Moving to spain - Valencia
 

Hi guys, this is my first post on the BE forum so I apologise if my questions have been asked a thousand times already.
Myself and partner are thinking on moving to Spain to teach for a year. We are both fully qualified Primary School teachers and are looking for a new, stress free experience.

Having researched the job market in Spain, there seems to be a lot of availability in Valencia. Does anyone on the forum live there or have experiences of Valencia? Most jobs seem to be paying around 1500 euros a month. Is this a liveable salary? If my partner secures a job we could be looking at 3000 euros a month, so fingers crossed.

There doesn't seem to be much recent information available so thought I would check on here.

Many thanks

Re: Moving to spain - Valencia
 

Valencia is going through a big economic crisis at the moment, even more so than the rest of Spain

The good news is this means that rents are really low and 3,000 euros per month will be more than enough. The bad news is that the newbuild parts of the city are pretty desolate and the town council and regional council are pretty much bankrupt

I was offered a job in Valencia a few years ago, but didnt like the city when I visited for the job interview. However, many people on here rave about it

Re: Moving to spain - Valencia
 

Thanks for the quick reply, much appreciated. Also seems to be a lot of jobs in Madrid and Seville but I imagine Madrid is comparable with the costs of other major cities like London in terms of rent?

Re: Moving to spain - Valencia
 

Renting will be much more expensive in Madrid than in Valencia, but it is still way cheaper than London

For example, a pretty good 2 bed flat will cost maybe 1000 euros per month in Madrid, and 700 euros in Valencia

Re: Moving to spain - Valencia
 

As Concierge for the Spanish section of BE I would like to say hello and welcome.

BE is a very large expat website, so if you have problems finding your way around we have concierges who will try to direct you. The moderators for the Spanish forums are Mitzyboy and Fred James, moderators are there to ensure that the site runs smoothly within the rules of BE. Problems and complaints should always be addressed to a moderador who will look into the matter and deal with it efficiently and fairly. Our members who post in the Spain Forums are friendly and helpful with a wealth of knowledge of the issues of living in Spain. At the top of the page you will find a quirkily named thread called Free Beer which is full of important and useful information. Hope you enjoy your time participating in the forums.

Please let me know if you need any further help.

Rosemary

Re: Moving to spain - Valencia
 

I hate cities with a passion so it took a long time for my husband to persuade me to visit Valencia which is about 30 minutes away. Now I am totally hooked and probably visit it once or twice every month. The buildings are fantastic, the roads are wide and when there are events such as Falla and many of the roads are closed it is even better. The people are friendly, shops are a mix of old traditional local shops and all of the high street ones too, plenty of very reasonable restaurants so never short of choice.

I love it.

Rosemary

Re: Moving to spain - Valencia
 

Thank you for the information and warm welcome Rosemary. We are after a change of pace of life really, I know that Valencia is a city but it sounds like it's ticking all the right boxes for us.

Thanks too cricketman

Re: Moving to spain - Valencia
 

Well, you wouldn't really consider living in London and working as a teacher on a salary of roughly £1236. I'm sure you can get a decent 1 bed in Valencia for €500, but you won't have much left at the end of the month. Doesn't the shool usually pay your accomodation? If you both find a job no worries and you can certainly enjoy city life with 2 salaries. If you have some savings and just want the experience, why not.

Re: Moving to spain - Valencia
 

Wonderful city, wonderful area in general, with much more to offer in most respects than other cities and areas in Spain, IMHO. :thumbup:

Been in the area more than ten years, traveled and stayed in most other areas of Spain, many of them very nice, but as an all round permanent base with so much to see and do, wether for a country lover or a city person, I rate Valencia at least as good and probably much better than any other.

Re: Moving to spain - Valencia
 

Cheers Dick Dastardly - currently respecting areas of the city to live. Any recommendations? Don't want to end up in a no-go area

Re: Moving to spain - Valencia
 

Valencia is a lovely city. It has everything you would need along with a beautiful climate and a rich history. I've lived and worked here for 12 years now and I consider it my home. I have no intention of returning to Scotland! I've also lived in Barcelona and Madrid, but much prefer Valencia. It just has that laid-back, Spanish feeling to it. I actually reside in a quiet wee town called Godella, which is about 10 minutes by car from Valencia city centre, and connected by metro too. There are several (private) English schools in the surrounding area. I have a 4 bed, 2 bath semi-detached house with private garden and communal pool, which I rent for 750€ per month.

