Madrid es capital!!!

Madrid's also a major hub for Latin Americans when they come to Europe. Add in a large Eastern European population (mainly Rumanians, but also Russians, Polish, Bulgarians etc) and you have quite a cosmopolitan city. It's funny, that until recently (and the rise of Easyjet and Ryanair) if you heard someone speaking English in Madrid, there's a good chance it would have been north American. Still quite a few British expats, as you'll realise if you enter one of the many Irish pubs. Incidentally, if you frequent Irish pubs, buy British imported food, read British newpapers etc., you'll think Madrid is quite expensive. Pop in a locals bar, drink a glass of wine for 1 or 1.50 Euro (complete with free tapa) and read the Spanish newspaper provided free in the bar and you'll think Madrid is cheap!
Costs are higher here than in much of Spain; a lot of this is down to the higher accommodation costs.
Best things about Madrid - transport links (Metro and the new high speed links to elsewhere in Spain), the water (comes from the mountains and is great to drink), the museums, the nightlife, the cinemas, free tapas in the bars, the football (!), coffee (my favourite), best place to find work, the people.
Drawbacks - crowds of people in and around Sol, pickpockets in and around Sol (and the train stations), cold winters, extremely hot summers.

It's only my opinion, but it's the best place a working person could live.

One of my original concerns was the size of the city compared to Cardiff. The outskirts is defintily the way to go. I was thinking of the NOrth because its nearer to the office but im happy to go anywhere as long as its not more than 30min commute (ish) and there is somewhere for me to walk the dog. How much greenery is around. I know there are lots of parks centrally but a quick aerial view on google maps doesnt show up much green.

PS cant wait to get a motorbike up into the mountains either.

...... if you like working in big cities. If you've been used to London, then a move to Madrid is fantastic. If your pace of life was slower, Madrid - like any big city - takes getting used to.

As for your point about the recent trend of Brits going there, I'd think I'd differ on the definition of recently but I do agree that when Easyjet etc started mid-nineties to Madrid, more and more Brits started showing up.

Thankfully I left in 2002 as I missed the coast and the quiet life, but still have to visit given that Mrs F is from Madrid. Always try and make it a flying visit though and tend to hang around my old barrio near Vicente Calderon.

I was looking around flats in Madrid 2 years ago. Then you were looking to get a half decent 2 bed flat for 1000 euros a month anywhere

If you are near Barajas, then the North is not really the most practical because although it may look close, the commute would be a nightmare.

Barajas is in the East, on the A2 BArcelona motorway. Being in the north means you would have to join the throngs coming into the city, then navigate your way around thi city to get to where you want. A similar commute I had to do from the South (and we were right near the ring road) to the north would take us around an hour in rush hour (15 mins or less when no traffic)

The benefit of choosing a town nearer Barajas like Alcala I mentioned is that you avoid the ring roads completely. You just go down the motorway a few jucntions and you're there. If you don't like that town there are several others nearby.

Alcobendas was suggested before, and given its proximity to the M40 outer ring road, you wouldn't need to be on it too long to get to Barajas

Whilst there are plenty at that price and higher, there are also decent, affordable places for a bit less. BiL rents a three-bed for €800, not far from Piramides, and a lovely walk up to Plaza Mayor

Of course, if you're a big tea drinker, then the place won't seem so good...

You can get decent tea in certain place in Madrid thesedays.

El Corte Inglés carries quite a few good lines.

Oh yes, you've got the world of El Cortes Ingles to look forward to. Not all good, not all bad. Deserves its own thread really.

Hi
I live in Madrid and i have a big dog. People who have big dogs must know that they spend all day lied down, even if they live in a very big garden. You have to play with them to make them run. We have a lot of parks near home so and take him out a lot. He plays with other dogs and run and walk. There are people who live in the middle of Madrid and have no green near, so i dont know if their dogs are having a very good time
About living in Madrid, i can say that i hate living in a big city. Yes, i have been living here for over 44 years and really, you spend the days in traffic jams and looking for a place to park the car. People, like in big cities, are stressed above all when driving. You are always in a harry and you are always late.
When you are living in Madrid, dont have almost time to enjoy the city, not as if you were living outside and come to Madrid to have fun. If i could i would live in other city and i would come to Madrid because i agree its very beautiful, above all the old part. So, sorry for saying that but its what i think.
the north of Madrid, its the better part for living, at least for me. Alcobendas, San Sebastian de los Reyes, Sanchinarro, las tablas, i like these places to live.
The weather in Madrid its very very hot in summer and very very cold in winter, so at home you must have air conditioning and heating.
i hope not have disappointed and someone has been disillusion with my comments.
I have to add that in Madrid nobody is strange, everybody is going to welcome you and people are very friendly.
so, i hate it and love it, both feelings, as you can see .

you are right except when you say that its the best place to find work, it was but no at that moment, there are a lot of people unemployed, i hope this situation change.
Madrid is the essence of Spain, you can find people from everywhere and if you want to know Spain you have to know Madrid. Its where you can find the real spanish life .
marisol