Reply to: Madrid / Accommodation

[FiveTimes]

Wow thanks Mark, I'll be taking my time tomorrow looking through these sites. Although I have to admit the idea of visiting an Irish pub for the English papers does appeal.

There is an O'Neils just off Grand Via.

[alreadypacked]

Thanks.

I'm in the process of confirming a contract, not committed myself, we're weighing the pro's and con's. Mrs scooter and I have a choice between 3 countries, which would the people choose? Germany, Holland or Spain?

I would pick Holland, more business like as a work environment, nice place to live too.

[Mich the Tester]

Thanks.

I'm in the process of confirming a contract, not committed myself, we're weighing the pro's and con's. Mrs scooter and I have a choice between 3 countries, which would the people choose? Germany, Holland or Spain?

Germany, but it depends where. I wouldn't bother with the east and while Berlin's good fun people seem a bit up themselves, but otherwise it's worthwhile. If you want sunshine, go to Rheinland Pfalz, which is actually one of the sunniest places in Europe, and that explains why they make excellent wines and enjoy dining outdoors. München's very smart, but Bavarians can seem a bit 'inbred' at times.

[scooterscot]

Thanks.

I'm in the process of confirming a contract, not committed myself, we're weighing the pro's and con's. Mrs scooter and I have a choice between 3 countries, which would the people choose? Germany, Holland or Spain?

[Pickle2]

I just got back from a year out in Madrid. Wonderful city, nightlife is of another planet. Very safe, except for pickpockets as mentioned elsewhere.

For house hunting, everyone seems to use a site called idealista.

idealista.com — flats madrid, flats barcelona, flats valencia. buying and selling and renting

You should be able to find a nice private rental on there. I paid 950 Euros for a one bed in the Chamberi neighbourhood, which is a nice part of town.

If you don't have any luck on idealista, then dflat housing are an agency with no/low fees, which is unusual for Madrid. They come recommended by friends.

Apartments flats rooms and studio for rental in Madrid

Have fun! Im envious. A fun read before you get there.

A Load Of Bull: An Englishman's Adventures In Madrid: Amazon.co.uk: Tim Parfitt: Books

[scooterscot]

Thank you!

[MrMark]

Here's the classified site for one of those publications

InMadrid Classifieds

[scooterscot]

As far as I can make out, Idealista.com and segundamano.es are the main places to rent pisos (flats) and habitaciones (rooms). Look for "aquilar"

Wow thanks Mark, I'll be taking my time tomorrow looking through these sites. Although I have to admit the idea of visiting an Irish pub for the English papers does appeal.

[MrMark]

I did a short time in Madrid, Ministry of Statistics, which was nice. Stayed in a rather posh hotel on expenses but there were problems. They liked to start late, have a relaxed long lunch, do bugger all in the afternoon and then work late in the evening. Fair knackered me out. ......

Yes apparently (and believe it or not) the Spanish work the longest hours in Europe. Sometimes though it's possible to ask to work an "intensive day" where you only get 20 minutes or so lunch, and work straight through and finish at 4 or 5. Obviously depends on your work set-up though - some places work this way just in the hot summer months.

[Cliphead]

Sorry never spent much time in Madrid. Barcelona was great and shared a rented apartment there with friends for next to nothing while on a 3 month gig. Don't remember much about it to be honest

That's where I learned to drive.

[MrMark]

As far as I can make out, Idealista.com and segundamano.es are the main places to rent pisos (flats) and habitaciones (rooms). Look for "aquilar" on Idealista to see what's to rent. Of course, it may be difficult if you have no or little Spanish. In which case it may be better looking at Craigs List Madrid CraigsList
To be honest if I were you I'd book into a budget hotel or hostal for a couple of weeks, then pop in the Irish pub on a Saturday and ask around (as well as picking up the English magazines for the classifieds). The Brits often meet there on a Saturday to watch the EPL games live, and you'll be able to ask what the best areas are that are also convenient for your job. There are a couple of Irish pubs near metro Tribunal (Moore's and Triskel) that are good for meeting English-speaking expats. You may find the most up-to-date accommodation listings (hotels, apartments) and leisure time info here-
Madrid Guide. Cheap Accommodation: Hotels, hostels, apartments. Discounts, Tourism, Restaurants, Spanish Flamenco & Tablaos. Map Magazine
Another useful site: Madrid Insider | One Stop Site All About Madrid

It's not unusual for adverts to take the form of paper lists stuck on lampposts (and also in Print/copy shop walls); you can even see houses for sale advertised this way. Problem is going to be language, so you may need someone from work to help with interpreting, if you decide to follow this route.
Expensive things in Madrid? Books and clothes; also electricity. Most other things are cheaper (public transport and council tax are a lot cheaper), but you may find yourself spending more on food until you learn the budget places. Like London, you will generally pay more in the central part of the city. Get your travelcard at the beginning of the month,. and for around £50 for the month (what I pay for a weeks travelcard in London) you can get around the Spanish capital, and some commuter towns like Alcobendas and Las Rozas, using the Metro, trams or local trains (cercanias).

Lastly, if the thought of cold winter nights in Madrid don't appeal, you could always rent a place in Valencia and get the new high-speed train to Madrid each day - it takes one and a half hours. I'm not going to pretend it's cheap though, and obviously it depends also on the hours you need to work and where you'll be working in Madrid.
Any more questions, fire away.

[darmstadt]

I did a short time in Madrid, Ministry of Statistics, which was nice. Stayed in a rather posh hotel on expenses but there were problems. They liked to start late, have a relaxed long lunch, do bugger all in the afternoon and then work late in the evening. Fair knackered me out. Also there were elections in some area of Spain which meant that the ministry was closed for the day and there was a semi-bank holiday declared. Okay I could work somewhere else which I did but then they packed up for the day and left me in some shopping centre in Madrid, everything was shut except for a sandwich shop where the bloke behind the counter was Oriental and spoke English (and gave me a good deal on the food) and was the only place I could buy fags. Airport was tulip.

[MrMark]

Just remembered, you could try Craigs List. Also, Idealista.com is supposed to be good. May be worth looking up paginasamarillas (yellow pages)
Tip: pop into a couple of Irish pubs in Madrid when you arrive and pick up the local English language magazines (there are normally a couple in business at any given time). they normally have a decent classifieds section.
It may be worth booking a hostal (their equivalent of a b&b) for a few weeks until you know where you want to be based. Some hostals (so long as you choose 2 star and above) are actually quite decent - internet access, en-suite etc.

[alreadypacked]

No one, nadda, has any experience of working / living in Madrid?

I worked in Madrid, stayed in hotel and had my wallet nicked.

The office was on the side of a hill north of Madrid and you could see the brown smog hanging over the city.

HTH

[MrMark]

I'll take a look later but you may find useful accommodation links on madridman.com and madridinsider.com (although more aimed at students renting rooms in shared appartment).
Edit: the best sites are unfortunately in Spanish (assuming you can't speak castellano). Can't remember the links, but will post later
If you hear of more contracts going there, let me know, I love the city. But you may find it cold to start with at this time of year!