We are in one of those periods why anything decent in the city isn't hanging around. So what do you do when you can't find what you want? You could lower your standards, or as we are encouraging our clients at the moment, simply look a small bit further afield.

This apartment is in Alboraya, technically not part of Valencia city, even though its literally just across the road from Levante football ground and less than a 30 minute walk to the centre. Also where horchata originated, and a lot of people would say that it has the better of the 'city' beaches, La Patacona - could that be because they allow chiringuitos (beach bars) here, unlike the Valencia beaches?

A lovely building, and a lovely apartment. 5 minutes from the metro and 20 minutes walking from the beach. 3 bedrooms, including an en-suite, and over 110m2 so plenty of space. There is a garage space included, and the apartment was built in 2007, so modern doors, windows, finishings, nothing to be done and nothing to worry about.

So while everybody in the city is left to fight over the scraps, take advantage of our local knowledge to find somewhere even better not too far away.