Ola peeps!

Having some preliminary discussions about a new job, and I just wanted to seek some advice about a possible family move to Madrid.

Salary will be very healthy, so no problems there, but it's the costs of living I'm totally clueless about, so I have a few questions I'd appreciate advice on:

• If I wanted to rent a 4 bed house in a nice area, what would it cost? (Is there much of a choice?)
  
• What about utilities and property taxes?
  
• Is car insurance on a par with say the UK?
  
• Any idea about waiting lists and fees for international schools, primary and secondary?
  
• Is medical and dental care easy enough to obtain?
  
• I've never been to Madrid - I'd welcome any opinion, good or bad, about the suitability of it for a family. Would also be grateful for any links which would assist our research.
  
• At present we don't speak Spanish - how big a hindrance is that to daily life until we get sufficiently up to speed with the language?

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Finally, I'd add that we're used to expat life, and have lived in the Middle East, Far East and Canada. Hopefully if the Madrid move comes off, it'll be another enjoyable chapter in the great adventure!

Thanks!

When you say Madrid, do you mean Madrid Capital or or Madrid area? 4 bedroom houses don't excist here like they don't excist in the centre of London. If you're looking for a house as in the English term for a house you'll need to look for one in the outskirts however there are 4 bedroom appartments in the city.
Utility bills will depend on how much you use of everything and the owner of the building will pay any and all tax, community charges and insurance.
Car insurance can be a bit higher than UK.
Can't help with schools but I'm sure others on here may have a good idea.
Medical and dental easy to get if you go private with everything.
Personaly I LOOOOOOOOOOOVE Madrid but it's not for everyone, you'll get you of it what you put into it. Plenty to do and see and the people here are great.
Not speaking Spanish will be a hinderence, it's not like many of the Costas that're full of ExPats but it's also an advantage because you'll soon have to learn the language.

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Thanks guys.

Will wait and see how the potential job pans out. Sounds like it would be a fine place to spend a few years.

Cheers!

Hi,
You sound like you're fairly affluent and mobile, so you should adapt well to Madrid. You're as far from the coast as you can get though. Having said that, all the new high-speed AVE train lines (the one to Valencia is due to open later this year) will mean you're only a couple of hours away, plus Madrid is a major airline hub. Also, although it's not London, there's always loads of diversions in the city, such as the great art galleries, shopping areas, cinemas and concert areas.
Lastly I echo what has been said about the desirability of learning Spanish. There are a number of VO (original language) cinemas that will make the task a bit more enjoyable.

Good luck!

"Affluent and mobile." !!! Sounds good to me, I think I should put that on my CV!

Thanks again for the input.