I've lived in Valencia for 16 years and would agree with everything the survey found. Salaries here are lower than in places like Madrid or Barcelona but the cost of living is also lower, the cost of housing for example. The climate here is good however it is horrible in the summer because it is just so humid! Spring and autumn are the best times of the year. It definitely feels safe; I never feel nervous coming home late at night, which I would do back in the UK. The city is clean, green and has so much history and wonderful gastronomy. But I think the best thing about Valencia is the way of life - it's an outdoor city and has so many options to spend your freetime in the open air.
I have been to southern Spain so many times now and this included two summers ago in Valencia and last summer in Barcelona. Both times there was a heat spell and it was so bad we did not want to leave the apartment to walk outside at all. BUT then I must tell everyone I/we are from Orlando Florida and the weather in southern Spain blows the weather away from Central Florida. If you check the summertime average temps and humidity it is truly night and day. So I guess my question is if we are retired and honestly have enough money saved to comfortably live anywhere why have we not sold the house and moved to Spain yet? LOL
Valencia is a beautiful city to visit, and one I would not hesitate in living. Friendly people, great social life and gorgeous architecture are just a few of the benefits of living there. My own personal number one choice of city to live!
I attended the University of Valencia back in 1981 as an exchange student. I had a wonderful experience. I have always considered Valencia as my second home. Very friendly people.
Thank you for an excellent video. We are retired educators planning on visiting southern Spain in the fall to look for our next home. This area, Valencia specifically, looks beautiful. We love a walkable and accessible city. Healthcare, transportation, safety, and reliability are our concerns. Gracias! Dean & Cindy
Wow what a coincidence this video has come out the very same days as I’ve secured an apartment in Valencia 😅 I like living in Madrid currently, but with fully remote work contract there’s no point of paying high rent in Madrid and die in my apartment every day over the summer with 40+ degrees heat 😄 Love Valencia, been there many times and really looking forward to live there 👌
Great video Stuart. I love Valencia, the museums, the casco viejo, and park where the river used to flow are beautiful. I do have my problems with the architect Sr. Calatrava and some of his fantastically overbudget and impractical designs, but they are striking. I especially enjoyed the pageantry of Easter in Valencia. There is the beautiful nature preserve outside the city too. I was disappointed that my favorites in Spain, Bilbao and Pamplona, did not make the list, probably because Pamplona is too small. Keep up the great work.
Good luck. There a quite a number of digital nomads in Valencia. I do feel bad for the young people in Valencia, so many of them have trouble finding a job.
Exactly. The salaries and work culture are very poor. But if, as previously stated, you arrive there with plenty of money, it's great!....And if you don't mind ridiculously exaggerated regionalism, with ALL public signs in "Valenciano", and not in Spanish, the world's second most important language.
Valencia has been my secret destination since the 1990s. Brilliant city, and I am 50/50 about it being ranked like this as I don't want it spoilt. Change is the only changeless state, so I guess I will have to lump it. Great podcast as always Stu.
I'm an inpat so not much to comment. I've enjoyed it though! When I think of Valencia what comes to my mind are pleasant beaches, nice people, the best flea markets, rugby and underrated food beyond paella. I know a bunch of Brits who bought properties in Valencia in the last 6 years, mostly in Oliva or around. Not bargains but almost.
Hola Stuart Mill gracias por el video 📹 its a small world. We were in a bar in Krakow last night and a guy came up to me and said sabes San Juan de los terreros. It was a young spanish couple who work at el castillo 🏰 a lovely bar and restaurant on a cliff top overlooking the med and San Juan. Never been to Valencia but its on the list
How can you have a “great quality of life” when you (like most people in Valencia) earn too little to live comfortably? That is, if you’re first able to find a job. Net salaries here in Belgium are more than double those in Valencia, but the apartment rents are the same. Buying a house however is cheaper in Valencia. It only offers a great quality of life to: 1) those that have saved up enough prior to coming there, so they can quickly buy a house after arriving. 2) people that have a way higher income than local salaries (remote job for a foreign employer, owner of a successful company etc.)
