LIVING in SPAIN

LIVING in SPAIN
A HANDY GUIDE TO WORK AT
SPAIN
MAIN MENU
SPAIN FACTS
ACCOMODATION
TRANSPORT
CULTURE & FUN
EA
PHOTOBOOTH
INTRO
First of all, we would like to thank you for your interest in EA. Now that you have
applied for a job position in Spain you may have a lot of questions about our
country, way of life, our culture… Working in another country is always a challenge,
a unique opportunity to get to know a country and its people and to encounter a
great number of new experiences. We would like to provide you with this guide
with useful information about our country and offices in order to answer any
question that you have about us.
SPAIN FACTS
COST OF LIVING
We imagine that you are wondering if your income will be enough to get by in
Madrid. The good news is that Spain is relatively cheap from a cost of living point
of view when compared to other western European nations. Below you can find
some examples of regular consumption products along with their average prices
in the city.
FINDING ACCOMODATION
The most economic accomodations are shared appartments in which you rent a
bedroom and share the rest of the common space. In the Madrid metropolitan
area room prices can vary between €250 and €450 or more per month
(sometimes excluding expenses, which can range from €30 to €60 per person
per month). Studios usually start around €600 depending on the area. On the
next page you’ll find a map with some useful information about some of the
areas in downtown Madrid.
It’s highly recommended to start your “piso”-hunting on the Internet. Below you
can find some websites that could prove useful in your search. Something
important to take into account is that in many cases the people renting out the
apartment/room won’t speak English. We’d strongly recommend you to go for
places where international students or, in general, young people live since
younger people are usually much more likely to speak English more or less
fluently.
SIAHOME (CLOSE TO THE OFFICE)
http://www.siahome.eu
INNOVATE
http://innovate.es/
THINKSPAIN
http://bit.ly/12pnCj4
SPANISH TOWN GUIDES
http://bit.ly/15hTrNs
GO MADRID
http://bit.ly/10kiKhg
MAD4RENT
http://www.mad4rent.com/
APARTMENTSAPART
http://www.apartmentsapart.com/
PISO COMPARTIDO
http://www.pisocompartido.com/
FOTOCASA
http://www.fotocasa.es/
IDEALISTA
http://www.idealista.com/en/
CRAIGSLIST
http://madrid.en.craigslist.es/roo/
ENALQUILER (SPANISH)
http://www.enalquiler.com/
SEGUNDAMANO (SPANISH)
http://bit.ly/15hTrgs
LOQUO (SPANISH)
http://bit.ly/3rW0xs
EASYPISO
http://www.easypiso.com
OKROOMMATE
http://www.okroommate.com
MEETUP
http://roommate.meetup.com
MADRID BY DISTRICTS
1. CENTRO
The Madrid hotspot, with a wide variety of
places and activities. Highlighted boroughs
include Malasaña , where the artsy and
alternative (as well as hipsters) collide and
the place to be if you like being in the
middle of it all; Sol , which like the Sun
it’s named after, is the heart of the center
and the usual meeting point for tourists and
locals alike; Chueca , famous for its
gay population and filled with trendy bars
and coffees; Lavapiés , (pronounced [lah’vahpe-ay’s] and completely unrelated to
‘lava’ or ‘pies’) is the most multicultural
borough in Madrid. It used to have a bad
reputation but it’s now considered a
relatively safe area. Great for ethnic food.
9. HORTALEZA
8

3. MONCLOA/
ARAVACA
3
Close to the Uni,
it’s a safe area
filled with students
and with good
nightlife. It’s also a
well communicated and commercial area.
6
7
2
11
13
5
12
16
18
4
15
17
Aka “where EA is
located”. Quiet
area with nearby
commodities. The
good? Biking to
work is feasible.
The ugly? No
nightlife, far from
the center.

1
10. BARAJAS
A self contained,
quiet residential
area in the outer
limits of Madrid
which hosts the
Madrid Barajas
airport. Well
connected and
located close to
the office, but far
from the city
center.

