We always tell our international clients the same thing: the decision to buy in Madrid is rarely just financial. You buy the whole city — the light, the hours, the safety of walking at any time, the closeness of everything. But since feelings deserve contrasting, here is the data.
What the rankings say
Spain tops the quality-of-life category of InterNations' Expat Insider, the world's largest expat survey, and Madrid regularly features among the world's ten best-rated cities to settle in. CBRE's analysis of prime Madrid quantifies the ecosystem: close to 50 five-star hotels, 32 Michelin-starred restaurants, international luxury tourism growing 10% a year and more than 65,000 foreign students. That is not the picture of a stopover city: it is a global capital at its best.
Day to day: what the rankings miss
Madrid is one of Western Europe's safest capitals, with street life stretching into the night in every central neighbourhood. Private healthcare is excellent, with minimal waiting times. The climate gifts more than 2,700 hours of sun a year. And there is something harder to measure: how easy it is to live like a local. Madrileños absorb newcomers with a naturalness that surprises those arriving from other European capitals.
Families: schools and parks
The offering of international schools (British, American, French, German) concentrates in the north of the city, which explains Chamartín's pull among expatriate families. Those who prefer the centre have the Retiro as a front garden and a first-rate network of private schools in Salamanca and Chamberí.
Where to settle
Every profile has its natural neighbourhood: Salamanca for those who want the golden mile and the best housing stock; Chamberí and Justicia for the most madrileño way of life; Chamartín for families. We did the full comparison, with prices per neighbourhood and market data, in Madrid's best neighbourhoods for buying a luxury home. And if you would rather start by seeing homes, these are the Lumier homes available — all ready to move into with a suitcase.
And to get to know our view of the city — neighbourhoods, homes and ways of living them — you can download the Lumier Magazine.
