My names is James Logue, I'm an Irishman in Spain and I moved to Madrid nearly two years ago for a mixture of reasons including love and career prospects. It was an impulse decision that became a reality within 2 weeks but thankfully, it worked out well and I have not looked back ever since.
Coming from a tiny city in the north of Ireland that seems to be permanently under a rain cloud, the Spanish climate is a welcome change. I love being spoiled for choice when it comes to art, music and food as opposed to my home city where there is one museum, a severe drought of gigs and the norm is to have potatoes with every meal. I love being Irish in Spain!
Madrid definitely has a subtle allure; it is not overpowering in any way, shape or form. It is busy enough to keep you engaged but is not overwhelming like most other capital cities. It is rich in culture and history without being arrogant in its approach.
Luckily, I didn't have any problem with the language, I studied French and Spanish at university in England and had already spent one year in Madrid as part of my degree, so it was just a matter of diving headfirst into trying to recuperate and build on what I had already learned.
I have enhanced my range of street slang that I use on a daily basis – it is a staple in daily Spanish life, after all. However, it might be more of a case of what habit I cannot assimilate, no matter how hard I try, which is the infamous siesta. As much as I would love to have an afternoon nap everyday on my 2-hour lunch, I find it physically impossible.
As much as I champion Madrid, I would have to say that my favorite city is Seville. Aside from the traditional music and dance, the architecture throughout the city is breathtaking.