Hi,

I'm not sure if i'm breaking Jer's rules by posting this here - (I'm sure he'll tell me off if I am!) but basically I'm looking for an apartment quite central (with ideally a DSL connection as I work in IT).


I need something from Nov until Jan at which point I should be moving into an apartment with my partner.

I am 27, English and have lived and worked all over the UK and also Holland. I speak 'ok' Spanish, and have taken the DELE Inicial exam and would relish the opportunity to live in a Spanish-speaking-only household for a few months.

I am clean, tidy, useful (can help with computer stuff and can program video recorders!) and outgoing and I also love cooking (Indian, Thai and Italian are favourites). Yes, I love cooking, ...what? you prefer washing up? Brilliant!

I have been to Spain and Madrid many a time before so wont need 'baby-sitting'!

If you have somewhere from November to January which is central - please let me know - I am moving my first load of stuff to Madrid on the 17th October so can view places that weekend.

Gracias a todos y hasta luego!
.dakang

Rules?

Anywhooooooooz, there is quite a lot of info on apt. hunting on the baord already.

Try doing some SEARCHES , you will get a lot out of it.

3 months is short-term so you will pay more and it will not be easy to find an ADSL connection.

You may want to contact Rocco at www.madridinsider.com as he should be able to help you out. He has a free accommodations listing section on his website as well. At least he will be able to tell you the current situation on what you need even if he can't find you a place.

Saludos y suerte,
jer...

Gracias Jer... I did do a LOT of searches but some sites contain apartments or rooms which were filled weeks or months ago... But I'll check that guy out... thanks.

Hey dakang, I was referring to searches on THIS board, not on other sites.

You see, I meant for you to find info in general on how to find a place in Madrid.

Also note that it is VERY hard to find a nice, inexpensive place before you arrive. Best if you get here and then look.

Saludos,
jer...

Ah..i see what you mean. Well in terms of finding a place, most of my friends in Madrid have been helping out and the advice was: advertise rather than go through an agency.

Besides I'd rather not live in a hostel while looking for places although that may be on the cards!

Hey dakang, I understand the not wanting to stay at a hostel while you look but this is usually the best way to go for most.

Keep in mind that taking a room/apt. site-unseen can be a bad idea.

If you have friends in Madrid, I would suggest you look for places online and then ask them to go see them for you to be sure they are not holes in the wall

Joy ("queensita" on this board) was VERY successful in securing a place before she moved over but she took a week trip over to Madrid months before she was to move here in order to see a few places and put down a deposit. She also had friends/"family" here that could help her out.

She got some leads online, narrowed it down to a few possibilities, came for a visit, checked them out, chose one and put down her deposit for when she was to return a few months later in late August.

Worked like a charm but not everyone can afford to make that "scope it out" trip before they move.

Joy is in Greece and Turkey right now (I think) so she will not be on the board for a while. Maybe she will pop in upon her return to Madrid to give you some tips.

I agree about looking on your own instead of using an agency, especially if you (or those helping you) read/speak/understand Spanish.

The agencies/housing services (MadridInsider, Welcome to Madrid, Room Madrid, Madrid Flatmate) talked about on this board are better for those who need help with the language barrier.

Saludos,
jer...

I will be there from the 17th... i just wanted to get a list of properties to view before I arrived that's all! I certainly wouldn't take a place unseen (surely nooone does! ) . The guys in Madrid are all Spanish so that's a help... thanks again Jer.

Ok, cool!

Please come back to this thread and keep us updated on your progress.

Saludos,
jer...