Every day we get asked questions about moving to Valencia and many of those questions are the same for everyone. Because of this we decided to put together our latest compilation of questions that are being asked by most people in the mails and messages we get. Now of course you will have your own questions but we decided to compile the questions that we get asked the most about moving to and living in Valencia. We have had previous FAQ posts about working with us at Valencia Property and the process of buying which you can see at the links but today we present the most common questions. If you have any that aren't answered here then make sure to send us a mail and ask away.
1. Is Valencia a good place to live?
- People want to know about quality of life, safety, climate, and expat-friendliness. According to Numbeo, Valencia ranks excellently for all of those factors. Valencia is known for its Mediterranean lifestyle, low crime rate, sunny weather, and welcoming atmosphere. And of course year after year it is named as the best place to live in the World, or at least in the first few cities.
2. What are the costs of living and housing prices in Valencia?
- Many ask about rent, property prices, groceries, and general expenses. Again, according to Numbeo, Valencia is significantly cheaper than Madrid or Barcelona, with more affordable rents (Although they are rising) affordable housing costs for purchasing, affordable cost of living and excellent dining options.
3. Do I need to speak Spanish to live in Valencia?
- It helps. While Valencian/Catalan is co-official, Spanish is spoken virtually everywhere except in a few small villages. Some immigrants get by with English or their native language, but learning Spanish helps with integration and finding out what is going on which helps with that integration.
4. What are the best neighbourhoods to live in Valencia?
- Popular areas include Ruzafa (trendy, expat-heavy), El Carmen (historic), Benimaclet (student-friendly), and Poblados Marítimos (near the beach). But we are going to say that it doesn't really matter. Most people love "their" neighbourhood and are loathe to move out of it because just about everywhere has everything that you need for modern day living (Did anyone mention the 15 minute city? Spanish cities have always been that)
5. How does healthcare work for foreigners in Valencia?
- Spain has excellent public healthcare, but access depends on residency status. Immigrants may need or want private insurance even though they qualify for public healthcare through work/retirement. Healthcare is cheap and coverage is extensive. We talked about this on one of our podcast episodes and you can listen to that below.
6. What is the job market like in Valencia?
- Not great for immigrants without Spanish. Jobs here are often in tourism, education (English teaching), tech, or remote work. Salaries are lower than in northern Europe, but so is the cost of living. If you can work remotely and maintain your salary from a higher paying country then you are definitely onto a good thing.
7. How do I get a residency visa or NIE (foreigner ID number)?
- Many ask about the process for EU vs. non-EU citizens, digital nomad visas, or retirement permits. The NIE is essential for legal matters like renting or working. Of course we have written about this before on the blog and the process for getting a NIE remains similar to the following article despite 7 years having passed since I wrote it.
- Once you have the NIE and you are living here after getting on the Padrón then you are resident. Don't confuse that with tax residency though. That happens after you have been here for over 183 days in a year.
8. What’s the weather like in Valencia?
- People love the 300+ days of sunshine, mild winters, and hot summers. Humidity can be high at times but is not tropical, and occasional heavy rain arrives (especially in autumn). I am writing this in late June and it's hot. Expect to have to use the air conditioning and fans to keep cool at this time of year.
9. Is Valencia family-friendly?*
- Yes! Good international schools, lots of parks (like the Turia Gardens), endless beaches, friendly towards immigrants and a relaxed lifestyle make it great for families. There are so many things you can do that don't cost money too and the outdoor lifestyle helps you to enjoy them.
*9.5. Is Valencia LGBTQ+ friendly
- A related question getting asked more and more as certain places start to look less LGBTQ+ friendly and again the answer is a resounding yes. Clubs, events, sports and more that are inclusive and non judgemental abound in and around Valencia.
10. How easy is it to make friends and find an expat community?
- Valencia has a thriving expat/incomer scene, with Facebook groups, meetups, and coworking spaces helping newcomers connect. Of course every person is different and you might struggle to find your tribe if you don't put yourself out there but those who want to participate in their hobbies here will likely find kindred spirits easily enough.
11. Is Valencia safe?
- Valencia is considered one of Spain’s safest cities and Spain is very safe when comparing internationally with low crime rates and especially low violent crime rates. As we have said before house insurance rates are really low because there aren't many break-ins. Petty theft (like pickpocketing in tourist areas) can happen, and you may have to get a good lock for your bike but overall, it's very secure.
12. How reliable is public transportation in Valencia?
- The metro, buses, and tram system are efficient and affordable, a ten ticket bus/metro pass for inner Valencia is currently 4 Euros or free for under 26 year olds. Most neighbourhoods are also bike-friendly, and the city is extremely walkable. Even the bus services to outlying towns are now covered by a mostly new fleet of electric buses.
13. What’s the food scene like? Are there international grocery stores?
- Valencia is famous for paella, fresh seafood, and the Mercado Central for getting the ingredients for those dishes. International stores (like Chinese, Indian/Pakistani, or Middle Eastern Delis) are available and there are more and more typical corner shops selling fruit and veg and more exotic foodstuffs all over the city. There is a much greater variety of restaurants these days too with fusion and speciality restaurants being massively popular whereas back in the day there were Valencian restaurants and err.... that was that.
