I guess we would appreciate any advice you have, please. Hi Elkin, great to hear you want to live in Valencia! Burjassot, Godella and Rocafort are cheaper options to live, if you don’t mind being further away from the coast. Hi Sanne, The only downside is that there you are quite far from the center. Everything sounds great, except that I have little kids (5, and 4) and was wondering if there are public English schools, and if not, when do they exactly start studying English in Spanish schools. Have you tried Idealista.com? Do you think Is it a possibility? Where we live now is incredibly safe, I.e with a phone and a few pounds in their pockets we are happy to let them roam the cit, which is huge, on the public transport and spend the day at the skatepark without worrying at all, I sound lineman, a bad parent I know but it really is that safe here and I don’t want to lose a certain amount of freedom for the boys. I’ve lived in Madrid and Puerto Rico and my castellano is ok. I’d be interested in a largish apartment to accommodate my things, plus a car space. Pin it! Most places are within walking distance and there is a great transport network. A very beautiful country and culture, kind and charming people. I love the outdoor lifestyle, and also the fact that everyone of all ages seems to enjoy socializing every night of the week here. , Hi for advices on this subject? Other than that, I’d say that Valencia is a collection of sights and feelings rather than just one highlight or activity; the people, the energy, the diverse architecture, the street art, the parks, the long beach, the lively nightlife and the random, spontaneous experiences you can get caught up in without even planning for them.”. I write about lifestyle, expat life home, travel, family, tech, food … We are coming from Valencia, CA. There might be other expats there that know more about how this industry works in Spain or in Valencia specifically. Most of all I like the good weather. I wonder what can I sell there. Most locals grow up learning both, but learning Castilian may be a better option if you want to explore the rest of Spain while living … We will be visiting the city from 2/10 to 8/10. Simply search for “expats in Valencia” on Facebook and all the groups will come up. Almost all of the dishes are based on local, seasonal produce that has a distinctive flavor thanks to the country’s location on the Iberian Peninsula. I wanted to find another European town with plenty of sunshine, good people and a low cost of living, but one which was slightly offbeat and not over-saturated by too many foreigners.”. This urbanización is located in Mas Camarera in the municipality of Betera. ( say 10-20 minutes / kilometers) from Valencia. Thank you for all of the group information. Could you recommend any good language schools please? Moving to Valencia Home to one of Spain’s most famous dishes, paella, expats moving to Valencia will get an authentic taste of life on the Iberian Peninsula’s eastern coast. Could my wife and I buy you a drink in early October? Hi dear Learn Spanish at one of its many language schools, study at Valencia University, look into local jobs or if you have reached that age, enjoy retirement on the Mediterranean coast. This blog about living in Valencia contains an affiliate link. And I definitely wouldn’t want to be in Valencia in summer without air conditioning so I would try to find an apartment that does have AC (and there are enough out there) or even discuss with the landlord to have him install it. Living in Valencia: The apartment life While we love our current apartment, we have found it just a wee bit too big for just the 2 of us and the dogs. Short term rentals will be more expensive. But if you don’t like loud noises, non-stop, day and night, I wouldn’t recommend it! Summary about cost of living in Valencia, Spain: Family of four estimated monthly costs are 2,453.04$ (2,034.66€) without rent (using our estimator). The city is famous for its Fallas Festival in March, for being the birthplace of paella, for hosting the “2007 & 2010 America’s Cup”, and for the massive architectural project by Santiago Calatrava called The City of Arts and Sciences. I would also recommend joining the Facebook group ‘expats in Valencia’ (if you haven’t already) to ask if anyone else has tips or happens to know about a current job opening…, And have you looked into working online / remote jobs? I hope this helps and I am sure you will love Valencia! “I’ve been living overseas for the last 7 years while working as a travel journalist, starting with exploring tropical island life in the Maldives and Sri Lanka for a few years before moving to Nice in southern France in 2015. Valencia, in particular, has a dizzying number of enticing restaurants. And there are several other Facebook groups for expats in Valencia that are a great place to ask questions and get information about life in Valencia. Visit the About Me page for more info. We moved to Valencia some years ago, and it was the best decision of our life. It is the third Spanish city in terms of importance and population, and the 15th in the European Union. This is the first city in the world I’ve lived in where I’ve really felt like these are my kind of people. “It’s so hard as there are hundreds of bars, cafes, and restaurants and I think that even if you stayed 10 years you wouldn’t be able to try all of them. If you want to start with something for