I remember before moving to Madrid, I would google search things like “best neighborhoods in Madrid” or “where to live in Madrid” and then I would get all anxious and panicky because everyone and their excited mother would post on the auxiliar Facebook page that “they were looking for a roommate/ roommates to share a place in Sol or La Latina” and so I was like “ok yeah I’m going to look for a place in La Latina too because these random people on fb who have never even been to Spain know what they’re talking about”. Let me tell you, those people on Facebook have no idea why they want to live in La Latina (or any other cool neighborhood) and also, despite your best anxious efforts to look for your dream apartment in your dream neighborhood before you even step foot into the country, you still have no idea where you’re going to live until you actually arrive. Knowing where to live in Madrid all depends on the person, their tastes, and their situation.

In this post I will talk all about housing: good neighborhoods for auxiliars de conversación, how to not get scammed, and some important things to note when finding an apartment.

Here is what the original poster asked:

Maybe a post about the barrios so I can figure out which neighborhood to live in?
You could write about how to spot a scam

In the next post (coming next week), I will cover:

Living with Spaniards vs. Americans and things to keep in mind
Websites for finding an apartment in Madrid
Useful language to know when finding an apartment in Madrid

Off the bat: one thing I will say to all of you “gotta find an apartment before I arrive” folks is this: you are setting yourself up to get scammed. Not always and not for sure, but you are at risk. Trust me when I say this: do the leg work when you arrive.

Tips for deciding where to look:

Keep in mind what you’re going to be doing most of your days: traveling to and from school. Many schools are not in the center of Madrid, which means you may have a hefty commute. Minimize your commute time by concentrating your housing search to be a) near the metro/ bus line you will need to take or b) in the directions of your school. My school was very south of Madrid, so I knew I wanted to live anywhere from Sol and below. I wanted to be near Line 3 on the metro or Line 5, as that would limit my number of transfers. With that in mind, after visiting a few neighborhoods, I tried to focus on the Sol/ Lavapiés/ La Latina area.
Consider the type of vibe you like. One of the most wonderful parts of Madrid is that there are so many neighborhoods and each neighborhood has a different “flavor”. Do you like boho/ hipster/ grunge? Try Lavapies or La Latina. Do you like walkable streets with colorful buildings and balconies and a lot of bars and restaurants? Try Huertas. Do you like very pedestrian areas with a lot of stores, restaurants, bars, and nightlife, all within walking distance? try Malasaña. Do you prefer something a little more upscale? Try Salamanca (Retiro area). I could go on an on, but I want to give you an idea that each area is different, and you should consider what YOU like before deciding on a neighborhood.
Remember that Madrid is very well communicated and that if you don’t find a place in your dream neighborhood, it’s SO easy to get where you want to go by metro/ bus/ bike/ etc. Don’t limit your search to just a couple neighborhoods because you will find great things in your own neighborhood and will very easily be able to get around.

The Neighborhoods: A Breakdown

That blurry photo is courtesy of Google.

For good measure, here is the Madrid Metro map:

Ok, let’s start at the top (Alonso Martinez/ Colon) and make our way clock-wise to determine where to live in Madrid.

Alonso Martinez/ Colon (metro: Alonso Martinez line 10 and 4, Colon: Line 4)

Right in the center, about 20 minute walk to Gran Via and Sol, great restaurants and bars in the area. Close to a more ‘up-scale’ area/ financial area, but also close to the typical Madrid places with terraces, nice shopping. Access to supermarkets, small boutique stores, larger stores, and metro/bus. Rent will be mid-high range here.

Barrio Salamanca (Metro: Retiro, Goya, Velázquez, Serrano, Núñez de Balboa on Line 2, 4 and 9)

Salamanca is one of my favorite areas just for how nice the neighborhood is. In contrast to the rest of Madrid, it is very clean, pristine, and well-kept. There are high-end stores for shopping, beautiful cafés, bars, and restaurants, and it’s the place where you will find Madrid’s best restaurants and shopping. While I love Salamanca, it is very expensive. Expect prices to be high.

