Neighbourhoods for your situation

It is for anyone considering, planning or carrying out a move to Spain.

Start with "Choosing a neighbourhood if you have children". It covers parks, schools, safety, space and family services, and it is a good way to see how the priorities shift from one household to the next.

Then read the page that matches your situation:

• "Choosing a neighbourhood if you are retired": healthcare, flat terrain, climate and community.
• "Neighbourhoods for students and young professionals": lively, affordable, well-connected areas.
• "Choosing a neighbourhood if you work from home": quiet, connectivity, coworking and cafés.

Documents you may need

• Padrón certificate — Choosing a neighbourhood if you have children

• ID or NIE — Choosing a neighbourhood if you have children

• Certificate of registration at your town hall — Neighbourhoods for students and young professionals

• Proof of age — Neighbourhoods for students and young professionals

Neighbourhoods for your situation: questions that cross several articles

Does my home address decide which health centre my child goes to?

Yes, your home address decides your assigned centro de salud, and children usually get a paediatrician up to age 14. Most regions let you ask for a different centre or doctor, but approval depends on capacity. Read "Choosing a neighbourhood if you have children" before picking an area, and "Choosing a neighbourhood if you are retired" if healthcare is your main concern.

What happens to my health centre if I move to another neighbourhood?

A change of address generally means you are reassigned to the centre for your new area. You need the tarjeta sanitaria, which usually requires the padrón certificate (proof you are registered at your address). Check the area's centre in "Choosing a neighbourhood if you have children" or "Choosing a neighbourhood if you are retired" before you sign a lease.

Can I use public healthcare in Spain if I am a retired foreigner?

Yes, if you have a right to it, for example an S1 form from the country that pays your pension, or by paying into the convenio especial, a paid scheme for people with no other cover. Many visas instead require private insurance. Registration and waiting times differ by region, so read "Choosing a neighbourhood if you are retired".

How do I check that fibre internet works at a flat before I rent it?

Check the address on the national broadband coverage map and on the operators' own checkers, then ask the landlord for the current line's operator and speed. Get written confirmation that fibre can be installed before you sign, because some buildings only have copper or radio links. "Choosing a neighbourhood if you work from home" covers what to look for in an area.

How big a flat can a family expect in the centre compared with the suburbs?

Central family flats are often about 70 to 100 square metres with 2 to 3 bedrooms, while suburbs commonly offer about 90 to 130 square metres with 3 to 4 bedrooms. Older central buildings may have no lift. See "Choosing a neighbourhood if you have children" for how space weighs against schools and parks.

Which cities are cheapest for renting a room as a student?

Smaller cities such as Salamanca, Granada, Valladolid, Santiago and Zaragoza are the cheapest for a room in a shared flat. Madrid, Barcelona and the Basque Country are the most expensive, and Valencia, Málaga and Sevilla sit in the middle. Read "Neighbourhoods for students and young professionals" for areas within each city.