The Community of Madrid is one of Europe's most cosmopolitan regions; living there can be a unique and enriching experience. Madrid offers a wide variety of options that make it an ideal place to live.
In Madrid's 179 towns and cities, find cultural richness with hundreds of museums that house masterpieces. In addition, the capital is a paradise for food lovers, as it offers a wide variety of local fare and international cuisine, from traditional calamari sandwiches, tapas and stews to the most sophisticated plates from Michelin-starred chefs.
Here's a list of the top 7 towns to live near Madrid, the evolution of property prices and each town's main characteristics.
Live in San Agustin de Guadalix
San Agustin de Guadalix is a town in the Community of Madrid with 13,608 inhabitants. It is located north of the capital next to the A-1 motorway, and is part of the Cuenca del Medio Jarama and Cuenca del Guadalix.
Visitors can enjoy a natural and rural environment, with numerous streams that flow into the River Guadalix, which crosses the town from north to south. Its tourist attractions include the parish church of San Agustin (18th century), the Roman bridge over the River Guadalix, the river park and the La Dehesa interpretation centre. The town also boasts many cultural and sporting activities, such as a cake and omelette competition, a fancy dress competition, an adult education centre and a sports centre.
San Agustin de Guadalix is a quiet, friendly, clean and safe place with good public services and great connections to Madrid.
Find flats and houses for sale in San Agustín de Guadalix and rental properties. However, if you are looking for options for a getaway, don't miss out on the holiday rental alternatives.
The average house price in San Agustin de Guadalix is €2,357/m2.
San Sebastian de los Reyes – an excellent place to live
San Sebastian de los Reyes was founded in 1492. It is 20 kilometres north of Madrid and combines tradition with modernity, offering many services, cultural and sporting activities and natural spaces.
The town's historical and artistic heritage makes it an ideal place to live. There is an Ethnographic Museum, the Church of San Sebastián Mártir, the Convent of the Discalced Carmelites and the Chapel of Santísimo Cristo de los Remedios.
Another highlight is the town's cultural and sporting activities in the local libraries, the Adolfo Marsillach theatre, the Business Centre and the Sanse Youth Centre, as well as facilities such as the Dehesa Boyal sports centre, the Jarama Circuit and the Forestal Park Adventure Park.
Moreover, the town boasts many natural surroundings, such as La Dehesa, part of the Cuenca Alta del Manzanares natural park, where you can go hiking, cycling and horse riding.
Find flats and houses for sale in San Sebastián de los Reyes and rental properties. However, if you are looking for getaway options, don't miss out on the holiday rental alternatives.
In San Sebastián de los Reyes, the average house price is €2,770/m2, while the average rent is €12.3/m2.
Live in El Escorial
El Escorial is a Spanish town in the Community of Madrid, near the Sierra de Guadarrama mountain range. It is famous for El Escorial Monastery, an architectural and artistic work commissioned by King Philip II in the 16th century. The monastery has been a World Heritage Site since 1984 and houses an impressive library, an art gallery, a royal pantheon and a basilica.
Life in El Escorial is peaceful, surrounded by nature, as the town has several parks, gardens and forests. The climate is continental Mediterranean, with cold winters and hot summers. The town also offers a wide range of cultural, sporting and food events, such as the Ancient Music Festival, the Medieval Market and a Book Fair.
You can also find other places of interest in San Lorenzo de El Escorial, such as the Silla de Felipe II, the Valle de los Caídos or the Casita del Príncipe.
Find flats and houses for sale in El Escorial, and rental properties. However, if you are looking for getaway options, don't miss out on the holiday rental alternatives.
In El Escorial, the average house price is €2,028/m2, while the average rent is €9.4/m2.
What is it like to live in Alcalá de Henares?
Alcalá de Henares is a Spanish city belonging to the Community of Madrid. Its municipal district extends over the natural region of La Campiña, although part extends over La Alcarria. It is located in the basin of the River Henares, to the east of the province. It is 27 kilometres from Guadalajara and 31 kilometres from Madrid.
