Re: What is happening to Madrid!
 

Interesting plans to redevelop the plaza de España. Hope they get this right - there was a very nice craft market over the Christmas period there.

http://www.madridiario.es/noticia/ma...-espana/408125

Re: What is happening to Madrid!
 

That is one of the buildings on Plaza España that has been "okupado" in recent years. The other two have now been demolished to make way for hotels as well. Next to it is Torre Madrid (where I used to work) where you can now buy perhaps the best penthouse in Madrid, if you've €5 million burning a hole in your pocket:

http://www.propiedades-singulares.es...32-vivienda-3/

Re: What is happening to Madrid!
 

Not everyone enjoys their time in Madrid. Michael Owen found it hard.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/col...s-at-home.html

Re: What is happening to Madrid!
 

Absolutely, but it is much cheaper in comparison and except of Rome, by far the sunniest.
Nowadays, the unemployment rate rose to 26% and with over 56% of young unemployment, and no future solutions, it shows a decadent society. Rubbish was all over the city during the recent strike.

Barcelona is a different story,

Re: What is happening to Madrid!
 

The problem is that the council cleaners were TUPE'd to a contractor, who wasn't happy about the level of profit being made from the deal so laid off a number of workers and reduced the salaries of the others, as shown in my earlier post
Perhaps some should watch more television news and read the posters the protesters are waving around.

outsourcing can be a good thing, but it is relatively new in Spain and at this level it only takes a small spark to have the Unions doing a Miriam (Karlin) and saying "everyone out".

Re: What is happening to Madrid!
 

Yes Barcelona has higher unemployment and less sunshine.

Not quite sure what your point is though.

Re: What is happening to Madrid!
 

This may be of use to anyone visiting Madrid - a calendar of events of interest to English speakers eg quiz nights, music gigs etc:

http://www.englishwarehouse.com/calendar.asp

Re: What is happening to Madrid!
 

I see Barcelona with better eyes, beach, nice buildings, well-organised, and overall less trouble. The problems with the major resulting in rubbish all over my street could have been easily solved. Same with unemployment. There is something happening to Madrid that it is disturbing. Definitely not the best time to live here.

Re: What is happening to Madrid!
 

Hah, you mean Barcelona has a better grip on street crime? :rofl:
Not sure why a rubbish strike is supposed to be worse in Madrid than elsewhere - there was a major strike in Brighton last summer, but no sensible person would surely use that as a reason not to visit the resort now?
By the way there is currently a similar strike in Alcorcon (a town to the south-west of Madrid) but because tourists and guiris generally don't go there, guess what, no one here is talking about it!

On another note, the brunch craze shows no sigh yet of abating ( I suspect it'll be the onset of warm weather that slows it down)

Re: What is happening to Madrid!
 

And you live there?

Re: What is happening to Madrid!
 

As I mentioned previously Barcelona has more unemployment, and also higher levels of street crime and prostitution. However in many ways I prefer Barcelona to Madrid - more pleasing on the eye, and not stuck in the middle of the meseta. However when it comes to chosing where to live, things like employment and the fact that nearly every Catalan you meet has a huge chip in their shoulder and is likely to bore you to death with their Catalanismo shifts the balance in favour of Madrid.

Re: What is happening to Madrid!
 

:goodpost:

There are good points and bad points to each city. I like the fact that you don't have to cope with language politics in Madrid, the water is of a good quality, and the free aperitivo regime (amongst other things). But I'd be the first to admit that Barcelona has certain advantages in being close to the sea (and to France), and in its visual layout. I've also built up a support network over the years in Madrid (I've known the place for 25 years now). I'd find it very hard to try and get work or start a business in Barcelona. I'll keep it as a holiday destination, but I can't argue with those who think it's a better place to live. Just not for me.

Re: What is happening to Madrid!
 

Want a home in Madrid for €1,000, no bills to pay, free electricity, water, gas, maybe even free heating?
http://elpais.com/elpais/2014/02/03/...83_050224.html

Re: What is happening to Madrid!
 

Quite where they are going to fit all these (there appears to be a 100M or La Sureña on every corner in some parts) but the fast food operator Restalia intend to take on 4,000 employees in Madrid in 2014 as they continue expanding. Interesting to see if "TheGoodBurger" takes off - being talked about as a McDs killer..

http://www.eleconomista.es/interstit...s-en-2014.html

Re: What is happening to Madrid!
 

....or maybe a tapas killer Stevie ;) :rofl: as seems to be the case around here and a few other places I've been to lately.

All manner of fast food seems to be the order of the day amongst many Spanish now.
Even in our tiny local pueblo there are pizza joints, kebab joints, burgers and all the rest replacing traditional bars, some of which have recently been converted to make way for them.