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Writer's pictureSean

The Pros and Cons of Living in Madrid

Updated: Oct 30

Madrid is a hot and vibrant city that offers a lot to any expat who wants to move and build a new life for themselves. However, when it comes to living in Madrid, it is worth noting that there are things to consider when moving there - these are things to keep in mind and not meant to be reasons not to move.


Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons when it comes to life in Madrid, and you can figure out whether or not this is the right move for you. If you are looking for a removal service to Madrid, make sure to visit Pinnacle Removals & Storage. Now, let's get started on the pros and cons of living in Madrid.


Pro - A Superb City Vibe

A Superb City Vibe

People primarily move to Madrid for two main reasons - they want to enjoy the weather that Spain is known for and experience the laid-back lifestyle synonymous with the South. Madrid is hands down, one of the more vibrant cities in Europe, brimming with colour and passion.


It is also a pedestrian-oriented city, befitting the bucolic, laidback lifestyle many love. This isn’t a city that bustles with business and business - it is much more laid back than that, and people enjoy it.


Con - Lack of beaches

If you like hot weather, Madrid might seem like a good idea. However, the city's lack of beaches might give you pause for thought. Madrid is landlocked, and this means that the hot summers that sound appealing can be less appealing if you don’t have a beach to enjoy them with.


Temperatures can kick up to 30 degrees Celsius and rise over the summer months, so it is worth considering.


Pro - Madrid is Affordable

Madrid is Affordable

Madrid can appeal to many people owing to its low cost of living, which has been low for a while compared to some of the other capital cities in Europe.


If we compare Madrid to locations like London or Paris, we’ll find that it is much cheaper, and you get more value for money with your accommodation, entertainment, and food. It has one of the lowest living costs compared to quality of life.


Con - Living Costs are Rising

It would be foolish to assume that anywhere in Europe is immune to rising costs of living. Madrid is slowly starting to catch up with the costs of life in other countries, so if you were hoping for a few decades of cheap living, you might need to adjust your expectations.


You should be prepared for the fact that the local population is blaming the expat community for the rising costs of living. Many see them as part of the problem driving up accommodation costs. However, this isn’t really fair—the increase in the cost of living is more notable due to Madrid being the capital.


Pro - Easy Access

The great thing about living life in Madrid is that you are located conveniently within easy access to a lot of major areas for day trips and exploring Spain. The capital has transport links in and out of the city, so it is easy to hop on a bus or train and explore the country. You’d be wise to make a list of locations you want to visit - you’ll be able to get most of them ticked off in a few months.


Con - Language Can be a Problem

Language Can be a Problem

Language is one of those things that all expats have to try and get around at some point, but it will be an issue when settling into life and exploring. Madrid, being the capital city, is more likely to have a lot of English-speaking people, and that will help with the basics, but the further you go, the more likely you are to experience Spanish over English, and this means you may not be able to communicate effectively. It is up to you whether this is something you can work around or not.


Pro - The Nightlife

The Nightlife

The nightlife in Spain is part of the reason so many people choose to come to the area to holiday and enjoy themselves. The club scene is vibrant and awake pretty much every weekend - not to mention the weeknights for the visitors. There’s a lot to enjoy with the clubs and bars in Madrid, and you’re sure to make friends.


Con - Air Pollution


Being the capital of Spain is good for commerce, trade, and tourism, but it’s not all smooth sailing. The air pollution in the area is higher than in any other part of Spain, and this does cause a few issues. It’s not intolerable, but those who have breathing issues may find that this is a difficult thing to try and work around.


Pro - Public Transport

Public Transport

To try and counteract the higher levels of air pollution that plague the area, Madrid has invested heavily in public transport. There are a wealth of buses and trains that take you anywhere you want to go in the city and beyond. Getting around is pretty easy, which is good news.


Con - Slow Government


Unfortunately, the government in Spain is a little on the slow side so if you want to get something done, you’ll probably have to wait a little while. Bureaucracy takes its time doing things so there will be a bit of wait on your hands if you need to apply for a document or submit a file.


Moving to Madrid


So, we hope that there’s a pretty nuanced view of Madrid on offer now. Despite some of the challenges you might face working and living in the area, Madrid is a nice place to put down roots on the whole.


As is the case with any city, there are plenty of considerations to keep in mind. It’s not the end of the world if you have to wait a little longer for a document in most cases, but you’ll have to be on the ball with your admin to compensate. If there was one thing we’d say to anyone who is thinking about moving, it’s that you just need to do a bit of research. Pinnacle Removals & Storage is happy to help facilitate your move to Madrid, so get in touch and find out what we can do for you.

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