Job Discussion Forums

[steven_gerrard]

Hi All,

I am looking to move on from my current posting in Moscow at the end of the year, possibly to Madrid or Barcelona. What kind of budget would I be looking at for a modest, fairly central flat (well, near a metro and not in the arse end of nowhere) in either of those cities? I know there is no upper limit on rent in European capital cities but as I said, nothing fancy. I know it's not going to be cheap but some idea of what to expect would be nice.

Thanks

SG

[Moore]

Try this website to get an idea.....

http://madrid.loquo.com/?fix=1

...don�t forget, if you end up going for shared accomodation to start with, then get here in mid-September to avoid all the best things being nabbed by the Erasmus students.

[sarahbrom]

I've been checking out some rooms in shared flats in Madrid on websites and it seems 300-500 euros per month will get you something good.
Looking at some of the photos though, I'm not sure about Spanish tastes in interior design! They seem keen on lots of wood panelling in bedrooms.

[Jyulee]

I pay �235 now for a small room in a flat outside of the city centre.

But, this is Madrid we�re talking about, not London. While "far" for London might suggest "45 minutes on the tube to get to Oxford Street", in Madrid, "far" means "15 minutes away from the city center by metro".

[Victoria Morley]

You�re right, having worked and lived in London, I know exactly what you mean. Also you can�t compare the metro to the tube, the metro in Madrid is cheap, fast and reliable. Again that�s when you think The Metro vs The Tube. Maybe other European train systems are better than Madrid�s , I wouldn�t know.

I live around Cuatro Caminos, not your fanciest neighbourhood but it�s convenient and affordable. I pay 250 euros a month and when you spread out my hours, the main school year, the summer intensives, private classes, I�d say I�m looking at 1000 - 1100 a month. Again there are some surprises along the way, cancellations, sudden calls for intensives and my net monthly pay can go higher or lower.

[Moore]

400-500 a month is a lot for a single teacher: you may not quite realize just how little a teacher can get paid here in their first year in a bad month. When you live on your own you get nailed with all the bills just for you, so you�ll be looking at another 50 on top of that including internet.
I�d love to be able to live on my own, but have only just reached the point financially where it�s viable after two years here (and I came here with a load of saved up cash). Don�t forget the golden rule of renting - you must only ever pay (total) one third of your net income. Trust me, I�ve tried paying more than one third and it doesn�t work. Besides, you�re here for the social life just as much as the job, if not more.

[junglejim]

Hi,

I�m in Madrid until December 22, 2005, searching for a teaching job and accomodation. Does anyone have any advice in terms of agencies for flat hunting or better still does anyone know of anyone in need of a flatmate. Any advice for reasonable prices per month would be great!

James W

[CharlesTESOL]

The following thread from the Expatriate Cafe's forums has information on cost of living in Barcelona

http://www.expatriatecafe.com/forums/index.php?act=ST&f=6&t=1200&s=5ea574191ef7559ff64a4b8c71c3655a

Buena suerte,

[Iam]

I found a shared flat, 300 euros/month, plus bills, in Barcelona in 2 days of serious looking, a couple of weeks ago.

Nice bedroom, just hope the boiler has been fixed over xmas - going to be a cold new year if not

The more casual on-line search for a flat was quite frustrating ... many sites are commercial, & their flats rather expensive, but I eventually found my flat at www.habitajove.com.


Good luck.

Iam.

[junglejim]

Hi folks,

Thanks for the advice. I�m hoping to find something by 10 January! Going to be an intense few days. Anybody know of anybody in need of a normal (whatever that means!) flat mate in Madrid?

Cheers,

Junglejim