Alizia in Spain: My Madrid Experience

What is it like to live in Madrid? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

For anyone visiting Madrid, it quickly becomes a second home.

There are no strangers. Everyone is welcome and treated like part of the family. The more time you spend here, the more comfortable you feel.

This is one of the main reasons I’d recommend anyone to stay in my amazing city, and to do so for a long time. The longer you stay the more time you have to look past the superficial parts of the city and start discovering the classic Madrid that survives underneath the facade all the tourism and commerce has created.

What is the student lifestyle like in Madrid?

Madrid is lively, and very much a student city. It offers something for every student and at every level. From the most academic fields to the most basic ones, you will find the perfect one to suit you.

How much does it cost to live in Madrid?

In general, it’s an expensive city. Therefore, I’d recommend that you budget properly and know your limits before you arrive. Anything to the contrary is just not true.

Good planning prior to your trip as well as seeking advice from people that know the city are the best ways for you to be efficient in your spending.

This doesn't mean you shouldn't do the things that you want, nor does it mean you should simply limit yourself to the places with the cheapest prices and be scared of the more expensive ones. Yet, unfortunately in Madrid, the price of something is not always true to the quality of it, so just make sure you are being careful.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Madrid? Is there any advice you can give?

There is a huge variety of accommodation in the capital, from the most exclusive and expensive places to the more basic and appealing economically. I would go as far as saying although it is easy to find somewhere to live, it is not that easy to find a nice place to live, something that is of a relatively decent standard.

Being an expensive city, it is tempting to find the cheapest deal possible, but looking in this way can often lead you astray. Finding something in between is always a gamble, so I would simply recommend that you look for something in the heart of the city with bills (electricity, water, gas, internet) already included in the price, using between 400€ and 600€ as a rough guideline.

At the end of the day, having your own large, quiet and intimate space allows you to come back and reflect on each day of your trip from the comfort of what will feel like home. Something essential when being away for such a long period of time.

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

The food in Madrid is both excellent and of a huge variety. It’s always best to try the typical food of any city you visit, the type of food you find after wading through all the commercial junk that litters the streets.

If you look for it, you will find it. However, if given the opportunity, at this juncture I’d give a slightly more personal and direct piece of advice...

What places would you recommend visiting in Madrid?

So, where to go in Madrid? You simply cannot leave until you have seen all the best places in the city. Enjoy the beauty of the aged buildings and be sure to visit the mountains that you can see on the horizon.

In the city centre, you must take a walk through El Retiro Park, as well as a stroll through the Royal Botanical Gardens.

I am not going to write about any more places you should visit as I risk writing for hours on end... and also take away the adventure of exploring the city for yourself!

What advice would you give future students headed to Madrid?

Good luck to all future visitors and get ready to encounter a big and beautiful city, ready to welcome you with arms wide open and a great big hug to boot!