Barcelona Voted 5th Best City in the World

Anyone who's visited the city of Barcelona can see the draw the Catalan Capital holds. Many people who come here with no fixed travel plan end up staying much longer than originally planned, as it's such a difficult place to leave. And what about living here?

Well, a recent survey from Time Out Guide books has ranked Barcelona not only in the top 10 cities in the world, but at a very respectable 5th place.



The survey took into account 6 different attributes as Architecture, Arts & Culture, Buzz, Food & Drink, Quality of Life and World Status, totalling a score of 60. Barcelona fared 44 out of 60, with the most notable scores on Architecture (9/10), Buzz (8/10), Food and Drink (8/10) and Quality of Life (8/10). Who could argue?

Barcelona boasts 9 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and has many other architectural masterpieces not given Wolrd Status, but still equally as impressive. This coming week also sees the celebrations of La Merce Festival, widely renowned for it's cultural impact on Catalonia. The influence of Ferran Adriá's El Bulli restaurant in Roses, near Girona - voted best restaurant in the world for an unprecedented 3 years running - has obviously had it's influence on the kitchens of Barcelona, and who can ignore the massive nightlife scene in Barcelona for "buzz"?! Many Ibiza DJ's are residents here when Ibiza is off-season, and it's no surprise that such giants of Music as U2 and George Michael have started their World Tours here in recent years! It's no wonder that Barcelona is the envy of it's European neighbours! In fact, only the cities of London, Paris and Berlin pipped Barcelona to the post, with New York being number one.

Are you looking to move to Barcelona soon? Check out these long term rentals in Barcelona from Modus Vivendi Estate Agents in Barcelona. And if you're serious about making a life-change, then contact them for Luxury Real Estate in Barcelona, too.

Rental Prices Down Again in Barcelona

It's a great time to be looking for a rental at the moment in Spain, and whilst the bigger cities such as Barcelona and Madrid are always going to have competitive rates for monthly rentals, a recent report from facilisimo.com relates the news that the prices of rentals has again gone down.



In August, rentals in Catalunya as a whole dropped 0,06% which although it doesn't sound like a lot, makes up a total of 11.32% compared to the same time last year. That's a hefty amount on any rental, and I can predict that this will likely stay around the same for the rest of the year. The survey had sources from over 120,000 individual properties and is great news for anyone looking for a long term rental in Barcelona with a 4.4% decrease in rental prices for the Catalan Capital.

Each new renter looking to relocate to Barcelona, for whatever, reason, has a great new world awaiting them, with Barcelona being voted as one of the top ten cities in the world to live in by Time Out Guides this month. If you're wondering where to move to, try our information in choosing the right neighbourhood in the city, which will be an ongoing project here at Barcelona Real Estate Blog.

Barcelona Neighbourhoods - The Old Town

Barcelona Neighbourhoods - Eixample

We welcome any comments as always, and would love to hear your suggestions or topics for us to open up for discussion.

Looking for Luxury Real Estate in Barcelona ? Contact Modus Vivendi for their excellent portfolio of properties in and around Barcelona.

Sunshine Terraces in Barcelona

Moving to a sunny country like Spain, especially if you're moving from a colder climate can do wonders for your well being and confidence. Cities like Barcelona have a fantastic amount of sunshine year-round, and it's proximity to the Mediterranean Sea means that on the extremely rare occasion that it snows, it never lays - and temperatures rarely go below the 2 or 3 degrees mark.



Never has a city been more designed around the sun. Many plaças such as the Plaça Reial in the downtown Gothic Quarter have chairs positioned strategically so that each one received the same amount of sunlight during the day. Locals will move around to find the shade whilst reading their newspapers, leaving the midday sun to the tourists or foreigners living in the city!

Buildings are mainly sandstone or light stone coloured, reflecting the suns rays and giving a warm glow during the day - it's often noted that Barcelona seems so grey when it rains, as this is the appearance that the buildings have when wet.

