Where to Live in Valencia

Globexs' brand "Bluekey Homes," dedicated to helping foreigners buying property in Valencia, has launched a very interesting series "Unknown but Interesting Neighborhoods of Valencia." In this series, Brecht Van De Velde, a real estate specialist in Valencia, visits the lesser-known neighborhoods of Valencia and assesses the quality of life (and investment opportunities) in each of them.

Most expatriates who move to Valencia end up in El Carmen, Cánovas, or Ruzafa, but Valencia has several neighborhoods where the quality of life is excellent.

Although the series was written for a specific audience (foreigners looking for an investment in Valencia), it also provides a very good overview for expatriates seeking where to live in Valencia. First, it discusses the traditionally popular areas where most expatriates end up living, and then it covers the neighborhoods visited by Brecht Van De Velde.

The Best Areas to Live in Valencia

Ruzafa

Ruzafa is Valencia's bohemian neighborhood. It is often called the Soho of Valencia. Ruzafa (or Russafa in Valencian) is a vibrant neighborhood with bars, restaurants, terraces, shops, and galleries from around the world. It is easy to reach any area of the city from here by public transport. Ruzafa is primarily the first choice for foreigners coming to live in Valencia.

El Carmen

El Carmen is the heart of the city of Valencia. This area is often referred to as "El Carmen." It is the zone between the North Station, the bullring, Colón Street, the Turia River, the Torres de Serrano, and the Torres de Quart. El Carmen is becoming one of the most visited tourist spots in Europe. Shops, bars, cafés, restaurants, winding streets, and ancient ruins. It truly is one of the best examples of the Spanish old town.

Cabañal

El Cabañal is Valencia's maritime neighborhood. In recent years, El Cabañal (or Cabanyal) has become one of Valencia's trendiest neighborhoods. Traditionally, El Cabañal was Valencia's port area; its houses are unique, locals take great pride in their neighborhood, and for one day each year, the old houses open to the public to give a taste of El Cabañal and what life was like in the 1960s.

With recent local government investment in tourism, many streets have been pedestrianized, and new bars and cafés open every week. It has become a great new area for both tourists and locals; the streets are clean and traffic-free. Life is relaxed, the food is excellent, and the gentle sea breeze gives the entire area a defining touch. One of El Cabanyal's best features is that the beach is a five-minute walk away. In fact, Valencia's city center is quite far from the beach and can take 15 to 20 minutes by car.

Unknown but Interesting Neighborhoods of Valencia

Benimaclet

Versatile, dynamic, and unique. Benimaclet is one of Valencia's most charming and authentic neighborhoods. The area has a "small town" feel, although it is a melting pot of cultures where young students and long-time residents coexist.

Nazaret

Nazaret is a neighborhood where the past meets the future. It is a neighborhood full of contrasts that is finally looking forward after decades of status quo. Located between the city and the port, Nazaret is the next magnet in Valencia's real estate market.

Malilla

Malilla… What could be noteworthy about this sleepy part of Valencia's outskirts? Well, to start, there are many construction projects underway. And Malilla is one of the seven neighborhoods in the Quatre Carreres district.

La Zaïdia

Just outside the old city walls, La Zaïdia is a blend of past and present. Apartments in this emerging neighborhood, just north of the Turia Riverbed and the historic center, tend to be larger and more affordable than those in the so-called trendy neighborhoods.

Ayora

Ayora, not to be confused with the municipality southwest of Valencia, is one of the many improved neighborhoods in the city of Valencia. Families and students live side by side in this residential area between the city and the beach.

Benicalap

Have you heard of Benicalap? The chance is slim. This forgotten district has always been ignored by the government, tourism, and the media. Unfairly so. Benicalap is located north of Valencia's historic center and Peset Aleixandre Avenue, south of the Ronda Norte, east of the new Nou Mestalla stadium (more on this later), and west of the Rascanya district.

Patraix

Patraix, south of Valencia city, has always struggled to find its identity and now seems to have finally discovered it. The district follows the trends of its bigger sibling Ruzafa but combines the quiet atmosphere of a local neighborhood with the innovative initiatives of a big city.

Monteolivete

The new Russafa. We consider Monteolivete a smart choice if you seek the perfect balance between investment and lifestyle. It is a popular neighborhood with affordable prices that has become a part of the city with excellent quality of life.

Campanar

Between the skyscrapers and boulevards of the city's northwest hides a gem. One of Valencia's best-kept secrets. Until now. Since the mid-1990s, this neighborhood has undergone enormous transformation and urban expansion, displacing the area's orchards and farms.

Nou Moles

Nou Moles is a district that received little attention from real estate investors in Valencia but is gaining popularity thanks to its proximity to Turiapark and Cabecera Park. Nou Moles offers many real estate opportunities at competitive prices.

The Best Areas to Live in Valencia

After reading this article, expatriates should be able to decide where to live in Valencia. Valencia has much to offer. In this article, we have discussed many different neighborhoods, but the differences between them are relatively small, as are the physical distances between them. Valencia is relatively small, and almost all neighborhoods offer an excellent quality of life.

Globexs Rentals

The Globexs team is passionate about global mobility. We believe everyone should be an expatriate, a remote worker, a digital nomad, an Erasmus student… at least for a brief period in their life. We believe global mobility connects people. We believe embracing global mobility is the best way to improve the world around us.

Committed to the Expat Community in Valencia

Globexs is the leading relocation company, strongly committed to the local expat community in Valencia. We manage a platform where expatriates in Valencia can help each other. The Facebook group "Expats living and working in Valencia" is the meeting point for newly arrived and established expatriates living and working in Valencia. The group was created to help expatriates support each other.

We encourage all foreigners living in Valencia to join the group and share useful information related to living and working in Valencia. Our philosophy is that foreigners moving to Valencia who strive to integrate into Valencian society can and should help each other and create a positive community. Every post is moderated by a team of expatriates who have lived in Valencia for many years. We only accept posts relevant to the expat community in Valencia. We embrace global mobility and expect the same from our members.