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Cadiz life

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ams661
  8/12/2022 08:26 EST

I am considering moving to Cadiz, Spain soon. If anyone can help identify some of the pros and cons, it would be helpful...particularly related to finding places to rent.

Anciana
  8/12/2022 09:07 EST

I dont live in Cadiz proper, but in Costa Ballena, Cadiz. Love the area, the beach, but not the level of competence of any kind of services, especially public and a lack of social life. Cadiz province has almost NO EXPATS (ca 3.6% of population) and locals do not show any indication to befriend any nonnatives. They speak heavily accented Andalusian...they are polite, yet, but stay in their own company. And unfortunately they are very LOUD, especially during vacation season. Children running around all nights, screaming at the top of their voices. I tried, lived here almost four years, but had more than enough and am leaving in less than three weeks.

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rmarvin123
  8/12/2022 13:22 EST

I've been traveling back and forth to Cadiz from the US for over two years. Here are the pros for me: Cadiz has been the entry point from the Americas to Spain for hundreds of years. It has a distinct outward facing, even latin american vibe. Many think it reminds them of Havana. There are influences you can feel. On top of that, it's a major port, so you get the mix of cultures where immigrants, fisherman, sailors, and all kinds of people looking to escape the past, or make their fortunes live side by side privileged folk: think New Orleans, Rio, Buenos Aires, Cartagena.
Cadiz province is also ground zero for Flamenco: Jerez with its bulerias, Cadiz with alegrias and tangillos. Camaron de la Isla was born in San Fernando, just outside Cadiz.
Starting in Cadiz and south along the coast are some of Spain's best, (relatively) unspoiled atlantic beaches all the way to Tarifa and beyond. I prefer atlantic beaches because I think they are colder in summer than many mediterranean beaches. Also I love the stark difference between high and low tide levels.
If you are a water person, enjoying fishing, swimming, sailing, and boating, you will enjoy Cadiz. If you love watching big storms roll in from the atlantic, you're in the right place. And the sun sets everyday of the year just offshore Cadiz.
Negatives: Cadiz capital is technically a small island. A causeway connects it to the rest of the bay and the mainland. Some people feel locked in. On top of that some of the most densely populated neighborhoods in Spain are in Cadiz. Add in the hundreds of thousands attending Carnaval and August vacations.
Not for the claustrophobic. Free parking in Cadiz is close to impossible.
On the flipside, the bus service is good, cercanias trains connect Cadiz with other cities around the bay to the airport in Jerez, and Renfe has train services to Jerez, Sevilla, Madrid, and Barcelona daily.
My advice on renting: Short term rentals in summer or Carnaval, and Holy Week are astronomical. Owners want to have availability to capitalize on those dates. Many offer School year rentals: mid-September to June inclusive at a more reasonable rate. Now lots of school term rentals are being advertised. Some rentals are available for the whole year. Rentals tend to be smaller, cheaper though not always in the historic center. I use a site like idealista to keep track of rental offerings in a ring-fenced area. A feature available on other apps as well.

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