Places to live in Spain

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Barcelona is the birthplace of Catalan culture, amongst many other cultures and civilisations, and a witness to major transformations such as the Industrial Revolution or the Civil War amongst many others.The mediterranean sea breezes means Barcelona enjoys very mild weather.There are two official languages in Catalonia: Catalan and Spanish, and there are more and more people in the region who understand and speak English.Environmental and social sustainability is one of Barcelona's watchwords and that's why you'll find a whole host of initiatives to allow you to enjoy a more efficient and sustainable city. Be it for buying as a rental investment or a holiday home maybe even for coming to live there, Barcelona is a city everyone is fond of and where it is impossible to get bored. Its neighborhoods each offer a different page of history, cultural experiences and architecture. You can get lost on the labyrinth like gothic streets , admire the modernist monuments contemplate the view of Barcelona from Montjuic or take advantage of the bohemian charm of Gracia.

Barcelona, capital of Catalonia, yet at the same time, due to the numerous efforts made by the province, a capital of European innovation, favoring business, a place that encourages start up businesses or even somewhere to launch your professional career.

Valencia is well positioned next to the coast so If you want to enjoy the beach, Valencia offers everything you need. Pristine Mediterranean beaches just South and North of the city. On the main beach close to the port, there are lots of bars, restaurants and nightclubs. Nights out in summer in this area are memorable.

The port area has everything for sailing enthusiasts, there is jet skiing, windsurfing, kite-surf, beach-bars. The beach has everything a typical Spanish resort would have, but with the upshot of being only ten minutes from Valencia city centre.

Valencia is famous for its rice dishes. The authentic Paella  is local to the region. The rice is grown in the rice paddies (The Albufera National Park) to the south of the city and the whole of Spain knows Valencia as the place to go for the perfect authentic paella . The areas of El Carmen and Conde Altea have everything from michelin starred restaurants to open terraces serving tapas until late into the night.

If you want to spend a night out eating and drinking, in Valencia you can bar-hop from place to place, eating tapas and having a drink as you go. Valencians are a very friendly , children are welcome everywhere, in bars and restaurants until very late .There are playgrounds everywhere and lots of activities every weekend for children of all ages.

There are public schools in all of the areas of Valencia, and there are now some 10 international schools in and around the city along with bilingual and plurilingual private schools employing native English teachers.

Many expats look to live outside the city close to an international schools although driving into Valencia in the morning is not bad for traffic and in the residential estates around the city.

Life in Madrid is exciting and very diverse. As the fourth most populous city in Europe, it is also a popular expat destination.Since Madrid is both the capital of Spain and its largest city, the head of government as well as the Spanish royal family are living in Madrid most of the time. Despite the crisis, it is still a major financial center in southern Europe, a hub for trade and industry, as well as Spain’s center of fashion, music, arts, and culture. With all these accreditations, it is no surprise that Madrid boasts a high standard of living for expats.

Even though the public school system in Spain is very good and free of charge for all children up to the age of 16, many expats living in Madrid prefer to send their children to a private international school. Madrid has a wide range of international schools to offer its foreign nationals. The most popular and abundant are English-language schools, followed closely by education catering to the German and French communities.

German schools are also common with Spain being a favorite destination among German expats. Located directly in the heart of downtown Madrid, it offers its students the German Abitur (German high school diploma). The Lycee Francaise offers French families the opportunity to send their children to a school based on the French education system. 

Granada has it all from beaches to mountains ! The city of Granada may be small, but Granada Province has many mountains, valleys and the sea. For outdoor lovers it is the perfect place, possible to ski in the mountains and go diving in the sea in one day. In just one hour, you can easily drive from the Sierra Nevada to the Mediterranean Sea.

Skiing is cheaper than in other parts of Europe — day passes are as low as €35 — and it also has uncharacteristically long season running from late November to early May. Best of all, it’s a 45-minute drive from Granada, that means you can easily go for a day of skiing and come back home without having the expense of ski chalets or appartmements.

