The district of Sant Andreu is one of the most picturesque districts, and one of those that has kept the rural aspect, that characterized it in the past, best. It is a popular district, very family oriented, with low prices, considering how high they can be in Barcelona.
The district is divided into seven neighbourhoods, each with its different characteristics. It is located at the north of the city, and borders the River Besós, Sant Adrià del Besòs, Santa Coloma de Gramanet and the neighboring districts of Sant Martí, Horta-Guinardó and Nou Barris. If you are looking to rent an apartment in Barcelona in a quiet, family neighbourhood, the district of Sant Andreu may be your best bet.
The district of Sant Andreu is large, it consists of seven different neighbourhoods, and it is not an excessively expensive district to live in. The neighbourhood is usually native, although there are some immigrants, as in the neighboring district of Nou Barris.
In certain neighbourhoods there are many young people, single people or couples who want to start a family, both attracted by the rural and quiet feel of its streets, with many areas of low houses with gardens and buildings with few floors. Its pedestrian streets and squares, full of tapas bars and cafes, make the district comparable to the Vila de Gràcia, for example, but at much cheaper prices.
While it is true that Sant Andreu is not near the center, the neighbourhood atmosphere is similar. If you have chosen this district as your new home, you should know that renting a house in the neighbourhood of Sant Andreu or renting an apartment in the neighbourhood of La Sagrera, will make you believe that you live in a town, and you can therefore enjoy many services.
If you are looking for a very affordable, family area, you can try to rent a property in the neighbourhood of Navas, rent a flat in the neighbourhood of El Congrés i els Indians, or rent a house in the neighbourhood of Trinitat Vella.
Finally, taking into account that apartments in Barcelona are quite expensive, renting a flat in the neighbourhood of Bon Pastor, or renting a property in the neighbourhood of Baró de Viver can save you a lot on rent.
An interesting site to see in the Sant Andreu district, is La Casa Bloc, an example of rationalist architecture, that caused a sensation during the Second Republic in the 30’s of the 20th century.
It is architecture with pure lines, simple and functional, as opposed to the elegant and very ornate style of Catalan modernism. The year of the Olympics, in 1992, the Generalitat de Catalunya declared it an Asset of Cultural Interest. Another important area in the district of Sant Andreu, is shopping center La Maquinista. It is the largest shopping center in Catalonia and also one of the largest in Spain.