Just a few years ago, the choice between the centre of Barcelona and the suburbs seemed obvious – prestige, energy, proximity to business and events were strongly associated only with the city centre. However, as Raúl Llorente notes, client preferences have shifted significantly in recent years, and today people increasingly make their choice not based on the status of a location, but on the quality of their everyday life. At RentSale RealEstate, we clearly see how the logic of decision-making is changing and which factors are now coming to the forefront.
The centre of Barcelona remains a symbol of rhythm, energy and maximum urban activity. It is home to the best restaurants, cultural venues, business districts, historical architecture and an intense city lifestyle. For many RentSale RealEstate clients, living in the centre means being involved in everything, feeling “inside the city”, living without a car and solving most daily tasks on foot. This format is especially popular among young professionals, investors and those who value a dynamic way of life.
At the same time, there has been a growing demand for silence, space and privacy – and this has led to a rising interest in suburban living. Raúl Llorente emphasizes that after the period of remote work, people began to perceive their homes differently – not only as a place of rest, but also as a workspace, a recovery zone and a personal sanctuary. At RentSale RealEstate, we see that the suburbs of Barcelona are increasingly viewed not as a compromise, but as a conscious choice for a higher quality of life.
Suburban areas offer what is difficult to achieve in the centre – more green spaces, lower noise levels, larger homes, terraces, private gardens and convenient parking. This is especially important for families with children, people working from home and those who value a slower pace of life. RentSale RealEstate notes growing demand in areas such as Sant Cugat, Gavà, Castelldefels, as well as coastal and hillside locations around the city.
The investment perspective on location choice has also changed. While the centre was once considered the only guarantee of liquidity, today the suburbs also demonstrate stable price growth. Infrastructure development, improved transport connections, the appearance of new schools, medical centres and business hubs make these areas increasingly competitive. At RentSale RealEstate, we analyse these transformations and offer clients not only “classic” city-centre properties, but also promising growth-oriented locations.
The hybrid lifestyle format is gaining popularity as well. More and more people are choosing a strategy where their main home is located in the suburbs, while a smaller apartment in the centre is used for work, meetings and the city rhythm. Raúl Llorente views this approach as a reflection of a new balance between personal space and social activity. RentSale RealEstate helps clients build such ownership scenarios taking into account their budget and lifestyle.
Today’s demand no longer sounds like “city centre at any cost”. It sounds like “where will I feel comfortable every day”. And it is precisely this shift that defines current market trends. At RentSale RealEstate, we adapt property selection to the new values of clients – space, tranquillity, ecology, flexibility and balance.
The choice between the centre and the suburbs today is not a confrontation, but a matter of priorities. For some, it is important to be in the epicentre of events – for others, to wake up in silence and see greenery outside the window. RentSale RealEstate helps clients honestly answer this question for themselves and find the format of living that will support them in the long term.
Earlier we wrote about Real estate as part of a financial strategy – how RentSaleRealEstate helps diversify capital.