Living in Aravaca

What Aravaca is like

Aravaca was a municipality in its own right until 1951, when it was annexed by Madrid, and it still has its old centre with church and square. Around it grew colonies of villas and low-rise developments that today form one of the most sought-after residential areas in the west — without leaving the city limits.

Its big argument for families is proximity to the international schools. The American School of Madrid is about fifteen minutes' walk from the station, and according to official timetables it takes about seventeen minutes combining light rail and a walk. The British schools of Pozuelo are a few kilometres away.

The trade-off is the same as for the whole west: beyond the station, the car rules. The centre is about twenty-two minutes away by train and Metro, but to the Cuatro Torres or Las Tablas the journey gets much longer. Aravaca really works when family life — school, parks, home — matters more than the commute.

What works in its favor

International schools nearby

The American School of Madrid is about fifteen minutes' walk from Aravaca station, and the British schools of Pozuelo are a few kilometres away.

Trains and light rail

Cercanías lines C7 and C10 stop at Aravaca and run to Príncipe Pío; the ML2 light rail leaves from the same station towards Pozuelo and Colonia Jardín.

Casa de Campo in the same district

Spain's largest urban park is in the same district as Aravaca. You can go running or cycling without crossing the city.

What to know before moving

• Beyond the core around the station, the neighborhood is car-dependent. The A-6 and M-40 fill up early in the morning, which matters if your job is in the centre or the north.
• Rent per square metre is only 5% above the Madrid average, but the typical monthly rent is 46% higher: there are few small flats and many large houses. Supply is short.

Does Aravaca make sense for you?

It depends on where you need to be each week and how often. Aravaca can be an excellent decision or an expensive mistake; your routine makes the difference.

Test it in the explorer in about two minutes. Add your budget and regular destinations to see whether Aravaca reaches your shortlist and which other areas compete with it.