Pozuelo de Alarcón

The neighborhood of Pozuelo de Alarcón, commonly referred to as simply Pozuelo, is an excellent choice for expat families. Interestingly, over 80% of its residents have a university degree, which speaks volumes about the community’s emphasis on education. The area is home to several prestigious international schools, such as the British Council School and the American School of Madrid, which cater to both expat and local families.

Aside from the great schools, Pozuelo has many beautiful parks, such as the lovely Parque de las Mariposas and the Adolfo Suárez Forest Park. The later is filled with walking trails, picnic areas, and playgrounds for children. In total, there are over 70 urban parks in Pozuelo, making it a very green area.

If you like to golf, there are excellent courses in Pozuelo. There is the Club de Campo Villa de Madrid, the Real Club de la Puerta de Hierro and the magnificent golf course La Finca Golf Los Lagos, which recently opened. Those who prefer other sports have at their disposal the Valle de Las Cañas Sports City where one can play tennis, paddle, football, rugby, hockey, practice athletics or even do rhythmic or artistic gymnastics. If you prefer to just hang out with friends or family, there are many trendy shops and cozy cafés in Pozuelo. All of these amenities help it rank as the city in Spain with the third highest quality of life.

Pozuelo is located close to the center of Madrid; it is only 12 kilometers 7.5 miles from Moncloa, which is less than 15 minutes by car. It is one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in Madrid. In fact, on a revenue per capita basis, it is the second richest neighborhood in Spain, after Girona in Catalonia. Many Real Madrid players live in the neighborhood of La Finca, an exclusive gated community on the outskirts of Pozuelo.

There are many types of housing available in Pozuelo: apartments, townhouses, stand-alone homes and luxurious chalets. Detached houses dominate the market, comprising about 60% of sales, followed by apartments that comprise around 30% of sales. Townhouses account for roughly 10% of sales.

There are essentially two districts in Pozuelo. District 1 is a more urban area containing the desirable neighborhoods of Pozuelo Centro and Pozuelo Estación. Pozuelo Centro is the new center of Pozuelo. Avenida Europa runs through this neighborhood; it is lined with restaurants and shops. On a price per square meter basis, this is where the most expensive real estate in Pozuelo is found. Pozuelo Estación is the area close to the Cercanías station. District 2 is the area outside the M-40 and M-503 roads. This is where you find exclusive gated communities. Examples of these gated communities are the aforementioned La Finca, Somosaguas and Álamos de Bularas. You can also find beautiful chalets in these exclusive enclaves.

Pozuelo has become a hotspot for investors, with rental yields averaging around 5%—higher than most areas in Madrid. This is because real estate prices are not only lower than in trendy neighborhoods in the center of Madrid, but rents are relatively high. The average rent for a three-bedroom apartment hovers around 1,600€, which can make it pricey for young professionals. If you look at the cost of living in Pozuelo, it is the 28th most expensive city in Spain without taking rent into consideration, but becomes the 12th most expensive city in Spain if you include rent.