@@meatmoneymilkmonogamyequal5583 I some are missing a cultural difference. You don't need to live in the most posh areas. Each burro is truly an unique and distinct "village" of the city. This also means that there is a difference in the cost of products and services. I do not know of a single miserable Valencian at any pay-scale. Material obsession and idolisation are not the mainstay. People who do not understand this, do not yet know the character of the Valencians. I am sure in time, this might not be the case. In the past 5 years, there has been much change as a result of the influx. Comparing Valencia to a city of the North (EU) makes as much sense as comparing a Sicilian village to Paris. (IMHO)
Spain is a great place to live for its climate. I know that answer probably disappoints Spanish people when they ask “ why did you come to live in Spain ?” They want to hear “ the people , the food , the culture etc , “ which, of course , are very important . It really is so difficult here to find a good wellpaying job, in fact almost impossible . I can’t fathom how they come to the conclusion that a city reaches Number 1 on a list when in my humble opinion , one of the top priorities is finding a good job there. Perhaps they only surveyed “retired “ ex pats / immigrants 😂
I was in Valencia last years to Visit a friend. During the stay almost fall in love with the city : perfect size, bike friendly, safe, walkable, nice people, sunny. Perfect for young, families, and old people. The only thing I don't like is that the summer is hot because of humidity but it it is good for skin
Thanks for being so informative. I’m curious, if finding folks willing to work is difficult, why is valencia attractive if services that require workers is a problem? Valencia is one of my retirement destination interests, possible home renovation, along with other needed services, and thus my curiosity.
I don't think Valencia has the best climate in (mainland) Spain as stated- yes it's a lovely, typical Mediterranean climate...but south from Torrevieja down along the Orihuela Costa they have a unique micro climate- Koppen rating of (BSh) hot semi-arid. It can often be raining in Valencia and it's warm and sunny down on the Orihuela Costa, plus more sunny days per annum. Many, many Madrileños know this and have 2nd home down here- especially in and around Torrevieja which is extremely affordable too (not the prettiest town you will ever see tho lols). Going to be 21C here on the Orihuela Costa tomorrow (Sat 10th). Guess no snow for us this year 🙂
@@harriettt9857 ... I'm obviously just referring to the climate Harriet. Orihuela Costa and Torrevieja cannot compete in any other way. Orihuela Costa is a run down, neglected sleepy beach town and Torrevieja is a bit, mmm, lets just say a bit trashy (no offense to anyone 🫢).
@@harriettt9857 ....another point I should make about the Orihuela Costa is it's location. This is a big plus as Elche, Murcia, Cartegena and Alicante are all an easy 40 minute drive away. Perfect if you want to spend some time in a traditional Spanish city with fascinating architecture and history. Lots of nice places around for hiking and camping too...and nice to get back to the Orihuela Costa with the best climate and healthy air (due to large natural salt lakes at Torrevieja) afterwards. Sitting by my pool as I type this- 20c at 1:10pm 🙂
The definition of expat " a word I dislike" because it only refers to people with a certain social economic class ie. people with cash and prizes. My definition of "expat" generally means either a retired person from Northern Europe living in Spain or a person working for a fortune 500 company or some well payed cushiony job, or a laptop worker/digital nomad. Another issue is how much these "expats" are embedded or disembedded in the local cutlure, whether it be in Spain, The United Arab Emirates, or Singapore etc. People usually don't consider the Moroccans picking the spanish fruits in vegetables in Spain Expats. Nor do folks consider the poor souls who built the infrascture for the World Cup 2022 in Qatar as expats according to this survey.
People don't want to do deep dive into living abroad. Mostly they like what is seen on the surface, while I have never been to Spain I will say it seems to be a beautiful city, however living so far away from family isn't mu cup of tea.
@@AhmedFbk Ahmed That’s exactly the point: I don’t need permission to point out arrogance. (I would like add, may be the speaker is just in the habit of using the word falsely.)
Tipping has become a hot topic.You tip waiters in restaurants.Do you tip the mechanic when you take your car for service.Do you tip the the dentist when you have a dental appointment.Do you tip the store worker who helps you find your missing item in the grocery store.There are hundreds of workers who help you every day that you don’t tip.Why is it important to tip waiters who get paid to do their job.
