Moving to a new place can be disorienting at the best of times – and you can expect to multiply that exponentially if it’s in another country. Speaking to those who have been through it can provide some much-needed reassurance.
With that in mind, TikToker Betty (@bettyabroadd) offered some advice for those considering moving to Spanish capital, Madrid.
She gave three top tips for those hoping to make the move, saying they will definitely help ease the transition. Betty said: “The first thing is that if you want to live in the city centre of Madrid, a lot of the apartments will be old.
“This isn’t a bad thing because it has a bit of an old-fashioned feel, and they can be really charming. However, you should be aware that the walls will likely be paper thin and you’ll hear your neighbors above, below, and to the sides.
“So be aware of this if you are sensitive to noise.”
Next on Betty’s list is to set a budget — and stick to it. She said, “You’ll be tempted to spend all your money in the first few months or the first month you’re here, but don’t do that.
“I had a budget, but it wasn’t a strong enough budget and I had no self-control. So if you’re someone who loves to spend, and loves to try new restaurants and go out a lot, please try to slow down when you first come here.”
Last but not least, we have Betty’s advice on public transport and how to make the most of it to save money, especially if you’re younger.
She said: “If you are 25 or under, basically you go to one of the metro stations, anywhere in Madrid city centre, and they have an office where they will take your photo.
“Basically, you only pay eight euros a month for this card and you use public transport on buses, trains and the metro, it’s beautiful.
“I guarantee that if you do those three things when you get here, you will have a much smoother transition and a better experience, because there were a lot of things that I was struggling with in the beginning that I wish I had known before I came.”
Meanwhile, Spanish residents say they are suffering from overtourism, but some cities have already taken steps to address the problem.
To alleviate the pressure created by tourist accommodation on the local population, Madrid has decided to halt the granting of new licenses for tourist apartments.