I’ve been living in Zaragoza for almost two years now, and I’d like to share what this city is really like. This isn’t a tourist guide like Zaragoza life, just the everyday things ordinary people encounter.
Housing and Rent Situation
Rent in Zaragoza is considerably cheaper than Madrid or Barcelona. A one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around 600-750 euros, and if you look at the Zaragoza cost of living in outer areas like Delicias or Universidad neighborhoods, you can get the same type of apartment for about 500 euros. I currently live near Romareda, a 65 square meter two-bedroom apartment for 680 euros per month, including property fees. The landlord is quite reasonable and responds quickly to maintenance requests.
Daily Expenses Comparison
Here’s a breakdown of my monthly basic expenses for reference:
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|
| Rent | 680 | Two-bedroom with property fees |
| Utilities | 85 | Less in summer |
| Internet & Mobile | 45 | Fiber + unlimited data |
| Transport Pass | 43 | Monthly pass for bus and metro |
| Groceries | 220 | For two people |
For transportation, Zaragoza has one metro line, which honestly has limited coverage, but the bus system is quite good. The monthly pass for 43 euros allows unlimited rides, much more economical than taxis. From the city center to the airport, the bus takes about 35 minutes, very convenient.
Food and Social Life
My favorite market here is Mercado Central, especially crowded on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Fresh fruits and vegetables are cheaper than supermarkets and better quality. When I first arrived, I wasn’t good at choosing produce, but now I can haggle with vendors in Spanish.
Recommended Daily Spots
Pilar Square is always lively on weekends, with street performers and many food stalls. In the old town area of El Tubo, tapas bars line the streets one after another, and you can’t go wrong with any of them. My personal favorite is a small place called Casa Lac, their fried calamari rings with beer are absolutely amazing.
Zaragoza is a city with a relatively slow pace of life, without as many job opportunities as big cities, but the cost of living is low and people are friendly. If you’re not seeking an extremely bustling metropolitan lifestyle, this place in the Zaragoza old town is quite suitable for settling down. Feel free to leave comments if you have any questions, I’ll reply to what I know.
