Few cities are as stunning as Valencia. Narrow alleys brimming with shops lead you out into magnificent squares full of stately buildings and gothic cathedrals, interspersed with bronze fountains, medieval monuments, and ancient towers. Walk down one of the boulevards, and you’ll encounter over 500 acres of forests, grass, and greenery, including the Turia Garden, an oasis of palm trees, orange trees, pine woods, aromatic plants, and rose gardens that stretches for five miles through the urban jungle.
Such scenery would be enough to win over most people, but it's only one of the reasons Americans love living in Valencia. If you’ve never considered moving to Southern Spain, here are five amazing things that might help change your mind.
Valencia is the third-largest city in Spain. Despite this, prices are far lower here than you'd expect. Apartments in Valencia rent for 20 percent less than they do in Madrid and over 25 percent less than they do in Barcelona. Anyone looking for a house can expect to pay 50-60 percent less than in other large, Spanish cities. While housing prices have crept up recently, the average Valencian still only spends around 25 percent of their income on rent, compared to 30 percent in America. As a result, most Americans living in Valencia see considerable savings and can afford an apartment almost anywhere in town, even the historic core.
Valencia is also a major entry point for food imports, so it’s not surprising residents spend less on groceries than most other places in Europe. They even pay less when they go out to eat. Getting around is cheaper as well. The city’s public transportation system will carry you across town for only a few dollars, and a monthly pass costs just $32, around 25 percent less than in Madrid or Barcelona.
It can be difficult to make friends overseas. Some countries simply aren’t open to outsiders. Not Spain, however. People here are famously warm and friendly. Most Americans who move here are surprised at how easy it is to strike up a conversation with a total stranger sitting next to them at a cafe. And this welcoming attitude seems to have rubbed off on the city’s expat community as well. There are over 100,000 foreigners living in Valencia, around 13 percent of the population. New arrivals looking to connect with fellow countrymen generally don’t have to look very far to find a community or make new friends.
Moving to Valencia makes it easy to stay active. The city is surrounded by some of the most rugged and attractive countryside in Europe. Just outside of town you’ll find:
Valencia’s lakes, mountains, and castles may be striking, but its beaches are beyond compare. Famous for their soft sand and clear water, they’re the perfect place to relax and unwind. Whether your interest is swimming, sailing, snorkeling, scuba diving, or simply laying out in the sun, living in Valencia gives you plenty of opportunities to enjoy them. Some of the most popular spots are:
One of the best things about Valencia is that there’s always something going on. The city is home to over 4,200 restaurants, bars, and cafes serving all manner of delicacies: fried sardines, Valencian clóchinas (mussels), salt cod croquettes, artichokes with cured ham, Italian charcuterie, and of course, paella ‒ the region’s signature dish.
After dinner, head over to Old Town, one of the trendiest barrios in the city, and check out the clubs near the old Cathedral. You can dance at Johnny Maracas. Enjoy live music at the Monterey Pub. Soak in the atmosphere at the Jimmy Glass Jazz Bar. Listen to the latest techno, pop, and indie rock at Flash, Oven Club, and Electropura. Or pick one of the dozens of other nightspots in the neighborhood and see where the evening takes you.
For a more mind-blowing experience, visit the City of Arts and Sciences in the Turia Garden, one of the 12 treasures of Spain. This iconic museum complex is not only an architectural marvel, but also houses an IMax theater, planetarium, and laserium, as well as three floors of fully interactive exhibits, an outdoor sculpture gallery, and open-air oceanographic park featuring eight different aquatic environments.
But for real excitement, you won’t want to miss the spring Fallas Festival ‒ a five day celebration of art, tradition, and satire. Huge, fanciful monuments (fellas) are erected all over the city, some over 5 stories tall, depicting bizarre and hilarious characters. Every street and square is full of parades, fireworks, and musical performances, all culminating in the final night when the fellas are ceremonially burned while residents frolic and dance in the streets.
International moves are complex. There are customs regulations, import restrictions, and immigration forms, not to mention the logistical challenges of shipping goods overseas. But Allied’s network helps you navigate these obstacles, in order to keep the process as smooth and stress free as possible. We coordinate shipments, handle the paperwork, and keep you informed each step along the way, so no matter what happens, you’re always in control and up-to-date. Call us today for a free quote!