14. Can I live in Valencia as a digital nomad or remote worker?
- Yes! With Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa, fast internet, and many coworking spaces (like Wayco, Work&Lounge and many more), it’s a popular choice. We wrote about the Digital Nomad Visa and the latest updates as one of your options on our substack last week in the post linked to below. (remember to subscribe there too)
15. Are there good international schools in Valencia?
- Yes there are and we have written about them all on our post about International Schools in Valencia. As usual we ask you to contact us for more information after you have read the article and more importantly read between the lines. State schools teach in Valencian/Spanish.
16. What’s the nightlife and social scene like?
- Lively but not as wild as Barcelona. Ruzafa and El Carmen have great bars, there are some excellent clubs along Blasco Ibañez in the student areas and outside the city as remnants of the Ruta del Bacalao from the 90s while the Malvarrosa and Cabanyal beach clubs and the Chiringuitos on the Patacona are popular in summer.
17. How easy is it to drive in Valencia? Do I need a car?
- Many people living here do it without a car—public transport and biking suffice. Traffic is manageable, but parking can be tricky in the city centre so why bother? Pro tip... If you want a car in the city itself then get an electric car as you can park anywhere for free and even charging is free in certain places. A small city car, even a two seater will more than suffice and with the Moves 3 plan you gert between 4500-7000 euros off the price (Might take up to three years to get it though)
18. What are the biggest cultural differences to expect?
- Late dining (lunch at 2–3 PM, dinner at 9–10 PM), siesta culture (most shops close midday except the supermarkets, those in the malls and those on the main shopping streets), a more relaxed pace of life, less stress... a lot less stress to be fully transparent, and a more outdoor lifestyle.
19. Are there any downsides to living in Valencia?
- Of course there are. That's true of everywhere. Some people mention getting things done due to the slow bureaucracy (Been there, done that!), off-season beach debris (after storms and specifically this year after the DANA), or summer heat/humidity/drain smell at times in the old town. Noise in older apartments can also be an issue. Apart from that it's pretty idyllic. You can find out more about how horrible it is to live here by clicking on the link below.
20. How do I find a place to live in Valencia?
- You come to us at Valencia Property and Stepping Stone Rentals and we will find you your ideal place. Simples.
Property of the Week
785K L'Eliana Villa
Just a 10 minute walk to the lovely town of L’Eliana we present this recently renovated property on a spacious plot with excellent pool and a 212m stone's throw to the Montesol Metro stop, ideally located and well connected for a family’s busy life and it even comes with a guest house for the Au Pair, Abuela, Nanny, Nonna, Nan or Oma.
On entering the home we discover a bright and Open-Plan area that combines Living Room, Dining Room, fully equipped Kitchen with Appliances, central island, and access through large windows to a covered terrace, here also a Bedroom with walk-in closet and full bathroom, moving up to the First floor to 3 double bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a spacious terrace with beautiful views, and finally on the top floor a laundry area and access to the rooftop terrace, here you will also find the 14 Solar Panels to keep the running costs down.
Nicely reformed with good materials, additional features include ducted hot/cold air conditioning, large-format porcelain tile flooring, natural wood flooring in the bedrooms, Climalit windows, smooth walls, LED lighting, water softener and pressure pump system.
The 888 m² plot and established garden has a variety of fruit trees, automatic irrigation system, a large 12 x 6 m swimming pool, storage room, and fantastic BBQ area with bar, and a vehicle entrance with parking space for 2 cars.
A viewing is highly recommended.
Stepping Stones Rental of the Week
This quirky 2-bedroom, 1-bath apartment sits on the ground floor of a well-maintained building in the historic heart of El Carmen. Walking out the front door you have the enormous Quart Towers right in front of you!
The space features a bright living-dining room with decent windows that fill the home with natural light and a fabulous cross breeze, a fully equipped kitchen, and two comfortable bedrooms with built-in wardrobes. The apartment also includes electric heating and air conditioning, perfect for year-round comfort.
Located close to public transport, shops, cafes, and cultural hotspots, this property is ideal for anyone wanting to experience Valencia city life with easy access to everything. You’re also just a short walk from Plaza del Ayuntamiento, the city’s main square, and a quick metro or bus ride from the Turia Gardens — Valencia’s sprawling green park built on a former riverbed.
If You Liked This...
Then you really should click through and read some more of our stuff. Properties, social media and blogs. Just click on the images below.
Large Light Apartment in Valencia 290K
Here is a charming property with definite Kerb appeal in the very heart of Valencia’s historical centre, close to the action but away from the noise and key ready for you to enjoy from the very first day. buff.ly/0j3gMgJ #Valencia #ValenciaProperty
— Graham Hunt (@grahunt.bsky.social) June 19, 2025 at 10:26 AM
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The SSR Terrace of Your Dreams -
Available Now
Summer terrace of your dreams!
This little pearl is a great example of what everyone is usually looking for when they come to Valencia - It has a lift, it's on a pretty quiet road, It's walking distance to the Famous Turia Gardens, the Tram that will take you direct to the beach in under 15 minutes is just on the corner, 2 double bedrooms, spacious bathroom, tons of natural light and air flow, and the cherry on the top - A very big private terrace overlooking trees.
It's only available for Summer so better jump on it quick!
A shortfall in gas power, not solar, led to the April blackouts in Spain and Portugal, official inquiries found.
— Yale Environment 360 (@yalee360.bsky.social) June 20, 2025 at 3:59 PM
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