So what better way to take advantage of the great weather Barcelona has to offer than with an apartment with a balcony or a terrace?! Properties facing the sea will always have more natural light during the morning and early afternoon. And when the sun hits it's highest point and comes back down behind Tibidabo mountain, those facing away from the sea will enjoy it's rays. Many Barcelona apartments have balconies, and if they are internal, away from traffic noise, this can be a wonderful addition to your apartment - even in the balcony is narrow, you can fit a table and chairs outside and have an evening meal in the summer outside, or relax and read a book at the weekend.

Almost all buildings have rooftop terraces - many have been taken by those attic apartments occupying the top floor, but some are communal, and are often only used to hang washing or sometimes never used. If you're renting a long term apartment in Barcelona, it's wise to check if you would have access to the rooftop terrace - or terrado - before you sign an agreement taking this for advantage. Certain communities have restrictions as to who might be allowed up there.

If you're looking to move to Barcelona and fancy a terrace or a balcony as part of your dream, then it's wise to contact an agency dealing with Barcelona Luxury Real Estate portfolio, who will offer serious options for you to browse and consider. If you're looking for Long Term Rentals in Barcelona, don't hesitate to contact Modus Vivendi in Barcelona for a tailor made solution to your problem.

Barcelona Neighbourhoods - Eixample

Eixample literally means the widening of the city or extension beyond the boundries of the old town. Ildefont Cerdá was the main designer of the area, which has a grid-like appearance and a few main thoroughfares, such as Gran Via which crosses the whole of the city from left to right, and Diagonal from North west to South East being the main avenues.



Eixample is made up of blocks, or "manzanas" on the grid, often comprising of 20 or more individual apartment buildings. The octagonal bocks give natural light and although it was rumoured that Eixample was frowned upon by the locals until the birth of the traffic light, it remains Barcelona's biggest neighbourhood and also houses many of the main tourist attractions of the city - 5 of the 9 UNESCO World Heritage Sites Barcelona boasts.

The neighbourhood is split up into left and right either side of Passeig de Gracia, and each is simply known as Eixample dreta (right) or Eixample Esquerra (left). Public transport within the neighbourhood is extensive, with all metro lines crossing this part of the city along long stretches, as well as the Barcelona tram covering most of Diagonal, too.

Eixample carries a lot of the city's traffic, and large avenues such as Gran Via and Aragon, are a constant source of traffic, meaning noise pollution is frequent. Also, due to the preference of natural light in Barcelona, those properties facing the sea generally have more hours of daylight than those facing Tibidabo at the back - and an obvious preference for higher floored apartments is preferred whenever considering renting or buying an apartment.

The modernista movement in Barcelona means that Eixample houses some fantastic buildings and was an innovative neighbourhood at its conception - the first elevator in Barcelona was installed in Rambla Catalunya. Eixample also houses the "manzana de discordia" or block of discord, which is one of the smallest spaces in the city where you can find Modernista architecture in all it's fantastic and varied forms within such a small space. Many apartments have original tiled floors which are restored and kept as additional makeweights when dealing in property, as well as the decorative crowns on ceilings, original wooden doors and window frames and certain balconies.

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

A Good Time to Buy Property in Spain Right Now?

It's well known that the Spanish Housing market has been at the backbone of the economy for the past ten years or so, and that the crash of last year has had a knock on effect for many industries, leaving many blocks of apartments in ghost towns, or many projects half abandoned, with each party blaming each other. A perfect example is the proposed renovation of Las Arenas Bull Ring in Barcelona - where despite going over the provisional date twice, organisers of the project are still bickering over whose fault it is that work has stopped.



So what about buying property? Well, due to the market almost being frozen at the moment, there are some fantastic bargains to be had if you look in the right places. Prices are being slashed and Luxury Estate agents in Barcelona and other cities will help you find the property of your dreams at a fraction of the cost you thought you might have to part with.

The Euribor also keeps on falling (although August's has not been published as yet), meaning that the base rate of the interest you will be paying on any loan you take out will be at rock bottom - the lowest in history. Banks and Cajas are also giving out loans for longer and longer periods - up to 50 years for mortgages in some cases, meaning the repayments can be manageable in this financial downturn.

For Real Estate in Barcelona, contact Modus Vivendi, whose portfolio of excellent properties are bound to fulfill your expectations.

