The past few days have been quite hectic-- consolidating our belongings to 10 suitcases and packing with my MIL hovering constantly, traveling to Madrid by bus and somehow arriving to our new apartment with all the luggage, deep cleaning the apartment, signing contracts and opening bank accounts, transferring large sums of money to our new landlord, following potential job leads, making appointments for immigration, going to empadrnarnos... the list doesn't end!
It's been really hard to blog and respond to emails etc. because our internet hasn't been installed yet. I'm hoping they come soon! At the moment we're relying on the little bar beneath our building.
For anyone interested, here is the first glimpse of my new life here in Madrid. I promise to take more (and better) pictures soon!
If you've bothered to scroll this far down, thanks! I have to say, Ale and I love our apartment and neighborhood so far. It's 10 minutes walking from Atocha and Retiro Park, one metro stop from Mendez Álvaro bus station, a 5 minute metro ride or 25 minute walk to the center of Madrid (La Puerta del Sol), and is surrounded by shops, bars, supermarkets, salons... everything! The good news is that, although it's a 1 bedroom, we have plenty of room in our living room for visitors. A futon and pull out bed could sleep 2 people without a problem. So come visit and bring us gifts!!!
How is everyone else who just moved adjusting to your new city and living arrangements? Do you guys like your apartments as much as I do?
Andi of My Beautiful Adventures
Who cares what your apartment looks like when you get to wake up next to HIM every morning!!! 😉
Hahaha, just kidding dear, love your new apartment and the pics are gorgeous!
Lauren Aloise
Thanks hun! You're such a sweetheart!
Kristen - Anywhere There's An Airport
Welcome to Madrid! So happy you are settling in. I'm 15 minutes from Retiro in the other direction. 🙂
Lauren
That means we should meet up very soon! Let me know...!
Arisha
I'm an auxiliar in Jumilla, a city near Murcia. Finding a piso has been annoying because there aren't many to choose from. I'm enjoying your blog! I'll post a link to my blog in case you ever want to (or have time to) read it. Good luck with getting settled in Madrid!
Arisha
I'm an auxiliar in Jumilla (a small town near Murcia) and I'm having issues finding a piso. I'm just used to having a few options to choose from and I'm not used to seeing the people I might rent from at my job (awkward lol). As of yesterday there were only two pisos available and I was about to make my decision; I had set up a time to visit the piso again to make sure I felt comfortable there. But then, as I was buying my cell phone, the girl selling me my phone asked me if I needed a place to live. Well, of course I want to look at it. If it isn't better than the other one, at least I know. I don't like making decisions without looking at all of my options. But I'm feeling pressure from the other piso to make a decision quickly. It's been very frustrating. But I just wanted to vent a little bit. I'm enjoying your blog! I'll put a link to my blog in the website section if you ever want to check it out. Buena suerte with everything in Madrid!
Lauren
Ahh it can be even more difficult in a small town. Good luck to you and I'll definitely be checking out your blog!
Siesta y Fiesta
I was just in Madrid this weekend...going to make another trip soon with the new 55 minute high speed train. We'll have to meet up to tomar algo and maybe you can help me make a trip to Ikea to get some things for my new piso as well!! 🙂 Love the place you've got!!
Lauren
Definitely! Let me know when you are coming again!
Holly
Congrats on finding your new home! It looks really cute. Is the kitchen suitable for your experimental needs?!
Lauren
It's small, but suitable! When are you coming to visit us?!
Kaley [Y Mucho Más]
You are so adorable! Good luck in your nueva vida. Your husband is pretty cute too! (I'm sure you agree.)
Lauren
Thanks Kaley! Your Spaniard isn't too bad either!!!
Erica
Hi Lauren, moving to Pozoblanco has been difficult!! Culture shock is definitely real.
Could you help me figure out internet for my apartment? No one seems willing to help me. I found a deal with Orange for only 12 euros a month for the first nine months (which seems great to me!) but my roommate says sometimes that's a lie. 🙁
My email is ericapressley@gmail.com. Thank you for your help!!
Lauren
Hi Erica! The internet is tough-- we're still waiting for ours here. Check out ya.com (that's what my husband contracted) he says it's a good deal. The problem (he says) with orange is that in addition to the 15 euro per month you need to pay for phone line maintenance with Telefonica. Ya.com includes the maintenance. But I really don't know much about it-- good luck! Let me know how you make out!
Erin from La Tortuga Viajera
Welcome home!! We moved from las afueras of Madrid to the city center last February. We LOVE our neighborhood (Chamberi), but the apartment situation has had its Spanish ups and downs. We'll probably move pisos again at the beginning of the year. Such a hassle!
Lauren
Moving is SUCH a hassle lol... but I think it's so worth it to live in the center of Madrid. So far I am loving it! Will you try to stay in Chamberi if you move?
Valerie
just read this post before I leave my hostel to move in to my first spanish piso ever! (im an auxiliar in huelva) ps - i had salmorejo the other day and thought of your blog!
Lauren
Good luck!!!
Christine
Congrats on finding a place! Now is the fun part of making it your own 🙂 You're in a great location--enjoy all it brings you!
Lauren
Thanks Christine! 🙂
Cassandra Gambill
Congrats on a finding a place!
For whatever the piso may lack, there's always an Ikea a metro ride away (and you guys are already close to the light-blue line which will zip you down to La Gavia. Lucky!).
Lauren
Thanks Cassandra! Ikea is a savior...