Flamenco is typical of Andalusia. In Valencia there is very little flamenco, it is not our culture, the typical of Valencia are the Jotas and the Albaes Valencianas, there are also many street bands that play paso dobles and Moorish music, especially in the Fallas festival. In very touristy places like Benidorm you can find Flamenco but it is for tourists.
@@tafareactions2823 thank you so much for your feedback-my teachers are in Triana so if I would visit, I would go there but was curious about Valencia.
No, it is not really popular unless you hang out mostly with people from Internations or Meet Up. I had a month in Valencia and the locals don't take to you at all if you have zero Spanish. Luckily I have got A2 Spanish but the locals still have got their reservations against extranjeros because they drive up the prices of rents in Valencia significantly.
When taxes and education are not priorities Valencia is great. The Valencia Regional Community taxes more than Andalucia, Madrid, or Murcia. If you have kids they will have problems learning Spanish because they teach classes in Valencian. Everything else is great.
How has Valencia got a great quality of life if the work prospects are so bad. "Financial security" is one of the most important things in life. I've been in Spain for 23 years (too long)and franknly I'm not so impressed by them or their cutlure. Sitting at some outdoor café, or living in flats that DO NOT have heating in the winter (in Southern and on the Mediterranean coast, isn't enough to rank Valencia so high. Getting to know Spanish people in general is nearly impossible. I'd rank Spain at number 50 in this apsect. The Spanish often think that they're so "open" because they're sitting at "terraza" (an outdoor café) with the same friends they've known since primary school. However, they are NOT inclusive of you. When we say in English......"I like to get to know new people or what are you into" are two sentences that are lost in translation. They don't really epxress those two ideas in the langauge. You could be sitting with a group of Spanish and they don't ask you a single thing. They just look at you. the bottle of olive oil on the table gets more attention than you do! If you mangage to have a Spanish friend with car and they're driving yuo home, they rarely drop you off in front of your house. They leave you somewhere near that would make them go out of their way to bring you to your doorstep. The Spanish rarley invite you over to their homes. The Spanish house is a very private space. Thus, no dinners, no lunches with them in their house. It's sad but true.
I am in Valencia right now and have been here for a week leaving tomorrow for Madrid. This is my first time here but I have been to many Spanish cities, towns and a couple of Spanish Islands. I live in Berlin, grew up in the US and have seen a good deal of the world. In the last six weeks I have been to the US, Germany, Sweden, Denmark and now Spain. The country that impresses me the most is Denmark not because of the weather of course but because the people there seem the least egotistical from the other countries that I mentioned. I love the weather here in Spain but the mentality seems like it does where I live in Germany and maybe even more so namely egotistical. Just my opinion.
Valencia is bad for business.. and so affordable anymore compared to Barcelona and Madrid. Maybe for those coming from London or New York, Melbourne or Sydney etc
Expats seem to bring financial nest eggs and pensions with them to their retirement homes, migrants don't have this luxury unfortunately to bring from their country of origin...
I've lived in Valencia for 16 years and would agree with everything the survey found. Salaries here are lower than in places like Madrid or Barcelona but the cost of living is also lower, the cost of housing for example. The climate here is good however it is horrible in the summer because it is just so humid! Spring and autumn are the best times of the year. It definitely feels safe; I never feel nervous coming home late at night, which I would do back in the UK. The city is clean, green and has so much history and wonderful gastronomy. But I think the best thing about Valencia is the way of life - it's an outdoor city and has so many options to spend your freetime in the open air.
I’m coming to Valencia for Las Fallas soon! Where would you suggest to buy good quality meat and seafood? I will live by Patacona beach.
Soon will be same expensive as Barcelona and Madrid.. already it is very close..
I have been to southern Spain so many times now and this included two summers ago in Valencia and last summer in Barcelona. Both times there was a heat spell and it was so bad we did not want to leave the apartment to walk outside at all. BUT then I must tell everyone I/we are from Orlando Florida and the weather in southern Spain blows the weather away from Central Florida. If you check the summertime average temps and humidity it is truly night and day. So I guess my question is if we are retired and honestly have enough money saved to comfortably live anywhere why have we not sold the house and moved to Spain yet? LOL
Valencia is a beautiful city to visit, and one I would not hesitate in living. Friendly people, great social life and gorgeous architecture are just a few of the benefits of living there. My own personal number one choice of city to live!
