Experience in Madrid, Spain by Alberto

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

As the capital of the country, Madrid concéntrate a wide offer of everything you may need and expect. From Historic and Architectural point of view a city that has host royal families and governments has atessorate a wide range of buildings and institutions, civil, religious, artistics, etc for centuries. Three of the most relevant and well known museums of the world, Prado, Thyssen-Bornemisza and Reina Sofía, as well as Sorolla, Cerralbo, Romanticismo and many Foundations are of high interest. Entertainment offers the most relevant musical,s Theaters and many other performances; gastronomy is very rich and varied. Metro & Cercanías (short and mid distance train connections) network are considered to be the best and reasonably affordable among European capitals. Also Madrid Barajas airport connects the city to bearly any main city in the world, being the hub to Latinamerica destinations. At the same time, Madrid keeps the air of a Castillian city and given that a big percentage of Madrid citizens are from other Spanish cities or foreigners, is a welcoming city to everyone, offering the close feeling of small quarters anywhere you live. There are many industrial and business áreas all around the city well connected to the city center.

What is the student lifestyle like in Madrid?

Ciudad Universitaria and Moncloa área are the most popular among students from all points of view, either Universities, Faculties, Residences and entertainment áreas around. These áreas are located in the West-NorthWest of the capital, few Metro stations from the cpre city center, but in a quite environment surrounded of Green áreas that host 6 public universities and up to 13 private ones.

How much does it cost to live in Madrid?

Due to the wide offer of accomodations, shared or not, gastronomy and public trasnsportation media, Madrid is not expensive to live in, in comparison to other European capitals such as London, Paris, Scnadinavia, etc.-

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

Not at all.
There are many platforms that announce accomodations shared or not, specific for students or not, and of course the everyday more use of social networks make this issue easier and easier.

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

Besides all fastfood offer as eveywhere, daily menus are of more than acceptable quality, and normally includes a starter, main dish, bread, beverage and dessert and range between 8-12€ depending on where you take it. Of course, nouvelle and high cuisine is also available, and everyday more Low Cost high cuisine is getting adepts. Traditional and internationa cuisine can be easily found.

What places would you recommend visiting in Madrid?

This always depends on the own feelings and priorities.
Parque del Retiro, Gran Vía, Palacio Real, Templo de Debot, Museo del Prado, Museo ThyssenBornemisza, Museo Reina Sofía, Casa Museo Sorolla, Casa Museo Cerralbo, Parque del Capricho...

Is it good to eat out in Madrid? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

Of course it is.
New York Burger, La Vaca Verónica, Pazo Coruña, The Steak Burger Bar, Public, La Finca de Susana, Pizzería Vesubio, La Cocina del Desierto...

Is the nightlife good in Madrid? Where is good to go?

This always depend on how night-enjoyer you are, and of your age but Malasaña and Bilbao áreas as well as Moncloa are the most liked by uniersity students in Madrid.

What advice would you give future students heading to Madrid?

Interact as much as posible, take advantage to get deeper in the History of Madrid in particular and Spain in general and after all if you have the chance, move around and visit Segovia, Toledo, Alcalá de Henares, small villages around, in the Sierra, or catch the Ave (High speed trains) and visit Córdoba, Valencia, Barcelona.
This is most probably one of the most relevant and unforgettable experiences you're going to live in your lives, so live it deeply and smartly.- !! :)