Madrid, a world capital with more than four million residents, provides a home for thousands of expatriates -- many of them native English speakers from Britain, Ireland, Australia or the United States. Others have immigrated from throughout the hispanic world. Even many of the Spaniards have roots outside Madrid, with their families having moved from their ancestral villages to Madrid in recent years. Madrid as a city makes its attractions accessible to newcomers.

Job opportunities for foreigners are relatively plentiful in Madrid, with many working for multi-national corporations, embassy staffs, NATO, schools or their own businesses. For many native English speakers, teaching English as a foreign language has proved a way to make a living - though not a fortune - while enjoying the Madrileno lifestyle.

The city center of Madrid remains vibrant and pleasant. While apartments can be found in the historic parts of the city - sometimes even overlooking the Plaza Mayor - others choose upscale city neighborhoods such as the Barrio de Salamanca or Arguelles. Others prefer somewhat yeastier gentrifying areas such as Lavapies. In recent years, there has been steady growth in the suburbs, which are connected to the city by excellent rail and bus systems as well as by increasingly overcrowded highways.

The public schools in Madrid can be very good, and are supplemented by state supported church-run schools which offer excellent educations at a nominal cost. For those who wish to retain ties to their native cultures or study in their native language, there are excellent international schools teaching in Engish, German and French.