1
I attended the University of Valencia back in 1981 as an exchange student. I had a wonderful experience. I have always considered Valencia as my second home. Very friendly people.
I have lived in Madrid twice. It was very welcoming and so easy to make friends. They say, "Si estas en Madrid, eres Madrileno"
I wish people would stop talking about my city. Sure it is the best, but if everyone moves here, it won’t be. 😢
don't worry its not the best.
Thank you for an excellent video. We are retired educators planning on visiting southern Spain in the fall to look for our next home. This area, Valencia specifically, looks beautiful. We love a walkable and accessible city. Healthcare, transportation, safety, and reliability are our concerns. Gracias! Dean & Cindy
Wow what a coincidence this video has come out the very same days as I’ve secured an apartment in Valencia 😅
I like living in Madrid currently, but with fully remote work contract there’s no point of paying high rent in Madrid and die in my apartment every day over the summer with 40+ degrees heat 😄
Love Valencia, been there many times and really looking forward to live there 👌
Great video Stuart. I love Valencia, the museums, the casco viejo, and park where the river used to flow are beautiful. I do have my problems with the architect Sr. Calatrava and some of his fantastically overbudget and impractical designs, but they are striking. I especially enjoyed the pageantry of Easter in Valencia. There is the beautiful nature preserve outside the city too. I was disappointed that my favorites in Spain, Bilbao and Pamplona, did not make the list, probably because Pamplona is too small. Keep up the great work.
I made a statement about 10 years ago that Valencia has possibly the best quality of Life of any city I have been to, it has just about everything
Valencia seems to be a great place if you aren’t looking for a job.
That is exactly what it is. I saved enough money in the US and now live in Valencia and it´s awesome.
@@madhavyu That’s what I’m looking at. I’m also getting certified as a TEFL instructor because it’s something I can do online.
Good luck. There a quite a number of digital nomads in Valencia. I do feel bad for the young people in Valencia, so many of them have trouble finding a job.
HELLO!
Exactly. The salaries and work culture are very poor. But if, as previously stated, you arrive there with plenty of money, it's great!....And if you don't mind ridiculously exaggerated regionalism, with ALL public signs in "Valenciano", and not in Spanish, the world's second most important language.
Valencia is awesome! I wish I could move there. It's the only metropolis in the world that I'd live in.
Valencia has been my secret destination since the 1990s. Brilliant city, and I am 50/50 about it being ranked like this as I don't want it spoilt. Change is the only changeless state, so I guess I will have to lump it. Great podcast as always Stu.
I'm an inpat so not much to comment. I've enjoyed it though! When I think of Valencia what comes to my mind are pleasant beaches, nice people, the best flea markets, rugby and underrated food beyond paella. I know a bunch of Brits who bought properties in Valencia in the last 6 years, mostly in Oliva or around. Not bargains but almost.
It's funny I had a friend from Austria who lived in Valencia and he said he loved it...
This poll definitely polled a “certain type” of people. Dubai? Not all foreign workers in Dubai would rate it highly for “quality of life “
YOU GOT THAT RIGHT!
Modern slavery comes to mind.
Any list that puts the two UAE cities in the top 10 tells me these people’s views differ from mine. Significantly. But Valencia does sound wonderful.
If I may ask - how would you describe UAE cities? I've never been there. Thanks!
Also who tf puts Mexico City on thse lists haha.
Thank you for the video.
Ole!!! Valencia ❤
Hola Stuart Mill gracias por el video 📹 its a small world. We were in a bar in Krakow last night and a guy came up to me and said sabes San Juan de los terreros. It was a young spanish couple who work at el castillo 🏰 a lovely bar and restaurant on a cliff top overlooking the med and San Juan. Never been to Valencia but its on the list
How can you have a “great quality of life” when you (like most people in Valencia) earn too little to live comfortably? That is, if you’re first able to find a job.
Net salaries here in Belgium are more than double those in Valencia, but the apartment rents are the same. Buying a house however is cheaper in Valencia.
It only offers a great quality of life to:
1) those that have saved up enough prior to coming there, so they can quickly buy a house after arriving.
