i remember sitting in plaza santa ana (guiri spot i know...but id only been there a little while) in the blazing sun with my vinto tinto being asked my my friend why i was in madrid....i could only smile!
i do find that most of the ex pats here, are here for work and so do know the language.....it must be very different from the costas, and generally are having a great time. And yes is depend on where you hang out. im not a massive irish pub person (well until they ban smoking) I have a real mix of friends here, but chin wagging with an expat does make the evening a lot of fun.
im hoping that economically its does not affect me too much. we will see i guess.
i just wish it would warm up quick ;-)

Don't get me wrong, I love Madrid, and Spring and Autumn can be great (although it can rain too). However the 40C blanket that descends in July/August is not to my taste and is too energy-sapping. I actually prefer the UK at the height of summer as you can get out and about.

yes its hot in august...but EMPTY...i love it. can zip across town in no time. (im generally in tenerife for half of august anyway)

the uk of course is great when the sun shines, i cant deny it. hyde park in the summer...gorgeous.

I moved to Madrid from Belchingdorm 14 months ago, was in Peñagrande for 2 months (too far from the centre and didn't like the area) then moved to Goya 12 months ago. It's realy hard to find the right appartment in this area as they're expensive and some we've liked wouldn't allow dogs.

Same as the moaning expats in other parts of Spain.

I do kinda agree with this, it is soooo hot in summer but the company I work for now closes for August, as many other places do, so I'll probably take the oportunity to visit other areas of Spain
And that's what I loved about Madrid last summer, completely empty.

landed and unpacked...

great place...

regrets --- should have sorted out internet before coming etc and spanish sim.. It took me most of last week to get my spanish sim working....... internet still not connected...

should have learnt more spanish -- outside madrid (i live a bit out) and even in madrid most don't speak english.. hopefully will learn now that i am here though

flats a palace... i will never get this in uk for the same price i think.

they need a passport for everything ... por que???

what else.... spanish eat a heavy lunch... and late....i am not use to this... but not major...

smaller shops on the outskirt areas of madrid (meaning inside madrid province but probably outside the city) are cheaper for general items, and the more expensive stuff (in comparison to uk) but i am finding the convenience items to be generally on the pricey side.


what else... for now.... siesta time... (my siesta time is rather late actually cos the company is 8:30 to 5:30 approx but i tend to do walking when i get home... and wake up even later for some thinking time etc)

welcome to spain!!
yep late eating..you´ll get used to it. ive been to some tourist spots south of spain and they have really early (for me now) lunchs especially for the brits visiting! my take away restaruant doesn´t even take orders till after 8pm!!

Welcome to Madrid
Look for chinese pound style shops for everyday household products, they're very cheap. If you're looking for a good deal on clothes the sales have started, you could pop over to Plaza Norte 2 or The Factory.
Passport is for your own good, if someone steals your wallet and tries to purchase something with your credit card they wont look like your passport photo (with any luck).

yes the sales are fabulous......40€ dress i had my eye on...reduced to 7€. LOVE IT.

i tend to carry my uk driving liscence for photo id. paying by credit card they accept it. probably not the right thing to do, but dont like carrying my passport.

Are you kidding?.........that's your perfect excuse why your OH needs to buy you a new handbag while the sales are on.

i got dumped remember. i do all the carrying. :-P

sorry, have the memory of a...erm...you know.....that thing in the water........what do you call it again?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencete...ilk-again.html

;-)

Signed up to jaztel

That was whole slap stick comedy in the Phone house... (shop keeper listening and prompting me to say whatever for verifcation phone call) but now I got to just wait and wait.. until its setup, so still no internet yet. Do I get tv package with them?

Anyone tried to bring a wife over thats not uk/eu resident let me know.

How long is this sale season?

Also is there like ccl (cclonine dot com) or aria type alternative for madrid?


And advice on learning spanish while in madrid...greatly appreciated.

Take a course? There are some really cheap classes available if you look around, but even the language schools normally advertised in the Metro aren't too expensive.
As you progress you may want to do an intercambio (language interchange). Look out for special nights in Irish pubs where this happens - there used to be a good one too in Cafe Madrid near Plaza de Oriente on a Wednesday night. You'll find lots of Spanish wanting to practise their English on you, but you will need to improve your Spanish before you can benefit I fear.
Also try going regularly to VO (original version) cinemas to watch films (make sure it's an English language film tho). You can pick up decent Spanish translations that way. There are loads of VO cinemas in Madrid - my favourite used to be Cinema Verdi close to Canal metro, as it's not in a tourist area.

http://www.alternate.es/html/index.html
Have used them many times, excellent service!