Hello! We are moving to Madrid this month with two small kids. We need to find a house in a nice calm neighborhood, family and expat friendly area. Also near international schools. Does anyone have any suggestions? Preferably not too far from the center as I will be working right in the city center. The house doesn’t have to be right in the center But not too far off. Thanks!
Joanam
It depends on your budget. Most of the international schools are towards the north (e.g. La Moraleja) although there's also the British Council School in Pozuelo, and also a couple in Chamartin/Arturo Soria.
If your kids are young enough to become bilingual in Spanish (typically primary school age) then it is worth looking at Spanish schools as well. You can aslways switch to an international school later on.
If your kids are young enough to become bilingual in Spanish (typically primary school age) then it is worth looking at Spanish schools as well. You can aslways switch to an international school later on.
I think that La Moraleja and Pozuelo / Somosaguas are probably the best options for the expat / school side of things. But they are not near the centre, in fact they are not even Madrid city, Pozuelo is a town in its own right and La Moraleja is in Alcobendas.
If you want to be close to the city, you could try the area around Puerta de Hierro, I don't know it that well, but there are some spectacular houses around there.
But as Chopera said, it does depend on budget. I could not afford to live in any of these places, but if for example you have an expat package worth several thousand € / month, you could obviously pick and choose!
If money was no object, I personally would choose where I wanted to live based on where I would have to work, then choose a school nearby. Not the other way round.
If you want to be close to the city, you could try the area around Puerta de Hierro, I don't know it that well, but there are some spectacular houses around there.
But as Chopera said, it does depend on budget. I could not afford to live in any of these places, but if for example you have an expat package worth several thousand € / month, you could obviously pick and choose!
If money was no object, I personally would choose where I wanted to live based on where I would have to work, then choose a school nearby. Not the other way round.
[/URL]Concur on what others say, the budget of course will define where you live. Also,in common with many major cities, living in the city doesn't necessarily mean that you will get to work more easily. You could live outside the city and have a better route to work (or not).
Where will you be working?
Also true what overandout says about the possibility of sending young children to a state school so they pick up the language.
If you want a private school, try looking at
http://www.nabss.org/es/
Where will you be working?
Also true what overandout says about the possibility of sending young children to a state school so they pick up the language.
If you want a private school, try looking at
http://www.nabss.org/es/
Just to clarify, I mentioned sending kids to a Spnaish school to pick up the language, but not necessarily a state school. If the OP is on a package that includes school fees then a Spanish private school could be an option as well. Some of them follow the International Baccalaureate so it's the same curriculum as many international schools, but it'll mainly be in Spanish (plus a lot of English).
To elaborate a bit further, the reason for suggesting Spanish schools in general is that children from English speaking households who attend English speaking schools might find it difficult to pick up enough Spanish to integrate. The majority of International Schools in Madrid have over 90% Spanish pupils, who attend classes in English but speak Spanish to each other outside the classroom. This environment can make it difficult for new kids to pick up Spanish because they can get away with just speaking English to everyone. However if they don't learn Spanish they probably won't feel like they fit in completely. It's a slight catch-22 situation with international schools.
To elaborate a bit further, the reason for suggesting Spanish schools in general is that children from English speaking households who attend English speaking schools might find it difficult to pick up enough Spanish to integrate. The majority of International Schools in Madrid have over 90% Spanish pupils, who attend classes in English but speak Spanish to each other outside the classroom. This environment can make it difficult for new kids to pick up Spanish because they can get away with just speaking English to everyone. However if they don't learn Spanish they probably won't feel like they fit in completely. It's a slight catch-22 situation with international schools.
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