less than a year then Uniplaces is a good option, especially for renting rooms instead of apartments. As Spain's third largest city, Valencia offers expats … – I need to think of a private school for my son I will also register for the facebook group. Thanks! Hi Devlin, it depends a bit on your budget and preferences. There’s no doubt about it: Valencia is unlike any other Spanish city. I have two kids aged 9&13. Often people don’t reply to emails or the apartment is gone by the time they do. I haven’t heard about renting furniture in Valencia. We all speak Spanish since we are coming from Costa Rica. Which areas in Valencia would you recommend to look at accommodation? Hi Sanne, Thank you, all very interesting! I already had two friends in Valencia, so that sealed the deal, and I finally made the move to Valencia at the end of 2016.”. Expats moving to Valencia rave about everything that this coastal city has to offer. But, I still can’t find employment. Thank you for any help you may give. I am sure you will get some useful answers! If you want space and (free) parking I would say El Carmen, Ruzafa and the Mercado Colon area are not the best options. She also blogs, contributes to guide books, and writes website content for travel and tourism organizations. Or, if you don’t want to buy a bicycle, there is Valenbici, which is the city’s bike-sharing system. I hear a lot of expats speaking positively about Alboraya, so I would check that out. Unfortunately I don’t know much about the laws in Spain when it comes to selling food. I spend most of my time living and working abroad and use this website to share "the good, the bad and the ugly" of traveling and living abroad. In Valencia prices are very similar to Malaga although rent is now going up because the city is becoming more popular. Living in Spain has been 100% positive and enriching but over time the learning curve becomes less steep. From freshly baked bread t… So I recommend joining the Facebook group ‘Expats in Valencia’. Thank you for all the information, very useful But for the past year she has been calling Valencia home. I would recommend joining one of the ‘expats in Valencia’ groups on Facebook and posting your question there. I was wondering if you know of any websites or facebook groups where I could find a roommate? If your budget is more limited you could check areas north or west of the city center. Rent in Valencia Spain: €790 per month. This place is loaded with good eats. I hope this helps! Back in Seville, we lived outside of the old city. I would definitely focus on improving your Spanish. They are very reliable. With 1600 square feet interior and 2 patios … And sure, happy to meet up! Mobile version And lastly, although the climate is very good for a temperate location, you will need a coat in the winter and houses can get really cold because they are often poorly insulated and rarely have central heating. Two specific questions please: (1) can you recommend any particular area for me and (2) how usual is it to have aircon in apartments? Hi Sanne, I am living in Nice for 4 years and I totally agree with you this zone is very beautiful but so small…I am moving to valencia as well . I’m retired and thinking of moving to Valencia. I would, therefore, recommend joining 2 groups on Facebook: ‘Expats in Valencia’ and ‘American Expats in Spain’. So far, Sarah has lived in London, Cairns, Male’, Colombo, Nice, and Valencia, with plans to continue to explore the nomadic life in many more destinations to come. The average cost of living in Valencia is $1215, which is close to the world's average cost of living, ranked 4191st out of 9294 in our global list and 24th out of 153 in Spain. At this point, I’m open to do any type of work that doesn’t require much Spanish… Many thanks!! But if you are looking for something for a few months I recommend checking Spotahome.com and join the Facebook group “Girls in Valencia”. https://www.spendlifetraveling.com/where-to-live-in-valencia-spain. We have options to visit the tourist sites, but I would love to get your recommendations for meetups or experiences that we shouldn’t miss (comedy clubs, storytellers, tours, cool meet-up groups, etc.). It has the most listings as most agencies and private individuals post their houses there. So if it’s just the 2 of you (no kids) and you are happy with a 1 bedroom apartment for 600 Euros, then you can live comfortably earning 1000 Euros each. The biggest waves I’ve ever seen are about 1-2ft at the most. In our case, we live in Denia, a good size beach town on the Costa Blanca and in the Community of Valencia… Hi Muhamad, Valencia is a very nice city to live with kids (beach, parks, many outdoor activities..) and there are several international schools that many expats use. I hope this helps! With a population of less than 800,000 in the city proper, … “I love the international community in Valencia! There’s a great sense of entrepreneurship, exploration, and creativity; a feeling that all things are possible here.”