Finding a place to live in Spain is all about patience and persistence. As in many places, it can be a long, time-consuming and frustrating process. The typical search takes at least a week to 10 days - don't make the mistake of thinking you will find something and be moving in after a few days!

Once you have some target areas, the real fun begins. Make sure you know what you are looking for before you start. A list of desired characteristics for your future home is essential, but make sure you split it into "essential" and "nice-to-have" items.

Get your point across in Spanish

If you don't speak Spanish very well or are lacking in confidence on the phone, try to find someone who is willing to help. Like just about anywhere, people tend to have less patience with foreigners and will not struggle through a conversation that is going to take half an hour.

Take some time to write down the questions you want to ask in advance. Also, you might find it useful to prepare a few lines that you will use to describe who you are and what you are looking for. Some preparation might save you some trips to see apartments that are very different from what you want. One of our readers told us that when searching for a shared flat with other students he had come across a middle-aged woman renting out a room of her son who is not living at home any more and a recently widowed seventy-year old lawyer renting out his study. He now asks a few more questions before going to visit places!

Here is a selection of websites to help you find accommodation in Spain.

easypiso

If you have any other websites feel free to add them to the links page or contact us, we are constantly updating this site so don't hesitate.

(Source: Just Landed.com)