19

20
4. LATINA
5. RETIRO
6. CHAMBERÍ
One of the most
traditional boroughs in Madrid.
Here you’ll find a
fine balance
between neighbourhood life and
nighlife and... the
best tapas in town!
Defined by the
massive park in the
middle of it. It’s
also a very safe
and posh neighbourhood. Prices
are higher than in
other areas.
This area strikes a
good balance
between quietness
and location, as
the center can be
easily reached on
foot. Not that
you’ll need to get
there to get some
decent nightlife.

RENT PRICES
The South part
marks the business
center of Madrid
and it’s a busy
shopping area.
Reach the North
part and you’ll get
a taste of what’s
like to live in Latin
America, with its
many latin flavored
shops and
restaurants.

9
The posh area of
Madrid, and the
place to go for
designer shops
and trendy
restaurants. On
average more
expensive than the
other boroughs.
8. TETUÁN
Home to the
Bernabéu Stadium
and the main
railway station of
Madrid, where you
can get high speed
train connections
to some of the
main cities in the
country.

14
10
2. SALAMANCA
7. CHAMARTÍN


cheaper
average
more expensive
21
11. CIUDAD LINEAL
12. MORATALAZ
13. SAN BLAS
14. FUENCARRAL/ EL PARDO
15. CARABANCHEL
16. ARGANZUELA
17. USERA
18. VICÁLVARO
19. PUENTE DE VALLECAS
20. VILLAVERDE
21. VILLA DE VALLECAS
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
There are plenty of options to move around Madrid, the most popular of which are
the Metro, the bus and the cercanías.
METRO
Metro Madrid is the city’s subway network and it runs daily between 06:00 and 01:30
o’clock. The waiting time between trains depends on many factors like, line number,
rush hours, and even strikes.
More info @ http://www.metromadrid.es/en/
BUSES
Buses run from 6:00 to 23:00 o’clock. At night, you can use night buses, which are
called “Búho” (Owl) or simply “Autobús Nocturno” (Night bus). There are two
different types of night buses:
1. Those that have a letter “N” before the number. These are regular night buses.
2. Those that have a letter “L” before the number. These are mimicking the
Subway route and might not stop at all the “N” bus stops.
More info @ http://www.crtm.es/
CERCANÍAS
Cercanías Madrid is the suburb railway network of Madrid and the surrounding cities
of the autonomous community of Madrid. The trains run from approx. 5:00 o’clock
until midnight.
More info in the national railroad site @ http://bit.ly/uhTyeD
PRICING INFO
TICKET TYPE
SUBWAY/BUS
CERCANÍAS (TRAIN)
Regular tickets
One-way ticket
10 trips
€1.50 – 2.00*
€12.20
€1.60
€9.70
Monthly passes
Zone A – Young (<24)
Zone A – Adult
€35.00
€54.60
NOTES
This price varies a little as
it depends on the number
of stations to travel.
<5 stations – €1.50
Each additional station
costs +€0.10 until the
overall maximum of €2.00.
Note:These prices are valid
as of May 2013.
APPS FOR CITY SURVIVAL
New in town? Here’s a few Android and iOS apps that should make your life easier!
MADRID METRO|BUS|
CERCANIAS (All)
METRO DE MADRID
OFICIAL (Subway)
BUSES MADRID
(Bus)
RENFE VIAJES
(Cercanías)
METRO CARD
Once you’ve settled down, you can move around by Subway and/or Bus. Same ticket
is valid for those. Alternatively, if you need, you can use Renfe, which covers middlelong distances but requires a different type of ticket.
However, you can also use a 30 days transportation pass that covers all public
transportation in Madrid. The best way to get one is through any of the Metro Madrid
offices. Quick how-to:
!
It's possible to order the card online without
going physically to a metro office but it's not
recommended since it will take much longer
to receive it.
a physical appointment at any of
1. Book
the metro offices. You can do so at:
www.tarjetatransportepublico.es
2.
There, you’ll find a few places where
they’ll make you a card in 5 minutes!
Choose the time that best suits you.
your appointment and take a copy
