Madrid

[nm123]

I've been approached by a headhunting firm about a job in Madrid - pretty timely as DH and I have been saying a move to Europe would be great....

In an unrealistic ideal world, we'd move in march-ish next year, when DD will be 15mo. I think we'd want her in a Spanish nursery to make the most of learning a new language and DH would prob be at home initially as he's a tradie so would need some lingo skills before job hunting.

So if anyone out there has any info on living in Madrid that would be ace... I'm thinking things like working culture/hours, nursery places + cost, areas to live, types of accommodation + budget, integrating/socialising with locals and expats, etc etc....

Thanks in advance :)

Anyone?

Sorry, I don't have advice. I love Madrid though. If I were to live in any capital city it would be Madrid.

I Hope you get some useful advice

Thanks shrimp :) why do you like Madrid so much? That would be a good start for me; to know what there is to like? I've never been nor really contemplated going so any little snippets of info would help at this point!!

You should go for a visit first before agreeing to move over there IMO. :)

I have been 6 times now, but only for long weekends - so it is very different from living there.

I guess i like it as it seems quite 'safe' as foreign capital cities go. Obviously I keep an eye on my bag, but beingout late at night is no problem - everyone is out late at night :)

I found most people were quite friendly not aloof. But very little English spoken -so I had to dig deep into my Spanish lesson memory to make myself understood.

The metro system is quite extensive - and efficient. I have noticed any particular problems, very regular trains.

Away from the main tourist places, prices for eating/drinking were quite reasonable.

Plenty to see and do. A lot of museums, arty and others. Parks - green spaces to get some peace and quiet. Loads of shops!

It may be worth having a poke aroundon Trip Advisor in the Madrid forum to find out more -there are posters on there who live in Madrid so will be morehelpful than a weekend visitor.

Good luck if you go for it - very exciting!!

Oh god, my first sentence sounds really patronising. Sorry - I didn't mean it to be.

Anyhow - another reason we like ot visit Madrid is how easy it is to get there. We can drive to Liverpool airport in just about an hour - and get Easyjet flight at 12.30 - arrives about 4.15 (Spanish time) -then metro into city centre. Sat having a beer in the Plaza Mayor by 5.30pm.

The temperatures are quite varied through out the year though. We tend to go in April/May/June when it is hot, but not craziily so. In high summer it is very, very hot. I went for my first trip in November, and it drizzled all weekend. However it wasn't too cold. But I understand that in the winter it gets very, very cold. So you do get the extremes of weather -but that is probably better than in the UK where we just get meh! weather ?!

Wow, thanks!

No worries about the "visit before we go" advice... Spent the weekend in Basel straight after a job interview a couple of years ago and that was enough to put us off before we even heard if I'd been successful!!

Have been researching stuff online already - DH thinks I'm nuts as have only just sent my cv off so I may well not even get an interview!!!

Thanks though, sounds like its worth a visit even if the job doesn't happen!!