Areas and Suburbs in Madrid

With a population of some six million people, Madrid is a walkable, cosmopolitan city full of art galleries, theatres, cinemas, restaurants, universities and night spots, and whether you´re a student, an English teacher, a young professional, or an expat family, you´ll find a suitable area to make home. 
 

Expats tend to live in and around the historic centre, in the outskirts and beyond, and even in nearby provincial towns. Goods, services and reliable transport are within easy reach, and are virtually everywhere.  
 

Expats should note that accommodation in most large Spanish cities is in the form of flats, and Madrid is no different, meaning that the centre can be noisy and your living space can be minimal.  
 

So, if you’d prefer accommodation in a quiet area in a spacious, affordable house you will probably have to live away from the city centre itself, implying a relatively short commute on excellent public transport networks or by road, although, the latter can be busy.
 

In the dead centre, winding streets fan out from Madrid’s famous tourist-friendly Puerto del Sol, a broad square that acts as the commercial heart of the city. While this area is exciting, there is little green space and the accommodation is both expensive and rather rundown. 
 

Wider avenues, such as the main artery of the Gran Vía or the area around the Plaza de Oriente, home of the Royal Palace, are nearby. In general, this area best suits young, fun-seeking students who can keep up with its frenetic pace.  
 

Close by is La Latina, where expats will find inhabitants, bars and narrow streets reminiscent of traditional Madrid. Though certainly a charming neighbourhood, much of the accommodation found here is in need of upgrading. Some of the best tapas bars in the metropolis are found here, and on Sundays the huge Rastro flea-market winds its way down its eastern edge. Rent in the area is reasonable, and in turn, it is best suited to students and young people who don´t mind sharing accommodation.
 

Another fun option in the dead centre is Chueca/Malasaña, known as the city´s gay neighbourhood. This district has a flourishing nightlife, and as such, tends to be noisy; though Malasaña manages to be quieter and more residential, while keeping its trendy, alternative edge. These areas are perhaps best suited to young, well-earning professionals who prefer that their accommodation be in close proximity to their favourite party spots.
 

Not far from the centre is the Retiro, a quiet, residential area made up of medium-sized period buildings.  This neighbourhood lacks shops and markets, but is close to Madrid´s biggest railway station, Atocha, and parking is not too problematic for those who have cars. It is suited to families, and is rather pricey.

 

Chic, well-heeled expat professionals may want to secure accommodation in the Salamanca/Castellana neighbourhood, one of the most expensive areas in the city. Its broad thoroughfares are lined with designer shops, stylish boutiques and upmarket restaurants. The US Embassy is found here, and amidst the district’s wide highways and tall buildings, you’ll find the headquarters of many banks and companies.  
 

Moncloa, north of the Plaza De España and the location of the Prime Minister´s official residence, is a quick, easy getaway from the buzz of the centre. This new, elegant area of four-storey buildings is laid out on a grid system and boasts a park as well as underground parking options. The neighbourhood is also home to the huge Complutense university campus with its well-kept sports facilities.  Despite the large number of students, the area is quiet and is well-suited to expat families. 
 

Nuevos Ministerios, north of the centre, is a middle-income zone, and offers everything from restaurants to cinemas, to clubs and cafes. The neighbourhood is well-connected to the rest of the city by bus and the underground.  Parking is easy to find, and shopping options abound.  
 

Chamartín is spacious and residential, and is within easy reach of the centre by bus and metro.  Home to Real Madrid´s Bernabéu Stadium, it has a well-established community of expat executives and their families.  Beyond the wide avenues, there are medium to more costly modern apartment complexes, as well as secluded, expensive, 1930s villas.  Stylish restaurants can be found here, and there are international clubs, societies, churches and schools. It is well-suited to high-earning professionals and their families.
 

La Moraleja (Alcobendas) is a place for the rich. Situated in Madrid´s north east, it is the equivalent of the Spanish Beverly Hills.  Tranquil, spacious and full of luxury villas with private gardens, rental and purchase costs are extremely high. Residents include the internationally rich and famous, film stars, impresarios, toreros, top company directors and until recently, the Beckhams.  A selection of Madrid’s best private schools and sports clubs is located in this area, complete with tennis, golf and pony clubs. Restaurants are select and costly. A private car is essential, both for shopping in nearby commercial centres, and for going into the city.  If you are extremely prosperous this is the place for you.
 

San Sebastián de los Reyes, a historical town founded in 1492, of some 75,000 inhabitants, is 11 miles (18 km) north of Madrid. It is well-connected to the capital and to Barajas airport by rail and underground.  Known for its bullfighting and sporting activities, it is also a shopper’s paradise, as major international companies, like IKEA, Leroy Merlin and P.C. City, have branches in its Megapark and Plaza Norte 2 malls.  The home of Antena 3 TV station, it is a middle-class town and an ideal place for expat families.  
 

Las Rozas is just over half an hour beyond the city limits to the northwest.  It is an exclusive area, with large, high standard apartments, semi-detached houses and landscaped villas. With a strongly North American influence, there is an international choice of banks, shops and eateries.  There are several international schools in the area and plenty of organised sports and social facilities. Las Rozas is best suited to prosperous families or couples.
 

Tres Cantos, 13 miles (21 km) north of Madrid, is not only the youngest town in Spain, but it has the highest percentage of highly educated residents. It prides itself on being a city of science and innovation, and it is within easy reach of Barajas airport. Only six miles (10 km) from the Autónoma University of Madrid, it has parks, a man-made lake, bilingual schools, a cultural centre and good shopping.  The population, soon expected to reach 60,000, is mostly comprised of young, double-income families living in owned apartments or houses. It is ideally suited to expats.
 

The Henares Corridor follows a river valley through affordable communities to the historic, university town of Alcalá de Henares. As the birthplace of the Golden Age writer Cervantes, it continues to be a seat of learning and draws thousands of North American exchange students.  Alcalá is highly-populated, but not crowded, and its Casco Viejo, or historic centre, has a pleasant, small town feel.  Known for its emblematic storks, this World Heritage site has a new, chic Parador which is attracting culture-vulture tourists.   The town´s Ensanche area of new development offers attractive, affordable flats and houses. It is well-suited to students, bilingual programme teachers and cost-conscious expat families who don´t need to form part of a permanent expat community.