Are Brits scared of Madrid?
#1
Are Brits scared of Madrid?
Time and time again you see posters here enquiring about moving to Spain, but they never seem flexible enough to consider the capital. It has to be one of the best places to find work in Spain (in my limited experience, the best) yet most Brits rule it out straight away. Is it because they want a beach location? Or because they know a decent level of Spanish is required?
#2
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,368
Re: Are Brits scared of Madrid?
Don´t think it is anything to do with being scared, perhaps it just doesn´t appeal. For those that need work, perhaps they might consider it, but the majority here seem to have had their share of city life and now opt for something more relaxed, to chill out somewhere with less traffic, less pollution. If it wasn´t for work would you be in London by choice? I know I certainly wouldn´t want to live there! Madrid has a lot of pollution, I´m reading today of the government talking about restricting traffic in Madrid because of the "pésima calidad del aire". Also read recently of a top Spanish health official advising people to avoid going out into the street during the busy hours and only to take exercise in the fresh air.
Why subject yourself to that if you don´t need to? Doesn´t appeal to all, but a lot would prefer to be stuck up an Andalucia mountain, or a rural village somewhere, than stuck in a major city.
Se les recomienda evitar salir a la calle en las horas centrales del día y limitar esfuerzos y ejercicio físico al aire libre.
#3
Re: Are Brits scared of Madrid?
Time and time again you see posters here enquiring about moving to Spain, but they never seem flexible enough to consider the capital. It has to be one of the best places to find work in Spain (in my limited experience, the best) yet most Brits rule it out straight away. Is it because they want a beach location? Or because they know a decent level of Spanish is required?
I think most are looking for a better more relaxed lifestyle such as a nice place on the Costas or a pleasant inland villa in a pretty,peaceful location, and most would definitely prefer to be away from the hustle and bustle and incessant noise of city life, which no doubt has more appeal for the Spanish than the Brits.
To move out of a large noisy UK city into a similar sized Spanish city must be like jumping out of the frying pan into the fire.
#4
Re: Are Brits scared of Madrid?
If it wasn´t for work would you be in London by choice?
#5
Re: Are Brits scared of Madrid?
I think most are looking for a better more relaxed lifestyle such as a nice place on the Costas or a pleasant inland villa in a pretty,peaceful location, and most would definitely prefer to be away from the hustle and bustle and incessant noise of city life, which no doubt has more appeal for the Spanish than the Brits.
To move out of a large noisy UK city into a similar sized Spanish city must be like jumping out of the frying pan into the fire.
To move out of a large noisy UK city into a similar sized Spanish city must be like jumping out of the frying pan into the fire.
#6
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,368
Re: Are Brits scared of Madrid?
Indeed, lots of good things about both London and Madrid, and the Spanish forums I read seem particularly impressed with London parks London for me is good for a visit, but that´s about it. I´d hate to live there, or any other big city, and I guess many feel the same. I loved Sevilla, Granada, Córdoba, Valencia etc, enjoy passing some time in all of them, but again, I wouldn´t want to live there.
#7
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 228
Re: Are Brits scared of Madrid?
Madrid is too busy for me, I prefer being retired in a more relaxed place, and also where the weather is better, as for the Spanish language, its a doddle in Madrid, listing to the locals in Madrid is like music to the ears in comparrison to where we are
#8
Re: Are Brits scared of Madrid?
Don´t think it is anything to do with being scared, perhaps it just doesn´t appeal. For those that need work, perhaps they might consider it, but the majority here seem to have had their share of city life and now opt for something more relaxed, to chill out somewhere with less traffic, less pollution. If it wasn´t for work would you be in London by choice? I know I certainly wouldn´t want to live there! Madrid has a lot of pollution, I´m reading today of the government talking about restricting traffic in Madrid because of the "pésima calidad del aire". Also read recently of a top Spanish health official advising people to avoid going out into the street during the busy hours and only to take exercise in the fresh air.
Why subject yourself to that if you don´t need to? Doesn´t appeal to all, but a lot would prefer to be stuck up an Andalucia mountain, or a rural village somewhere, than stuck in a major city.
Why subject yourself to that if you don´t need to? Doesn´t appeal to all, but a lot would prefer to be stuck up an Andalucia mountain, or a rural village somewhere, than stuck in a major city.
#9
Re: Are Brits scared of Madrid?
We came from a small town and retired to a Hamlet....it's not even a village, our worst nightmare would be to live in a city!
Today we had to go down to the coast to Fuengirola and Torremolinos and we hated every minute of it!
Yes it was nice to see the Med as we drove along, but the amount of traffic and people would drive us mad if we had to live there, we much prefer the quiet of El Campo and the beautiful open views of the mountains.
Today we had to go down to the coast to Fuengirola and Torremolinos and we hated every minute of it!
Yes it was nice to see the Med as we drove along, but the amount of traffic and people would drive us mad if we had to live there, we much prefer the quiet of El Campo and the beautiful open views of the mountains.
#10
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2005
Location: Beckenham, London borough Bromley
Posts: 1,617
Re: Are Brits scared of Madrid?
