Is it hard living in spain(madrid)?

Question

I'm thinking of going there after College. I know/will know the language but will I be able to live there on my own? I'll have a college degree in the engineering field if that will help.

Also-is it safe and are the taxes high with benefits?

Answer 1

Well, asuming that you are coming from America, let me tell you that the first thing you need to know is that technically, as an American Citizen you are only allowed to stay here for three months.  But before let me tell you that regardless you are planning to stay longer than that go and register at the "Ayuntamiento" of the place you are going to live at and make an "empadronamiento" You have a few options:

1.  Look for a job before coming to Spain and have them give you a contract and make the arrangements for a work permit, and then you can stay for as long as your contract allows you to.

2.  Apply for school of any kind, (Spanish language for foreigners is a good idea), you'll have to demonstrate that you can support yourself while here, and you will be able to get like a part-time work permit.

3.  Come and just travel outside of the EU every three months.  As I said before, get the "empadronamiento"

4.  After two years of being "empadronado", registered at the "Ayuntamiento" and with a job contract, you'll be able to fix your migrating status.

I've been doing the third one and it's good because you get to know a lot of Europe.  

Living in Madrid is great and I encourage you to come...There's a lot of work as English Teacher and in the meantime you can get a company to Sponsor you, for me hasn't worked yet though.  I think coming to Madrid is the best I've done in life.  I love it here.

If you have anymore questions, feel free to contact me through yahoo.  I'd be happy to help.

Good Luck

Good luck

Answer 2

I haven't lived in Madrid, but I know people that live in the area (they live elsewhere in Comunidad de Madrid, not in Madrid proper).  The only thing I would like to add is that housing prices are extremely expensive right now.  All of my friends from there are between 25 and 30, and all still live at home though they have good jobs.  Since 1997, housing prices have increased 130% across the country (according to the Economist), so you'll just have to keep that in mind.  If you can find someone who needs a roommate, that might be a good way to go.

Answer 3

Madrid is an easy city to live in. There's the metro, tons of people, and plenty of places to meet new people. It's a very social place.

I stayed in Madrid for a month and as a female leaving clubs at 4am I never felt unsafe once. To me it's similiar to New York because it has the same energy and there are tons of people everywhere at any hour during the day (and I mean any), but it's better because it's clean (these magical neon green clothed men come out after sumset and clean the city) and there aren't many crazy people. I would recommend Madrid highly as a city to live in.

Answer 4

I don't think it is hard at all. Madrid is a safe city ( at least for European standards).

I don't understand what you mean with "taxes with benefits" but there are special taxes for non Spanish residents.