Barcelona is comprised of 10 districts, which are in turn broken down into neighbourhoods. Here's a list of the 10 districts and their neighbourhoods, or “barrios”. These are:

1. CIUTAT VELLA: (the old town, "happening" place)
Ciutat's Vella's barrios are: Barceloneta (L4) · Barri Gòtic (Liceu, Drassanes both on L3 and Jaume I, L4 · La Ribera (el Borne) · El Raval

"Barri Gotic: The old town, home to ""Las Ramblas"" Barcelona's most internationally renowned street and the Boqueria food market. Charming and ""happening"", but can also be noisy, smelly and in areas such as the Raval cool central area for many but dangerous for the uninitiated. Barceloneta is the seaside district with beaches and great fish restaurants, small, narrow streets (often neglected) brilliantly located.
The Borne, (La Ribeira):El Born is sandwiched between Via Laietana and Barceloneta and is served by the metro stops Barceloneta and Jaume 1 which are on the same line. Las Ramblas and the very centre of the city are a pleasant 10 minute walk away. The beach is also just a 10 minute walk away is the trendy fashionable area for designer shops and of course, more restaurants adjacent to the Ciutadella Park. Seeped in history Ciutat Vella It is obviously brilliantly communicated, where all celebrations take place. The heart of the city. Sanjeev, one of our members wrote while contrasting Gracia and the Born districts... Re: Born: I'm not so qualified to say as I don't live there, but it seems that Born is much more expensive on all accounts, but you're closer to the water, potentially closer to Catalunya, and it's more touristy with great shopping. It' take me 15 minutes in metro to go from fontana to Drassanes, then 10 minutes walking to Barceloneta metro, 5 more to the water. The walk is great, you go across the harbor. Bottom line: both Gracia and the Born are great, Born is more expensive but closer to the water.
The Raval is undergoing a "revival" and remodelation. Sometimes referred to el Barrio Chino, for the number of foreigners living there (mainly of Pakistani origin) some of its areas can be dangerous. Others have been completely done up and can look very nice. Just be on guard until you know the area.

2. EIXAMPLE: (characterised for its central location, often with big, huge, flats)
Esquerra de l'Eixample · Dreta de l'Eixample · Barri de Sant Antoni · Fort Pienc

Eixample Esquerra (left) and Dreta (right) are, just north of Plaza Catalunya and are hence very central. The famous Passeig de Gracia divides left from right. Left eixample has a small gay area. Central Univ de Bcn campus is located here.
Sant Antoni is well communicated, has a great market and famous long standing tapas bars and good location for students of UB (Univ. Barcelona).

According to Arkaitz Fullaondo (co-author of a 2008 UPC study on migration), South Americans with traditionally higher academic achievement (Argentinians, Colombians and Peruvians).have settled in middle class neighbourhoods such as Eixample.

3. SANTS-MONTJUIC
Its barrios are: Hostafrancs · La Bordeta · Montjuïc · Poble-Sec · Sants

Montjuic: You won't find much accommodation around Montjuic as it is mostly green. It is not wonderfully communicated but you get the greenery to make up for it and it is where the Olimpic stadium and "San Jordi Stadium" for concerts, are located.
Poble Sec is just off the Parallel artery, but again, the further away you go from Parallell, the worse the communication and it can be a bit dangerous, especially around the parks.
Sants is a real workers Barrio, you could be in any city. But well communicated...not exactly charming, but decent.

4. LES CORTS . (upper-working people's district) And its Barrios are: Camp de la Creu · Camp Vell · Can Batllori · Can Sòl de Baix · Centre de les Corts · Can Bacardí · La Mercè · Pedralbes · Sant Ramon · Zona Universitària

Les Corts. Encompasses some of the "well-to-do" areas of Bcn such as Pedralbes where you can rub shoulders with Princess Cristina and her family. The Bernadeu football stadium ", better known as "Barcas" home stadium is located in the zona universitaria (L3 and Tram), as are, as the name indicates, a number of UB's campuses. The main streets at night draw out surprisingly forward and revealing prostitutes, but the daytime scenario is completely different.
Pedralbes: One of the most "posh" suburbs of Barcelona...infanta Cristina (youngest daughter of the king and queen of Spain) lives here with her family as most of Barcelona's "well-to-do". Often referred to "la zona alta" (the high area), it can be surprisingly poorly communicated.

