate the capital.
Thousands of immigrants from all over the planet flock here every year. The city quickly emerged from the recession that swept the entire world 10 years ago and now offers perhaps the most attractive job opportunities for immigrants who want to live and work in Spain.
The immigrant community in Madrid is huge and constantly updated. Many foreigners come on short contracts, enjoy a taste of the Madrid lifestyle and are delighted with the adventures and time spent in Spain.
Other immigrants fall head over heels in love with the elegant metropolis. find ways to stay longer or make Madrid theirs forever. They say the longer you stay in Madrid, the harder it gets to leave. The charm of the Spanish capital is elusive and takes time to penetrate your heart.
Many expats are captivated by Madrid’s endless cultural richness and authenticity, extravagant carnivals, exciting nightlife and a host of fantastic dining options.
Culture and lifestyle
Madrid is home to three of Spain’s most famous art museums, and two of them, the Reina Sofia Center for the Arts and the Prado, offer free nightly entry every week. Both of them show huge collections of famous masterpieces.
If you love culture, Madrid is the best choice for living.
This is a city where the party never stops. Madrid comes alive after midnight, when the Gran Vía turns into one huge traffic jam, enjoying the busiest hours of the night until dawn, when tired quarters calm down again.
Schools and family fun in Madrid
If you are thinking of moving to Madrid with your family and children, worry not, Madrid is not only about parties and nightlife. It is a great city for families, as well as for those who love the idea of active retirement in a metropolis.
There are several places for family recreation near the center of the Spanish capital, but far enough away so as not to disturb residents at night. Salamanca is a premium area near the center of Madrid, which can be called extremely calm and quiet by the standards of a multi-million dollar capital.
Here you will find prestigious international schools, green alleys and walking paths in the immediate vicinity of the famous Retiro Park.
The Chambéry and Retiro districts look the same as Salamanca – prestigious and well-kept, very close to the center, but relatively secluded and quiet. These are typical urban areas with quick access to all the services and amenities you need.
Real estate, as a rule, occupies here a limited area and storage space (lofts), and also lacks spacious private gardens and swimming pools, which is a common feature of all areas of the capital with a high degree of urbanization.
To make you feel more spacious, you need to move further from the center.
Or, if money is not an issue, one option is to spend a lump sum to rent or buy a villa in El Viso, the only urban area of Madrid close to the center, where houses and villas are located instead of regular apartments.
There are 44 international schools in Madrid, so it will not be difficult for families who move to the capital of Spain with children to provide them with a good education. The public schools are decent too, plus the choice of activities for families and children is endless.
Public transport system
By the way, Madrid’s public transport system is notable for its speed and service. It is already among the best in the world and the authorities are constantly investing in further improvements.
Thus, moving away from the center will not be such a big sacrifice even for the most dedicated city dwellers. Most of the residential areas away from the center of Madrid and outside the metropolis are very well connected by public transport.
Madrid is not just the capital, but the geographical center of Spain. This fact is officially confirmed by a memorial plaque in Puerta del Sol, called “Kilometer Zero”. Walk up to the sign and you will find yourself exactly in the center of Spain.
The advantage of the central location is that residents can spend a fantastic weekend exploring the rest of Spain.
Madrid’s satellite cities such as Toledo and Segovia are arguably some of the most interesting and varied in the entire country. From Madrid, you can easily reach most major cities with the AVE high-speed train.
Real estate prices in Madrid
The average cost per square meter of residential real estate in Madrid varies from 4,900 euros in the prestigious area of Salamanca to 1,600 euros in the outskirts of Villaverde.