Top 5 Cities To Live In Spain

11/15/2022 11:04 AM
15 min read

Have you been planning to move to Spain but don’t know which city to settle in? There are many cities you can move to, depending on what you are looking for as a student. All you need to do is research all the different cities and decide the best option in accordance with your lifestyle and what you want your academic future to look like.

To help you get an insight into some of the top cities to live in Spain, we have put together a helpful guide. Let’s learn more about the top 5 cities to live in Spain:

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Barcelona

Have you been planning to move to Spain but don’t know which city to settle in? There are many cities you can move to, depending on what you are looking for as a student. All you need to do is research all the different cities and decide the best option in accordance with your lifestyle and what you want your academic future to look like.

To help you get an insight into some of the top cities to live in Spain, we have put together a helpful guide. Let’s learn more about the top 5 cities to live in Spain:

Barcelona

If you are looking for the absolute best place to live in Spain, then it is, without a doubt, Barcelona. There are lots of reasons why Barcelona stands at the top. The most important aspect of the city is that it is extremely safe. You can walk down the beautiful streets without a worry in the world. Other than its safety, Barcelona is also known for its technological advancements. Many entrepreneurs flock here to participate in these achievements. Barcelona has a diverse social circle; there are many different communities from all sorts of backgrounds. The quality of life here is unlike other cities, as it is easygoing and allows people to enjoy every aspect of society. However, most people find living in Barcelona more expensive than in other cities. The most significant chunk of your income usually goes into your rent. Utilities and food are much cheaper in comparison, which is a great plus point for students. Since it is the second-largest city in Spain, there is a lot for you to explore.

Valencia

If you do not have too big of a budget, you can opt for Valencia as it is much cheaper compared to the other cities. It is also a smaller and more intimate city which makes it a great option for students who prefer a little peace and quiet. Most places within the city are nearby, and you can get to them on public transport or walking. One of the biggest attractions in Valencia is the food. The bars and cafes here offer the best food that will leave you smacking your lips in bliss. Valencia gives big city vibes without the high costs. Moreover, it is also a safer option as the crime rate is low. Here, you can live life as a digital nomad as the freelancing community here is expansive and ever so welcoming for students.

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Málaga

If you are a tourist looking for a city in Spain to settle, then the best option is Málaga. Málaga is an easygoing city that offers a lot of cultural elements for you to enjoy. You can enjoy several attractions here, from hustling and bustling nightlife to the calm beaches. The wide variety of cuisine is one of the city’s best features. To get around the city, you can easily use public transport and get to wherever you want. Málaga is probably the cheapest place to live in Spain, which can greatly benefit expats. The weather here is perfect for spending your days in peace and enjoying the calm.

Madrid

Do you want to surround yourself with a fun time every day? Madrid is the place for you! Madrid offers you both nightlife and fun daylight activities. The air of Madrid is all about having a good time. Many attractions within the city can leave you asking for more. There is so much you can do, from several theater shows to a walk in the park. While there are many things for you to do within Madrid, it also makes traveling to other places within Europe easier. Despite all the nightlife, Madrid is a very safe place and students can easily live here without the fear of crimes. Foreigners can find many job opportunities here that can help them live a decent lifestyle. These employment opportunities are the biggest attractions for expats to move to Madrid.

Alicante

If you are a beach person, keep Alicante at the top of your list. Alicante’s beautiful beach and the weather stay the same throughout the year. This city is a window into the Spanish culture and gives you a taste without overwhelming you. The place is an architectural wonder and leaves you wandering through the streets where you will find local people going about their business and small but aesthetic houses along the streets. Here, you can find some of the freshest and most delicious Mediterranean food. Alicante is home to people from all ethnic backgrounds, so students can easily live here and enjoy the different cultures. Besides that, it is a cheap place to live so you can get the best of Spain without paying a lot of rent.

These cities are the top five options for you. Each city offers a different charm and can help you fulfill your dream of living in Spain. Choose the city that fits your personality and preference the best. You can do more research on each of these places and decide on the best way forward.

