Moving to Spain sounds like such an exciting plan! But when it comes to looking for an accommodation, there are many things to keep in mind. Deciding where to stay in Valencia definitely is one of them! Check out our guide for young expats and get ready to start your Spanish adventure.
At the beginning of a new chapter abroad, you will need to know how to properly choose a room for rent in Valencia (or whichever type of accommodation you prefer).
Therefore, we are here to help you in these first steps of your journey, especially if you are not familiar with flat-hunting: how to set a budget, how to choose the right neighborhood, which kind of accommodation you can pick, etc.
First of all, it is important to evaluate the rental market: type of housing solutions, the best areas, the average prices and the services included or not. This way you will be able to decide where to stay in Valencia and optimize your budget.
If you have enough time to start your research in advance, our tip is to start looking for accommodation at least a couple months before the arrival, in order to have a rough idea about it.
No rush, take your time to pick the right place where to stay in Valencia; but you have to know that there’s quite a competition in here! This city is an important hub in Spain. Many international students and young professionals come every new semester to live their experience abroad: this means many people looking for the perfect accommodation at the same time!
So, let’s start setting a flat-hunting mind to find your new home where to stay in Valencia!
The most popular choice among the community of young internationals is to pick a room in a shared flat. Why? Renting a room in Valencia is the best way to enjoy the daily (and night) life and having all the comforts of the city centre at a cheap price. Moreover, you will share an apartment with other young people from all over the world, getting to learn their languages and cultures and enjoy many fun moments all together.
If you are moving in with your partner or even a best friend, you could look for a shared room. But this is your safe place, your intimate space; so, be careful who you share it with! It may happen that you won’t get along with the roommate or you could become lifelong friends. Who knows?!
One bedroom apartments or studios are also common housing solutions in Valencia, but mostly chosen by young professionals in a higher age range (let’s say over 28).
The price for a studio apartment usually is double of the room’s price, therefore, as a student, you may not be able to live exactly in the city centre. The perks of living in a studio in Valencia are all about having your own privacy, spaces and home rules. But this way you can miss the whole experience of sharing a flat with other young internationals (that is one of the main aims of a semester or year abroad).
The residence is another type of accommodation for students in Valencia. Here you’ll live in huge buildings and have access to shared common areas such as kitchen, living room, bathrooms, laundries etc. The university can provide it or you can look for a private residency and the average price for this one is midway between a room and a studio.
When it comes to choosing the right area where to stay in Valencia, you should ask yourself a couple questions that will help you learn more about the city and pick the right accommodation.
1. Where is the workplace or university campus located?
Your entire experience in Valencia will be affected by the location you choose. Your daily life depends on this! Therefore we recommend you to start your research by opening the maps on Google and seeing where your university or workplace is located. Then check out the closest metro or bus stops, which lines run there and the areas that sit on the stops along those metro/bus routes.
2. Is the public transportation good in the area?
Most of the young internationals coming to live in Valencia don’t have a personal vehicle, therefore our tip is to make sure your accommodation is located close to metro or bus stops; this way you will easily move around Valencia, toward the beach and the surrounding areas.
Moreover you should know that there are many other alternative means of transportation, such as cabify, bike or moto sharing.
3. How far from my home are the main points in the city?
You’re lucky because Valencia has amazing attractions all around the city; therefore, whichever is the neighborhood you pick in the city centre, you’ll find uncountable cultural sights, green areas, international venues and much more. Or can you also opt for living close to the beach! It sounds amazing, doesn’t it?!
Our tip is not to rent a room or apartment in the suburbs, because you won’t be able to fully enjoy the life in the city and the events with your new international friends.
And believe us, Valencia is a city that offers so many activities to do during the day and by night. Don’t miss any of them!
Here we are with the main focus: where to stay in Valencia. Let’s find out the most recommended neighborhoods for international students and young professionals.
In these areas you will find all you need for an unforgettable stay abroad: universities, cultural attractions, shopping avenues, restaurants and dining spots, bar and nightclubs, supermarkets, banks, health centers, public transportation, etc.
The place to be for those who wish to live in the very heart of Valencia is Ciutat Vella. It is the historic center of the city, an enchanting place that charms thousands of tourists with many old cultural attractions, such as the central market or the cathedral and many fun places, bars and restaurants.
This recently renewed area is the hotspot for hipsters and young internationals. It’s home to colorful narrow streets, beautiful cafes and bars, trendy art galleries. It’s quite close to the historic centre of Valencia and well connected with the other areas of the city.
The Eixample is the modernist neighborhood: its design and its spectacular architecture surround the main shopping avenues with amazing buildings and attractions such as Plaza de Toros (the traditional bullring) and Estació del Nord (Northern station), decorated in a beautiful Art Nouveau.
Benimaclet is the multicultural neighborhood, where the local vibes mix and match with flavours and smells from all over the world. Thanks to the uncountable ethnic restaurants, here you will experience many cultures in one tiny area.
Only recently El Cabanyal became a super trendy area, where you’ll find so many young Valencian people. Yes, it is loved by the locals because of its unique history, charming architecture and the new styled bars and restaurants (where you can also try the authentic paella!).
Well, our little guide to help you find where to stay in Valencia is over. We truly hope this will be useful for you to start your new journey abroad. See you in Valencia!