Last year we already wrote about where to live in Valencia, but we felt that this topic needed some more attention. We international expats who’ve already made Valencia our home, for however long, know full-well why this city really is the land of flowers, of light, and of love; as described by José Padilla in the popular song.
So, if you too have fallen in love with this fabulous city, then you’ll most likely want to know the best locations to live in Valencia as an expat, won’t you? Well, that really depends on the kind of expat you are; there are horses for courses. But have no fear, Valencia has it all, and you’re sure to find somewhere suitable for your needs – so read on, no matter whether you want the low-down on where to settle down, or just the perfect neighbourhood for a digital nomad to keep connected.
Expat Central
Like most major cities, Valencia being the 3rd largest in Spain, most expats choose to live centrally, although this can change with the weather, especially for digital nomads, who may feel the lure of the beach as the days get longer and warmer. However, by far, the three most popular places for expats to enjoy the Valencia experience are; La Ciutat Vella, popularly called El Carmen, (the historic, old part of the city, whose walls were once connected by its twin entrances – the Torres de Quart and the Torres de Serrano); Ruzafa – the most vibrant; and La Gran Via area, more commonly referred to as Cánovas, which is one of the principle places in the area.
El Carmen
El Carmen has, for many, the most attractive buildings. They have that charming, old world style, which expats find so endearing, perhaps due to their ‘authentic’ vibe. Obviously, its main draw is location, you just can’t get more central. This also means that it has many bars and cafes with good, high-speed wi-fi, making it a winner for more short stay expats and digital nomads. However, centrality comes at a price, and this doesn’t just mean the rent. While El Carmen may be great for going out and seeing the sights, don’t expect to find too many conveniences like supermarkets or parking.
Ruzafa
Ruzafa, on the other hand does have supermarkets. Its still currently the darling of the expat scene, both in terms of living, and of working. In fact, there are many businesses here that have been set up by entrepreneurial expats, which actually had a hand in helping to rejuvenate a once neglected area of the city, for more on this read why expats and digital nomads are the ambassadors of progress. It has a very vibrant and eclectic night life, packed full of night clubs, bars, and restaurants offering all manner of national and international cuisine.
Ruzafa has a lot going for it, being only a hop and a skip from the absolute centre. Again, it’s great for digital nomads, with quite a few coworking places around – one of them being right here at Globexs! Getting around from Ruzafa is also pretty easy too; links to the rest of the city on public transport are good. Or why not get some freedom of movement; there are many places to hire Bikes and E-scooters, the friendliest and best service I’ve found being Bikealao, who also have a shop I Grau/Cabañal. The only drawbacks of Ruzafa would be the lack of public parking and the sheer density of people traffic, especially during ‘Fallas’, an amazing festival which turns even walking into some kind of endurance sport.
