Hi, My husband and I (Americans) are moving to Madrid in August/September. We've been living in Barcelona for two years while he's been attending an MBA program. Well, looks like he's gotten a job at a Spanish consulting firm.

I'm pregnant and due at the end of July, and we'll move to Madrid when we're able to travel afterwards (my doc here says 40 days, we may try to do it a little sooner).

Any advice on what neighborhoods to live in that would be comfortable for a small family (baby will be our first, but we also have two American cats with us!). We prefer a neighborhood with some green in it, I've heard Salamanca neighborhood is nice? DH will be working near metro station Serrano.

Also, if you know about what it might cost...in Barcelona we're paying 100,000 for a small two bedroom modern fully furnished apt in a good neighborhood, and will be looking for something a little bigger, preferably with terrace and air conditioning!

Is there a forum to exchange info on living in Madrid, for expats or otherwise?

And any other sources for more info would be appreciated!
Gracias!

Hi kbc, I can't help but be curious.

Did your husband complete his MBA at the University of Navarra? If he did, I would really like to know what his experience was like there. I would love to complete my MBA there, and I am planning on visiting the campus when I go over to visit in July.

If he did go to Navarra, do you think he would be interested in answering a few questions for me?

Gracias.

Enhorabuena! What an exciting summer you have coming up!

Salamanca is a very nice neighborhood, but not as green as some others. With a new baby you'll want to take daily walks to the park, along with the other new parents. It's a great way to meet people. I would suggest you get a map of Madrid and look for any green areas north, northeast, and northwest of the center. Try to find a place close to a park. Some areas to check would be Retiro, Parque Oeste, the Arturo Soria area (same metro line as Serrano), the areas around metros Pio XII, Colombia, Concha Espina. Farther north - try the newer areas of Barrio del Pilar, or even Mirasierra, which has beautiful apartment buildings in the back, with clear views of the mountains, and little "city" feel.

As far as the prices of rents go, I'd check Segundamano, either on the web ( www.segundamano.es ), or, if you can get a Madrid issue in Barcelona, on paper. The website is nice because you can see photos of the pisos. Unfortunately, the closer you get to a park, the higher the prices go! I'm afraid I've recommended some of the most expensive areas of Madrid. But even if you're 5 or 10 minutes away from a park, it's worth it.

I saw a forum just yesterday at www.expataccess.com , checking a link someone here had recommended. It may be just what you're looking for.

Good luck!

Thanks Diana, for your suggestions!

Yes, canadiense, my husband goes to IESE (they don't call it Universidad de Navarra, even though that's its subtitle, or whatever!) Send me an email and ask any questions you might have. We've both really liked it and been very pleased with the experience!

Hi kbc123,
My husband is an IT consultant. When you said your husband is a consultant is this what you are talking about? I am interested because he is considering job opportunities in Spain. I know unemployment is high there now but I was under the impression that there is a shortage of IT professionals.
Thanks, Jaime

[This message has been edited by Jaime (edited 03-02-2001).]