Tener una familia con niños condiciona gran parte de las decisiones importantes de la vida. Una de ellas es la del lugar de residencia, porque hay múltiples factores que influyen, de una forma u otra, en la educación y crecimiento de los más pequeños. De esta forma, en Culmia hoy queremos destacar algunas de las ciudades de España que son más atractivas para vivir con ellos.

What factors should we keep in mind if we live with children?

When we’re considering moving to another city and want to find the ideal one for our children, it’s important to evaluate a few key factors. They are as follows:

• Educational services: These are a key factor, because every parent’s goal is for their children to have access to the best possible education and to have adequate resources for their education. In this regard, learning about the main education policies in each autonomous community can be a good first step. In addition, we can also consult official data, such as that provided by the government through its own national system of education indicators, the National Institute of Statistics (INE), or the OECD through its well-known PISA rankings.
• Healthcare: Similarly , healthcare is another factor that heads of households should consider. Although we never expect to have to rely on healthcare services when it comes to children, we always need to be prepared. And living in a city with strong healthcare indicators will ensure we have access to quality care in the event of any unforeseen situation.
• Safety: The social environment also matters, because if we have children, we want them to grow up in a peaceful and safe place. Choosing a city with a low crime rate will give us some peace of mind and reduce the risk of them encountering problems during their early years or even falling under bad influences.
• Leisure and Happiness: Young children need to run, jump, and play outdoors. So, when evaluating the location of our next home, we need to consider factors such as the city’s green spaces, the number of parks and their quality, the availability of recreational activities and theme parks, and so on. Because the more plans we can make with them, the better.
• Quality of life and its cost: Ideally, we should find a city that offers a high quality of life without the costs skyrocketing. We can gather information from independent studies like this one from the Expatistan website (cost of living) and, based on that, try to find the best option.

Best Cities to Live in Spain with Children

Madrid

In 2021, the British company CIA Landlord conducted a study and identified the 20 best cities worldwide for families to live in. The only Spanish city selected was the capital. According to the study’s criteria, Madrid ranked 15th in the list, with a happiness score of 6.4 out of 10, a crime rate of 41.25/100, a pollution level of 39.40/100, and a cost of raising a child of 140.31 euros per month.

In terms of education, Madrid is home to 5 of Spain’s 10 best schools, according to the Forbes ranking, and 9 of the 25 best universities, also according to the same magazine. Added to this is its impressive range of leisure options, with a vast array of activities and large green spaces such as Retiro Park and Casa de Campo.

Bilbao

According to 2020 data, the Basque Country is the second-highest-ranking autonomous community in terms of GDP per capita (30,401), trailing only Madrid ( 32,048). So any of its cities guarantees a good standard of living, although we highlight Bilbao as one of the most attractive options. In fact, in 2021, the OCU ranked it as the second-best Spanish city in this regard after surveying 3,000 people.

The capital of Biscay stood out in areas such as environmental quality, health services ( 72% of its residents said they were satisfied with them), cultural, sports, and recreational offerings, educational opportunities, and cleanliness. It’s also worth noting that the local city government recently launched a project to provide all districts with indoor playgrounds—something parents considering a move should definitely keep in mind.

Vigo

The aforementioned OCU study ranked this town in Pontevedra at the top of the list nationwide, and that’s no coincidence. Vigo is a very appealing option for those looking to live in a city that isn’t too big and is truly peaceful. Specifically, it stands out in areas such as safety, cleanliness, education, the environment, and low pollution.

All of this blends perfectly with its excellent selection of leisure, sports, and cultural activities—a prime example being its famous Christmas celebrations. And let’s not forget its beaches—it boasts as many as 45 sandy shores. That said, those who choose to visit should also be prepared to 150 rainy days a year.

Valencia

The Valencian Community is also a sure bet when looking for a great place to live with your family. Alicante and the capital itself both shine in their own right, though we recommend the latter for several reasons. First, a few months ago, the British magazine *The Lancet* ranked it among the 25 best cities in the world to live in based on a series of quality-of-life indicators, including transportation, sustainability, and urban design.

And second, regarding the three options already mentioned, if you’re planning to live in Valencia, you should know that this city offers real estate options that are more affordable for the average person, as it’s far from being an expensive city to live in (compared to other major cities in the country). This is a very important point, especially when combined with its abundance of green spaces, since it offers 7.41 square meters of green space per resident.

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Malaga

And if we prefer to look south, Andalusian cities like Córdoba or Málaga will likely meet our family’s expectations. In fact, the OCU study paints both in a very favorable light, as the former ranks 5th and the latter 6th. But we recommend Málaga for a reason we consider important: it offers beaches and a coastline.

In any case, Málaga is much more than just beaches. A 2021 study by “InterNations” ranked it as the second-best city in the world for expats to live in, highlighting aspects such as the low cost of living, the climate, recreational opportunities, the surroundings, and its digital infrastructure. However, on the other hand, it’s also important to note that it’s one of the less safe options among those we’re suggesting on this list.

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Barcelona

Barcelona is one of the most attractive cities in Spain for families with children, thanks to its balance of quality of life, education, and leisure. The city offers a wide range of educational institutions, including international schools and innovative educational programs, as well as leading hospitals that provide excellent healthcare.

Another of its strengths is the abundance of green spaces and family-friendly activities. Places like Parc de la Ciutadella, Montjuïc, and the Collserola mountain range allow you to enjoy nature without leaving the city, and the city’s beaches add to its appeal. Although the cost of living is higher than in other cities, its climate, services, and cultural offerings make it a very attractive option for children’s growth and well-being.

Here are our top six picks for the best cities to live in Spain with kids. But there are many more, so…check out our special offers and choose yours today!

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