BsAs Vs Madrid
- Thread starter Big_m
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I lived in Madrid for theabove dates. In my view BA is a low key Madrid. Madrid is more Eurpean (obviously) and more sophisticated. Everyone dresses much more formally (no Jeans for work) When I left in June 06 they were building and renovating like crazy and everything had become much more expensive than when I arrived.
I assume you have an EU passport because if you dont; forget about working. I dont know what the actual situation is in Madrid now but with the unemployment rate supposedly around 17%; I should imagine its not very good.
If you are really interested, I have some friends there I can contact.
I assume you have an EU passport because if you dont; forget about working. I dont know what the actual situation is in Madrid now but with the unemployment rate supposedly around 17%; I should imagine its not very good.
If you are really interested, I have some friends there I can contact.
I can't give too much information, but we visited Madrid in March 2008 before deciding to move to BsAs (in September 2008). I'm a US Citizen, my wife is Argentine. I received a job offer, but it would have been about 60% of my US salary (aerospace engineer with many years of experience), but prices (at that time) that we saw (e.g. food, etc. from grocery stores since we have a small child) were ballpark the same as Washington, DC. There was no way that we could live on that salary. The other problem on the job side was that they were going to work my visa, but do nothing for my wife. She'd be on her own to get work permission.
The interesting note was that as we road in the taxi into the center part of Madrid from the airport, my wife said "This looks just like Buenos Aires." I suggested it might be a little bit more other other way around...
The interesting note was that as we road in the taxi into the center part of Madrid from the airport, my wife said "This looks just like Buenos Aires." I suggested it might be a little bit more other other way around...
Yes, I also have experience with Madrid, the advantages are obviously the close proximity of other great cities such as London, Paris, Barcelona, Rome, etc but the costs of living is much higher and things are not so great right now on the economic front. If money is not object, enjoy.
irishvan said:
Thanks if plans get further will take you up on the offer, Yep I am British so working will be easier. Am worried about the economic situation though and going there without a job isnt an option.
Interesting you say BA is low key, do you mean in the nightlife and cultural side in comparison to Madrid too?
Also how do the people compare? Is there an expat scene?
I won't even thing in comparing an European capital such as Madrid with a South American Buenos Aires...first let's talk about the currency, you will pay in Euro not in the devalued peso...second let's talk about living in a cosmopolitan city and with all the respect and my love to south america and Buenos Aires but you won't see the snobism typical of south american countries still impregnated with colonialism...Spain is racist, but specially with la for all the immigration...besides,your experience may depend on having european passport or not or if you have chances to get a visa to study or partially work...
Madrid has a great night life, delicious food, great wines (not than here is bad, malbec is great too), beautiful people, pretty much as Buenos Aires, but don't forget that location and heritage defines pretty much the culture around.
It depends about what is your objective,what do you pretend to achieve and what are your expectations. If you have some money to spend, so why not to have a nice time in Madrid, but if you are looking for opportunities, check out your legal situation there before taking the chance.
Madrid has a great night life, delicious food, great wines (not than here is bad, malbec is great too), beautiful people, pretty much as Buenos Aires, but don't forget that location and heritage defines pretty much the culture around.
It depends about what is your objective,what do you pretend to achieve and what are your expectations. If you have some money to spend, so why not to have a nice time in Madrid, but if you are looking for opportunities, check out your legal situation there before taking the chance.
Conorworld
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I got back from my first trip to Madrid about 2 weeks ago and it's a great city. The transport system is world class and continues to be improved on at breakneck speed. Its close proximity to the rest of Europe and with Barajas airport, you have one of the best airports in the world too.
Culturally Madrid is excellent too. So much to do and going on. However things have been getting pretty bad in Spain. Expectations are that the unemployment rate will hit 20%. It is obviously not as cheap as in BA. House and rental prices still seem pretty over inflated in Madrid too.
BA is a great city. It may not have all the vibrant sheen of Madrid but it has its charms. I love the people but red tape and queues and all that sort of things are infuriating but you get used to it. Nevertheless I was told by many people that BA and Madrid were very similar but I didn't think so. I personally preferred BA. Thing is I don't know why.
But if it is for a job, especially aerospace it is probably better regardless in Madrid due to the large amount of international companies in Spain and Europe that gives you a better options and in close proximity. It maybe more expensive and if its a case of cost of living for the wage you maybe offered, it might be better in BA
Culturally Madrid is excellent too. So much to do and going on. However things have been getting pretty bad in Spain. Expectations are that the unemployment rate will hit 20%. It is obviously not as cheap as in BA. House and rental prices still seem pretty over inflated in Madrid too.
BA is a great city. It may not have all the vibrant sheen of Madrid but it has its charms. I love the people but red tape and queues and all that sort of things are infuriating but you get used to it. Nevertheless I was told by many people that BA and Madrid were very similar but I didn't think so. I personally preferred BA. Thing is I don't know why.
But if it is for a job, especially aerospace it is probably better regardless in Madrid due to the large amount of international companies in Spain and Europe that gives you a better options and in close proximity. It maybe more expensive and if its a case of cost of living for the wage you maybe offered, it might be better in BA
I cant really comment on the nightlife here as Ive only been here 3 months but my impression was that there was more choice in Madrid, particularly with ethnic restaurants.
I was not aware of an active expats group like this one mainly because I lived in a residencia with 13 other people so socialising was not an issue. I could not find a similar residencia here so have ended up in a hostel in downtown which is ok for the moment. Madrid did however have a pub philosophy group which I greatly enjoyed and have not found anything similar here yet. (This was expat and spanish).
I was not aware of an active expats group like this one mainly because I lived in a residencia with 13 other people so socialising was not an issue. I could not find a similar residencia here so have ended up in a hostel in downtown which is ok for the moment. Madrid did however have a pub philosophy group which I greatly enjoyed and have not found anything similar here yet. (This was expat and spanish).
