Thursday at 10:30 pm, Madrid will be the featured location on an episode of House Hunters International. If you've never seen the show on HGTV, it chronicles the stories of various ex-pats as they search for a home in another country. It looks like Marbella, Spain will be the destination on Monday night's episode.

So that's on Thursday, 17 May, I'm guessing? I wonder if I can catch it on Hulu.com. I tried watching some previous episodes via their website, but I was either blocked from watching - because I'm outside of the USA - or because the video was down. Probably the former. I'll have to try my work-around and try again.

Saludos, MadridMan

The Madrid episode aired last night (May 10) and I watched it. It was a young American couple (not all househunters on the show are American, but most are) searching for lodging in Madrid. They wanted to rent and their budget was $1500. The real estate agent showed 3 properties: one in Lavapies, one in La Latina, and one in Cuatro Caminos. The Lavapies was the cheapest at $1300, The Latina was $1600 and I think the Cuatro Caminos was $1500. The husband worked north of the City Center, so they went with Cuatro Caminos which was a 15 minute commute. They negotiated the price down to $1200 per month because the apartment needed a lot of work. It was a 2 bedroom, although the second bedroom was a loft. It had a great terrace area. As always, they were thrilled with the result and it ended happily.

I'm looking forward to Marbella on Monday night.

I saw it last night. La Juliana lived near Cuatro Caminos and we recognized the corner. By the way, Cuatro Caminos actually has 5 roads!

DOH!! DARNIT!! I wouldn't warned my parents to watch, but thought it was on the 17th - next week!! ARGH!!!!

Good grief!! 1200 USD is equal to 929 Euros - in Lavapies. I'll guess they'll be moving soon. hehehehe..

Might be able to catch it on their website.

Saludos, MadridMan

MadridMan,

Can you elaborate on your comment:

Good grief!! 1200 USD is equal to 929 Euros - in Lavapies. I'll guess they'll be moving soon. hehehehe..

They chose the Cuatro Caminos location for $1200. Is that better in Lavapies?

Gracias.

Hmm.. Let's see... DARE I elaborate.. THAT'S the question...

I, first, apologize as I misread your posting. I was thinking they'd chosen the flat in Lavapies when, in fact, they chose Cuatro Caminos. My mistake.

The one they considered in Lavapies, did it even have an elevator? 929 Euros there should get you something decent - in an otherwise crumbling Lavapies neighborhood. This is a part of Madrid which has one of the highest concentrations of buildings in desperate need of renovation, painting, and cleaning.

Depending on their level of patience and flexibility, most Americans can't stand city living - much less in a poorer section of town like Lavapies where there's a higher concentration of non-Spaniards, higher degree of crime (albeit non-violent crimes, mind you), and somewhat lower standards for cleanliness and privacy. If they're a young, liberal couple in their 20s or early 30s they may be okay there for awhile. This is definitely the "beatnik", bohemian part of Madrid and just about anything goes. A lot of people - SPANIARDS, mind you - go there to have drinks and tapas but many won't live there as it's just too rowdy. The lower section, near Embajadores, is MUCH better, though.

I would say that Cuatro Caminos is better in some respects but worse in others. It's further from the city center, that's for darn sure, so that's a negative. It's probably a bit safer and cleaner, too, definitely more modern - but not "modern", if you know what I mean, so that's a positive. Cuatro Caminos also has a significant non-Spaniard population, but not as high as in Lavapies, so this may be neither negative nor positive. If I was forced to choose one or the other, I'd probably choose Cuatro Caminos. But if I had other options, I'd consider them.

Their La Latina area consideration might have been good, but this can be a rowdy area too, around the Cava Baja, Cava Alta, lots of nightclubs, restaurants, bars and crowds there. Probably safer, but probably louder, too, at night. This is nice and close - actually IN - the old downtown. Of the three, I would probably consider the La Latina area first - assuming it wasn't located directly above or next to a bar, night club, or terraza, that is.

Saludos, MadridMan

I actually dvr every episode of House Hunter International in hopes of them going to Spain once in a while. I watched the Madrid episode and was left dissapointed. First of all, the Lavapies flat was on the edge, we thought maybe more towards Embajadores or La Latina as it was bigger and newer and was very nice. I also liked the La Latina flat as well. I could not believe they chose the CC flat. It was ugly and way too small. Also, I would never live that far from the center. But that's my opinion.
Esposo and I love to watch the show and guess which one the couple eventually picks. This show is rigged as I know someone who was on it a long time ago. They had already bought the home, it was in escrow, but then was taped to look like they were hunting! Too funny.
One day I will be on it, looking for a retirement home somewhere in Spain!! LOL!

One of the odd things about the CC flat was the attic loft that they turned into a master bedroom. The husband couldn't even stand up straight in the room without hitting his head! I like the La Latina best too, but it was above their price range. Sometimes it is difficult to tell what the priority is for each person. It isn't always about the price. In this case, I think location and price did win out. Marbella tomorrow! Laduque, I hope to be right there with you looking for a retirement home!

LaDuque: "MYTH REVEALED!! HHI MYTH BUSTED!!" Hahhaa.. So the show's rigged. Now isn't that a disappointment/surprise. Thanks for the insight.

Saludos, MadridMan