Hi
If I were working then if I had to live in a city, I would want to maximise my wages. I have heard the wages in Madrid, although higher than surrounding cities, is somewhat lower than say London.
If it was a life style change then maybe I would think differently, but to me it was better to work in a country where wages had to be higher.
My theory says that you get 10% of your wages left over at the end of the week. Therefore I prefer 10% of a higher wage - meaning I could retire to a cheaper country where my pension goes further.
Davexf
If I were working then if I had to live in a city, I would want to maximise my wages. I have heard the wages in Madrid, although higher than surrounding cities, is somewhat lower than say London.
If it was a life style change then maybe I would think differently, but to me it was better to work in a country where wages had to be higher.
My theory says that you get 10% of your wages left over at the end of the week. Therefore I prefer 10% of a higher wage - meaning I could retire to a cheaper country where my pension goes further.
Davexf
#11
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,368
Re: Are Brits scared of Madrid?
Yes, it has, but if you are working and living in Madrid, that's where you'll be all week, you maybe able to escape to the mountains on the weekends. Also there's the old saying, "Nueve meses de invierno, tres de infierno". Couple that with the pollution (the mayor is asking people to leave their cars at home, take public transport as the pollution level is so high) and it's not anywhere you'd think of retiring to. As I said, maybe if it was the only place you could find work.
#12
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Dec 2009
Location: Aracena area Huelva Spain
Posts: 1,631
Re: Are Brits scared of Madrid?
We came from a small town and retired to a Hamlet....it's not even a village, our worst nightmare would be to live in a city!
Today we had to go down to the coast to Fuengirola and Torremolinos and we hated every minute of it!
Yes it was nice to see the Med as we drove along, but the amount of traffic and people would drive us mad if we had to live there, we much prefer the quiet of El Campo and the beautiful open views of the mountains.
Today we had to go down to the coast to Fuengirola and Torremolinos and we hated every minute of it!
Yes it was nice to see the Med as we drove along, but the amount of traffic and people would drive us mad if we had to live there, we much prefer the quiet of El Campo and the beautiful open views of the mountains.
#13
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2006
Location: Velez-Malaga
Posts: 4,919
Re: Are Brits scared of Madrid?
I'm one of those weird people who actually likes cities and would be bored witless if I lived in the campo.
I've visited Madrid and would be happy to live there, if it weren't for 2 things:-
1) the climate - cold in winter (had enough of that in the UK) and very hot in the summer
2) the price of property, either to buy or to rent.
The second is a factor which applies to pretty much all cities, especially capitals, which is why I live in a large town instead! I have to be within easy reach of a city, though, I like the choice of restaurants, shops, art galleries, museums, etc and just like wandering around. I also like to be close to an airport with a good choice of flights which tend to be around big cities.
I've visited Madrid and would be happy to live there, if it weren't for 2 things:-
1) the climate - cold in winter (had enough of that in the UK) and very hot in the summer
2) the price of property, either to buy or to rent.
The second is a factor which applies to pretty much all cities, especially capitals, which is why I live in a large town instead! I have to be within easy reach of a city, though, I like the choice of restaurants, shops, art galleries, museums, etc and just like wandering around. I also like to be close to an airport with a good choice of flights which tend to be around big cities.
#14
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Dec 2009
Location: Aracena area Huelva Spain
Posts: 1,631
Re: Are Brits scared of Madrid?
I'm one of those weird people who actually likes cities and would be bored witless if I lived in the campo.
I've visited Madrid and would be happy to live there, if it weren't for 2 things:-
1) the climate - cold in winter (had enough of that in the UK) and very hot in the summer
2) the price of property, either to buy or to rent.
The second is a factor which applies to pretty much all cities, especially capitals, which is why I live in a large town instead! I have to be within easy reach of a city, though, I like the choice of restaurants, shops, art galleries, museums, etc and just like wandering around. I also like to be close to an airport with a good choice of flights which tend to be around big cities.
I've visited Madrid and would be happy to live there, if it weren't for 2 things:-
1) the climate - cold in winter (had enough of that in the UK) and very hot in the summer
2) the price of property, either to buy or to rent.
The second is a factor which applies to pretty much all cities, especially capitals, which is why I live in a large town instead! I have to be within easy reach of a city, though, I like the choice of restaurants, shops, art galleries, museums, etc and just like wandering around. I also like to be close to an airport with a good choice of flights which tend to be around big cities.
#15
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: May 2009
Location: Alicante province
Posts: 5,753
Re: Are Brits scared of Madrid?
I spent my working life in cities, mostly London, without the option if living in the country and got so used to it that I couldn’t even consider living in the country if I was able to.
I can walk to banks, hospitals, umpteen bars and restaurants, and am only a short distance from anything I might need, including a sight of the sea.
I did try the country, but got frightened by the sound of silence. And I had to drive forty miles to get my Sunday Times.
I can walk to banks, hospitals, umpteen bars and restaurants, and am only a short distance from anything I might need, including a sight of the sea.
I did try the country, but got frightened by the sound of silence. And I had to drive forty miles to get my Sunday Times.