Hello everyone. I have a very concrete opportunity to get a job in either Madrid or Barcelona. I'm looking for feedback to help me make my decision. Where would you rather live and why?

Haven't been to Madrid in years, but Barcelona gets my vote anyway. It's hip, architecturally interesting, on the water, good food, easy to travel from.

Barcelona,once you've been to both you will know why.You should go to both places first to see for yourself.

I've yet to visit Madrid, but can't imagine choosing it over Barcelona. Aside from the city itself, you're on the Mediterranean in Barcelona.

I lived in Madrid for 5 years (some years back). While I loved it, my husband and I dream about living in Barcelona. I agree will all the above. Barcelona hands down!
Lori

Thanks all for the replies. Indeed I'd be more inclined to go to Barcelona. However things may not work out and I might have to go to Madrid instead if I want the job. So let's ask a different question: what are the good and bad things of living in Madrid?
I live in Paris now and I find it beautiful but crowded. Is Madrid as crowded and tiring?

I would move to Barcelona in a heartbeat. (or Paris for that fact of matter). Yes it's crowded and busy, like Paris, but in a more laid-back way.
I also like Madrid quite a bit, but prefer Barcelona. Madrid too is crowded, but again is more laid-back than Paris.

Barcelona ... in a heartbeat. I just love that city

Waves and waves of joyful hymns, silver sonnets reach the sky
Fight the battles and the blues, wars of love and wars of art
Tonight the cape is what I choose, Goya's in my Spanish heart

He will help me with my love, dance the dance that lovers do
Rumba with the velvet glove 'neath the Barcelona moon

-- from "Matador" by Garland Jeffreys

Let's face it, ALL cities are crowded !
Madrid is a very fun place, and since it's at very center of Spain, it's easier to get to all the other places. And, it is the capital. Barcelona is Siberia; it is the capital of Cataluna, not Spain.

How wonderful to have lived in Paris and have the "problem" of choosing between Madrid and Barcelona! I'm green with envy! If you have to leave Paris, IMHO Barcelona is the next best place to live for all the reasons others have said -- on the med, fabulous architecture, great restaurants. But Madrid is a lovely city too. Broad boulevards, beautiful plazas, great museums, lots of nightlife, and the Salamanca area would be a great place to live -- quieter, much less traffic, very upscale with lovely boutiques & designer stores, & chic restaurants & bars. Whichever city you go to will be great. You're lucky. Enjoy it!

CFW, you made me laugh. I know, I'm lucky...
part of the "problem" is that I have to give an answer before having the possibility to visit Madrid, so I'm trying to get a feeling as to what to expect. I'm concerned that Madrid may be more frustrating/slow/inefficient to live and work. On the other hand Barcelona has the complication that I'd have to learn TWO new languages...
Is there anyone here who has lived for extended periods of time in either of the two cities?

Is it possible that the job would allow you to work in Madrid for a few years, then Barcelona?? That would be ideal!

I liked both cities a lot when I visited and would find it very hard to choose between them. Both are very vibrant, very cultured cities. I felt though that the people of Madrid were warmer and friendlier than the Catalans - I didn't find the Catalans very welcoming at all - perfectly polite, but very slow to crack a smile and a bit sneery when I tried to speak my very bad Castillian. The nightlife in Barcelona is excellent but Madrid beats every city I've been to for its combination of restaurants, bars and clubs. Living beside the sea as I do, I'd find it hard to live so far inland, but the warmth and the friendliness of the people in Madrid would make up for it.