I had been to Spain 3 or 4 times before eventually moving here in 2024, including a 4 month study abroad program. Based on my time in Madrid, thought I was the expert on the best neighborhoods to live in and how to set up our lives abroad.
Boy, was I humbled. I quickly learned that vacationing is different than living, and the spots I thought I would want to live actually weren’t a match for the daily life I wanted to live in Madrid.
If you’re moving abroad in the future, here’s why you need to build a scouting trip into your plans.
What Is a Scouting Trip?
How many of us have gone on vacation somewhere new and thought “wow, I could live here”? When you’re in vacation mode, it’s easy to see everything through rose-colored glasses, and you miss the realities of what it’s like to actually live like a local.
From salaries, competitive housing, transportation, school systems, and the logistics of day-to-day life, it’s important to truly understand what life abroad looks like before you commit. That’s where the scouting trip comes in.
A scouting trip is a dedicated trip to somewhere you’re considering living, with the goal of deciding whether or not it’s a good fit for you. This is very different from a vacation where you’re visiting tourist areas and dining at the best restaurants. On a scouting trip, you want to get a real sense of how locals live.
What You Can Only Learn In Person
You can do all the research in the world, but nothing beats your own boots-on-the-ground experience. On a scouting trip, not only do you cross the must-haves off your list (i.e. can I get to work on public transport? Where is the closest grocery store?) but you also get the vibe of what life feels like in the area.
This is deeply personal, and the vibe I get from a neighborhood could totally differ from your own experience.
For example, when moving to Madrid, I was between La Latina and Malasaña neighborhoods. On paper, they had a lot of similarities and ticked off all my must-have boxes. But the vibe in La Latina resonated with me in a way that Malasaña just did not. The community feeling, the local bars & restaurants, and the slightly less-touristy atmosphere just felt right to me.
For those moving abroad with kids, timing also matters. Most international schools in Madrid have application windows that close months in advance, so planning ahead and checking out schools before you move is extremely important.
This is why I always encourage you to plan a scouting trip before making a major move.
How to Plan Your Scouting Trip to Spain
When planning your move abroad scouting trip, here are the key areas that you need to consider:
What lifestyle do I want to live abroad?
This sounds obvious, but it’s the question most people subconsciously skip. If you run outside daily, you need to know that not every Madrid neighborhood has direct access to parks or running paths. If beach access is important to you, then we need to look at a completely different city. I recommend reflecting and writing down your non-negotiables before you get too deep into research & planning-mode.
How will I get around?
If you don’t plan to buy a car, public transport is everything. In Madrid, the metro coverage is amazing in the center, but once you get into outer neighborhoods or suburbs, you may be relying on infrequent (and less reliable) bus lines. I always recommend pulling up Google Maps and testing your potential commute on a weekday at 8:30am, and not mid-afternoon on a weekend.
What’s the community like?
Some neighborhoods in Madrid have large international communities with English-speaking residents, events, and even coworking spaces. Other areas are deeply local, which is wonderful if you speak Spanish and want full immersion, but can feel isolating if you don’t. There’s no right or wrong answer, but you should know which type of neighborhood you’re walking into.
What’s the school situation?
If you have kids, this may actually be your starting point rather than an afterthought. International schools, public bilingual programs, and private Spanish schools each come with different price points, waitlists, and geographic constraints. Where your kids go to school often dictates where you live.
Is there green space nearby?
If you have pets or value an outdoorsy lifestyle, proximity to parks and nature is a daily quality of life factor. Some neighborhoods that look great on paper feel completely concrete once you’re walking through them.
No single neighborhood will check off all the boxes.
The important thing is to identify the most important factors for you and your family, and let those guide you.
These are the kinds of questions I help my clients work through, and the ones I asked myself when I made my own move.
I’ve lived in Madrid since 2024 and have spent years exploring its neighborhoods; first as a study abroad student, then as a tourist, and now as someone who actually built a life here. That progression taught me that the way you evaluate a place completely changes once you’re not on vacation anymore, and looking at the city through a new lens.
As a serial planner and organizer, I approach neighborhood scouting systematically. I compare walkability, average rental prices, public transport connectivity, proximity to international schools, coworking options, and the kind of intangible neighborhood feel that you can only assess in person. It’s the kind of side-by-side analysis that would take you weeks to compile on your own.
That’s why I built the Everyday Abroad Scouting Service.
You Don’t Have to Figure This Out Alone
Moving abroad takes so. much. work. It’s a huge investment, but spending a little bit more to plan a scouting trip will save you so much time and money down the road.
There are two ways I can help you plan your scouting trip:
The Guided Scout
We plan your scouting trip together and I join you on the ground as your local guide. You see everything first-hand, with an expert by your side.
The Remote Scout
Can’t travel right now? I go in your place. I scout cities and neighborhoods based on your priorities and report back everything you need to know.
How the Everyday Abroad Scouting Service Works
I make it as easy as possible for you to get the information you need from a scouting trip. Here’s how we work together:
1
Sign up for the waitlist, and I’ll reach out to schedule an initial 15 minute consultation, free of charge.
2
Choose your trip format: The Guided Scout or The Remote Scout
3
Get your report
Within 5 business days of your trip (or mine), you’ll receive a full scouting report with neighborhood comparisons, school systems, housing market guidance, coworking recommendations, and warm introductions to the specialists you’ll need for your move.
4
Move with confidence
No more guessing, no more conflicting advice from forums. You’ll know exactly where you want to live, and have a clear path to get there.
The service is extremely personalized based on your needs.
Join the Waitlist for Early Bird Pricing
The Everyday Abroad Scouting Service is launching soon, and waitlist members will be the first to book at a discounted early bird rate!
Sign up below to reserve your spot! I’ll reach out within 48 hours to schedule a free 15-minute consultation so we can talk about your move. During this initial session, we’ll talk through your timeline, your priorities, and whether the Guided or Remote Scout is the right fit.
Your Scouting Trip to Spain Should Be Fun
Just because your scouting trip isn’t a true vacation, doesn’t mean you can’t have some fun.
Whether you book your scouting trip with me or if you plan it yourself, I encourage you to schedule time for the fun stuff too. Block off an afternoon to sit at a rooftop bar and journal about what things you like and don’t like after your day exploring different neighborhoods. Combine the productive life-decision tasks with a little bit of fun. After all, you’re in Spain!
If I can answer any scouting trip or moving abroad questions, always feel free to contact me directly! I love helping others realize their dream of moving abroad, and I would be more than happy to help however I can.
Other blog posts you may like:
Leave a Reply