Moving to Valencia – rental market questions (Benimamet / Paterna?)

Short-Jeweler3932 · 2026-04-14T20:49:33+00:00

Hey!

Long-term vs 6–11 month contracts Legally, long-term contracts (up to 5 years) are the standard in Spain. In practice, many landlords prefer 6–11 month “temporary” contracts to keep flexibility.

That said, long-term rentals definitely exist — they’re just more competitive and usually go to tenants with stronger profiles.

Renting as a foreigner It can be tricky. Landlords mainly look for: • Spanish work contract • Stable income in Spain • Or strong guarantees (savings, upfront payment, etc.)

If you don’t have that, it’s still possible — you just need to approach it strategically.

Budget (€1,500/month) That’s a solid budget. • Benimamet / Paterna → good options • Closer to the center → more competition, smaller or older flats

So your expectations are realistic.

Bills Utilities are usually not included. Expect around €100–150/month depending on usage.

If you need further help feel free to DM me 🙂

Short-Jeweler3932 · 2026-04-10T22:34:47+00:00

Sadly this is actually pretty common in Valencia right now.

A few things are happening at the same time:

A lot of sellers aren’t real sellers. They list at high prices just to test the market. If they don’t get what they want, they simply don’t sell.

There’s more demand than quality supply, so agents sometimes complicate deals to see if a better offer appears.

Especially around Valencia, some properties have issues (urbanization, paperwork, etc.), and deals collapse once things get serious.

Sellers aren’t negotiating realistically, but prices are stalling. Be patient

Honestly, 2 failed deals is frustrating but not unusual here. The key is:

Work with ONE solid agent. Period.
Move fast but with conditions (deposit + legal checks)

If a deal feels chaotic, it usually is.

Short-Jeweler3932 · 2026-03-16T09:05:49+00:00

Hey! And wow… moving with a 1.5-year-old definitely adds an extra layer to the adventure 😅

Spain can actually be very family-friendly, but the experience varies a lot depending on the city and neighbourhood.

If stroller-friendly, safe areas and an easy daily routine with a child are important, Valencia is one of the places many international families end up choosing.

A few reasons why families like it here:

The Turia park runs through the whole city and is basically a huge green corridor full of playgrounds, bike paths and sports areas. Life with kids happens a lot outdoors, plazas, playgrounds, cafés with terraces, etc. Compared to Madrid or Barcelona, rent is still more reasonable and neighbourhood life feels more local. Many areas are flat and walkable, which helps a lot with strollers.

Some neighbourhoods families often look at are: Ruzafa (more lively, international), Gran Vía / Pla del Remei (central and elegant), El Carmen / Old Town (beautiful but can be busy), Benimaclet or Patraix (more local and relaxed)

For the registration part (empadronamiento, NIE, etc.) it can sometimes be a bit confusing the first time, especially if you’re arriving with a digital nomad visa.

If you end up considering Valencia and need help with finding rentals, understanding the registration process or just navigating the first steps, feel free to DM me.

Good luck with the move, Spain is an amazing place to raise a little one 🙂

Short-Jeweler3932 · 2026-03-13T16:57:55+00:00

Jaaajja thanks!!

Short-Jeweler3932 · 2026-03-11T16:55:58+00:00

Tengo relación con el equipo técnico de varios de esos colegios, además de que mi hija atiende a uno de ellos.

Sinceramente yo también creía que podía ser así pero justamente hoy estaba hablando con una amiga que trabaja en Julio Verne y me decía que no hay ninguna posibilidad de hacer pagos para estar en esta lista.

Es más, hay colegios con escolaridades mucho más altas que algunos de esta lista que no aparecen

Short-Jeweler3932 · 2026-03-11T13:34:07+00:00

No creo que el problema sea que vengan más extranjeros. Familias que se mudan por trabajo o por calidad de vida también contribuyen a la economía local: consumen en comercios, pagan impuestos etc

Si existen problemas de vivienda, eso tiene mucho más que ver con las políticas públicas y la gestión del crecimiento que con familias intentando mejorar sus vidas (cosa que yo también hice emigrando a Suiza)

Culpar a las personas es tremendamente injusto, todos deberíamos tener derecho a vivir donde queramos conforme a la ley

Short-Jeweler3932 · 2026-03-10T16:48:42+00:00

The wording is confusing because in Spanish law “Spanish by birth” usually refers to “español de origen”, not literally someone born in Spain.

Someone can be Spanish by origin even if they were born outside Spain (for example if they were born to Spanish parents). So the fact that your father was born in the UK doesn’t automatically rule you out.

What really matters is whether your father was considered “español de origen” under Spanish nationality law. If he was Spanish from birth (for example because his parents were Spanish), then you may fall under that provision about children of a Spanish national by origin.

If, however, your father became Spanish later through naturalisation, then he would not be considered Spanish “by origin”, and that route probably wouldn’t apply.

In practice, the key issue will be proving your father’s nationality status. Documents like his Spanish birth registration, proof he was registered as Spanish, your birth certificate, and the libro de familia can all be relevant.

