Valencia, Spain

Expats In Valencia, Spain

If you want a vibrant city, full of Old-World charm, where there’s always something going on, then take a look at Valencia, Spain.

There is a large expat community in Valencia and lots of things to keep you entertained.

For instance, Valencia offers theater-goers, music lovers and culture vultures a whole host of variety and venues, from the Berklee affiliated Palau de la Musica (Palace of Music), where you can enjoy world-class jazz, to hip clubs and live-music bars.

The Valencia community is famous for its individualistic festivals and celebrations and many local and religious events.

For example, museums and other cultural and historical attractions are often free. And, if you’re a golfer you won’t be disappointed with a number of golf courses in the area to choose from.

As an expat, you certainly won’t be bored in Valencia.

The most popular neighborhoods for expats to live in Valencia, and where you’ll find a lot of expat-run businesses, are Ruzafa, El-Cabanyal (located on the beach), El Carmen (located in the medieval center of the city), and Canovas.

Cost Of Living In Valencia, Spain

Grocery prices in Valencia, Spain, can be as much as 30% less than Madrid and Barcelona. You can rent a two-bed apartment from around US$800 a month… and your monthly living costs (for a renting couple) would be around US$1,700.

With the dollar so strong against the euro right now, this is one of the best times in 20 years take advantage of the values in Spain…

Let’s take a closer look at the cost of living in Valencia.

Look at the currency exchange, here.

Apartment Or House Ownership Budget (For A Couple)

Apartment or House Rental Budget (For A Couple)

Penny-Pincher’s Budget (For A Couple, Bare Minimum Costs)

Other Costs To Consider

Things To Do In Valencia, Spain

Sunny Valencia effortlessly mixes ancient history and 21st century technology…

Founded by the Romans around 140 B.C., this city has been a cultural and industrial base for the region for over 2,000 years.

The ancient city gates, Torres de Quart, still bear the marks of the medieval siege of Valencia, and you can see the signs of ancient battle clearly in its pockmarked walls.

For example, you can walk just about anywhere in the city of Valencia, Spain. Along the way you’ll find clues to its vast history—Roman, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture are all at play here.

At the same time, the port neighborhood known as the City of Arts and Sciences is so advanced that is has been used as a setting for science-fiction films…

The Turia Gardens are a must-see in the city and the best way to explore them is on a bike.

The old-river bed of the Turia (the river that runs through the city) has been converted into a leafy 9-kilometer-long garden. Along the route you’ll discover museums, monuments, and bridges.

Above all, foodies will love this city.

For a tour of Valencia’s tapas, beer, and wine offerings, start your route at the stalls of Plaza del Mercado, continue past the Lonja steps, the Plaza del Collado, Plaza Negrito, and Calle Caballeros, finishing at Plaza de la Virgen.

A trip to Valencia isn’t complete without visiting the spectacular Miguelete Tower. There’s a spiral staircase with 207 steps that leads to the bell tower at the top. Once you get there, you’ll have a 360-degree view of the city.

This part of the Western Mediterranean has some of the finest beaches in Europe—in the city and to the north and south.

Spend the day sunbathing and enjoying water sports at Las Arenas beach and then plan to stay for the evening to take in the sunset and enjoy paella at one of the fantastic restaurants on the beach.

The mountains are within easy reach and the Valencian Community offers plenty of scope for excursions to national parks and other sites of historical and cultural interest.

Read More: Quintessential Caribbean And Mediterranean Beachfront

Safety In Valencia, Spain

Expat Eugene Costello moved to Valencia three years ago and has this to say about safety in the city: “It’s incredibly safe. There’s practically no street crime, and violent crime is unheard of. It’s the third-largest city in Spain, but that’s really misleading because it’ssomuch smaller than Madrid, at nearly 3 million, or Barcelona, at a million and a half—our population is only about 700,000, and that includes the suburbs. It’s a mild, even-tempered city. No one shouts or argues here… it’s so laid-back…”

Health Care In Valencia, Spain

Spain has the seventh-best health care in the world according to the World Health Organization’s rankings.

As a North American retiree, you likely won’t have free access to the Spanish public health system. But there is a pay-in plan of around only US$65 a month for under-65s and US$170 a month for older residents. Meantime, private health insurance plans start from around US$300 a month.

There are several hospitals and clinics in Valencia and this accessibility, along with price and quality, make this an excellent city for health care.

Not only is the health care excellent, but the city is known for its healthy lifestyle. With various gardens, parks, and beaches, there are plenty of places to walk, run, cycle, and swim.

On top of that, locals and expats alike enjoy the city’s cuisine—which is based on a healthy and tasty Mediterranean diet.

For minor problems, take advantage of the excellentfarmacias(pharmacies), where highly trained pharmacists will recommend advice and remedies, some of which require prescriptions back home.

Visa And Residency For Spain

Many non-EU citizens require a visa to enter Spain. If the stay is intended to be under three months (90 days), a tourist visa may be required.

This is called a Schengen visa, valid for all of the countries in the Schengen Area, and is issued by the Spanish Embassy in the home country (or the embassy of the Schengen country in which a traveler will arrive).

Anyone arriving in Spain with the intention of staying longer than three months requires a Residence Visa (Visado de Residencia). This must be requested from and issued by the Spanish Embassy of the applicant’s home country, before departure for Spain.

Most importantly, it is different to the standard 90-day Schengen visa in that it allows the holder to begin the residency application process.

Application for residency is not typically accepted from anyone arriving on a Schengen visa.

Spain’s Golden Visa program allows anyone from outside the EU to obtain residency by investing 500,000 euros in real estate.

Residency in Spain doesn’t just allow you to live in Spain. Y

ou can stay as long as you like in any of the 26 Schengen visa countries, meaning you could move as you wanted among France, Italy, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and beyond.

Weather In Valencia, Spain

Winters in Valencia are very mild, while the summers are long and hot. Sunny, pleasant weather prevails for about eight months of the year.

And, if you can’t stand the intense heat of high summer, Valencia provides a more comfortable climate.

Average Temperatures

With an average temperature in the daytime of around 70°F year-round, Valencia has the perfect weather conditions for an active, healthy, and uplifting lifestyle.

The city of Valencia gets some rain during Fall and it rarely if ever snows.

January is the coldest month with daytime temperatures ranging from 57°F to 68°F.