2) people that have a way higher income than local salaries (remote job for a foreign employer, owner of a successful company etc.)
I left a comment saying the same thing. I totally agree with you
@@meatmoneymilkmonogamyequal5583 I some are missing a cultural difference. You don't need to live in the most posh areas. Each burro is truly an unique and distinct "village" of the city. This also means that there is a difference in the cost of products and services. I do not know of a single miserable Valencian at any pay-scale. Material obsession and idolisation are not the mainstay. People who do not understand this, do not yet know the character of the Valencians. I am sure in time, this might not be the case. In the past 5 years, there has been much change as a result of the influx. Comparing Valencia to a city of the North (EU) makes as much sense as comparing a Sicilian village to Paris. (IMHO)
Because we work online. Also, it doesn’t take much to be happy here.
Spain is a great place to live for its climate. I know that answer probably disappoints Spanish people when they ask “ why did you come to live in Spain ?” They want to hear “ the people , the food , the culture etc , “ which, of course , are very important . It really is so difficult here to find a good wellpaying job, in fact almost impossible . I can’t fathom how they come to the conclusion that a city reaches Number 1 on a list when in my humble opinion , one of the top priorities is finding a good job there. Perhaps they only surveyed “retired “ ex pats / immigrants 😂
I agree. Those lists are very biased. Most expats in Spain are digital nomads, remote workers, freelancers and retiree/pensioners.
I was in Valencia last years to Visit a friend. During the stay almost fall in love with the city : perfect size, bike friendly, safe, walkable, nice people, sunny. Perfect for young, families, and old people. The only thing I don't like is that the summer is hot because of humidity but it it is good for skin
I have to say that I'm surprised that Malaga was not in the top 3. Thanks Stuart
Would move to Valencia in a heartbeat if the local tech sector could ever offer well-paid work.
I think Vienna should be in the top 10 as the most liveable city in the world
Thanks for being so informative. I’m curious, if finding folks willing to work is difficult, why is valencia attractive if services that require workers is a problem? Valencia is one of my retirement destination interests, possible home renovation, along with other needed services, and thus my curiosity.
I don't think Valencia has the best climate in (mainland) Spain as stated- yes it's a lovely, typical Mediterranean climate...but south from Torrevieja down along the Orihuela Costa they have a unique micro climate- Koppen rating of (BSh) hot semi-arid. It can often be raining in Valencia and it's warm and sunny down on the Orihuela Costa, plus more sunny days per annum. Many, many Madrileños know this and have 2nd home down here- especially in and around Torrevieja which is extremely affordable too (not the prettiest town you will ever see tho lols). Going to be 21C here on the Orihuela Costa tomorrow (Sat 10th). Guess no snow for us this year 🙂
Orihuela and Torrevieja no thanks
@@harriettt9857 ... I'm obviously just referring to the climate Harriet. Orihuela Costa and Torrevieja cannot compete in any other way. Orihuela Costa is a run down, neglected sleepy beach town and Torrevieja is a bit, mmm, lets just say a bit trashy (no offense to anyone 🫢).
@@harriettt9857 ....another point I should make about the Orihuela Costa is it's location. This is a big plus as Elche, Murcia, Cartegena and Alicante are all an easy 40 minute drive away. Perfect if you want to spend some time in a traditional Spanish city with fascinating architecture and history. Lots of nice places around for hiking and camping too...and nice to get back to the Orihuela Costa with the best climate and healthy air (due to large natural salt lakes at Torrevieja) afterwards. Sitting by my pool as I type this- 20c at 1:10pm 🙂
@@harriettt9857 Just drive a few km further south to Pilar de la Horadada and you'll be fine😁...
Love your videos, muy bien explicados gracias, thank you.
The definition of expat " a word I dislike" because it only refers to people with a certain social economic class ie. people with cash and prizes. My definition of "expat" generally means either a retired person from Northern Europe living in Spain or a person working for a fortune 500 company or some well payed cushiony job, or a laptop worker/digital nomad. Another issue is how much these "expats" are embedded or disembedded in the local cutlure, whether it be in Spain, The United Arab Emirates, or Singapore etc. People usually don't consider the Moroccans picking the spanish fruits in vegetables in Spain Expats. Nor do folks consider the poor souls who built the infrascture for the World Cup 2022 in Qatar as expats according to this survey.
