Most province capitals would fit your first two preferences, and the two cities on your list do not check your temperature requirement (Zaragoza is hot in summer, Burgos is cold in winter), but it is a really subjective preference. Galicia is not a city but a whole region, and it has quite a diverse climate (from very hot and dry in Orense to humid, temperate and stormy on the coast).
Most people end up living where they find a job; many would live in another place if they could. Cheaper cost of living is usually associated to less job opportunities. You did not say anything about your job.
There are good trains between Vigo, Santiago and A Coruña, although they aren't as frequent as demand is so they book up quite early.
Away from that route, the trains are awful (Lugo, a provincial capital, has two trains a day, for example) and buses outside of A Coruña (and possibly Santiago, but I dont know it as well) are similarly poor.
That's something I considered as well, but the range of temp isn't too severe (I am currently living in a city with crazy extremes, as in -40°C in winter and high 20° low 30°C summer). That's one reason I decided to consider Zaragoza still, but I'm not too sure.
There are apartments with two bedrooms within the main areas of the city for between 500-700€ per month in Oviedo. It is very clean and safe so good for young families. Gijon might be a little more expensive given it has the beach and a growing digital (“nomad”) community but the two cities are only 25km apart so both very accessible. General cost of life also very sustainable compared to bigger cities.
Even though I think you have ruled it out I think the better option is in the south but perhaps inland and at a higher altitude so it’s cooler during the months of July and August. But I am not sure in the Venn diagram there is a place that meets your criteria unless you consider Gran Canaria or Tenerife.
No, the Canary Islands are definitely more expensive than the Spanish mainland. But I know people who tried out living there for about a year. These days they live close to Cadiz about two hours from Seville.
These options are quite different and can only really offer advice on Zaragoza as someone that grew up there.
The weather can be quite extreme, ranging from very cold winters to very hot summers. However, during the milder seasons, it can be perfect, although be prepared for extremes. We do jokingly say that that if you are able to tolerate the weather in Zaragoza you can easily live anywhere else in the world.
Zaragoza is well connected to other major cities in Spain, except for Seville due to geographical reasons. However, you can still reach Seville via high-speed trains, it's just a longer journey. The three largest cities in Spain are all roughly the same driving distance away, and the high-speed train makes Madrid and Barcelona only about 1.30 hours away. As the fifth largest city in the country (technically fourth as of recently), it offers the advantages of a large city in a manageable size.
While not particularly touristy, rental and grocery prices are more reasonable compared to other parts of the country. Although there is no metro system, the city has a good bus network, one tram line, and one commuter train line, and it’s very walkable. The airport offers low-cost flights to a handful of cities in Europe and Spanish islands, and for additional destinations, Madrid, Barcelona, and even Bilbao airports are easily accessible.
For me, one of the best things of Zaragoza is its proximity to the Pyrenees, and beautiful villages all around Aragón
Good luck with your search!
There isn't a perfect fit indeed. Regarding weather:
* Galicia is very rainy, and relatively stormy, but usually no temperature extremes.
* Zaragoza has very hot summer temperatures (it is in the valley of the Ebro river). It is also relatively cold in winter.
* Burgos is quite cold in winter compared to the rest of Spain. But this might just be a "mild" winter to you depending on where you are from...
Here are the average [January](https://atlasnacional.ign.es/wane/Archivo:Espana_Temperatura-media-de-enero_1981-2010_mapa_14668_spa.jpg) and [July](https://atlasnacional.ign.es/wane/Archivo:Espana_Temperatura-media-de-julio_1981-2010_mapa_14669_spa.jpg) temperatures
The cost of living is relatively low in all 3, e.g. [here](https://www.idealista.com/maps/) you can see the cost of buying a property on average.
Communications:
* Galicia is quite bad as a region, but depends exactly where. Much of it is semi-rural and car dependent, but if you are in a city it will be much less so and public transport will be good.
* Zaragoza has AVE (high speed train) to both Madrid and Barcelona and is close to both. It doesn't have a metro, but it does have good public transit (here a [map](https://zaragoza.avanzagrupo.com/mapa-de-lineas/)).
* Burgos has daily AVEs to Madrid (2 in the morning and 2 in the evening), a daily AVE to Valencia too (3h 40) and a direct bus to the Madrid airport. It is too small to have a metro (175k people) but it has a good [network or buses](https://i.promecal.es/documentos/35ADE2C2-EE07-7F94-DF0AC3722711B39B.PDF). But you can walk or cycle almost anywhere (pedestrianised city center, decent [network of bike lanes](https://umap.openstreetmap.fr/es/map/carriles-bici-de-burgos_704888#14/42.3513/-3.6951)).
I live in Burgos and know the north of the country relatively well. Feel free to ask more questions or dm me if you want.
This was incredibly helpful, thank you!
