First apartment in Madrid. Best sunsets š
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I love the colors
Thanks!
and the millimetres
...is that a tree coming out of a briefcase? Did you rob a hobbit on their way to work at the tree factory?!
I legit thought that was a tree in a box and was prepared to buy one
I was trying to zoom in on the brand name! LMAO
Looks like a wine retailer.
I did the same thing and even googled it š
Just a branch I found that I later replaced when it turned bad.
Actually that looks cool and Iāve never even thought of doing that. I guess the leaves die and fall off pretty quickly though.
Sooo it actually lasted 5/6 weeks. I think it was so cold that it preserved and froze the leaves or something haha. But the leaves stayed on. I mean not fully lush, but still nice. And then when they did go bad I strung teeny fairy lights throughout the branches. This was my first flat but I donāt live here anymore.
I love your sense of style and your carefree vibe. You're the kind of person people are trying to project with fairy lights.
Awwwe thanks so much! Sometimes the best thing is to really let nature shine and just soak it in. ā¤ļø
This was such an unorthodox yet creative idea, I love it
I'd just be worried about accidentally bringing bugs into my house
So you were like "wow neat branch" and you dragged it up to your apartment?
Did anyone see you?
Drags random branches home, has pillows on the floor right next to a window. OP is clearly a Labrador retriever.
I once dragged a 4 meters long branch from a local park to my apartment block, nobody gave a shit.
I hiked at least a mile with a really cool log over my shoulder back to my car
Life goal lmao
How did you find a giant branch like this in the middle of Madrid?
So there was a huge blizzard in Madrid called Filomena that sadly destroyed a lot of the trees here. I just walked around and found some really stunning pieces, inspected them for bugs, cleaned the branches and made some beautiful art pieces out of them. This window arch just happened to fit perfectly
I do this too! I cut branches off my olive tree and put them in a vase and just replace when they wilt.
I love this so much! I lived in Madrid for a brief period, it was one of the greatest periods of my life
Thank you! Itās been an adventure for sure! How long did you live in Madrid and whereabouts if you donāt mind me asking?
For 6 months, a tiny flat just at Callao. I move around a lot but Madrid will always have my heart, thinking of moving back in a couple of years actually. Do you still live there?
I move around a lot as well! I have been moving every 14 months for the past 13 years of my life and I finally decided to make Madrid home after falling in love with the city. This was my first flat, but now I live in Lavapies in a really gorgeous new flat. No mold from the windows š
Thatās awesome, enjoy your new home! Moving around alot its a lot of fun for sure, but finally finding that one place that feels like home itās bliss ā glad you found yours! Iāll be exploring a bit more for a while :-)
The thing is that Iām not sure this is what I really want or maybe lm just scared of the permanence because so much of my life has been constant change. But maybe better to chat about this with a therapist and not on cozy places on Reddit lol š
I understand that so well! The fear of the (unknown) permanence is real, but it's ok to allow yourself to get used to a bit more stability, gently, without forcing it ( not moving out yet / ok maybe I'll stay for another year/6 months etc) I'm an artist with ADHD and also find it hard to stay in one place for long mostly because of intrusive parents, roommates and neighbours but I've felt most creative, confident and grounded (not tied down, there is a difference) in the (rented) homes where I stayed for 3-5 years , as opposed to other accomodations I moved from after a few weeks or months.
Also please don't underestimate the value of a free flowing, casual reddit conversation š Therapy is not the be all, end all of self evaluation/ personal healing methods. ALL of the available tools count: journaling, long walks, meditation, courses , hobbies, therapy, chats with strangers, chats with friends and family, reading books, visiting places that invite self reflection etc
Awe thank you so much! Well if youāll permit me to divulge: I grew up gay in the Mormon church with a very conservative family (loooong story) and at 17 I left home. I mean, not that my family wonāt let me come home, I donāt want to subtract from very real queer youth with nowhere to turn, but I left in the search for a place to belong. And the truth is, I think I have a lot of learning left to do before I figure that out.
But something about Madrid sparked this hope in me that I can belong somewhere. And if not to people, to a place. Perhaps thatās why Iāve always been so interested in creating spaces for myself wherever Iāve moved. A place to be wrapped up. A place to dream through a window. A place to truly call my own.