Very good point! The other "expats" that don't make or have a lot of money are otherwise known as slaves.
People don't want to do deep dive into living abroad. Mostly they like what is seen on the surface, while I have never been to Spain I will say it seems to be a beautiful city, however living so far away from family isn't mu cup of tea.
What do you mean: expats?
You are talking of migrants from England, aren’t you?
ahhahha you are not allowed to call British people immigrants, they are expats ..immigrants are the east europeans , or middle east people/asia
@@AhmedFbk
Ahmed
That’s exactly the point:
I don’t need permission to point out arrogance.
(I would like add, may be the speaker is just in the habit of using the word falsely.)
Tipping has become a hot topic.You tip waiters in restaurants.Do you tip the mechanic when you take your car for service.Do you tip the the dentist when you have a dental appointment.Do you tip the store worker who helps you find your missing item in the grocery store.There are hundreds of workers who help you every day that you don’t tip.Why is it important to tip waiters who get paid to do their job.
What is the Flamenco culture like in Valencia?
Flamenco is typical of Andalusia. In Valencia there is very little flamenco, it is not our culture, the typical of Valencia are the Jotas and the Albaes Valencianas, there are also many street bands that play paso dobles and Moorish music, especially in the Fallas festival. In very touristy places like Benidorm you can find Flamenco but it is for tourists.
@@tafareactions2823 thank you so much for your feedback-my teachers are in Triana so if I would visit, I would go there but was curious about Valencia.
May i ask if English is popular in Valencia?
No, it is not really popular unless you hang out mostly with people from Internations or Meet Up. I had a month in Valencia and the locals don't take to you at all if you have zero Spanish. Luckily I have got A2 Spanish but the locals still have got their reservations against extranjeros because they drive up the prices of rents in Valencia significantly.
top
When taxes and education are not priorities Valencia is great. The Valencia Regional Community taxes more than Andalucia, Madrid, or Murcia. If you have kids they will have problems learning Spanish because they teach classes in Valencian. Everything else is great.
How has Valencia got a great quality of life if the work prospects are so bad. "Financial security" is one of the most important things in life. I've been in Spain for 23 years (too long)and franknly I'm not so impressed by them or their cutlure. Sitting at some outdoor café, or living in flats that DO NOT have heating in the winter (in Southern and on the Mediterranean coast, isn't enough to rank Valencia so high. Getting to know Spanish people in general is nearly impossible. I'd rank Spain at number 50 in this apsect. The Spanish often think that they're so "open" because they're sitting at "terraza" (an outdoor café) with the same friends they've known since primary school. However, they are NOT inclusive of you. When we say in English......"I like to get to know new people or what are you into" are two sentences that are lost in translation. They don't really epxress those two ideas in the langauge. You could be sitting with a group of Spanish and they don't ask you a single thing. They just look at you. the bottle of olive oil on the table gets more attention than you do! If you mangage to have a Spanish friend with car and they're driving yuo home, they rarely drop you off in front of your house. They leave you somewhere near that would make them go out of their way to bring you to your doorstep. The Spanish rarley invite you over to their homes. The Spanish house is a very private space. Thus, no dinners, no lunches with them in their house. It's sad but true.
I am in Valencia right now and have been here for a week leaving tomorrow for Madrid. This is my first time here but I have been to many Spanish cities, towns and a couple of Spanish Islands. I live in Berlin, grew up in the US and have seen a good deal of the world. In the last six weeks I have been to the US, Germany, Sweden, Denmark and now Spain. The country that impresses me the most is Denmark not because of the weather of course but because the people there seem the least egotistical from the other countries that I mentioned. I love the weather here in Spain but the mentality seems like it does where I live in Germany and maybe even more so namely egotistical. Just my opinion.
Valencia is bad for business.. and so affordable anymore compared to Barcelona and Madrid. Maybe for those coming from London or New York, Melbourne or Sydney etc
Why are we called ex pats .
Are we not immigrants living in another country .
Expats seem to bring financial nest eggs and pensions with them to their retirement homes, migrants don't have this luxury unfortunately to bring from their country of origin...