Chueca (Metro: Chueca, Line 5):

Madrid’s gay neighborhood, full of cool bars and restaurants, not very upscale, but not grundgy either, lots of terraces, good nightlife, very walkable. Not many large supermarkets in this area, although you will find some smaller ones. Price will be mid-range here.

Parque del Retiro (Metro: Retiro-line 2)

The retiro area is esencially the same as the Barrio Salamanca area, as it borders this area. It’s clean and pristine. Retiro Park offers great walking paths, a little lake with boats, and a great place for a picnic. Not many large supermarket chains, but relatively easy to get to them. Good bus and metro access. It’s nice to have easy access to the park if you like to run/ walk. Expect prices to be high.

Paseo del Prado (Metro: Banco de España or Sevilla- line 2, also very well connected by bus)

This area is absolutely beautiful and borders Retiro park area, has direct access to all of Madrid’s best museums, is very close to Atocha train station, and is also on the edge of another one of Madrid’s great neighborhoods: Huertas. There are no major supermarkets here, so you may have to travel to supermarkets or use smaller places. Paseo del Prado closes to traffic on Sundays, so it’s a nice place to walk. Prices will be mid-range here.

Atocha (metro: Atocha/ Atocha Renfe- line 1)

Atocha is the name of one of Madrid’s major train stations, but it’s also the neighborhood. It is easy to get to the center from Atocha (about a 20-25 minute walk or quick metro ride). There are bars and restaurants, but not much nightlife. Atocha has a more ‘residential’ feel, but it also includes the neighborhoods of Antón Martin and Tirso de Molina, which are great areas with fun ‘local’ bars, small shops, and beautiful buildings. Expect this area to be more moderately priced, especially closer to Atocha.

Huertas/Barrio de Las Letras (not really on a metro line)

Huertas is one of my favorite neighborhoods in Madrid! It has the quintessetial ‘Madrid’ feel with small streets, beautiful balconies, lots of small shops and bars and restaurants, and very close to the center. Not many major supermarkets in this area. Expect to pay mid-range prices.

Las Cortes (Metro: Banco de España or Sevilla- line 2)

Las Cortes has a very ‘official’ feel, as it is the place where there are many official buildings. With that being said, it boasts beautiful streets and sits right next to Sol, so the center of the fun is right next door.

Puerta del Sol (metro: Sol- line 1,2,3)

Puerta del Sol is the very center of Madrid (and actually the very center of Spain, as well). It’s full of energy and life, but also full of tourists and crowds and touristy restaurants and bars. I know people that have lived there that have loved it, and others that hate walking into a crowd every time they leave home. Also, there are no supermarkets in or around Sol, and you will pay more in most bars and cafes due to the fact that tourists go there. Expect prices to be mid-high here.

Puerta de Toledo/Lavapiés and El Rastro (metro: Puerta de Toledo- line 5, Lavapiés- line 3, Rastro (La Latina metro)- line 5)

I am biased to this area because it’s where I lived for 3 years and absolutely loved it. When I moved in, it was a bit of a seedy area due to the multinationality of the area, but in the last few years, it has boomed. Now it’s a hippy, fun, and diverse neighborhood. It’s completely full of bars and cafés and always full of people in the streets with friends. It feels busy and energetic, but it’s also a great neighborhood thanks to the proximity to multiple supermarkets, gyms, fruit stores, and the Rastro outdoor market (on Sundays) Love Lavapiés! Also, it’s colorful and has beautiful balconies. Expect prices to be mid-high range.

La Latina (Metro: La Latina- line 5)

The La Latina vibe is very much like the Lavapiés vibe, minus the multi-cultural feel. It still feels very traditional, but also boho and artsy, and is full of cool bars and people outside playing games, drinking, etc. There is also a cool market that has a courtyard where people play fútbol, hang out, or dance. La Latina would be my second choice of neighborhood (for location and feel). Expect it to be mid-range pricing.

