Madrid at a Glance
Living in Madrid
The Madrid subway is one of the best public transportation systems in the world.
People living in Madrid are proud to be part of this cosmopolitan city. There are 3.3 million people living in Madrid proper while the entire metropolitan population amounts to 6.5 million. Due to the countless annual visitors, most people living in Madrid are used to tourists and foreigners; they may be helpful in giving directions or information. As they are very proud to be madrileños – the Spanish word for someone living in Madrid – they may even launch into a brief history of their city.
Since Madrid is both the capital of Spain and its largest city, the head of government as well as the Spanish royal family are living in Madrid these days. Ordinary people enjoying life in Madrid profit from many employment opportunities: It is a major financial center in southern Europe, a hub for trade and industry as well as Spain’s center of fashion, music, arts, and culture. It has the fourth largest GDP on the continent and boasts a high standard of living.
Living in Madrid: Health and Safety
If you are considering living in Madrid, but are afraid that such a large city will have a relatively high crime rate, you need not fret! For most people living in Madrid, crime is not a major problem. Of course, as in many larger touristy cities, there are lots of pickpockets in Madrid. However, if you are careful to watch your personal items and avoid the tricks of thieves, you will see that life in Madrid is not particularly risky.
Moreover, the standards of medical care in Madrid are relatively high. As far as immunizations are concerned, doctors only recommended refreshing your standard vaccinations and maybe getting a hepatitis shot in preparation for life in Madrid. You should also be prepared for a climate with fairly cold winters and rather hot summers – pack the appropriate clothes for living in Madrid.
Life in Madrid: Transit
Living in Madrid will quickly make you realize that driving is not the smartest solution for moving from one location to the other. Traffic is horrendous as the madrileños often invent their own driving rules, and it’s almost impossible to find a parking space. Although Spanish people love biking, you should rather avoid cycling while living in Madrid. Due to most motorists’ hectic and accident-prone driving style, commuting by bike while living in Madrid is stressful and dangerous.
Taking taxis on a regular basis while living in Madrid can become quite expensive. When used infrequently and in emergency cases, they are, however, a good way to get from A to B. Therefore, the best way to get around while living in Madrid is using public transportation, even for your daily commute. The Madrid Metro is one of the best public transit systems in the world, with a subway line running in almost any direction of the city, making it the sixth longest underground network in the world.
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