Post: #1

Hi lads

Need some advice here. I'm looking for a city to go to in Spain in January where I can get away with paying around £300-500 a month in rent.

It looks like I'll be travelling alone and I'm going to really immerse myself in the culture, so it'd have to be somewhere where people aren't going to be shying away from me because I'm English (I hear this is a problem in the more tourist-y cities with stag dos, etc).

Weather wise, it doesn't have to be Southern Spain in mid July kind of weather, but being able to walk around in a t shirt or shirt is what I'm looking for.

And, it should go without saying, where there's some decent looking chicas.

Has anyone got any information they can share with me or have anywhere they can recommend? I've been looking at San Sebastian, but I'm not sure what the weather is going to be like in January.

Oh, Barca and Madrid I've ruled out.

Post: #2

Try Malaga or Cadiz.

Post: #3

Spanish culture is very diverse, most of spain were kingdoms conquered during medieval times. Which one you want to immerse yourself? Vigo in Galicia, the only tourism around Galicia is religious, in Santiago. Vigo is a nice inexpensive city of celtic origins and you can easily go to Portugal from there, but why not stay close to an amazing tourist city? Maybe a second tier in Catalunia, close to Barcelona.

Post: #4

Marbella in the South can be quite welcoming for foreigners if you travel there in the Summer. The place where the posh Spanish ppl go spend their holidays, and there are also lots of foreign ppl arriving there with their yachts. You should be specially careful choosing destinations in the South of Spain, I am Portuguese and had a hard time to speak any language other than Spanish in places like Conil de la Frontera and Tarifa. Regarding the main cities, I think Madrid would really be the best option: lots of girls (including from other Spanish speaking countries), one of the most vibrant nighlife in Europe and plenty of opportunities for working or doing business.

Post: #5

(10-13-2013 08:40 PM)Sp5 Wrote:  Try Malaga or Cadiz.

Have you got some info for me please, mate?

(10-14-2013 06:48 AM)hipster Wrote:  Spanish culture is very diverse, most of spain were kingdoms conquered during medieval times. Which one you want to immerse yourself? Vigo in Galicia, the only tourism around Galicia is religious, in Santiago. Vigo is a nice inexpensive city of celtic origins and you can easily go to Portugal from there, but why not stay close to an amazing tourist city? Maybe a second tier in Catalunia, close to Barcelona.

Yeah, I suppose I'll need to go somewhere where they speak a bit of English just to get by a bit easier. Maybe somewhere near Barcelona is a good idea, will the weather be quite good around January too? Any recommendations?

(10-14-2013 06:56 AM)Frank Mackey Wrote:  Marbella in the South can be quite welcoming for foreigners if you travel there in the Summer. The place where the posh Spanish ppl go spend their holidays, and there are also lots of foreign ppl arriving there with their yachts. You should be specially careful choosing destinations in the South of Spain, I am Portuguese and had a hard time to speak any language other than Spanish in places like Conil de la Frontera and Tarifa. Regarding the main cities, I think Madrid would really be the best option: lots of girls (including from other Spanish speaking countries), one of the most vibrant nighlife in Europe and plenty of opportunities for working or doing business.

Marbella from my understanding is a tourist haven for English people. Nearly every fucker wants to go there in the summer to get pissed for two weeks. That's why I want to go somewhere where English people haven't ruined the reputation for other visitors.

Post: #6

I love San Sebastien, but it's a major tourist destination. Also, pretty cold in January. Definitely not t-shirt weather.

One city that should definitely be on your radar is Salamanca. It'll be warm, relatively cheap, and full of international students who share your goal of putting down some roots and immersing yourself in the culture.

Another fun way to go would be to buy a van you can live out of and hop around unknown surf spots along the northern coast.

How long are you going for? Do you want to get a lot of work done, or more party-focused?

Post: #7

I think that Madrid and Salamanca have too much of a land climate -> DEF no t shirt weather. Cadiz and Sevilla tend to be reasonably warm that time of the year, sometimes t shirt weather sometimes not..

I think, honestly, only the Canary Islands have solid t shirt weather that time of the year.

Post: #8

(10-14-2013 01:02 PM)mastauser Wrote:  I think that Madrid and Salamanca have too much of a land climate -> DEF no t shirt weather. Cadiz and Sevilla tend to be reasonably warm that time of the year, sometimes t shirt weather sometimes not..

I think, honestly, only the Canary Islands have solid t shirt weather that time of the year.

Which one would be better between Cadiz and Sevilla for partying and ease on the wallet?

Post: #9

I spent a winter in Sevilla. It's a great party city, but you need to find your way into social circles because people are very cliquey. Tapas bars all over the place. Quite a grungy feel to much of the nightlife, with the smell of dope thick in the air in many places.

No idea about Cadiz. Tarifa and Conil - small places and dead in winter.

Weather-wise, expect anything between 12 and 20 degrees C, daytime maximum. If the sun comes out and it's not too windy you can dress lightly in January. South-west Spain is the warmest place in Europe in winter, so that's the best you'll get. Subtract at least 5 or 6 degrees for Catalonia or Asturias/Cantabria.

Post: #10

So the criteria is:

T shirt weather in jan/feb
Friendly attitude to brits
Hot chicas
Rent pm max 500-700 euros

How about the Canary islands?

PS if you got to San Sebastian in Jan/Feb the only chica you will probably meet will be the nurse treating you for hypothermia if you just wear a t shirt

Post: #11

I spent January and February in Malaga years ago, the weather is mild, and I was able to find a cheap apartment for rent short-term, with some roommates.

It's a good city to meet both Spanish and foreigners, and close to Torrmolinos, Fuengerola and Marbella.

Try idealista.com for rentals - I see a lot there for under 500 euro a month.

Post: #12

Palma in Majorca may be a good shout if you are after a bit of warm weather in jan/feb.

Post: #13

(10-14-2013 01:09 PM)CThunder86 Wrote:  

(10-14-2013 01:02 PM)mastauser Wrote:  I think that Madrid and Salamanca have too much of a land climate -> DEF no t shirt weather. Cadiz and Sevilla tend to be reasonably warm that time of the year, sometimes t shirt weather sometimes not..

I think, honestly, only the Canary Islands have solid t shirt weather that time of the year.

Which one would be better between Cadiz and Sevilla for partying and ease on the wallet?

I don't know havent been in that region since a long time. But as far as i know, both have an university (sevilla : two) and Erasmus program student exchange. Sevilla is a much bigger city, Cadiz is coastal and should look like Havana.

Post: #14

I spent sometime in the south of Spain over a decade ago and hit up Granada, Seville and Toledo, all pretty nice cities but I liked Seville the best. I didn't party much there, just did tourist things, the thing I liked most about Spain was the food there, its amazing but they do tend to eat really late at night. I'm looking forward to your Spain reports as I'm considering going back there to visit next time I"m in Europe.

Post: #15

Looking for a stop during a 14 day tour in Europe in late May.

Seville is looking nice.

Post: #16

Thanks for the replies lads.

I suppose when I said t shirt weather, I kind of overstated it. Basically so it's warm enough not to have to wrap up and feel a chill - I'm escaping winter after all.

Who's done day game in Spain? What are the best ways you guys have met girls?

I'm looking at Tarragona now and maybe Valencia.

Post: #17

Where did you end up?