Where to rent a room in Madrid cheaply?
Madrid is considered one of the most expensive cities in Spain, and it is not surprising that renting even a room in an apartment where several people live can be quite expensive. How much does it cost to rent a room in the Spanish capital now, and which areas of Madrid should renters with a limited budget pay attention to?
First of all, it is worth noting that renting a room in the Spanish capital has increased by 26% over the past six years. In 2013, the average cost of a room in a capital apartment was 328 euros per month. Currently, according to various sources, it reaches 415-429 euros. Madrid ranks first in the country in terms of rental costs, surpassing even the traditionally expensive Barcelona.
Many students who came to study in Madrid and hoped to find inexpensive housing in university dormitories are disappointed: such accommodation will cost them 800 euros per month. About 300 thousand students live in Madrid, but there are only 18 thousand places in the capital’s dormitories. Therefore, the problem of finding affordable housing is acute, especially when it comes to renting a room. Most young people choose this option, since renting a separate apartment today costs an average of 1,231 euros per month.
Which areas of Madrid offer relatively inexpensive accommodation?
The southern districts of the capital offer the most favorable living conditions. For example, in the Latina district you can rent a room for an average of 369 euros per month, in the Carabanchel district – for 355 euros, and in the Usera district – for 357 euros. These districts are usually inhabited by representatives of the working class, and have good transport links to the city center. The central square of Madrid can be reached in 15 minutes by metro. Although these districts are not as active as the city center, they have everything you need for a comfortable stay, and the large Casa de Campo park allows you to enjoy nature.
In terms of technical characteristics, the Sol district is not the cheapest in Madrid, but compared to other central districts, the prices here are relatively affordable. For example, in the Huertas district, the rent for an apartment is 800 euros, while in the Sol district you can find cheaper housing – less than 600 euros. Living in the center of the capital has its advantages (and disadvantages): everything is within walking distance, interesting events are constantly taking place, but it can be quite noisy at any time of the day.
Another relatively inexpensive area of Madrid is Arganzuela. It includes areas such as Atocha (where Madrid’s main train station is located), Legazpi and Delicias. Rooms in these areas can be rented for prices starting from 462 euros, and the price increases as you get closer to the city center. Las Acacias is also considered a good area for cheap accommodation, located near Rio Park, which stretches along the Manzanares River. This is a large green area that is within walking distance of central Madrid.
If you decide to live not in Madrid itself, but in one of its suburbs, then you will not only save money, but also spend much less time searching for housing. One of the convenient options is the suburbs of Mostoles and Getafe, where renting a room costs 317 and 349 euros, respectively. These are small cities compared to the capital, with a population of about 200 thousand people. They have everything you need for everyday life, and you can get to Madrid by train in less than half an hour. These cities are also home to the campuses of two capital universities, so you can find inexpensive and small-sized housing on the rental market. Another convenient suburb for living is Villaverde, where you can rent a room from 319 euros per month.
