just some basic questions..

Welcome to Expat.com MsMonica

Where is Spain would you like to live ? Finding a job, a flat ... depends on the city you're living in

Regarding question 6, there is absolutely everything in Spain

1. How difficult was it to find a job?
The reality of it is, as an American you'll be hard-pressed to find a job. There are rules and regulations that give preference to EU nationalities and the process of securing a work visa is a long one. There is the Language and Cultural Assistants program through the Ministry of Education that hires N. Americans however. The deadline is past, but you can apply in November of this year for the following academic year. Google it.
2. How difficult was it to find an apartment?
Finding an apartment is easy. Try enalquiler.com loquo.com etc.
3. If you are from the USA, did you have to save a ton because of the exchange rate?
You need to save enough to get through the first month jobless but you'll be getting paid in Euros obviously, so the exchange rate won't affect you.
4. If you took the TEFL course, did it help you get a job?
Never have taken a TEFL course, I work solely as a private tutor.
5. Is it terribly difficult to find tutoring side jobs teaching English?
So easy. Especially in places that aren't big cities. you'll find there's a huge demand for English here. I jokingly call myself a one-woman academy because I have nearly 30 private students!
6. Is it hard to find the necessities? are they much more expensive?
Depends what is a necessity for you. Spain is a 1st-world country, so everything you need you'll find.

Hope this helps and good luck!

Welcome on Expat.com christineinspain

Hello Monica! Welcome to Madrid! I could not tell you about TELF because I haven't taken it but I have worked in academies & primary schools without having to need it.

You can easily find an extra class or babysitting position by searching online or posting a free ad on LingoBongo http://www.lingobongo.com/madrid/ - this website is great too in finding a job or sending your CV to academies! Also check out Madrid Teachers http://madridteacher.com/indexenglish.html it lists all the academies in the city!

Here are some links to search for apartment rentals...
Loquo http://madrid.loquo.com/en_us
Idealista http://www.idealista.com/pagina/portada
Segundomano http://www.segundamano.es/inmo-search-m … 58&ca=28_s

Good Luck! If you'd like to meet some weekend, let me know!

Thanks for your help guys, I am currently enrolled in a TEFL program and am learning from other students about the dificulties of finding a job as an American.