3. Print
of your ID (passport, ID card, NIE). Your
photo and other data will be collected at
the office itself.
You’re a happy metrocard owner
4. Rejoice!
now. Just remember to top-up in the
machines available in the subway network.
This card is not tied to a calendar month, but to 30 days from its first use. Therefore,
no matter if you are coming in the middle of the month, you’ll still able to use it as
soon as you get it.
FROM THE AIRPORT
When you arrive, the first thing will be getting from the airport to downtown. These
are the public transport options available and their cost depending on the terminal
you arrive at:
STATION 
T1 – T2 – T3
T4
NOTES
Subway
€5
€5
Bus
€5
€5
2€ for the single ticket + airport special fee, 3€
It works 24/7 and costs 5€ per trip. It passes
through Cibeles and ends at Atocha. Both
epicenters of Madrid depending on where you
need to go.
Cercanías
€2.15
(Available only from T4). C1 train line that
passes through key stations in Madrid like
Nuevos Ministerios, Atocha or Príncipe Pío.
CULTURE & FUN
NIGHTLIFE
Madrid is one of the world's liveliest cities, a city that never sleeps. During
weekends or before public holidays it is not unusual to see more people out and
about at 4, 5 or 6 am in the morning than in many other cities during the day.
Madrid's nightlife has something for everybody, whatever your preferences, age
or nationality.
MUSEUMS
Spain is mother to many world famed artists, including Dalí, Picasso, Goya or
Miró among others. Accordingly, its capital is famous worldwide for its museums.
The main art center is the Avenue of Art. Madrid's Avenue of Art consists of the
Prado, Reina Sofía and Thyssen Museums, as well as the Caixa Forum. But there
are plenty of other, less known museums with different themes which are worth a
visit.
REINA SOFÍA
PRADO
THYSSEN-BORNEMISZA
CAIXAFORUM
MADRID IN AND AROUND
There are many places around Madrid to visit such as Segovia, famous for its
Aqueduct and Alcázar, the Palace and Gardens of La Granja Village, and Toledo,
famous for the Greco’s Pictures, Cathedral, Alcázar.
You could also travel to other important Spanish cities such as Granada with its
famous Alhambra Palace, the cosmopolitan Barcelona with its Gaudí buildings
like the Sagrada Familia Cathedral, Valencia, the City of the Arts and Sciences,
Sevilla with its Cathedral and Easter Festival held in April, and many other places.
SPORTS AND OUTDOORS
Besides the different sports teams you can join when working at EA (tennis,
football, basketball and biking) Madrid offers many possibilities for a sports fan.
BASKETBALL
The city hosts two basketball teams in the “Asociación de Clubs de Baloncesto”
(ACB) league.
FOOTBALL
Needless to say, this is one of the most
popular sports in Spain. Madrid is
home to Real Madrid C.F. ( SANTIAGO
BERNABÉU), and their hometown rivals,
Atlético de Madrid ( PIRÁMIDES).
Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu stadium.
CYCLING
Madrid serves as the last stage of the “Vuelta a España” in the same way as Paris
does in the “Tour de France”. If you love cycling, there is a bike belt around the
city ready to be used and bike paths around the city.
TENNIS
Madrid hosts the Master Series of Madrid every year with players such as Rafa
Nadal, Roger Federer, etc. There are also a lot of tennis and squash courts where
you can practice these sports.
SKIING AND SNOWBOARDING
Thought there wasn’t any snow in
Spain? You were wrong! During the
winter it’s possible to ski in the Valdeski
and Navacerrada resorts, in the nearby
mountains of the “Sierra de
Guadarrama”. You can also ski at any
time of the year at SnowZone in
Xanadú Shopping Center: The largest
indoor ski slope in Europe, where skiing
365 days a year is possible!
PARKS
Madrid has one of the most extensive areas of parks, gardens and "green zones"
of all European cities. It possesses a total of 33 million square metres of parkland,
