Deciding in which area of Madrid to live?
This article belongs to the series “Interviews & Areas of Madrid”.
In it we give voice to its residents, Spanish or foreign, recently moved or with many years of experience in the neighborhood. From their personal experience and their recommendations, we will approach each area with the intention of facilitating the decision-making process on which area you will feel more comfortable when moving to Madrid.
I met Selena a few months before she moved to Madrid from Los Angeles, California. Although originally from Canada, she had been living in the United States for twenty years.
She arrived just three months ago thanks to the “Digital Nomad Visa”. Selena is a freelance writer and editor, and can continue to work from Madrid with all her American clients.
Let’s let her tell us about it, she’ll do much better!
Getting to know Selena and Palacio
Why did you choose Palacio?
Since I moved to Spain by myself without knowing anyone here (except one friend who lives outside the city), I wanted to live in a large community where there would be plenty of opportunities to meet people and a variety of things to do.
When I was looking for apartments three months ago, I fell in love with this area because it is just saturated with history. When I walk down cobblestone streets that date back to medieval times and pass historic buildings like the Basílica Pontificia de San Miguel from the 18th century, it just magically transports me back in time. Coming from the much newer lands of North America, it’s like nothing I’ve experienced before.
What do you do in Madrid?
I am a freelance writer and editor. A requirement of the Digital Nomad Visa is that no more than 20% of my income can be from Spanish companies, and right now all my clients are American. So I don’t make my living in Madrid, per se.
What can you do on foot?
Everything! I walk to the grocery store, bank, movie theater, cafés and restaurants, library, museums, hair dresser…. That’s another reason I chose to live in “el centro” – no need for a car!
Do you use public transportation? Or private car?
My main mode of transportation is walking, but when I need to go further I take public transport (metro, train). Coming from Los Angeles, which is built more for cars than the metro, I’ve been pretty excited to use the metro.
Shopping in the neighborhood: your favorite stores
I don’t have any favorite shops yet, as I’m still pretty new here and trying to figure out where to go for certain products. In the U.S. you can generally get everything you need from 2-3 big stores, but here it’s more common to find shops that sell only a specific type of product.
Leisure in the neighborhood: restaurants, bars…
There are so many! But just to name a few:
- Favorite cafés: Four Madrid (best matcha latte), Tapa Café (best café bombon), Sucre Tearoom (best ambiance)
- Favorite tabernas: La Mayor Cervecería (best “neighborhood” bar), Taberna de la Elisa (best croquetas de jamón), MARS Barcelona Vermut Bar (best vermouth)
And, regarding culture: theaters, cinemas, museums…
For me, the highlights so far are Cine Doré, which shows older movies (they even have a rooftop cinema with a bar, though I haven’t gone to that one yet), the Prado Museum (but only a private tour when it’s empty – the enormous crowds ruin the pleasure of experiencing the art), and Lope de Vega’s House-Museum (which is fascinating as both a historical and a literary experience).
Sports: where do you practice, if you do? What facilities would you highlight?
I’m not much into sports, but I do love to do yoga at home or go for a run along the Manzanares River.
Green areas, which one is your favorite?
I love La Casa de Campo, which is a HUGE park (and the former royal hunting ground) where I take long walks or easy hikes. It’s big enough that you can leave civilization behind and feel like you’re out in the countryside.
Would you recommend the area to live with children?
Not as child-friendly as quieter, more suburban areas outside of “el centro” probably, but I do see plenty of childrens’ playgrounds with lots of kids having fun and parents relaxing on benches nearby.
And, finally, Lifeinthemove summarizes what type of housing can be found in Palacio
Palacio is one of the neighborhoods in the Centro district. It’s the monumental and historical area of the capital. Bustling and lively. A great cultural offer, with museums and theatres, and gastronomic offer, too, with typical restaurants and taverns. Most of the properties are located in old buildings, many of them renovated and updated. Many narrow streets with character.
In this neighborhood you’ll find the Royal Palace, the Almudena Cathedral, the Plaza de Oriente and the Teatro Real. You’ll find the “unofficial” neighborhood of La Latina, one of the oldest in Madrid and currently a very trendy and updated part of town with lower structures buildings and not as high quality, many do not have an elevator, but they have been renovated and have the “bohemian” charm. Please, note this area is not the same as the “official” district called Latina which is further south of the capital.
Currently in Palacio, there is an offer of approximately 260 homes for rent with an average price of around 29,63€/m2.
As in most of the central districts, there are a variety of apartments in a wide range of prices. 70% of them are 1 and 2 bedroom homes. 15% are studios and 13% are 3 or +4 bedrooms apartments.
Of these, 5% are rented with a garage and 12% have a terrace.
With this table you can easily see the range of prices and the type of property with the greatest offer:
- These percentages and prices refer to an approximate average of the rental supply we have observed over the last few years. The supply of available rental housing in Palacio varies from day to day. The more in-demand the area, the more dynamic the market.
Does Palacio convince you? Do you think it would be a good choice for you?
If you are planning to move to Madrid soon, you’ll find all the relevant information in The secret of relocating to Madrid. If, in addition, you need help with the organization or even if you prefer that we accompany you, check out our services.
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