. So if you don’t like the heat, you won’t enjoy the summers, which last for a long time.”, Tip: If you are from the USA and thinking about moving to Spain, also read What I Wish I Knew About Moving to Spain From the US. And of course, Valencia is famous for being the birthplace of paella. Valencia is Spain’s third-largest city; it has all the benefits of a major metropolitan area such as bus, train, and air connections. Finding it so difficult to get into my area of work here with little Spanish. I have partly selected Valencia, as a good town for us fro several reason: I have been really looking forward to doing this interview with my friend and fellow expat Sarah, who I have known for several years. Created by, A Perfect Catalina Island Day Trip – the…, Moving to Spain as an American: What I Wish I Knew, Why Spain is a Great Destination for Digital Nomads, Where to Find the Best Rooftop Bars in Valencia, What I Wish I Knew About Moving to Spain From the US, Where to Live in Valencia? , Thank you so much Sanne for your answer. It is very flat and easy to get around. But do come and visit to check out what you think of life in Valencia! Ohla Living Ohla Living is a place of exploration, inspiration, and creativity. I hope this helps and I hope you will find a good place to live in Valencia! Or, do as many others and move to Valencia (temporarily). A List of the Most Popular Neighborhoods. Some links on this website are affiliate links. Valencia has a reputation for being a noisy city, especially if … I am currently living in Valencia myself and I think the quality of life here, especially for expats and digital nomads, is great. Hi Alex, Thanks in advance! I’m thinking about visiting Valencia and taking Spanish classes. Family of four estimated monthly costs: €2,851. CouchSurfing and Tinder are also used a lot here for socializing, along with Meetup.com, although I prefer CouchSurfing of the three. The food in Spain is seasonal and fresh at the local market. Benimaclet. It never gets boring. I often see signs posted for staff wanted. My wife and 2 kids (son 7 & daughter 16) are thinking of moving to Spain. I would recommend to join all the Facebook groups you can find about Valencia (expats in Valencia, Valencia Information Exchange) and post a question there once you are in Valencia and know where exactly you are living and would like to work. What about retiring in Valencia? – These rental prices are based on a 1 year contract. Expats moving to Valencia enjoy life on the Mediterranean coast and a cost of living that is lower than what expats in Barcelona and Madrid must absorb. There definitely aren’t many places in the world with a better quality of life than this part of Spain! Hi David, IMED in Valencia has a good reputation for having a lot of English speaking doctors. I hope this helps! I definitely feel the city is doing better and better but it is still far from perfect. If you are not too picky I am sure you will be able to find a job but salaries are still quite low and it’s definitely not the best place for a prosperous career. Makes me want to move to Valencia. The latter I am not a member of but the former I know is a very helpful community. Full version (5 miles), Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands), Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes), Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city, Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub, 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats), Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert, 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt. Do u think I can find a job to support my expenses? I am planning to rent a place and sell some fruity desserts which are made from apricot. We will only be there for a week so we want to maximize our time there and return in retirement as vacationers. Because of that, the cost of eating out (if you stay away from the touristy places) isn’t all that high. Often people will reply with available apartments or useful contacts. Yes, the cost of living in Valencia of course does depend on what quality of life you are looking for but these are some numbers I think you might find useful: – You can rent a 1 bedroom apartment for 500 Euros if you don’t mind being a bit further away from the center and the beach area of Cabanyal. – We are used to a very balanced climate, never freezing cold or rarely super hot. “I visited Valencia for a long weekend during summer in 2016 and instantly loved the energy, the architecture, and the overall vibrancy of the city. So you need to decide where you want to live in Valencia: right next to the sea, or in the city center for easy access to all the shops, bars and cultural things the center offers. This interview is part of the Ask an Expat series. It may sound silly but this park really enhances the quality of life in Valencia”. Spanish cheeses are specifically designed to work with the products, and everything is reasonably priced since there is an emphasis on working with local formers. Malaga. In search of a nice modern apartment, nothing luxury, up to 800 euro. Around Mercado Colon is one of the most upmarket areas. Unemployment is very high and jobs are mainly restaurant, bar or real estate. “I started a Facebook group for remote workers and digital nomads in Valencia, called Valencia Coffees & Co-working. I am planning to move to live in Valencia from Belgrade, Serbia with my wife and daughter. I like walking through it and pondering life, but it also has great jogging and cycling tracks. I would look around the Mestalla area, down to Penya Roja. Living in Valencia Spain. ), 1 min. – I know it can be an oven in summer (!). And although I don’t know much about life in Valencia for kids I do expect them to have easy access to that here as well…. The French Riviera was incredibly beautiful