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Who lives in Majadahonda
Majadahonda is a prosperous town in the northwest of the Madrid region, sitting between Pozuelo de Alarcon and Las Rozas in a corridor that has become the default landing zone for international and well off Spanish families. It grew from a small village into a sought after residential town, and today it mixes gated developments of detached chalets and townhouses with apartment blocks around its lively centre. The people who choose Majadahonda tend to be families who want more space, garden living and quiet streets than the inner districts allow, without giving up quick access to the capital. There is a visible international presence, drawn by the schools and the easy commute, alongside established Madrid professionals. Because the northwest corridor is built around family life rather than nightlife, the feel is settled and suburban, with sports clubs, woodland and shopping centres shaping the weekly rhythm. To see how it fits into the wider capital, start with our international schools in Madrid directory.
Schools in and near Majadahonda
Education is one of the main reasons families settle in Majadahonda, because the town and its neighbours hold one of the densest concentrations of international schools in the Madrid region. In the town itself, Thames British School runs a Majadahonda campus that teaches the Cambridge International curriculum alongside the International Baccalaureate Diploma for children from age one to eighteen, with lessons in English and Spanish and a community drawn from more than thirty nationalities. A short drive away in neighbouring Pozuelo de Alarcon is the well established British Council School, one of the longest running British curriculum schools in Spain, and the wider corridor towards La Moraleja and Las Rozas adds further British, American and bilingual options. Several of these schools are popular, so the most sought after year groups fill early and it pays to apply well ahead.
For the full list with curricula, stages and admissions detail, use the Madrid schools directory, and to plan the early years budget see our guide to primary international school fees in Madrid. If you are not sure which curriculum or school suits your child, the school finder quiz will shortlist options based on your priorities.
Commute and catchment
Madrid does not operate strict residential catchments for international schools. Admission is by application rather than by postcode, so living in Majadahonda does not reserve a place at a particular school, and families across the northwest corridor routinely choose schools in neighbouring towns. What basing yourself here does is shorten the daily school run for the cluster on this side of the city. Majadahonda sits on the Cercanias commuter rail lines with direct trains into central Madrid, and the M-40, M-50 and M-503 roads tie it into the wider motorway network, which puts the city centre, the business parks of the northwest and the airport within a reasonable drive. Most international schools in this part of Madrid run extensive bus routes that cover Majadahonda and the surrounding towns, so many families let the school coach handle the commute. Plan around the morning and evening peaks, when the approach roads and the A-6 motorway back up.
Housing and cost of living
Housing in Majadahonda spans a wide range, which is a large part of its appeal. At the top are spacious detached chalets and townhouses in gated urbanisations, many with gardens and pools, while flats in and around the town centre and near the railway station offer a more affordable entry point for families who do not need a house. Overall the town sits in the mid to premium band of the Madrid residential market, above the outer commuter belt but below the very highest priced enclaves of Pozuelo and La Moraleja. When you add international school fees and transport to the rent or mortgage, it remains a significant commitment, so model the full picture, housing, schooling and the day to day, with our relocation cost calculator, and read the wider Madrid relocation guide for visas, healthcare and setting up logistics. Treat any specific rent figure you see as indicative, because the market moves, so verify current asking prices before you budget.
Family life
Daily life in Majadahonda is relaxed and built around the outdoors. The town has generous parks, public sports facilities, tennis and padel clubs and a pedestrian friendly centre full of shops and cafes, with the Monte del Pilar woodland on its western edge for weekend walks and cycling. Healthcare is strong, anchored by the large Puerta de Hierro university hospital, and several private clinics serve the area. The dry, sunny climate that defines Madrid supports outdoor life for much of the year, and the international school community gives newly arrived families a quick way to build friendships. The main trade is that this is a suburban town rather than the buzz of central Madrid, so families who want city energy on the doorstep will be making regular trips into the centre, which the rail line makes straightforward.
Budget your move to Majadahonda
Model rent, school fees and transport together before you commit to the area.
Open the relocation cost calculatorLiving in Majadahonda: FAQ
Thames British School has a campus in Majadahonda that teaches the Cambridge International curriculum alongside the IB Diploma for children from age one to eighteen, in English and Spanish. The surrounding northwest corridor adds more options within a short drive, including the British Council School in neighbouring Pozuelo de Alarcon, and most schools in this part of Madrid run extensive bus networks. See the Madrid schools directory for curricula, stages and admissions detail.
Majadahonda is one of the most popular choices for international families in Madrid. It is a leafy, low rise commuter town in the affluent northwest of the city, with a strong cluster of international schools, good rail and motorway links to the centre, and a quieter, greener feel than the inner districts while keeping the capital within easy reach.
Majadahonda sits on the Cercanias commuter rail network with direct trains to central Madrid, and the M-40, M-50 and M-503 roads connect it to the rest of the city. International schools do not use strict residential catchments, so admission is by application, but most northwest schools operate bus routes that cover Majadahonda and the neighbouring towns, which keeps the daily school run manageable.
Majadahonda sits in the mid to premium band of the Madrid residential market. Detached chalets and townhouses command higher prices, while flats near the centre and the station offer a more affordable entry point. Once you add international school fees and transport, it is a significant commitment, so model the full picture with the relocation cost calculator before you decide.
Family life in Majadahonda is relaxed and outdoor focused. The town has parks, sports clubs, a large public hospital, shopping centres and a pedestrian friendly centre, with the Monte del Pilar woodland on its edge. The dry, sunny Madrid climate supports year round outdoor activity, and the international school community gives newly arrived families a ready made network.