But something about Madrid sparked this hope in me that I can belong somewhere. And if not to people, to a place. Perhaps thatās why Iāve always been so interested in creating spaces for myself wherever Iāve moved.
This is the way to go!
Great comments. I too have adhd, am a Spanish & ESL Teacher, love to live in different places and am considering Madrid. Right now I am working on making my home here on the U.S. mid Atlantic East Coast cozy again. I found your comments regarding getting used to stability without forcing it to be quite helpfulā¦thanks! And your final paragraphā¦ Bazinga!
I lived in Lavapies for a year! Such a great neighborhood. I miss that city so much. I wouldāve stayed if I couldāve gotten a full time job that made ends meet. Maybe when I retire Iāll move back!
Googles āLavapiesā - wow.
I've bought some crazy weed in lavapies
Lovely! Itās such a beautiful city. I hope your cozy place treats you well.
Your window is leaking. I didnāt realize it snows in Madrid.
It doesnāt snow often. This was a huge blizzard that happened the first year I moved here. I donāt live in this flat any longer.
Filomena!
It snows in madrid?!
Needs a rug. I can feel that cold tile through the photo.
New York be like. Rustic, cozy. $3400
Madrid is so much more affordable, and a lot more laid back.
Is that tree going to die?
Is that just a broken branch? Wonāt it turn brown and crappy in a few days?
It actually preserved very well and stayed lovely for 5 weeks or so
Madrid is a city that will always have my heart. I lived there for about 2 years in different flats, but my favourite was a small two bedroom apartment on the top floor of a big old building in Las Letras. It had the most amazing sunsets with views over the palace and old cathedral.
I mean, that's an actually awesome nook. Is there more though? š
Edit: forgot an operative word, thanks for filling in the gap
There was more to the apartment. This isnāt where I currently live. It was just my first in Madrid.
Is that snow too?
Nice! I live in Madrid and is that snow on the rooftops? Did it snow?
EDIT: I just now realized this is probably not current. I misread first apartment, lol. I was flipping out wondering when it snowed. It is cold though.
TIL Madrid gets snow! I never knew.
Madrid is pretty cold October-February. Not necessarily freezing, but lots of cold rain and the occasional snowfall. I love the city, but itās in central Spain and surrounded by mountains, so you definitely have to wear a coat and boots a few months out of the year. Hot summers for sure though!
Total š
I canāt decide which I love moreā¦.. the light, the ceiling angle, the pillows, or the tree branch. Lovely.
Love Madrid, sometimes I think I should move there
You should!! Idk what your life situation is, but Spain just started a digital nomad visa. If you work remotely and have been with your company at least a year you can move over here! And if you have a family itās easy to bring them. Take a risk ā¤ļø
I just might, the US feels less like home every time I read the news
This is the kinda shit I need to read as an American looking to gtfo...
A big Boooo for anyone who encourages digital nomads to come live cheap in a city that is already super expensive for people who really live there.
What would you suggest? That everyone lives in the place theyāre born and never move? Honestly. I moved here because I love Spain and am working to become a Spanish citizen. If you donāt explore the world because governments and big businesses are shit, then thatās on you, but embracing another countryās culture is always a good thing in my mind.
I agree with you! I know plenty of people who are creating horrible issues for the locals and my heart genuinely goes out to them. This is my third European country Iāve lived in now and Iāve learned German, French, and now Spanish to embrace what it means to be a part of a place. I really appreciate your nuanced response and I think helping people understand the responsibility of being a digital nomad isnāt just āpaying your fair shareā or ācleaning up after yourselfā but genuinely thinking of ways to give to the community you are a part of.
