Experience in Madrid, Spain by Berta

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

To live a time in Madrid is an experience I recommend for everybody. If you like cosmopolite cities, with so many different things to do, with a beautiful architecture and lots of partying, Madrid is the city where you should go.

What is the student lifestyle like in Madrid?

The students environment is very spread all around the city, but you could find young people and students especially in districts as Moncloa or Malasaña.

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How much does it cost to live in Madrid?

To live in Madrid is expensive. A shared apartment (a room for you with shared bathroom) costs at least 260-300 per month, but it can get even more expensive. In food you can spend around 100/200 per month and to go partying, I recommend to look for the offers to don't spend so much money (for example, a lot of big clubs are free in Thursdays).

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

To find the perfect apartment in Madrid is not easy at all, but if you start searching soon (in June) you will find something great for sure.

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

I really like the food in Madrid. If you're a foreign from another country I recommend you to go "de tapeo" (eat tapas -small dishes with typical food).

What places would you recommend visiting in Madrid?

If you go to Madrid, the essentials are: see the shops in Gran Via, go walking to Sol square, get lost in Malasaña, take a walk in Retiro park and see the sunset in Templo de Debod.

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

It depends where do you want to go, but is not cheap to eat out in Madrid. As every city, it has McDonald's, Burger King, KFC, etc etc and an Spanish one, 100 Montaditos.

For students I recommend going to "El Tigre" (there's one in Hortaleza street): with every drink (not expensive) they give you an enormous plate of croquetas, patatas, jamón, etc.

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

The nightlife in Madrid is great. You have so many different places to go. If you want a disco, go to Kapital (better on Thursday -it's free-) or Joy. If you want pubs, go to Huertas, Malasaña or Lavapiés. If you want something in between go to Nuevos Ministerios zone and go to "La Nuit", "Rococó", etc.

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What advice would you give future students heading to Madrid?

Enjoy your experience, do as much as you can, and don't stay only in party and nightlife, there are so many things to see in Madrid and a lot of museums and special places to visit.

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