Love Madrid but feel that its property market is out of your reach? Just half an hour from Madrid by train, Segovia boasts of a family-friendly atmosphere, with lots of gorgeous greenery and impressive historical sites.
While most people moving to Spain choose the coastal regions for their new home, there is a sizable minority who prefer the quieter inland areas. Plus, for those who will be working in Madrid or need to be near the capital, rents and property prices remain high, even in the outer suburbs.
The average rent for an apartment in Spain’s capital city is €1,250 and a studio €810 a month.
There is an alternative though, a smaller town within commutable distance where rents and property prices are lower and which offers a great lifestyle. Segovia.
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Segovia
Segovia has a rich history to explore.
The city is best known for its Roman aqueduct and in fact it is a UN Heritage Site owing to its many historic riches. Culturally, it has a mixed ancestry as the Celts, Romans, Visigoths, Moors and Christians have all left their mark. The famous aqueduct is a marvel of Roman engineering with 167 arches and is the best example of Roman construction in Spain. The Cathedral is world famous and has been called “the lady of cathedrals”. Plus, the Alcázar is a wondrous castle overseeing the city. With a population of just 50,000, Segovia is a small but welcoming city.
The nearest international school is an hour away as is Madrid’s Barajas International Airport.
Segovia: a family-friendly place to be
Segovia is a very family friendly place offering numerous cultural activities for all ages. One of the best known is the Titirimundi, a festival of international puppetry which fills its streets and squares with every type of puppet and marionettes, ranging from the traditional to modern.
It is a university town, so it has much to offer for young people. Many foreign students come to Segovia through the Erasmus scheme, and this helps to make the city more cosmopolitan than you might expect. In fact, the student population numbers 2,500 and they are well catered for.
Greenery in Segovia
You’ll be a half an hour drive from the Sierra de Guadarrama National Park.
Segovia is the perfect place for people who love nature, hiking and cycling. In just 20 minutes you can be in the beautiful countryside, for example by the banks of the River Moros or the river Duratón. Horse riding is popular too and there are many tracks and trails through unspoilt villages and marshes.
The Sierra de Guadarrama National Park is known for its 1000 different species of flora and fauna. Many of the animals and birds are rarely seen in other parts of Spain. Property on the edge of the National Park is much sought after, with a wide variety from large manor houses to mills.
What is there to eat in Segovia?
This region of Spain has its own specialities of cuisine, in particular cochinillo asado, roast suckling pig and judiones de La Granja, large broad beans which are exclusive to the area. Most restaurants serve locally grown produce and use traditional methods of preparation and cooking. There is also a very famous dessert, Ponche Segoviano, a layered cake of custard and marzipan, coated with caramelised sugar.
You will also find Italian and burger restaurants too. A wealth of tapas bars offer free tapas with drinks and vegetarians are also catered for. In the Jewish quarter, you can find Sephardic cuisine.
Opportunities for sports enthusiasts
For golfers, there is a choice of three golf courses near the city, all are 18 hole courses and prices vary. Horse riding, kayaking, canoeing, hiking, cycling are all easily available in or near the city. In the winter, skiing and other winter sports are enjoyed in the Guadarrama Mountains.
Easy travel routes
Many people commute to Madrid which is, at its fastest, just a twenty-six minute train ride away. Plus, Segovia is an hour’s drive as is Barajas International airport. From Madrid there are flights all around the world. There are excellent links to other nearby cities such as Ávila and Soria and in four hours you can arrive at Valencia and the beaches.
For drivers, the city is connected to the Autopista AP-61 which allows for easy access to other areas.
What’s the weather like?
Could it suit you to call Segovia home?
Being close to the mountains, Segovia can suffer from chilly winds and is quite cold in winter, the average daytime temperature in February being 10º, however in June it is 26º and 29º in August.
What kind of property can I find in Segovia?
There are a variety of property types in the city and its surroundings. It is possible to find old buildings in need of renovation for well under €100,000. You can find a small one-bedroom apartment for upwards of €60,000. A three-bedroom duplex not far from the centre will be in the region of €265,000 to €360,000, while four-bedroom houses are priced from €320,000 to €850,000. There are also larger, luxury properties to choose from.
For rentals, €750 a month is the price for a three-bedroom apartment in the city centre, but prices vary according to district.
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