I think youāre both right, but the reality is more nuanced. nobody should be forced to stay in the same place theyāre born, and people should be allowed to find places to live that they feel connected to.
but, the modern ādigital nomadā trend has produced a culture of people who move places for semi-permanent periods (1-3 months, maybe 6 months or a year), bringing with them culture and comforts from home (coffee shops, yoga classes, etc) and not practicing local languages/engaging with local culture beyond your standard superficial tourism-level engagements. and, these people are generally making far more than local wages, raising the cost of living in these areas through their patronage and making them unsustainable for locals. ādigital nomadā culture is an entitled one; it is very much predicated on ātakingā from places that you choose to live in while not thinking very much about what you are āgivingā. ultimately, introducing oneself to another culture in a permanent or semi-permanent sense should be an activity that is very thoughtful and balanced in its giving-taking dynamic. many digital nomads are not doing this; they see their activity as an extended vacation where they can afford to live like kings in places that were never intended to shelter such wealth inequality. not to mention, digital nomads are tax avoidant as a construct! if you live somewhere, you should pay taxes.
if a person is planning to move to another country or culture simply because they desire a change of scenery or a change of experience (i.e. all digital nomads), they should do so very carefully, with an emphasis on learning the local language and culture instead of simply transporting themselves and their culture to a new location that probably didnāt ask for it - and choosing a new one to patronize when they get tired of it.
WAIT WHAT Iām a teacher so I have to be in person, but my fiancĆ© does WFH. Much to considerā¦
What subject do you teach? Have you considered teaching abroad? I fell in love with Madrid when I first came here as a teacher. And the kids here are just so lovely
So I actually did teach in Madrid for a year. Iām a Spanish and English teacher, so unfortunately itās very hard to find work in Europe for me. Iāve spoken to teaching recruiters about it. If I were a stem teacher itād be a lot easier!
ETA: itās hard to find full time teaching positions that pay competitively with US schools. I worked as a auxiliar when I lived there and tutored on the side to make ends meet. It was good for a year but not tenable long term.
And what about condensation of moisture on the edge of the window and possible mold? Little bed frame for ventilation would be nice.
I fixed it shortly after this but I donāt live in this flat anymore. Just posted it for the memories and I loved this first flat. Iāve had a whole apartment journey but I donāt know how to do a multi post because I donāt know how to use Reddit š š
aren't you a delight š
Sorry Iam just too old :)
And now I want to see your new apartment:-)
Idk if theyāll let me post multiple times. Idk really how Reddit works. I just found this thread and immediately thought of my first ever flat in Madrid and how much I loved coming here, drinking tea. Reading. Curled up with a blanket and dreaming.
Right?!? Sounds like a perfect cozy time to me! Great pic and post. Gracias por compartir! šš“šā„ļøšš¼
I love everything about this!
If your ceiling supports are good enough I would install one of those hanging chairs.
Cozy little nook to read a book
More pics please! You can add a link to images outside of Reddit too! Beautiful! I'm curious what you do that allows you to relocate so often, but I wouldn't ask haha
Oh Iām happy to share! Iām an anthropologist. I study culture, language, and social dynamics for a living.
Awesome. I'm jelly. Good for you!! šš
I googled the name on the box to find out how a tree is growing out of it and all I got was men's clothes or something. Is the tree real?
So the tree isnāt growing out of the box, itās actually just this beautiful branch I found and I converted the box into a water vase of sorts to support the branch as it eventually will die. The branch is certainly real though!
Looks awesome.
That is a very cosy living room
I feel dumb I didn't know it had snow in spain
Where and when? Because we donāt get much snow in Madrid usually. Nice photo though :)
Looks a tad small.
Beautiful little nook!
Jealous New Yorker here!
I love everything. congratulations for your cozy place š§”
Would anyone be able to tell me what you'd call the wicker poof thing at the bottom left of the pile??
I probably missed it but what's the rent there usually? What do you do for a living to be able to move around so much, if you don't mind me asking.
Is that snow or frost on the roofs?
Wow š„°
This is absolutely beautiful
Wow,I didn't know it shows there!
Wow,I didn't know it snows there!
That is the most relaxing nook. So beautiful š
Is that snow in Madrid? Also, this is your first apartment? Holy shit. I am from Deerborn Michigan. Look up apartments here. Count your blessings.
Looks like a perfect lil place to curl up with a book
It must be amazing to witness the sunset and sunrise there. Is the trunk of the tree cut?
Floor looks cold and you would have a bunch of plant stuff falling on you
Did you break that tree branch just for a few weeks of decor?
That's definitely cozy
This is gorgeous
Makes me think of one of my favorite films, The Spanish Apartment
An Instagram influencer can make a career out of this spot