Living in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona

L'Hospitalet de Llobregat is the second city of Catalonia and one of the most densely populated in Europe: it sits right southwest of Barcelona, so tightly attached that crossing a single street you often don't even notice you've changed municipality. It's made of dense, working-class neighborhoods - Collblanc, La Torrassa, Santa Eulàlia, Bellvitge, the Centre around the Rambla Just Oliveras - with a very strong multicultural character. It's the classic choice for those who want to be a step away from Barcelona while paying less rent. Part of the Fira de Barcelona, the big trade-fair hub on the Gran Via, also stands here.

Who lives here

Long-term resident families, a large community of Latin American, North African and Asian origin, and many young workers and students pushed out of Barcelona by prices. It's a lively, non-touristy place where you hear Spanish, Catalan and a thousand other languages on the street.

What it's like during the day

Narrow, crowded streets, family-run shops, markets, constant sidewalk life. It's not postcard-pretty - 1960s and 1970s buildings, little greenery - but it's functional and always in motion. Bellvitge is the most recognizable neighborhood, made of large residential towers and the huge Hospital de Bellvitge.

What it's like in the evening

Quiet and neighborhood-style. Historic bars, taquerías, restaurants of many cuisines, a few spots where you can drink without spending much. For real nightlife, people move to Barcelona: here the evening is more domestic than nocturnal.

Getting around

Excellent connections, the real strong point. The L1 metro stops at Santa Eulàlia, Torrassa, Florida, Can Serra, Rambla Just Oliveras, Av. Carrilet, Bellvitge-Rambla Marina and Hospital de Bellvitge. The L5 serves Collblanc, Pubilla Cases and Can Vidalet. The L9 Sud and L10 Sud pass through Collblanc and Torrassa, and the L9 Sud alone runs straight to the airport (T1 and T2). The Rodalies station L'Hospitalet de Llobregat is served by lines R1, R3 and R4.

Eating and shopping

Very affordable shopping: municipal markets, ethnic greengrocers and butchers, supermarkets on every corner. For eating out, a remarkable variety at honest prices - arepas, kebabs, Chinese food, Spanish set-menu lunches in the neighborhood bodegas.

When NOT to pick it

If you want an elegant, quiet or green neighborhood: L'Hospitalet is dense, noisy and heavily built up. If you want to feel "in the heart of Barcelona" or have nightlife at your doorstep. And if you can't stand anonymous apartment blocks and crowded sidewalks, it'll weigh on you here.

But if you want more affordable rents, excellent metro and Barcelona one stop away, L'Hospitalet is one of the most sensible choices in the metropolitan area.