Opera y Palacio Real (Metro: Opera- Line 2)

The Opera/ Royal Palace area is very nice. It’s centrically located, but not right in the center and has a cleaner, more upscale feel to it. It’s a bit quieter there, but since a lot of tourists do hang out in that area, some of the bars and restaurants are a bit more expensive. Expect prices to be mid-high range.

Gran Via/ Callao (Metro: Gran Via- Line 5 and line 1 and Callao- line 4 and line 5)

Gran Via and Callao are right in the heart of the city, which serves thousands and thousands of tourists per day. I love this area for walking around and shopping, but I would not love this area for living. There are just too many people, which would likely make it loud and pricey. I’m sure the apartments are nice, but you can find other nice area. Expect prices to be high.

Malasaña/ Conde Duque (metro: Tribunal (line 1 and 10) and Noviciado (line 1 and 4)

Besides La Latina, Malasaña is another hot spot where everyone wants to live. I do love Malasaña and all of the cozy cafés and trendy restaurants and bars, but I don’t love that there are few supermarkets and small fruterías in the area. It’s also not very accessible by bus, as it’s right in the center. On the other hand, Malasaña is very walkable, which is nice. Expect price to be mid-range.

How to Spot a Scam

This is not a fool-proof method for spotting scams, but in my last 3 years, these are the things I have come across or have heard from friends. Overall; if something feels shady, then it is probably shady. If someone wants you to SEND THEM MONEY, DON’T DO IT.

Let me say it again.

IF SOMEONE WANTS YOU TO SEND THEM MONEY. DON’T DO IT.

It doesn’t matter how nice, cute, cool the roommates are. DON’T DO IT!

If you find an apartment online, contact the host, and then they send you an Airbnb link to view the property, be aware that it can be a scam. There are sites that look EXACTLY like Airbnb (with reviews and everything) and then you end up sending money and then hear nothing, contact Airbnb, and there is no history of your payment (because it’s not Airbnb). If someone sends you a link, do not send money through it!
If someone tells you they are managing the apartment from another country/ city, be very wary! Scams often happen because “the owner is living in X country and so they need you to bank transfer the money, and then you can see the place”. DO NOT BANK TRANSFER THE MONEY!
Never, ever, ever bank transfer money to someone without a) seeing the apartment, b) having a written contract, and c) without a receipt. I don’t care WHAT they promise you. A common thing: if you transfer the money, I will reserve the apartment for you. DO NOT DO IT!
They tell you that you can’t see the apartment before moving in. Yes, this is a thing. They will send you photos and videos of the apartment, but will say it’s not ‘ready’ or you can take a tour when you pay a deposit. THIS IS A SCAM and it’s likely the apartment doesn’t exist.
If someone is very eager for you to move in/ pay/ reserve the place, be very aware! Remember, there are HUNDREDS of other people looking at apartments. If these landlords seem to want YOU, it’s not because you’re special. It’s because you’re a target.
If someone tells you not to tell the neighbors you’re seeing the place, or something like that, they are probably doing something illegal.
If someone says they can’t give you a contract for xyz reason, they DO NOT have your best interest in mind and can literally kick you onto the street tomorrow [or even today]

Other things to be aware of:

Do not pay a deposit (or any money) without a receipt! A friend of mine paid a deposit for an apartment (400€) and then decided against moving there (the same day) and told the landlord she would find a replacement and he refused to give back her money.
Get a contract, get a contract, get a contract, and read it.
Go with your gut- if something feels shady, IT PROBABLY IS!

And my last final words:

DO NOT SEND ANYONE MONEY WITHOUT SEEING THE PLACE!

Another post that may be of interest:

What to look for when finding an aparmtent in Madrid

A post I wrote my first week in Spain when I was still looking for a place

And another post about finding a place. I wasn’t having luck, but I did find peanut butter, so I was happy

A tour of my first apartment in Madrid