Here's a nice wee promo video for Valencia: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9--c-NIUsE

Re: Moving to spain - Valencia
 

Thanks a lot elfallero! The video link was great and gave me a taste if city life- it looks fantastic. Can you recommend any areas to live near/in the city itself? Also any information on monthly bills etc would be great!

Thanks all

Re: Moving to spain - Valencia
 

Monthly bills? I'm a single dad with a 10 year old daughter. I guess I spend about 700€ a month on utilities, food, clothes, etc.

Re: Moving to spain - Valencia
 

Just found some info on the net suggesting utility bill such as gas, electric etc are around €150 a month

Re: Moving to spain - Valencia
 

Yup, that's about right for the utilities.

Re: Moving to spain - Valencia
 

There is a very useful rent comparison tool (comparador precios) on this site. It allows you to chose an area and by entering the rent you wish to pay you can see what is available, above and below this price. It will give you an idea anyway.

http://www.enalquiler.com/index.php/

Valencia does seem good value when compared to other major cities and of course it has the Mediterranean coast.

Re: Moving to spain - Valencia
 

I disagree, the link you've given is just to one of many rental web sites. Ah, now I see it - select "comparador precios" from menu bar.

Mmmmm why aren't my flats showing up I wonder?

Re: Moving to spain - Valencia
 

Thanks guirijohn will check it out now

Re: Moving to spain - Valencia
 

Hi,Worlo
In response to your request for suggestions respecting attractive areas of city in which to live I nominate three for your consideration-
1.The area west of Gran Via Fernando El Catolico,between the metro stations of Turia and Angel Guimera,bounded by Calle Angel Guimera, Avenida Perez Galdos, Paseo de la Pechina and GV Fernando; comprising streets of Palleter,Erudito Orellana,Calixto 3, Gabriel Miro,San Ignacio de Loyola , Juan LLorens (last named is night club street,plus or minus.you choose)etc etc

2.The area around La Fe hospital -great feeling of space in this area and some attractive streets

3.The area around the Ciudad de la Justicia,between Avenida de la Plata and Calle Antonio Sacramento-some fine modern red-brick blocks with pleasant courtyard areas
There are attractive locations on railway lines north and south of Valencia if you are prepared to accept a short commute
I do not have current information on rents etc.

Re: Moving to spain - Valencia
 

Wow thanks for the information. Gives us a good idea of where to start looking.

Re: Moving to spain - Valencia
 

As others have mentioned, Madrid is a lot cheaper than London, but more expensive than Valencia. You have more chance of finding work in Madrid but as a city it isn't to everyone's taste (noisy, polluted, and no outstanding architectural landmarks - no visual wow-factor) others like it because it has lots going on, friendly and open people, great street-life (terrazas, bars, etc) and there's always something to do. If you are after a slower pace of life (and less extreme weather) then Valencia probably ticks more boxes (provided you can find work)

Re: Moving to spain - Valencia
 

Having been into the centre of Valencia old town lately on a couple of occasions I was amazed at just how reasonable prices were compared with most other big city centres where getting ripped off is usually the order of the day.

Reputedly the best indoor market in the country, wonderful building, wonderful produce, yet just every day prices you'd see in an average town.
Noticed one bar in the centre had painted on the window, canya 40 cents, coffee with sandwich 90 cents,... can't be bad.

Also unlike quite a few city centres which look a bit dilapidated in places, Valencia is kept pretty much up to the mark despite the financial problems and there's obviously a lot of pride in the place.

Re: Moving to spain - Valencia
 

Those prices sound just to my liking ha! Cheers for that

Re: Moving to spain - Valencia
 

I agree with all of the above but would also mention the beach area that has had a lot spent on it for the America's cup and F1.Some great bars and a wonderful beach.

Re: Moving to spain - Valencia
 

Thanks johnnyone - it's getting more appealing after every post

Re: Moving to spain - Valencia
 

90 cents for coffee and sandwich, it seems like desperation to me.

Re: Moving to spain - Valencia
 

What could be in a sandwich for that price...I sure wouldn't even take a bite:lol:

Re: Moving to spain - Valencia
 

So I presume you two food snobs would turn your noses up at free tapas bars also. :cool:

Re: Moving to spain - Valencia
 

What are you going on about?

I said that 90 cents for a coffee and sandwich seemed like desperation, on the part of the business, and you come back with this post and call me a snob for that?


Tapas bars are a different matter altogether, and if a man if your age can't see the difference something is amiss.

Anyway, carry on with your cheap shots, I'm off.

is there 'a finger' emotion? And if so where is it?