distributed throughout more than 40 parks within the urban limits. As such it’s
easy to find a place to walk, run, cycle, skate, roller-skate, etc.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
IMAX
MADRID ZOO
Located in Casa de Campo ( CASA DE
CAMPO), the zoo is considered one of the
best in Europe. It includes more than
3000 animals, an aquarium, a performing
dolphin show and an aviary.
This cinema, at the Méndez Alvaro area ( MÉNDEZ
2
ÁLVARO), offers IMAX (600 m screen), OMNIMAX (900
2
m dome screen) and IMAX 3D film projections. There
are several different films to choose from throughout
the day, although there are more shown during
weekends.
photoshopgrafo890 @flickr
rollercoasterphilosophy @flickr
WARNER PARK
PARQUE DE ATRACCIONES
Madrid's main amusement park is located at Casa de
Campo ( CASA DE CAMPO) and is open almost every day
during the summer months (May to mid-September)
and weekends the rest of the year.
This movie themed amusement park is
just south of Madrid. It is located in
the town of San Martín de la Vega.
The park is open between mid March
up to December, opening everyday
during summer.
urgetopunt @flickr
AQUOPOLIS
TELEFÉRICO (CABLE CAR)
This waterpark is suitable for
the whole family. There are a
large number of attractions:
slides, kamikazes, spirals, wave
pools, etc. (there are many
buses from Madrid City Center
to the aqua park).
The Madrid cable car runs from the Paseo del Pintor
Rosales ( ARGÜELLES, MONCLOA) to Casa de Campo in a
journey that lasts approximately 15 minutes, giving an
excellent view of the city (Parque Oeste, the Manzanares
River, the Egyptian “Debod” temple, the Royal Palace,
Almudena Cathedral, and Casa de Campo with its lake and
amusement park). The “Teleférico” runs almost every day.
SPANISH CUISINE
Spain is famous for its Mediterranean cuisine, which can be accompanied with an
excellent range of Spanish wines.
Despite not having a sea, in Madrid you can find very fresh fish and seafood. The
most typical dishes are the Spanish omelette, the more local fried squid
sandwich and “cocido madrileño”, a boiled chickpea dish with vegetables and
meat. And what about some traditional “churros” for dessert?
You will find lots of places to go “de tapas”. “Tapa” is the name of a wide variety
of appetizers that are usually shared with friends: Olives, chorizo (meat
sausage), “bravas” (spicy) or alioli (mayonnaise with garlic) potatoes, cured ham,
croquettes...
As well as typical Spanish restaurants, there are also a lot of international
restaurants (Chinese, Japanese, Italian, German, Greek, etc.).
WELCOME TO EA
Our offices in Spain are located in the Cristalia Business Park, in Madrid’s district
of Hortaleza (number 9 in the map). There is a metro station close by
( SAN LORENZO, metro line 4) and a bus route. There is also a bikeway and a bike
parking in the ground floor of the building.
EA OFFICE
SAN LORENZO
EA Spain has people from many different countries so you will experience a
multiethnic environment.
DRESS CODE POLICY
In EA there is no dress code per se. Employees are allowed to dress in an
informal way.
LUNCH TIME
There are a few lunch areas at the offices equipped with all kinds of facilities
such as fridges, dishwashers, microwaves… There are also vending machines with
a wide selection of sandwiches, snacks and soft drinks in each floor of the
building.
Cristalia also has a couple restaurants where you can have a full menu for around
€10 (main course, side course, dessert and something to drink) as well as a take
away service.
SPARE TIME
In EA Spain’s offices there are areas where you can play videogames, snooker,
ping-pong or just relax at lunch time or at the end of the day.
PHOTO BOOTH
Someone wise once said a picture is worth a thousand words. We’re practical
people, so why not save ourselves a few thousands of words?