Average Rental Prices in Barcelona 2009

This week, the Institut Catala del Sol released figures regarding the average rental prices in Barcelona's various neighbourhoods. The good news is that the rental prices have fallen again, compared to the first quarter of 2009.



Average rental prices in the city are now at 1034 Euros per calendar month. Each neighbourhood represents a different price bracket, and it may come as no surprise that the high-end neighbourhood of Sarria leads the way, with an average rental setting you back 1259 Euros. There is little difference between the rest of the neighbourhoods close to Sarria, with Les Corts following with an average rental of 1270 Euros.

If you want to save yourself a hundred Euros a month, then skip down to Eixample, where the average price is 1170 Euros. The small-town feel of Gracia has no small town price tag, with average monthly rentals here 1018 Euros.

Moving to either side of the city will save you a little amount, with Horta, Sants-Montjüic and Nou Barris being the cheapest rentals - 917 Euros, 935 Euros and 855 Euros respectively. It's worth noting that these average prices are purely for rentals, and anyone moving to Barcelona also needs to consider any utility bills, or communal charges that a building may have. Such buildings with a porter/caretaker can add a hefty sum onto any rental, too, so it's always worth checking the extras that might influence your decision in looking.

In addition, it's also a great idea to contact a Barcelona Real Estate agent for ideas and suggestions. Modus Vivendi Real Estate has a selection of Long Term rentals in Barcelona, and will be happy to personally run through any requirements and questions you might have. You can contact them for a chat anytime.

Barcelona Neighbourhoods: Gracia

Long before Barcelona was the sprawling Metropolis that it is today, the area around the old Roman Citadel of Barcino had plenty of countryside. The oldest church in Barcelona, "Sant Pau del Camp" literally translates as Saint Paul of the Countryside. This church now lies in the old town district of El Raval - considered to be the city centre.



In this vein, many of the adjoining neighbourhoods were small towns themselves, and one such neighbourhood perhaps keeping it's small town feel is Gracia. Gracia lies just above Eixample - it was joined seamlessly to Barcelona with Ildefons Cerdà's expansion of Eixample itself. Barcelona's most popular boulevard, Passeig de Gracia, bears the name - as literally a passage to Gracia. Access to the city centre is fantastic, just a short stroll south, and you will arrive to Plaça Catalunya, the city's main square. Gracia also houses Casa Vicens - one of Antonin Gaudi's masterpieces often overlooked by travellers too caught up with two of the UNESCO World Heritage sites on nearby Paseeig de Gracia; Casa Mila and Casa Battlo.

Gracia is a fairly small neighbourhood, with many plaças dotted around the tiny streets. Buildings here are a far cry from the tall storey buildings in neighbouring Eixample, and are generally only two or three stories high. The neighbourhood has a high student population, and is a favourite spot for alternative Spanish nightlife, with Plaça del Sol full of bars and terraces. The area has plenty of shops and local commercial outlets, as well as supermarket chains, fast food restaurants and famous eateries, too, such as Moncho Neira's Botafumeiro - which used to have a Michelin Star.

Each Ausgust, the neighbourhood transforms itself in the week-long festival celebrations, with the narrow streets decorated to the maximum with fantastic models and murals which line the streets wide and high - it has the unofficial title of throwing the best neighbourhood party in Barcelona. Locals complain about the noise and sleepless nights, but that's all part of the fun at hosting the best party in the city!

Gracia residents, like many Barcelona neighbourhoods, are a mix of locals, immigrants, expats and foreign students who live in harmony with one another, giving the neighbourhood an international, yet local feel about it.

Are you looking to move into the Gracia neighbourhood? Luxury Barcelona Real Estate Agents Modus Vivendi can help. They have various properties for sale, and also Long Term Rentals in Barcelona, within all districts.

Barcelona Business Capital

Cushman and Wakefield have this week released their European Cities Monitor for 2009, detailing the leading business cities in Europe. This year, Barcelona has leapfrogged "the Capital of Europe", Brussels, to 4th position - moving up from 5th in 2008.



Compiled by over 500 executives and external agencies, the study takes into account several factors when ranking, and Barcelona receives a special mention for promoting and marketing itself - leading the list of cities as doing the most to improve. Companies were asked to consider a number of factors when deciding on the location of their business, such as ease of access to markets, customers or clients, Availability of qualified staff, quality of telecommunications, transport links, cost of office space, etc. etc.

Barcelona is a business capital. Chosen over many destinations for it's excellent transport links, the Fira de Barcelona hosts many important conferences and trade fairs throughout the year, such as the annual 3GSM Mobile Telephone Congress and the Barcelona Meeting Point Real Estate Conference.

The Barcelona CCIB (International Convention Centre) is one of the biggest Congress spaces in Europe. Many new companies are relocating their central offices to Barcelona's Zona Franca, or the new 22@ area across town in Poble Nou.

Perhaps most notable from the report's findings is that Barcelona is Number 1 for quality of life for employees in the whole of Europe for 2009.

Are you thinking about moving to Barcelona? Have your company suggested a relocation? Modus Vivendi Luxury Barcelona Real Estate Agency can help. They can provide a long or short term solution for accommodation in and around Barcelona, and have plenty of Long Term Rentals in Barcelona to browse.

Barcelona Meeting Point

The month of October sees the biggest real estate trade fair in Spain come to Barcelona. The 13th edition of Barcelona Meeting Point is held in the Fira de Barcelona from the 27th October to 1st November, and despite the current financial downturn, the fair seems well on the way to being another good show, with many stands and exhibitions spaces already fully booked.

In 5 days, the exhibition is a must for networking and keeping up with industry trends, and this year will also promote to some extent the low-cost Madrid show, following on the success of the Barcelona Low cost fair in June of this year. Meeting Point is divided into three main sections; The Professional Exhibition, the General Attendance Exhibition and the International Symposium.

This year's International Symposium sees a high attendance level from Arab countries, with speakers on Wednesday morning forming the first "Euro Arab Real Estate Conference". There is also to be some speeches and presentations on learning from the current financial crisis. If you're thinking of attending you can sign up here.

For your Luxury Barcelona Real Estate needs, or Long Term Rentals in Barcelona, don't hesitate to contact Modus Vivendi directly for a tailor made solution to your problem.