but Nice was a very small town with a large percentage of pensioners, and not many younger people on the same wavelength as me so after a year I decided it was time to find the next challenge. Thank you!:). Salaries in Valencia aren’t great though. Hi Sanne and everyone! If Idealista doesn’t have anything suitable I would recommend joining the ‘expats in Valencia’ groups on Facebook and post a message there with what you are looking for. Looks like La Palma could be an area of consideration. “If you want to sample one of the craziest firework festivals in the world, visit during Fallas (February/March). Ask for a referral there and I am sure you will get a lot of useful advice. I never realized until I left how much … Cost of Living in Valencia. Although Valencia is an increasingly popular tourist destination, it is not nearly as touristy as Barcelona or Madrid. But it’s just a fraction of the size of Madrid or Barcelona. Emailing definitely doesn’t work well in Spain so always try calling the company or speaking to someone in person. I am moving to Valencia very soon, and still haven’t found an apartment yet. Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district, Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar), 500 gr (1 lb.) Medieval landmarks meet … Even better, Valencia has loads … Valencia is a charming city and one of the oldest in Spain. I moved to Malaga area three months ago and still processing the city. But I’d recommend joining one of the Facebook groups for expats in Valencia. Really looking forward to it. The median after-tax salary is $1612, … Would you be open to working in a bar or a shop, at least just for a while? I also wanted to move to a place where I already knew someone this time (after starting out on my own in new places so many times before, which was actually pretty tough). “You can walk almost everywhere but having a bicycle is handy too. You always had to be paying for a seat by buying a drink, and then move on. It seemed like a fun place full of lots of creative types, digital nomads, start-ups, alternative culture, and funky independent shops. Cost of living in Valencia + PRO: The cost of living is fairly low. I’m currently contemplating a move there with my family of three boys aged 9, 15 & 16. I will definitely check this group :). Life just seems easier here and less stressful than anywhere else I’ve lived so far. For work I will continue with what I am doing, work from home, European time zone. For that you are still better off in Barcelona or Madrid, but then in those cities prices are much higher… – My daughter will look to start university next year. I haven’t been to a doctor in Valencia myself yet though, so if you want more advice I recommend joing one of the Facebook groups for expats in Valencia (this one for example https://www.facebook.com/groups/230251170358165/) and ask people there about their recommendations. Can I find cheap international schools ? Home town: London, England. The majority of my friends in Valencia work online…. Expats moving to Valencia enjoy life on the Mediterranean coast and a cost of living that is lower than what expats in Barcelona and Madrid must absorb. My wife is from Argentina, the rest of the family are Danish EU. To be honest I m abit stresssed to live abroad and being able to afford life. But I do recommend visiting Valencia first and checking out the different areas to see how you feel about them. And then there’s so much to do within 1-2 hours of the city itself. Summary of cost of living in Valencia. If you find something you like and you see a phone number, do phone them. Valencia is on the Mediterranean Sea, approximately four hours to the south of Barcelona and three hours to the east of Madrid. Hi friends, I am Adrian. Latest Blogs by Expats Living in Spain » more expat blogs Valencia. In Valencia, two forms of Spanish are spoken: Valenciano and Castilian. English speaking enclaves? Sarah Harvey is a British travel journalist who has written for publications including CNN International, the LA Times and Fodor’s. Living in Valencia is also much easier as it’s a geographically small city. I’m pleased to hear I got you interested in living in Valencia! Hi Sanne, thank you for this clear article. A List of the Most Popular Neighborhoods, 6 Of the Most Popular Neighborhoods to Live in Valencia, Moving to Valencia to Retire – 4 Retirees Share Their Experiences and Tips, How to Use the Metro in Valencia the Cheapest & Easiest Way, What to See & Do on a Short Visit to Valencia, Authentic Chinese Food in Valencia: A Tour of Valencia’s Chinatown, Celebrating the Fallas Festival in Valencia – Things to Know, Interview with an expat about life in Barcelona, An expat interview about living in Madrid, Interview with an expat about living in Alicante, Interview with an expat about moving to and living in Granada, An expat interview about living in Moraira, on Spain’s Costa Blanca, Interview with an expat about living in Denia, on Spain’s Costa Blanca, Spain for Digital Nomads: Popular Places & Things to Know, Interview with a digital nomad who moved to Lisbon, Portugal, A digital nomad’s guide to Medellin, Colombia, A digital nomad’s guide to Bali, Indonesia, Playa del Carmen, Mexico, for digital nomads, https://www.spendlifetraveling.com/paella-cooking-class-in-valencia, https://www.spendlifetraveling.com/where-to-live-in-valencia-spain, https://www.facebook.com/groups/230251170358165/. There