Barcelona Neighbourhoods: The Old Town

The Old Town of Barcelona - Cuitat Vella in Catalan - comprises of four main areas, El Raval, El Gotico (Gothic Quarter), El Borne and La Barceloneta. Here's a quick breakdown of those areas:


El Raval

Like most of the old town, the Raval quarters have a mix of old and new buildings, some very old and in need of repair. Often, considerable work needs to be done to properties here, although most quality estate agencies will steer clear from this type of living space. The neighbourhood has an extremely high immigrant population, meaning it's easy to find International cuisine and halal butchers alongside traditional neighbourhood shops and bakeries. El Raval can be noisy, given it's central location, and certain areas can be poorly lit - something to consider when looking for an apartment here. Public transport is very close with 5 main metro stations flanking the quarter - Sant Antoni (next to the city's biggest market bearing the same name), Liceu on Las Ramblas, next to the Opera House, Parallel on the opposite side of the neighbourhood, Drassanes at the bottom of las Ramblas towards the Port and Catalunya, at the top of Las Ramblas, the city's main square.

El Gotico



Barcelona's Gothic Quarter is a mainly pedestrian area of winding streets, separated from El Raval by the old riverbed which is now Las Ramblas. Like El Raval, there are many old buildings, often with tiny stairwells, and lifts are not very common - often a major setback when looking for a higher placed apartment. The area, however, has some of the most beautiful interiors, with old, tiled floors and high beamed ceilings and often a few gems can be found - albeit at a preety price. The Gothic Quarter is the historical centre of Barcelona - the Roman citadel called "Barcino" formed on top of the Mons Taber hill, and oozes history. Natural light source can again be a problem, and if you plan on using your own car, this can be a hindrance, as many streets are pedestrian only. Public transport is good, with Liceu, Drassanes, Catalunya and Jaume I all close by to walk.

El Borne

El Borne is a fairly trendy place to live, with many art galleries or small exhibition spaces nestled amongst the small streets. The area has a large market, which is under construction, but small shops and supermarkets are taking the trade in the meantime. Traditionally the Jewish Quarters of the city, the area has many old factories and a mix of apartments, lofts (larger, often two-tier dwelling spaces, which can be ground floor, despite what the name suggests) and the area also borders the Cuitadella Park - Barcelona's garden. As with the previous two areas, Borne can have tiny, dimly lit streets, so it's wise to choose a well-lit apartment. Metro lines serving this area include Arc de Triomf, Urquinaona and Jaume I.

Barceloneta



The old fisherman's quarters of La Barceloneta are a tidy arrangement of parallel streets sitting right on top of Barcelona's first beach. These narrow streets have small dwellings so don't expect to find large apartments here - they are few and far between. Barceloneta has a large market, and not surprisingly is a great place to go for seafood, or buy fish. The area can get noisy with tourists visiting the beach at all hours, and the main draw to living here would be its close proximity to the beach - literally 1 minute's walk. Barceloneta relies perhaps more on the bus network than the metro, although the metro station "Barceloneta" does stop at the border.

Looking for a Long term rental in Barcelona ? Contact Modus Vivendi real estate in Barcelona to talk about some options, they'll be happy to help find a place to fit your needs and budget.

Choosing a Barcelona Neighbourhood

Visiting a city as a tourist can be completely different than visiting to live and work. Let's take Barcelona as our example. If you come to the city for 3-4 nights, you might think that your hotel at Plaça Catalunya is a fantastic location due to the close proximity of all the sights and public transport. However, if you were thinking about living here, you'd soon find that it would be a nightmare to get your car anywhere near the door to your apartment, for example, that you will have to walk a fair way for your nearest supermarket (which would constantly be full!) and if you need a DIY store, or something from a Drugstore, again, you're kind of stumped.

It's a good idea to make a list of things you love about where you live before the move and then try and find those things in your new destination. Obviously the lists will never concur completely, but if green space is a must for you, then you might prefer somewhere away from the beach, etc. etc.

So in the next couple of posts, we'll try and give you the lowdown on some of the neighbourhoods to choose from in Barcelona, along with the pros and cons of choosing those areas over others. This might help when planning a trip to view potential properties, or in thinking where to rent in the city. If you're looking for Luxury Real Estate in Barcelona then check out Modus Vivendi in Barcelona