Best location to live in Madrid for singles

You are single and moving to Madrid, or you're already living here but in a temporary place in order to find that schmoozing location where you'll meet a bunch of cool people - but where to look?

Madrid is a big city of 6 million people (as of 2011), thus there are a lot of areas each with their own atmosphere and style. In this article I will focus on just one area, or 'barrio' as its called in Spanish (why bother talking about the second, third ... best places - after all, you are looking for fun and potential, right?)

Chueca
This is the place you want to live, being in a flat and socially, but not just any part of Chueca will do, read on.

Chuecac is the hippest of all barrios, located in the very centre of Madrid! Until the 1990's Chueca was a rather complicated and poor area attracting alternative people. But over the years as more and more special clothing stores, hairdressers and award winning bar and restaurants opened, the barrio became increasingly popular.

Most of the buildings are traditional old style with balconies protected by handmade wrought iron balustrades, high ceilings and other beautiful details. Prices are reasonable but flats tend to be on the small side.

The last couple of years Chueca has become a bit more mainstream as shops like Zara, Mango, Starbucks, Muji etc. are popping up along Calle Fuencarral (the main shopping street), but if you can ignore these few wannabes you will find an area full of life, great and interesting looking people, speciality shops run by life confirming small business owners.

North Eastern part of Chueca

If you check blogs, tourist guides etc. they will all mention Chueca as a cool, must see place, but believe me when I say that you do not want to live in any part of Chueca. I have identified an area which should be on your radar - thereby not saying that you can't find some hidden oasis elsewhere in Chueca, but if you prefer going out meeting people and live the Madrid lifestyle instead of phoning landlords and negotiating contacts I suggest you stick to the north eastern part of Chueca (green frame).

Other parts of Chueca are far less cool and tend to be haunted by teenager tourists and nerdy girl and boys from the provinces with fake piercings and removable Tony the Tiger tattoos.

The buildings within the red frame are beautiful and can easily match the ones of neighbouring barrio Salamanca but are priced far lower. Most of the shops around are unique, you'll find one focusing on handmade hats, you will find fantastic places to buy 'jamon serrano', cheese, wines, olives ... on Calle de Argensola etc.

- in spring, summer and autumn, open your 2 meters high French balcony doors and enjoy the sun, smell and a glass of afternoon white wine while waiting for last nights date to ring the door.

How to find flats and rooms for rent
There is the always popular idealista.es but do also have a look at fotocasa.es, which is an alternative to idealisa.es.

Finally, get out there and look up! Browse the streets and you will quickly see neon coloured signs in the windows with the word 'alquiler' (for rent/let), write down the phone number and set up a day to check out the place.