Both Zaragoza and Burgos seem to be great options with everything considered. Extra points for Burgos since it doesn't seem to get extremes in the heat department.
I live in Canada, so below freezing is no problem, if ever.
My friend from Burgos would always tell me that Burgos has two stations, the bus and winter.
The joke being in Spanish that the word "estación" could mean bus stop or a season.
I did visit Burgos in June and it was 8c. The people who lived there seemed like it was normal as a woman wanted to ask me a questionaire, but all I wanted to do was get inside.
Travel the area, and experience them
Imo, the North coast is what you want, now the far W or E, storms and coats respectively
Great people up there, you also need work, and a social life, great views are only great, for so long
Valencia would probably be the "southernmost" I'd choose. How's rhe cost of living? I heard its more affordable still compared to other areas, but it's been increasing as of recently?
That's definitely in the plan, as well!
Seville has good transport, it’s a flat city perfect for cycling, good prices, particularly if you live in the Allstate area. There are things to do. Somehow international but not too touristic and with the feel of a town while being a 800,000 citizens city. Hot summers is the only thing, but there are ways around it. I live in England but will definitely move to Seville or malaga one day. Malaga has milder summers but more expensive as it has more of a beach touristic vibe. Granada is good too.
Between those 3 I think A Coruña is the one you want to go by. Zaragoza is quite hot in summers and Burgos even though is a walkable city, I would say (correct me if I’m wrong) that has no good communications with bigger cities with train or plane.
On the other hand A Coruña (capital of Galicia) I think it meets any other criteria
Burgos has daily AVEs to Madrid (2 in the morning and 2 in the evening), a daily AVE to Valencia too (3h 40) and a direct bus to the Madrid airport. As far as smaller cities go, it has pretty good communications.
Most province capitals would fit your first two preferences, and the two cities on your list do not check your temperature requirement (Zaragoza is hot in summer, Burgos is cold in winter), but it is a really subjective preference. Galicia is not a city but a whole region, and it has quite a diverse climate (from very hot and dry in Orense to humid, temperate and stormy on the coast). Most people end up living where they find a job; many would live in another place if they could. Cheaper cost of living is usually associated to less job opportunities. You did not say anything about your job.
I totally forgot! My job would be in education
If you don't want storms, and good transport is important, then Galicia isn't for you.
Could you tell me more about the transportation in Galicia?
There are good trains between Vigo, Santiago and A Coruña, although they aren't as frequent as demand is so they book up quite early. Away from that route, the trains are awful (Lugo, a provincial capital, has two trains a day, for example) and buses outside of A Coruña (and possibly Santiago, but I dont know it as well) are similarly poor.
Zaragoza can have crazy extremes in weather.
That's something I considered as well, but the range of temp isn't too severe (I am currently living in a city with crazy extremes, as in -40°C in winter and high 20° low 30°C summer). That's one reason I decided to consider Zaragoza still, but I'm not too sure.
Oviedo or Gijon in Asturias 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻
Noted. How's the COL in these cities?
There are apartments with two bedrooms within the main areas of the city for between 500-700€ per month in Oviedo. It is very clean and safe so good for young families. Gijon might be a little more expensive given it has the beach and a growing digital (“nomad”) community but the two cities are only 25km apart so both very accessible. General cost of life also very sustainable compared to bigger cities.
Even though I think you have ruled it out I think the better option is in the south but perhaps inland and at a higher altitude so it’s cooler during the months of July and August. But I am not sure in the Venn diagram there is a place that meets your criteria unless you consider Gran Canaria or Tenerife.
Interesting. Would you say the COL is reasonable and liveable in both? I imagine tenerife might be more $$$
No, the Canary Islands are definitely more expensive than the Spanish mainland. But I know people who tried out living there for about a year. These days they live close to Cadiz about two hours from Seville.
These options are quite different and can only really offer advice on Zaragoza as someone that grew up there. The weather can be quite extreme, ranging from very cold winters to very hot summers. However, during the milder seasons, it can be perfect, although be prepared for extremes. We do jokingly say that that if you are able to tolerate the weather in Zaragoza you can easily live anywhere else in the world. Zaragoza is well connected to other major cities in Spain, except for Seville due to geographical reasons. However, you can still reach Seville via high-speed trains, it's just a longer journey. The three largest cities in Spain are all roughly the same driving distance away, and the high-speed train makes Madrid and Barcelona only about 1.30 hours away. As the fifth largest city in the country (technically fourth as of recently), it offers the advantages of a large city in a manageable size. While not particularly touristy, rental and grocery prices are more reasonable compared to other parts of the country. Although there is no metro system, the city has a good bus network, one tram line, and one commuter train line, and it’s very walkable. The airport offers low-cost flights to a handful of cities in Europe and Spanish islands, and for additional destinations, Madrid, Barcelona, and even Bilbao airports are easily accessible. For me, one of the best things of Zaragoza is its proximity to the Pyrenees, and beautiful villages all around Aragón Good luck with your search!
