Finding a Residence
Next to getting there, finding a place to live is always one of the most challenging parts of moving. Whether it’s across town, to another state or in this case to another country! But with today’s internet, this does not have to be a daunting task. My wife and I have done the work for you! Just click on the links to the real estate sites we have listed below. Then put in your search criteria and go… it’s that simple. Remember to name and save your searches by signing up with your email address. That way you will get updates to the latest and greatest listings for rent or for sale that meet your needs. I would suggest getting this search started early so you get a feel for what is available, the prices and the neighborhoods. Again, Google maps is great for seeing what the neighborhoods are like as well as doing a search for the name of that area/district that you are interested in. Another way is to first google “Best Neighborhoods” or “Best Neighborhoods for Expats” in the city you have decided on. Then go to the websites below and look for places in those neighborhoods!
Note: No offense to the internet or any of these website, but I would create a list of the properties you are interested in a week or two before you leave for Spain. When you arrive, make sure to book a reasonable hotel for a week or two and then start contacting these listings and going to see them before you rent anything!!! Internet listings and photos can be very deceiving in many ways. 😜
Note; I would not recommend sites like Air BnB. From our experience as they cater to short term partiers and vacationers with the least attractive offerings and without any way to verify or see the listing first. Also, before renting for long term, see about getting your TIE card and be able to show you can afford the rental… such as a monthly bank statement.
For higher end short term fully furnished rentals in Barcelona or Madrid, try out Blueground.com… it’s reliable, safe and fairly trouble free but only for short term as you look around and get settled.
When you are ready to look for long term rentals or even buy a place go to Spainhouses.net. The ads there are placed by rental agencies and individuals so you should take care and NEVER send or give any money to anyone until you meet and see the rental in person! Never!!! Did I say never? 😢Never!!! Just enter your city and then your particulars and off you go. Click the little square icon in the top right of the home page to change the languages presented and the “Log in” button next to it to sign up for a free account.
Another higher end rental site is https://ukio.com/ . Ukio has home listings for only Barcelona and Madrid and has high rental prices meant more for shorter term stays but also some good long term stays as well. The good thing about this side is it has great information of the different neighborhoods to rent in so it may be worth a look just to get a feel for the areas.
More in line with most peoples budgets for long term rentals is spotahome. This website has rentals in many cities in Spain and elsewhere for that matter. They are all fairly secure and safe to rent but again, visit and view the place before you rent it. To do so you can only go check out the general area with no in person preview of the rental… but they do verify the rentals and give you 24 hours to inform them after you rent it if something is not correct to the photos or descriptions. I would recommend with this site to rent it for just a month and if you like it after a few days extend you rental.
Another rental agency with apartments mostly near the beach is https://lodgingapartments.com/apartments-monthly . You can contact the agency directly for long term rentals and they will arrange to show the apartment. Good prices and great locations.
You can also check out https://www.apartmentbarcelona.com/en/mid-long-term-rentals/eur but just for Barcelona! Great rentals at great prices for up to 11 months rental. For longer than 6 months rental you contact them and ask to see the apartment.
Our favorite is Idealista! https://www.idealista.com/en/long-term-rentals-in-spain . For just about any city and any neighborhood, idealists has you covered. 😁And with Idealista you can easily arrange to view the rental before you rent it! Many of the rentals on this site are from rental agencies so that is pretty secure. But always beware and check the contract.
Also check out https://www.thinkspain.com/ . It too allows you to contact and arrange to view the rental property before renting it and offers long term rentals as well as properties for sale!!!