So, you saved money, and you bought a ticket. You’re almost there! These first two initial steps are where people usually get stuck and never go through with everything, so if you did those two this means that YOU ARE GOING TO SPAIN! Now, you just have to worry about being able to live there, preferably not in a cardboard box.
So, you need a place to live while you get your job going, right? Well, if you said yes, most people would agree. Keeping in mind that you probably are moving there for “a long term” (read more than 3 months), it’s a good idea that you plan on staying at a hostel or perhaps subletting a room for a couple of weeks while you flat-n-job hunt.
If you’re lazy (in finding a cheap hostel or apartment), you can always just send me an email and I can do it for you. It’s one of the many non-sexual services I am able to offer.
So, if you followed my previous advice, you would arrive in Spain about 2 weeks before the beginning of a month. Why? Well, most leases start on the 1st of every month, so arriving two weeks before gives you a good fortnight to look for something decent according to your standards.
Your Standards
My Standards
First, you have to worry about your temporary housing, aka “a hostel”. Unless, of course, you have friends (soon to be enemies) with whom you are planning to crash while you bum around/get a life. If so, skip to my future post about permanent housing.
Why a hostel? Well, unless you are rich and want to pay for a hotel or a tourist apartment (but then, why would you read my blog? Perhaps you want to donate money to me? Email me please!), a hostel is your best bet. It provides cheapness, a young atmosphere, and a good initial networking opportunity in your new home. During my first move to Spain I made 3 long term friends during my hostel say, plus I got my first job through one of those friends, I made more friends through those first 3 friends, and I met my future flat mate through the receptionist of said hostel. You can do it too, all you have to do is… book a hostel!
Like with the plane tickets, shop around. You need a mix of the following: good price, central location, flexible hours (some have lock-out times or some weird thing like that- not cool if you come back drunk and barely find that out then) and most important: a bed guaranteed for those days you are planning to stay. Why important? Well, most hostels in Spain are pre-booked for the weekends, so while you can stay at one place during the week, you may find yourself looking for another place to sleep during the weekends.
And, my translations:
Good Price- 14 to 16 euros a night. If more, they’re taking advantage of you or you’re staying with all the stupid rich foreign kids. If you find one for less, be wary, but take a look at it. I know of an excellent, unlisted hostel in Madrid for 9 euros a night. That info is part of the many services I offer 
Central Location- In the center and/or close to main public transportation lines.
And… the rest is self-explanatory.
So, where to look for hostels? Look for them online at one of many websites such as:
BUT, once you find a hostel, DON’T BOOK IT ONLINE AT THESE WEBSITES. They will charge you a commission. Instead, google the name of the hostel, and book the hostel through its own website. In that way, you can save money, which you are welcome to then donate to me. The only benefit of websites such as Hostel World is that sometimes, but very few times, they have a special offer on a hostel which is less than what the actual hostel normally charges. Example: I booked a hostel in Berlin through www.hostelworld.com and paid 8 euro a night, and if I had booked the bed through the hostel itself I would’ve paid 16 euro a night.
Another alternative is to use a website such as CouchSurfing. You don’t know what I’m talking about? Then what are you waiting for!??! JOIN! As an avid CouchSurfer myself I do not recommend joining and requesting lodging, especially not for 2 whole weeks, and just because it’s a free option. I mention it because in case of an emergency (let’s imagine your hostel is overbooked and they tell you they have no room for you and it’s Saturday and it’s impossible to find anything else) chances are a CouchSurfer would most happily rescue you. CouchSurfing is more about helping each other, of having a cultural/experiences exchange, and that’s the beauty of it. The free lodging is cool, but it’s not what it’s about. It’s trust, it’s having a constant network of people with a common interest. Helpful locals that can give you tips, or people that want to meet up with you and welcome you into town over a coffee or a beer. Use it, please, but wisely.
In the case that you prefer to sublet a room for two weeks and avoid the hostel experience (which I don’t recommend, why not embrace the hostel experience?!?!), you can check out ads in this website (in Spanish or English) or also join CouchSurfing, look under the groups, chose the city you are moving to and ask the people in that group for some help.
So, you found a place to sleep in for two weeks. Now what? “Re-do Your CV”, a.k.a “LYING”… coming soon!
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