The city of Valencia is one of the most popular destinations both for tourists and for those seeking a better lifestyle. It combines history with the contemporary, science with green spaces and shines for all things culinary.
Jardí del Túria, Valencia.
Home to Spain’s famous paella and where you will find the best horchata (a drink made from tiger nuts), Valencia is world renowned for its famous festival of Las Fallas, an annual event in March held to commemorate Saint Joseph. The festival lasts for 18 days, five of which are considered the most important. Pyrotechnics, firecrackers and fireworks light up the city every day during the festival.
Last week was the first of 400 events promoting sustainability. Valencia offers more than 2 million sq m of green spaces and that its Lake Albufera, a mere 10 kilometres from the city, lies in a National Park. It is a beautiful place of peace and tranquility, and the lagoon is home to many species of birdlife, fish and insects.
Find homes in Spain via our property portal.
Environmental sustainability in daily life
Valencia has long been in the forefront of creating green credentials. One of its aims is to become carbon neutral and a smart city by 2030, in just six years from now. You will find the central fish market, Cabanyal Municipal Market, heated by solar panels and there is also a citizen funded solar panel plant not far away.
The long seafront, a 20 minutes bus ride from the city, is lit by 20,000 energy saving light bulbs and interestingly, the lamp posts are also outlets for charging electric cars.
The Turia gardens which are located in the course of the now dried up River Turia, stretches for 9 km through the city and offers all kinds of pastimes from daily yoga classes to children’s play areas. It also has a purpose other than recreation as it is noticeably cooler than the rest of the city, by 3º and it also hinders flooding. There was a devastating flood in 1957 in which 81 people lost their lives and the city was seriously damaged. The riverbed was turned into public gardens in 1980.
There is a walking trail through the centre of the city, much of which is pedestrianised and another meandering past the fish market, the municipal orchard and Lake Albufera.
What’s it like to live in Valencia?
Embrace the bike!
One of its greatest attractions is the stress free, relaxed way of life despite Valencia being one of Spain’s larger cities. Valencia has been fetching crowns in recent years, the city won the title of the European Capital City of Smart Tourism 2022 and the Capital of Sustainable Food in 2017. There is a large foreign community with many British people which welcomes newcomers willing to participate in what the city has to offer.
Cycling is encouraged and there is a bike sharing option and excellent public transport at reasonable cost. Valencia has good connections with other parts of Spain too. The airport is located 8 km from the city. Uber and similar companies are increasingly popular. Learn more about cycling in Spain here.
The health service is generally good and there is a major hospital catering to all aspects of healthcare. There are many British and international schools in the city and also three universities which offer most English language courses. There are two languages spoken in Valencia, Castilian Spanish and Valenciana which is similar to Catalan. Some local schools reach in the local language whilst others opt for Castilian.
An affordable city
Although prices have increased in Valencia as in the rest of Spain since the COVID pandemic, the cost of living remains significantly less expensive than other major cities such as Madrid and Barcelona. Rents have increased substantially but are still lower than the other large cities.
Property Guides recently released the Cost of Living Index, comparing prices across 13 countries. Spain was revealed to be the most affordable, with costs £701 cheaper than the UK. Find out more here.
Home hunting in Valencia
Fancy a home in Valencia?
There are many different styles of property in the city itself and by the sea. Fishermen’s cottages, contemporary apartments, older style apartments behind historic facades. The two most popular districts for the British and other foreign nationalities are Ruzafa and El Carmen but many choose to live in other areas too. There are also villas, either close to the sea or set in the countryside surrounded by orange groves.
Within the city itself there are some prestigious penthouses and apartments for those with larger budgets, particularly overlooking the City of Sciences. More modest budgets are also catered for, so there is something for everyone. Rents are lower than in other major cities but have risen considerably over the past 5 years.
A small apartment starts at €125,000. Expect to pay around €130,000 upwards for a terraced house with three to four bedrooms.
Check out Valencian properties for sale on the Your Overseas Home portal.
You might also like:
