Jer-I am not sure if this is the right board to put this on, but here goes anyways!

I got my housing assignment and it is on Calle General Ampudia. It is located close to the school I'm going to (Saint Louis University-Madrid--located on calle Valle) Can someone give me general info about this area? Like what part of town (college, artzy, ghetto) is it in? Is it generally safe? You know just general info if anyone's been around it.

Thanks--and looking forward to the ol' BBQ, I am sure by that time I'll be looking forward to speaking English!

Kyle

Hi Kmoore81!.

If we consider that the center of Madrid is Sol, Gran V�a, La Plaza Mayor ... you are not going to live in the center of Madrid. But don't worry, your street is not too far from the center of Madrid.

Last year I was living not too far from you and I think that is not a bad area. You can reach the faboulous "West Park" after walking just 800 meters and Cuatro Caminos is just 1100 meters from your house. Cuatro Caminos is one of the best places to buy shoes in Madrid. It is a very commercial street (Cuatro Caminos).

Near your house, no more than 200 meters, you'll find "Santander Park". This park is always full of babys and their mothers.
It must be a very safe area because you've got near your street one of the biggest quarters of our police "Guardia Civil".

Bye!

Just take a look at http://fotos.qdq.com

General Ampudia street area is quite safe and quite good area of Madrid (in my opinion). There is a good universitary ambient there as there are several residences for students (colegios mayores) and is close to Ciudad Universitaria, and the nightlife is quite vivid.

Kyle!
ahh...la Avendia del Valle, my old stomping ground! I went to Saint Louis University, Madrid Campus from August of 1999-December of 2001. My first year I lived with a host family, on Beatriz de Bobadilla, just on the other side of Reina Victoria (a huge, busy Boulevard). My second year I lived in an apartment on General Rodrigo juat above the bar El Gallo de Oro(as you get to know the area, this will all sound very familiar). I loved going to SLU! I met my best friends, and made some of the most special memories while studying there.
The area around the school is very safe. There are a lot of college kids around and tons of Colegio Mayores (private dorms) because you are right near Ciudad Universitaria where you'll find Complutense and el CEU, two important schools in Madrid. Anyways, the people who actually live in the area are mostly more middle aged. It's fairly quiet (excpet right near VIPs and CATS-which I'll tell you about later). If you're looking for more nightlife, Sol and other areas are not far off.
Now, you'll definitely have to email me when you get there and I'd love to show you some of my favorite places around the school, etc. Are you living with a host family or in the half room and board? I'm so excited for you! Let me know if you want to know anything else!
Mindy