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Live in Granada: Learn advantages, disadvantages & costs
Check out this post about what it's like to live in Granada! We'll tell you everything you need to know to enjoy your stay as a foreigner.
The Andalusian city of Granada, home to the Alhambra in southern Spain, attracts countless tourists each year. Many choose to live in Granada for a while, including students, digital nomads, and those drawn to the local culture who want to explore it more deeply and at their own pace.
If you fall into one of these groups and are thinking about living in Granada, this article will answer all your questions. We’ll look at the city’s quality of life, education system, healthcare, economy, job market, safety, and internet connectivity for remote work. We’ll also explore the main pros and cons of moving to this Andalusian city. Ready for a Granada tour?
What is the quality of life like in Granada?
Granada offers a high quality of life with excellent services for its residents, and at a lower cost compared to other Spanish cities like Madrid or Barcelona. Living here is more affordable and peaceful, so if you’re looking for a city with good weather, reasonable prices, and a safe environment, you’ll love discovering everything Granada has to offer.
Access the healthcare system in Granada
Spain’s healthcare system is considered one of the best in the world due to its accessibility, quality, and free services. Granada falls under the Andalusian Health Service (SAS), which is part of the national system, so living here gives you access to the city’s excellent network of public hospitals, including Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves and Hospital Clínico San Cecilio. There are different ways for foreigners to access healthcare depending on your country of origin, and here’s how you can do it:
- European Union (EU) citizens: You need to apply for the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) in your home country through your local health authority. This card allows you to receive healthcare in Spain with the same rights as any other resident.
- Non-EU foreigners: If you work and pay social security contributions, you also have access to free healthcare for yourself and your immediate family.
- Foreigners who do not work: There’s another way to contribute to social security through a special agreement, where you pay a fixed monthly fee of around $68 if you’re under 65, or $176 if you’re older.
- Private insurance: You can also get private health insurance to access private clinics and skip long waits. This kind of coverage is often required when applying for things like a student visa.
Studying at a university in Granada
Granada is widely known as a top university city, home to one of Spain’s oldest and most prestigious universities, the University of Granada (UGR). Out of roughly 230,000 residents, over 55,000 are university students, giving the city a youthful, academic atmosphere. Students also benefit from affordable housing, budget-friendly university meal plans, and discounts on transport, museums, and other activities.
If you’re applying for a scholarship, the Erasmus+ program is very active in Granada. Thanks to this international support, many foreign students can enroll in some of the city’s top institutions, which, according to the QS World University Rankings, include:
- University of Granada (UGR): Founded in 1531, it ranks among the top 500 universities in the world, offering more than 80 bachelor’s degrees and 100 official master’s degrees.
- Escuela Internacional de Posgrado (UGR): Part of the UGR, it specializes in master’s degrees, doctorates, and researcher training.
- University Loyola Andalucía: A private university with an international and bilingual focus.
Safety when living in Granada
Living in Granada means living in a safe city. According to Spain’s Ministry of the Interior, the crime rate is low compared to other Andalusian cities. The most common offenses are petty thefts in tourist areas, so it’s wise to keep your belongings visible and stay alert. The neighborhoods considered the safest and most peaceful include:
- El Serrallo: At the foot of Sierra Nevada, this is a residential area with mountain views, perfect for being in a natural environment, but close to the center.
- Zaidín-Vergeles: Situated by the Genil River, this neighborhood is large and leafy, with plenty of local shops. It’s known for being affordable and having easy access to everyday services.
- Realejo Alto: West of Albaicín, the lower part is quieter with traditional local life and close to the center.
- Camino de Ronda: West of the city, it is a modern area with good public transportation connections.
Economy and labor market
Although Granada doesn’t have a particularly strong job market, its economy relies on key sectors like education. The University of Granada plays a major role, with 55,000 students, 3,600 faculty members, and over 2,000 administrative staff. The presence of thousands of international Erasmus students also drives demand in areas like housing, dining, entertainment, technology, and local businesses.
Tourism is another key factor. Granada welcomes over 2.5 million visitors each year, drawn mainly by the Alhambra and Sierra Nevada. This influx of tourists supports many jobs in hospitality, tour guiding, travel agencies, and transportation.