Reference Links

https://www.aswesawit.com/5-best-places-to-live-in-spain-for-expats/ https://expatra.com/guides/spain/best-places-to-live-in-spain/ https://housinganywhere.com/Spain/best-places-to-live-in-spain https://www.letseatcake.com/coffee-memes/

I spent a fall semester in Valencia

Finding the Valencia program was fate. I still feel like it's a rare, undiscovered secret that only I was privileged enough to explore and call home. It fulfilled a combination of desires for me. I knew I wanted to learn Spanish, and had boiled it down to Spain because unlike South or Central America, I'd have access to traveling throughout Europe and North Africa.

From there, I realized I wanted a city of a decent size. Madrid and Barcelona were the other two Spanish cities for which programs were offered. I'd been to Madrid and enjoyed it very much, but I didn't like that it was so far inland. I heard Barcelona was amazing, but its main language was Catalan.


Then I came across Valencia, Spain's third largest city, located east on the Mediterranean coast. With about 800,000 people, it was an ideal size for being able to experience that large metropolitan vibe while still being able to run into familiar neighborhood faces. Valencia is also the birthplace of paella, and boasted some of Spain's best cuisine (in my humble opinion)

I knew I wanted to learn Spanish

The littoral outlet for well-heeled Deià, a village that has been home to Mick Jagger, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Richard Branson and poet Robert Graves who is buried there, Cala Deià may be small (200m wide), far from sandy beaches but the water is crystal clear, the rocky outcrops imposing and the atmosphere convivial.

A mixture between the fresh caught seafood from the adjacent sea and the best rice dishes, as well as the sweet delectables like buñuelos and the sugary almond treat turron.

But dessert for me tended to be fruit, as I took advantage of the region's  incredible bounty (the Valencia orange being one of the most delicious fruits I've ever had -- that perfect balance between sweetness and citrus acidity).

My plans for the near future

As of now, I am set to graduate in June from CUNY Hunter College with a bachelor's degree in Media Studies. I've already made plans, while not yet fully developed, to take some time off after undergrad and return to Spain.

I am going to try and find a job or internship somewhere in the vast field of media. My mind's run agog with possibilities: finding a job or internship, teaching English, or even enrolling in a Spanish university for graduate school. In a perfect world, I would be a foreign correspondent based in Madrid for The New York Times.  favourite beach, Cala Deià, can be found here, one of the most bewitching inlets on Mallorca’s entire coastline with the clientele to match.

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FAQs

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Do I need a high level of Spanish to study at a Spanish university?

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Yes, in most universities you will have to take a test to confirm your linguistic ability. Universities may also consider the student's résumé to verify your ability.

Do I have to speak Spanish to live in Spain?

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No, most cities in Spain are very international. Barcelona, for example, is a very cosmopolitan city and over 52% of the local residents speak English, which makes it very easy for you to fulfill your everyday needs in English. We do, however, offer Spanish courses for beginners or advanced students if you wish to learn the language – your cultural immersion will be more insightful speaking the local language.

Is a Spanish University degree accredited  in my home country?

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Most public and private Universities in Spain provide a globally accredited degree. To ensure it is valid in your country you will need to request information about the specific University/School where you intend to study.

Can I study in Spain completely in English?

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Yes, there are many study options in English for Bachelor,Master/MBA or PhD in Spain. Alternatively there are bilingual courses in English and Spanish available, if you want to learnSpanish while you are here.

What are the costs of living in Spain?

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Highly depends on the city. On average you can calculate with a monthly budget of 500€-1000€ which covers:
- Accommodation: the price ranges depending on which kind of accommodation you are looking for, rooms in shared apartments(200-600€), studio flats (400-1000€), student residency (400-1000€)or entire flats (600-1300€).
- Food & Transportation: Monthly average is (100-400€) which covers groceries, public transportation and restaurants.
- Medical insurance: 50€/month (incl. Dental).

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Written by

Ryan Rosser

Master’s program, 2021

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