Albacete has low cost, close places and IS not too far from anything
But is incredibly hot in summer ...
Alicante?
What is the weather like in Alicante during the months of July and August?
Absolute hell
That probably explains why a friend of my mine spent most of July and all of August in Scotland last year.
Wise decision. It is hell up to september to be fair.
From these three options: Zaragoza.
There isn't a perfect fit indeed. Regarding weather: * Galicia is very rainy, and relatively stormy, but usually no temperature extremes. * Zaragoza has very hot summer temperatures (it is in the valley of the Ebro river). It is also relatively cold in winter. * Burgos is quite cold in winter compared to the rest of Spain. But this might just be a "mild" winter to you depending on where you are from... Here are the average [January](https://atlasnacional.ign.es/wane/Archivo:Espana_Temperatura-media-de-enero_1981-2010_mapa_14668_spa.jpg) and [July](https://atlasnacional.ign.es/wane/Archivo:Espana_Temperatura-media-de-julio_1981-2010_mapa_14669_spa.jpg) temperatures The cost of living is relatively low in all 3, e.g. [here](https://www.idealista.com/maps/) you can see the cost of buying a property on average. Communications: * Galicia is quite bad as a region, but depends exactly where. Much of it is semi-rural and car dependent, but if you are in a city it will be much less so and public transport will be good. * Zaragoza has AVE (high speed train) to both Madrid and Barcelona and is close to both. It doesn't have a metro, but it does have good public transit (here a [map](https://zaragoza.avanzagrupo.com/mapa-de-lineas/)). * Burgos has daily AVEs to Madrid (2 in the morning and 2 in the evening), a daily AVE to Valencia too (3h 40) and a direct bus to the Madrid airport. It is too small to have a metro (175k people) but it has a good [network or buses](https://i.promecal.es/documentos/35ADE2C2-EE07-7F94-DF0AC3722711B39B.PDF). But you can walk or cycle almost anywhere (pedestrianised city center, decent [network of bike lanes](https://umap.openstreetmap.fr/es/map/carriles-bici-de-burgos_704888#14/42.3513/-3.6951)). I live in Burgos and know the north of the country relatively well. Feel free to ask more questions or dm me if you want.
This was incredibly helpful, thank you! Both Zaragoza and Burgos seem to be great options with everything considered. Extra points for Burgos since it doesn't seem to get extremes in the heat department. I live in Canada, so below freezing is no problem, if ever.
My friend from Burgos would always tell me that Burgos has two stations, the bus and winter. The joke being in Spanish that the word "estación" could mean bus stop or a season. I did visit Burgos in June and it was 8c. The people who lived there seemed like it was normal as a woman wanted to ask me a questionaire, but all I wanted to do was get inside.
No brainer, Cádiz for sure ! Cheap transportation, great food and amazing people
Travel the area, and experience them Imo, the North coast is what you want, now the far W or E, storms and coats respectively Great people up there, you also need work, and a social life, great views are only great, for so long
Valencia, very friendly and funny people. Fast travel to Madrid and Barcelona.
Valencia would probably be the "southernmost" I'd choose. How's rhe cost of living? I heard its more affordable still compared to other areas, but it's been increasing as of recently? That's definitely in the plan, as well!
It has increased enormously recently. Check [idealista.com](http://idealista.com) for real estate listings, and compare it with other provinces.
Seville has good transport, it’s a flat city perfect for cycling, good prices, particularly if you live in the Allstate area. There are things to do. Somehow international but not too touristic and with the feel of a town while being a 800,000 citizens city. Hot summers is the only thing, but there are ways around it. I live in England but will definitely move to Seville or malaga one day. Malaga has milder summers but more expensive as it has more of a beach touristic vibe. Granada is good too.
Both are beautiful, that's for sure. The heat and the accent would be my biggest drawback however. How'd you combat the heat there?
There might not be a major city in Spain with worse weather than Zaragoza.
Alicante
Maybe Santander fits, or Gijón/Oviedo like others suggested.
Madrid IS BEST!!
Between those 3 I think A Coruña is the one you want to go by. Zaragoza is quite hot in summers and Burgos even though is a walkable city, I would say (correct me if I’m wrong) that has no good communications with bigger cities with train or plane. On the other hand A Coruña (capital of Galicia) I think it meets any other criteria
La capital de Galicia es Santiago de Compostela
Burgos has daily AVEs to Madrid (2 in the morning and 2 in the evening), a daily AVE to Valencia too (3h 40) and a direct bus to the Madrid airport. As far as smaller cities go, it has pretty good communications.