Re: Moving to spain - Valencia
 

No. It's true. Especially around the University areas (Tarrongers). And you can get a very decent three course meal including beer or wine for maybe 6€. These places are full. They are not desperate - there are queues to get in! The food is good too.

Re: Moving to spain - Valencia
 

What are they philanthropists:unsure: figures don't stack up, financial suicide...or just slop:lol:

Re: Moving to spain - Valencia
 

I did not make any comment about 6 Euro meals.

I commented on coffee and sandwich for a ridiculously low price.

Re: Moving to spain - Valencia
 

No S.O.H. huh ?
cheap coffee and sandwich, free tapas, brandy plus coffee 1euro on Benidorm prom, etc,etc....
All serve the same purpose, to pull the punters in, park their bums on the seats then get them spending more serious money.
None of them do it for charity, there's method in their madness.

Re: Moving to spain - Valencia
 

In most cases even if a bar offers 'loss leaders' at silly prices, customers will go in for the offer, ie coffee and sandwich for 90 cents or 1 Euro brekkie, and that is as far as it goes.

Just because customers get a real cheap breakfast, it does not mean that they will go on to spend serious money in the place.

When spending more, most people don't want to be sitting next to people who are looking for rock bottom prices.

Re: Moving to spain - Valencia
 

Not sure it works that way from my limited experience.
Bars/restaurants that look empty tend not to attract passing trade.

Most folk like to socialise, and are more often attacted to a bar that already has a reasonable number of punters inside, also the fact that the bar has quite a few punters inside suggests that it has much more going for it than an empty bar.

I believe that's the psychology behind loss leaders and IMHO it usually works quite well.

Re: Moving to spain - Valencia
 

Maybe loss leader was a bad choice of words by me.

It is more apt for a supermarket or shop where there is not a limit set in spending,like in a bar.

The spend is then limited what one can eat or drink, and if a customer only has the 1euro breakfast each visit, they are consuming food that a loss is made on, on a regular basis.

Unlike a supermarket where customers are attracted by cheap beer, but also walk out with a trolley full of 'normal' priced goods, which will make up for the discount given on the loss leader.

You are right about about people not wanting to go to empty places to eat, but if a bar is full of people eating really cheap all day brekkies, they will not attract drinkers who would be having cocktails at 7 euros a pop.

My OH who has had dealings with 'hosteleria' for years, has always said that once a place starts with rock bottom prices, that actually lose money on dishes to bring in customers, they are on the way down.

It is a downward spiral, because once the cheap dishes become popular, the bigger the loss.

And in most cases the bars in question are usually closed within a couple of months.

Re: Moving to spain - Valencia
 

All depends on circumstances and location.

I have seen bars with their 1 euro coffee plus brandy offer thriving over a period of several years in good locations in tourist areas.
The price, the happy crowd inside and to a certain extent location pull more punters in and many of them being holidaymakers settle in for a long session and in no time at all forget about sticking only to bargain offers and quickly get in the mood and let their hair down and very freely open up their wallets.

An empty bar attracts hardly anyone.
In contrast as soon as a touristy bar attracts bums onto the seats then things spiral and the punters go for whatever they fancy especially after the first two or three drinks.

Much the same applies with these 2 for 1 offers on the first drinks outside of discos etc.for the younger clientele.

Re: Moving to spain - Valencia
 

Coffee and brandy and 2for 1may work for a short while, usually until other misguided owners give the same offer.

The 'cent chasers' will then have a choice as more and more bars will follow suit.

That is why there will be a row of bars with C and B for a euro, cheap brekkies or other offers, all back in the same position as before within a few weeks.

Only now they will be selling those items at a cheaper price, so making less profit, no profit, or even a loss.

ie looking to put ' bums on seats' as prices have been lowered all around, customers will choose where they enjoy being instead of being enticed by a lower price.

A level playing field once again.

That is until one bar decides to have a coffee and brandy offer at 90cents.:rofl:

Instead of it being a case of 'there is method in their madness, it should be ' there is madness in their method.

Re: Moving to spain - Valencia
 

We underestimate the havoc caused by the 2007 recession in Valencia. I live near to a large 'urbanisation', but now administered from the town hall, where local businesses have gone bust and never recovered. Looking round, they never will recover no matter what loss leaders or coffee and brandy for peanuts they employ.

They won't recover because the whole area, formerly reasonably wealthy, is now poverty stricken and people have little spending power left.

There's nowhere to put the blame, not even modelo 720 or ridiculous autonomo payments. Just the recession.

Re: Moving to spain - Valencia
 

Totally agree