is a surf school for beginners but I think a (cheap) excursion to somewhere else is necessary to find any surf. Properties for rent on Idealista are generally rented out for a minimum of 12 months. Also, when looking at aprtment prices online, is the price listed per bedroom or as a total (to be divided by the number of rooms)? Thank you for this wonderful blog. And this is … I’ll send you an email about that. The city has a large underground rail … Also Read: Why Spain is a Great Destination for Digital Nomads. I would love to buy some expats a few beers, or sangria :-), to discuss relocating, living in the city and expat life in general. Hi Jose, I try to help paint an honest picture of the ups and downs of life abroad, share tips for anyone thinking about moving abroad and information about what to see and do in the city, town or country the expat lives in. For rental accommodation, try Spotahome or Idealista. I was recently offered an opportunity in Valencia to relocate and work there. One of the best aspects of living in Spain is the food. We meet once a week to work on our laptops from a cafe, then at 6pm we usually stop and have some wine and often end up having dinner and going to some more bars. It’s also a nice spot to go to with friends for a picnic or to check out the regular events such as the wine festival and the flamenco festival. It’s a 5 mile-long riverbed which was transformed into an amazing park in the 1960s filled with exotic species of plants and trees, and intersected by beautiful medieval and gothic bridges. Author: Sanne WesselmanA traveler, wanderer, digital nomad, and entrepreneur. Living Valencia is a pioneer in the rental market for short term rentals in the city center of Valencia and beautiful beach apartments, being the perfect alternative to hotels in Valencia since our touristic self … I’ve been in Valencia for almost 8 months now and it’s great. I wonder is there any group online I could join © 2009-2021 Expatistan.com. Just walk into one of those places and give them your cv. We couldn’t find any trough the agency. Not that I am by any means an expert, but it would be nice to have somewhere close-by to practice.”. Valencia is bigger so I think it has more to offer when it comes to different types of jobs. It’s the most popular website to find accommodation in Valencia. Thank you for sharing all this info. We are here for a month and one of our party is ill. Hi, I am sure you will love living in Valencia! – You will pay probably at least 600 or 650 for that same 1 bedroom in one of the more popular areas such as Ruzafa or El Carmen, and prices are only going up at the moment. Valencia is close to some beautiful mountains where you can go hiking in summer and snowboarding in winter. I do hear stories from my friends who have kids about kids in the smaller towns trying drugs and alcohol more than I experienced back home (The Netlerlands), mainly out of boredom. Have you any suggestions? But, if I try to narrow it down: Dulce de Leche in Ruzafa for the incredible towering cakes slathered in fruit and frosting, La Girafe at Patacona beach to enjoy some mojitos whilst sitting on hammocks in the tropical back garden, and the tongue-twister of a club named Barberbirborbur in Ruzafa, for old school tunes and good vibes.”, Also Read: Where to Find the Best Rooftop Bars in Valencia. In Valencia, for example, a one-bedroom city center apartment will cost around $650 USD per month, while the same apartment outside of the city center will cost $450 USD per month.American citizens … of boneless chicken breast, 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket, Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area, Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area, Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat, Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area, Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area, Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio, Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands), 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers), 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands), Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new, Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. Regarding air conditioning: it is definitely not a standard in Valencia yet, but more and more apartments do have it. You will quickly discover that Spain takes a different approach to food than the rest of Europe or North America. Single person estimated monthly costs: €1,374. Even though Valencia is on the coast, the beach is a 45-minute walk from the town center or around 30 minutes by bus or metro. – Also I prefer not to be in a big big cities. Can you offer anything for what can I sell there? El Carmen is the city center which has some beautiful streets and apartments, but it is packed with tourists most of the year so you have to be ok with that…. Life here is … different. Supermarkets are also affordable and they have daily markets throughout the city offering great locally grown fruit & vegetables plus meat and fish at good prices. Check out Idealista.com to get an idea of property prices – both to rent and buy. There is an open-air cinema in the summer, too. 2 likes. Yes, the cost of living in Valencia of course does depend on what quality of life you are looking for but these are some numbers I think you might find useful: – You can rent a 1 bedroom …