As for the coast, the pebbled beaches near Granada are usually packed in summer they are great to visit all year round because of the subtropical climate. Granada is very cheap to live in comparison to other parts Spain. An Airbnb or hotel costs around 30 to 50 euros per room per night. Renting an apartment in Granada for long term usually costs anything between 300 to 600 euros per month in the city centre 

And as for food itbis equally affordable, a city famous for its “free tapas” tradition.  Almost every restaurant and tapas bar serves a free plate of food, with a drink (beer and wine costs only 2 to 3 euros)., and a menu of the day costs about 10 euros.

For many, Seville  is the heart of Andalucía, the large Autonomous Community that covers much of southern Spain. A city of nearly infinite charm, Seville (population about 700,000 in the city and 1.5 million in the greater metro area) is a mecca for those who love gracious living, southern Spanish style.

Located on the Guadalquivir River, the largest navigable river in Spain, Seville is about 50 miles from the Atlantic Ocean. (It’s the only major commercial river port in Spain, and it has been since antiquity.) Seville is the capital of the Autonomous Community of Andalucía and a major economic center for the region; it’s important in technology, aerospace, renewable energy, and research and development related to these industries.

The city is justly famous for its Moorish architecture, bull fighting, flamenco dancing, and lively culinary scene and boasts to be the home of Tapas.While the population of Seville and its surrounding towns doesn't reach more than 1.2 million, it’s a city big enough to have all of the amenities of any other metropolis, while retaining the charm of a small town. People from all over the world have come to Seville looking for a slower pace of life in one of Europe's most temperate cities. Groups such as the American Women's Club has an active community, and there are language exchanges, flamenco and cooking courses, and arts groups all over the city. In a place as friendly as Spain, it's easy to make connections. It is noted that most of the buyers prefer houses in the Centrical and Monumental centre of the city. This is known to be one of the most beautiful areas of Sevilla, with all the must-visit places just a few minutes away. The area is also full of bars and delicious restaurants.

Triana is considered the soul of the city, it is an emerging neighbourhood just next to the centre. If you want to live as the locals do then this area could be for you.

Nervion is another area considered as the modern centre. This neighbourhood is quieter than the centre itself and Triana, but it has all the things that you want (shopping malls, restaurants, supermarkets, schools, etc.). It is also the district of Sevilla with more green areas.

Los Remidios, also a modern district as Nervión, it is a good choice if you are looking for a quiet place where to live (the busy centre and the tourists visiting the city are far away).

La Almeda de Hercules is the art district, with many shops and small narrow streets. This is the place where you can find 100% Andalusian houses.

The number one reason is the weather in Marbella. The climate is a temperate Mediterranean one and is also influenced by the Mediterranean sea. This means that the temperature in Marbella is pretty much always pleasant: it’s never very cold in winter and never extremely hot in summer.As well as the beautiful hills that surround Marbella, there are also two stunning national parks nearby. If you love good food, then you can eat your heart out here. Restaurants in Marbella offer something for everyone with various cuisines, of which the Spanish cuisine is of course the most prominent. You’ll find the best restaurants on the beach promenade and the Plaza de los Naranjos and in the idyllic old city center.Marbella wouldn’t be Marbella if there weren’t any good parties! Going out in Marbella is definitely a whole new experience. Fancy bars, clubs full of glitter and glamour and hip locales – when you hit the streets in Marbella you can be sure you are in good company.Marbella’s beaches are marked as some of the most beautiful on the Costa del Sol. It’s no surprise then that Marbella is one of the most popular coastal towns on this side of the country. If you are thinking of purchasing in Marbella you will not be disappointed there is something for everyone the houses in Marbella are beautiful. Modern apartments with a sea views, a large villa in the hills or in one of the many golf resorts. Go into town during the day and then unwind with a glass of wine in your own backyard whilst you view the sun going down. Or invite your friends and family over for a pool party an live the dream !

Malaga is not only a great place to live it’s a great place to do business as well.

Increasingly, this vibrant Andalusian city is gaining attention as an innovative location for professionals and companies alike.According to the latest European Commission barometer for living in Europe Malaga is one of the top ten cities in Europe with the best quality of life. Actually the only city in Spain to make the list.An average of 320 days of sunshine a year means its outdoor lifestyle is a major factor.

There is al fresco dining and cafe culture galore, plus beaches to while away those plentiful sunny days.You will not find a warmer welcome from the local Malaguenos. They enjoy life to the full and live it passionately.