If you’re planning to live in Granada for work, the average gross monthly salary is between $1,857 and $2,025, according to the latest data from Spain’s National Statistics Institute (INE) and InfoJobs. The main job opportunities are in sectors like hospitality, language education, technology, remote work, research, healthcare, and science.
Learn about internet connectivity
Although Granada isn’t known as a tech hub, the city offers fast and reliable internet, with fiber-optic coverage throughout. Major providers include Movistar, Orange, Vodafone, MásMóvil, and Digi, with an average fixed-line speed of 300 Mbps. Additionally, Granada has several high-speed coworking spaces, like Freesoul and Muon Cowork, ideal for remote work.
If you plan to travel while living in Granada or need fast and reliable 5G coverage as a digital nomad, Holafly’s monthly plans are a great solution. Pick a plan and enjoy unlimited data with simultaneous connection on two devices, starting at $64.90 per month.
Important: If you are a frequent traveler and want to stay connected without worrying about expensive roaming or looking for a new SIM at every destination, Holafly’s subscription plans are for you. With a single eSIM, enjoy internet in more than 170 countries for a fixed price and no surprises on your bill. Travel without limits and connect easily and securely! 🚀🌍
Advantages of living in Granada
Why choose to live in Granada? There are plenty of reasons, and whether you are here for work, study, or leisure, your experience is likely to be very rewarding. Beyond what we have already mentioned, such as education, healthcare, safety, and the job market, Granada offers several other benefits worth considering.
- Close to nature: In less than an hour by car, you can go from skiing in the Sierra Nevada to swimming on the beaches of the Costa Tropical, named for its unique microclimate and calm, clear waters.
- Easy to get around: Getting around by bike or on foot is easy, making a car unnecessary. Most of the city’s top sights are just a 15 to 20-minute walk from each other.
- Affordable rent: The cost of living in Granada is very affordable. You can find one-bedroom apartments in the city center starting around $620 per month, or about $450 in neighborhoods like Zaidín or Chana.
- Pleasant climate all year round: You’ll experience a typical Mediterranean climate with plenty of sunshine, warm summers, and mild winters, except in areas closer to the mountains where it tends to be colder.
Disadvantages of living in Granada as a foreigner
When it comes to drawbacks, Granada is still a great place to live, whether for a short stay or permanently. There aren’t any major reasons not to consider it, but a few minor downsides include the following:
- Lower salaries: Salaries are slightly below the national average, although the cost of living is also low. Jobs in tourism or hospitality tend to be the lowest paid.
- Poorly insulated housing: Many homes, especially in the historic center, aren’t well insulated, so they can get cold and damp in winter, meaning the heating needs to be on most of the time.
- Noise in the city center: Being a university city, neighborhoods like Albaicín, the Realejo, and Plaza Nueva tend to be noisier, with late-night bars, street performers, and student parties.
- Narrow streets: Some neighborhoods have a medieval street layout, with narrow, steep, and cobbled streets, making it challenging for people with limited mobility to get around.
Frequently asked questions about living in Granada
You can work in fields like teaching your native language, international tourism, or hospitality, but your chances will be much better if you have an intermediate level of Spanish.
Neighborhoods like Zaidín, Realejo, and the Albaicín are popular with students. Quieter areas such as the Serrallo or Camino de Ronda offer good connections and a more residential atmosphere.
Yes, thanks to the open nature of the people of Granada and the university atmosphere filled with students from all over the world.
Not at all. In fact, it’s one of the most affordable cities in Spain. You can live comfortably on a monthly budget of around $1,350, covering rent, food, entertainment, and transportation.
Winters in Granada are cold but dry, with lows between 0 and 5 °C. Summers, on the other hand, can be very hot, reaching up to 40 °C, making spring and autumn the most pleasant seasons with milder, more comfortable temperatures.
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Hi! I'm a Spanish-English translator working with Holafly, helping bring travel content to life for curious travelers. As a digital nomad with a passion for exploring, I'm always adding new spots to my bucket list. If you love to travel like me, stick around because you're in the right place to find inspiration for your next trip! ✈️🌍