5. SARRIA-SAN GERVASI (the "well to do" area):
Its barrios are: Can Caralleu · Collserola · El Farró · El Putget · El Rectoret · Font del Món · Galvany · La Bonanova · Les Planes · Les tres torres · Mas Guimbau · Mas Sauró · Sant Gervasi de Cassoles · Sarrià · Tibidabo · Turó Parc · Vallvidrera Sarrià-Sant Gervasi :

Although it includes the "well to do areas" of Bcn, it is not always very well communicated (most people drive). But, you will rub shoulders with the "upper class", even Princess Cristina And her family…and you will feel very "chic".

6. GRACIA (the cool, bohemian area)
Gracia's barrios are officially: Camp d'en Grassot · El Coll · La Salut · Penitents · Vallcarca "Gràcia (L3, L4 and FCG), but you are unlikely to hear they divided into these names

Gracia attracts young foreign residents attracted to the genuine Barrio atmosphere. Bars galore, narrow streets, charming squares, but on the down side house can be old, small with little light and no lift. Still, this doesn't put off the hords of people who rate it as their number one district to live-in, in Barcelona. Every August, Gràcia holds an 8-day festival ""Festa Major"", known as Festes de Gràcia, one of the largest festivals in Barcelona.

In reply to a question about choosing an area to live, Sanjeev, one of our members replied: I live in Gracia, right next to Fontana Metro. Some points: 1. Many grocery stores and a pretty big fresh fish/meat/fruit/nut market in the middle of the zone. 2. Gym called Dir at 43 Gran de Gracia (between Diagonal and Fontana metro). I go there myself, its under 50€ a month. Prices vary based on how often you go, and they should offer you 7 months for price of 6. 3. Restaurants - Extremely eclectic: Asian, Ethiopian, Lebanese, Mexican, Italian, Argentinean, Greek, plus a really unique Sandwich shop, within minutes of each other. 4. Nightlife: My impression has been that it's more chill places to grab drinks in a cool uniquely designed place; than a club scene, although there are 1 - 2 within walking distance.

7. HORTA-GUINARDO
Baix Guinardó · Can Baró · Carmel · Font d'en Fargas · Font del Gos · Guinardó · Horta · La Clota · Montbau · Sant Genís · Taxonera · Vall d'Hebron

Somewhat out of the way.

8. NOU BARRIS: Honest working people's area, a bit removed from the world in distance
Its Barrios are: Barri de Vallbona · Can Peguera · Canyelles · Ciutat Meridiana · Guineueta · Porta · Prosperitat · Roquetes · Torre Baró · Torre Llobeta · Trinitat Nova · Turó de la Peira · Verdum · Vilapicina Nou Barris.

According to Arkaitz Fullaondo (co-author of a UPC study on migration in 2008), the Latino population with lower academic studies (namely Equatorians, Dominicans and Bolivians) has settled in the traditional blue collar districs such as Nou Barris (metro L4), Cornella, Santa Coloma (L5), L'Hospitalet and Badalona

9. SAN ANDREU:
Its Barrios are: Baró de Viver · Bon Pastor · Congrés · La Sagrera · Navas · Sant Andreu de Palomar · Trinitat Vella Sant Andreu. (L1 and Renfe)

Many social houses around this area, large south American congregation especially around the Meridiana artery.

10. SAN MARTI: and its barrios Besòs · Clot-Camp de l'Arpa · La Ciutadella (Park) · La Verneda · Poblenou, (@22 district) and Villa Olimpica Sant Martí de Provençals

This district Encompasses some of the least liveable (Besos) and most liveable (Villa Olimpica, Poblenou) seaside districts of Barcelona. Much of area is on the yellow line (L4) and Tram.

@22: is Barcelona's newest "techie" area (pronounced "arroba veinte-dos". Includes areas of Poble Nou, which are closer to the beach. This area is growing in popularity as more and more international companies set up shop in this area. It is still very residential and my inkling is that more and more workers of these multi-nationals will be moving to this area to shorten their communute and take advantage of the proximity to town, the beaches and local feel.

Poble Nou and Forum. This area is growing in becoming very popular largely due to the renovations done to surrounding areas of @22 and the Forum. Many multi-national companies have set up in this area encouraged by Barcelona's govt.

Villa Olimpica: Really is only formed by 4 streets by 12 or so and is a part of Poble Nou. As the name indicates, it was remodelled for the 1982 Olimpics. Ahtletics, their entourages and Olimpic administration offices were housed in this area. It is now a very sought after area to live for expats, attracted by the proximity to beaches, city centre and park...

Warning. Don't go near "La Mina". You won't see this advertised in accommodation due to its salubrious reputation of theft, violence etc but it is within the Besos area...be warned.

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