It was declared a World Heritage City by UNESCO in 1998. Thanks to its historic quarter and the University of Alcalá de Henares (UAH), it is one of the nine Spanish cities that UNESCO has classified as unique.
The city's motto or slogan is the "City of Knowledge". One of the reasons given by the city council is that the city has three cultures where a spirit of knowledge coexists in the University. Until about 20 years ago, it housed the Cervantes Institute's headquarters too; now the Colegio del Rey building is the Spanish Language Association's headquarters. The city is also home to Miguel de Cervantes' birthplace and one of the two master cathedrals in the world.
Find flats and houses for sale in Alcalá de Henares and rental properties. However, if you're looking for a getaway, don't miss these holiday rental options.
In Alcalá de Henares, the average house price is €2,048/m2, while the average rent is €10.3/m2.
Living in Torrejón de Ardoz – a strategic location
Torrejon de Ardoz has a long history, great cultural diversity and a wide range of services and leisure activities. It has a business park, a university hospital, a shopping centre, a theme park (Parque Europa) and several museums. Moreover, Torrejon de Ardoz is well-communicated with Madrid and other cities in the Corredor del Henares, thanks to the A-2 motorway, the suburban train and Barajas airport.
The city also has a rich historical and cultural heritage, reflected in its coat of arms and flag, restored in 2009. The coat of arms shows the symbols of Castile, Aragon, Leon and the cauldrons of the Zuñiga, the family that ruled for centuries. The flag is in the traditional colours of Castile and Leon – purple and yellow.
You will also find food and leisure alternatives to enjoy with your family or friends. It has local shops, large chain stores, and a wide range of services. In short, this town offers many possibilities for living, working, studying and enjoying yourself.
Find flats and houses for sale in Torrejon de Ardoz and rental properties. However, if you are looking for getaway options, don't miss out on the holiday rental alternatives.
In Torrejon de Ardoz, the average house price is €2,072/m2, while the average rent is €10.6/m2.
What's life like in Colmenar Viejo?
Colmenar Viejo is a town in the Community of Madrid which offers a good quality of life. It is surrounded by a spectacular natural environment, with the Cuenca Alta del Manzanares Park, the River Manzanares, La Pedriza and the Sierra de Guadarrama mountain range. It is an ideal place for hiking, cycling, climbing and other outdoor sports.
The town boasts a rich historical and cultural heritage, with archaeological sites, a Gothic basilica, hermitages, mills, bridges and a seminary. It has also been the setting for several films and television series. It has all the services needed for daily life, such as nurseries, schools, health centres, shopping centres, supermarkets, restaurants, auditoriums and libraries. It also has a wide range of leisure and cultural activities, with popular fiestas, music, sporting and artistic events.
Finally, Colmenar Viejo is a quiet and safe town where you can walk and live without worries. It has a good range of public safety services and a low crime rate.
Find flats and houses for sale in Colmenar Viejo and rental properties. However, if you're looking for getaway options, don't miss out on the holiday rental alternatives.
In Colmenar Viejo, the average house price is €2,245/m2, while the average rent is €9.6/m2.
What is Getafe like to live in?
Getafe is a city/municipality in the Community of Madrid with around 180,000 inhabitants. It is about 13 kilometres south of the capital and is well connected by road, metro, train and bus.
The city is steeped in history, still preserves some magnificent Roman villas open to visitors and is home to the Spanish Air Force's oldest air base and the Carlos III University.
The benefits of living in Getafe are that it is quiet, has a youthful atmosphere, job opportunities, quality of life, and is more affordable than Madrid. It is a city that offers a wide range of services but with a more relaxed and familiar lifestyle.
It is a good option for those looking to be close to Madrid without sacrificing comfort and savings.
Find flats and houses for sale in Getafe and rental properties. However, if you're looking for getaway options, don't miss out on the holiday rental alternatives.