Spain is a country that combines many qualities: climate, gastronomy and a landscape that combines mountains and beaches , which makes it really difficult to choose the best city to live in. This decision also depends on factors such as the employment rate, security, education or public health.
Finding a destination with the best of these indicators is no easy task, so at Hipotecas.com we want to help you by offering you a ranking of the cities in Spain that can best adapt to your needs.
1. If you are looking for a job opportunity
If the employment situation in the city you are moving to is one of the most important aspects for you, you should prioritize large urban centers , which usually offer a wider range of jobs.
According to the latest Infoempleo Adecco Report (data from 2017), the Community of Madrid is the region with the highest number of job offers in the entire country, accounting for 26.4% of the total. The hospitality and tourism sector stands out above the rest, with 11.3%, and those positions that require a high level of qualification.
Barcelona is the second province with the highest number of jobs. Industry plays an important role and has created a large number of jobs.
On the other hand, you should avoid Extremadura and Andalusia , which, according to data from the latest active population survey (EPA), have the highest unemployment rates at 25.9 and 24.7%, respectively.
2. Eco-friendly mentality?
Pollution and environmental protection can be decisive when choosing where to live. According to a recent study carried out by the Sustainability Observatory (OS) in 2018, the cities in Spain with the best environmental indices are Huesca, Vitoria and Almería , based on the analysis of the following indicators: clean water and sanitation, climate action, underwater life and life of terrestrial ecosystems.
The Spanish cities with the worst scores for air pollution are Granada, Murcia, Cordoba, Barcelona, Madrid and Seville. In the case of Granada, experts say that this is due to a climate that allows pollutants to accumulate in the atmosphere for a long time, which is something that no administration can solve, but action should be taken on the main sources of pollution, especially car emissions .
3. If you can't live without a beach
Without changing the scale much, if you are cold or hate the rain, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Málaga , according to the AEMET (State Meteorological Agency), are the cities and provinces of Spain where you can enjoy the most pleasant temperatures.
The first has an average temperature of 20 ° C, while the second is quite close, with an annual average of 18.5 ° C. This temperature will be ideal for visiting some of the most famous beaches such as Malagueta (Málaga), certified with a Blue Flag for its quality, or Maspalomas beach (Gran Canaria), an oasis of dunes with a subtropical climate and more than 5 kilometres of extension for walking.
4. Cutting-edge healthcare in Spain
This category leaves no room for doubt, year after year the Basque Country and Navarre continue to be the communities with the best public health services , compared to Andalusia and Catalonia, which are those with the worst quality and care rates. The latter would be followed by the Canary Islands and the Valencian Community, according to the annual report of the Federation of Associations in Defense of Public Health (FADSP).
5. The safest city in Spain
In addition to health, another important point to consider is security . In this section, the Canary Islands and Galicia stand out, regions where there are fewer robberies. Specifically, La Laguna (Canary Islands), Lugo and Santiago de Compostela (Galicia), according to the insurance business association UNESPA.
6. Home sweet home
Palencia is the cheapest city in Spain according to the latest study by Kelisto.es , which concludes that the cost of living in the city of Palencia is 30.06% below the average. However, if your main concern is housing or rent - since you are looking to buy a house - Jaén has an average price of 86,304 euros, 40.2% below the average for Spain (144,432 euros), followed by Ávila with 91,360 euros, 36.7% less.
On the other hand, the real estate portal Idealista places Madrid and Barcelona as the most expensive cities to live in: the price per square metre is set at around €3,000. On the other hand, if your chosen option is to rent , the price is around €15/square metre. In addition, the city of Barcelona occupies the first position in terms of the age of the properties offered, with an average of 69 years.
7. Cities for all
Another value that may be relevant to your decision-making is that the city you are moving to is accessible and has infrastructures prepared for people with disabilities. Ávila has received various awards, including the “Telefónica Ability Awards” in 2011, which recognise its work in this area. An example of this is the adaptation of its emblematic wall to make it accessible to people with reduced mobility.
Lugo is another of the cities in Spain that also stands out in this category. The Galician town received a special mention in the 2017 Accessible City Awards, due to its commitment to being a Smart City and its application of new technologies in initiatives that promote accessibility to its streets and monuments.
8. Cities with history
We must return to Ávila to remember its enviable historical heritage . Its 2.5 kilometres of medieval walls, the Cathedral, the Convent and the Museum of Santa Teresa are the hallmarks that led UNESCO to classify it as a heritage city. In the south of Spain, Córdoba stands out - named a World Heritage Site in 1984 - a unique enclave that symbolises the fusion between Arab and Christian culture with its spectacular mosque-cathedral.
9. Your family first: education and environment
If you are looking to settle down with your family, Ciudad Real could be a great candidate. According to a study carried out by Nuroa.es in 2018, it is a really affordable province with very good connections to Madrid.
Barcelona , another of the most recommended cities in Spain to live with children, stands out for its urban atmosphere, its technological development, cultural diversity and services for the whole family . An example of this is the “Les Corts” neighbourhood , also known as the neighbourhood of tranquillity. According to the latest survey of municipal services carried out by the Barcelona City Council among its residents, Les Corts is the best neighbourhood, standing out for its tranquillity, family atmosphere, location and green areas.
In addition to the environment, quality education is important for your children. The latest report prepared by the OECD (2017) on quality of life, in the section on the educational system, highlights the Basque Country (6.8 out of 10), followed by Madrid (6.5), Navarra (5.8), Cantabria (5.6), Asturias (5.4) and Aragon (5.3).
10. For lovers of gastronomy
Something that characterizes almost all cities in Spain, and can be a great attraction, is their gastronomy . There is no better way to close this ranking than by mentioning some of the places where you can eat the best.
San Sebastian is, without a doubt, one of the most famous gastronomic cities, and with good reason. Three of the seven Spanish restaurants awarded with Michelin stars are located in the capital of Guipuzcoa.
Continuing north, we cannot leave La Coruña behind; its seafood and steakhouses have made it an excellent culinary destination.
At the southern tip of the peninsula, we find Seville , which boasts great fame thanks to its 'tapas', a way of life that attracts thousands of travellers to the foot of La Giralda and the Torre del Oro. Gazpacho, fried 'pescaíto', snails and flamenco eggs are part of an extensive recipe book.
In short, there are many factors to consider when choosing the best city in Spain to live in. Whether it is the weather, employment, housing or the environment , everything has an influence and everything depends on whether your choice can take you from one end of the peninsula to the other. If there is one thing we can definitely advise you on, it is to choose the option that best suits you, but, above all, the one that you think will make you and your family happiest.