Job Discussion Forums

hurricanedk · Joined: 18 Jul 2007 Posts: 1

Hi, I�m looking for some advice about where to live in Valencia.

I�m moving there to teach English and i�m aware of some of the main websites for finding rooms in shared houses but am unsure of which areas of the city to look in.

I�m pretty flexible but I want to live in a Spanish speaking place preferably with people of similar age (23) and don�t want to have to travel a very long way to work/city everyday. Obviously some travel time is fine especially if it means I can live in a more relaxed area with parks, less traffic etc.

I�m assuming all the areas close to the sea are prohibitively expensive for an English teacher, is this correct?

Any advice would be great

Thanks, Dave

jonniboy · Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2007 12:17 pm Post subject:

The thing is, there aren't any big concentrations of expats anywhere in Valencia city so Spanish is the lingua franca everywhere. Possible exception would be the zone around Calle Cuba which has concentrations of Chinese and Moroccans. The areas near the university (Benimaclet/Blasco Ibanez) are popular zones as they've plenty of nightlife so don't live there if you're looking somewhere quiet! Plus they have proportionally more immigrants/students.

Patraix/Jesus in the south-west of the city are popular with young Spanish professionals.

About the areas close to the beach. I don't really know now as it's been two years since I lived there. In 2005 that zone was actually undesirable as it was quite cold in winter (many flats had no central heating) and had a lot of problems with crime/drugs etc. The Americas Cup nonsense has at least pushed that elsewhere but at the cost of also pushing prices up greatly in the city. (2005 a room would have cost you 95-150 a month, one bed flat 350-425).

Another point about Vlc is that it's a very compact city so you can walk to the city centre from most of the city within 35 minutes and the metro is also fast and reliable.

mdk · Joined: 09 Jun 2007 Posts: 425

There is a decentish hostel next to La Llonja where you could probably stay while you have a look around.

El_Che · Joined: 13 Feb 2007 Posts: 34 Location: Spain

rach5000 · Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 6

rents used to be 95 to 150 a month for a room but with the America's cup rent has gone up. You can still be lucky and find a room for 150 a month (I had a room for 140 a month this year) but on average now its 200 a month or above. But don't let people take advantage and charge you 300 (unless you have a lot of money and its a REALLY nice place). Its not easy in Valencia now so be patient there is a next to La Lonja or close by Hostal Rincon which is basic but clean and cheap and you have your own room.

The zones by the beach are nice but will be further to travel to work however there is the tram and Valencia is perfect for biking around (just lock it well!!). Valencia is small so travelling time is not a problem.

I would reccommend Rusafa, Jesus, Patraix as well.
Good luck.

deputamadre · Joined: 29 Mar 2007 Posts: 53

http://valencia.loquo.com

is a good website for finding apartments/rooms to rent. There are usually places listed in all of the aforementioned neighborhoods. I lived right near the big futbol stadium, and for a short period, near the beach to work at the America's Cup. I'd recommend staying closer to the city center as much of the beach-side areas are full of gypsy squatters and overall sketchiness.