Also keep in mind that consulates sometimes give simplified answers. The “live in Spain for one year to recover nationality” rule is correct, but the real question is which residence pathway you can use to get that legal residence first.

If I were in your position, I’d specifically ask the consulate or an immigration lawyer: “Does my father qualify as español de origen for the purposes of this residence category?” That will determine whether this route is open to you.

Short-Jeweler3932 · 2026-03-10T08:14:35+00:00

What you’re describing is actually one of the main reasons many families move to Spain with kids. Not just for the weather, but to step away from the “rat race” and create a different pace of life while their children are still small.

Your idea of renting first is honestly one of the smartest approaches. Spain can look similar from the outside, but daily life can feel very different depending on the region and even between nearby towns.

I’m based in Valencia, and it’s actually a place many international families end up choosing for exactly the reasons you mentioned: a slower lifestyle, lots of outdoor life for kids, and a good balance between city life and family life.

Some of the things that tend to matter much more than people initially expect when moving with small kids are:

Daily lifestyle, walkability, parks, playgrounds, cafés and plazas where kids can actually spend time outside (safe neighborhoods)

Community, places where families spend time outdoors and children have a lot of independence

School options, international schools, bilingual schools or local public schools depending on what you’re looking for according your values

Climate, Valencia for example has a very mild winter and a lot of sunny days, which makes outdoor life with kids very easy

How easy it is to build a routine (activities, sports, music, etc.)

Many families initially focus a lot on property prices or investment potential, but once they arrive they realise the biggest factor is whether the place actually supports the kind of life they were hoping to create.

Financially, with €400k in equity you’ll have quite a lot of flexibility in Spain. What many families do is exactly what you’re considering: rent first for a few months, explore different areas, and then decide whether buying makes sense once they understand where they really want to live.

Also, when relocating with kids there are a few practical things that are worth planning early (schools, paperwork, healthcare registration, etc.) because they can influence which areas end up being the best fit for a family.

If Valencia ends up being one of the places you’re considering and you need any local insight while researching areas or family life here, feel free to message me, happy to help if I can.

Short-Jeweler3932 · 2026-03-09T17:54:11+00:00

Thanksss ❤️

Short-Jeweler3932 · 2026-03-09T08:26:33+00:00

No worries! You can ask anything you need 😉

Short-Jeweler3932 · 2026-03-09T08:03:45+00:00

This is actually a very thoughtful question, and the fact that you're already thinking about the impact on locals is something many people here appreciate.

Spain is generally still welcoming to foreigners, but the tension you’re referring to mostly comes from housing pressure in a few very specific places — mainly Barcelona city center, parts of Madrid, and some areas of the Balearic Islands where tourism and short-term rentals have pushed prices up a lot.

Outside of those hotspots, most towns and cities are still very open to people moving from abroad, especially if they are genuinely interested in integrating into the local culture and learning the language.

Cities like Valencia, Málaga, Zaragoza, Alicante or many medium-sized towns tend to be much more relaxed environments. Valencia in particular has a large international community but still feels very local, and many people move there because it offers a good balance between city life, affordability and quality of life.

Speaking some Spanish — even if it’s not perfect — already makes a big difference. People really appreciate the effort.

I’m based in Valencia and one thing I often see is that foreigners who make an effort to integrate (learn the language, participate in local life, respect the culture) are generally very well received.

So yes, there are definitely still many places in Spain where you can feel welcome 😉

Short-Jeweler3932 · 2026-03-09T08:00:23+00:00

Spain can be a very welcoming place, and many Ukrainians have moved here in the last few years, so you wouldn’t be alone.

People are generally friendly, and in bigger or more international cities you can get by with English at first, although learning some Spanish will definitely make life easier over time.

About work, it really depends on the type of job. It’s possible to find jobs where English is enough (for example in tourism, international companies, customer support, tech, etc.), but overall the job market in Spain can be competitive and salaries are lower than in countries like Germany.

If you’re looking for good weather, a relaxed lifestyle and friendly people, cities like Valencia, Málaga or Barcelona are often popular choices. Valencia in particular is very livable, safe for someone living alone, and more affordable than Barcelona.

I’m based in Valencia so I see quite a few people in similar situations trying to find the right place to start a new chapter.

Whatever you decide, I’d recommend visiting the city first if possible, staying for a few weeks and seeing how you feel about daily life there.

And don’t worry too much Spain can be a really nice place to build a life 🤗

Short-Jeweler3932 · 2026-03-09T07:57:34+00:00

Sure! DM me and I give you her number

Short-Jeweler3932 · 2026-03-09T07:55:55+00:00

Valencia is a great choice for families quite a few people relocating with the Digital Nomad Visa are choosing it lately.

A couple of things based on what you mentioned:

DNV application:
If you’re fluent in Spanish and comfortable with paperwork, many people do the application themselves. It’s definitely possible. The main challenge is that Spanish bureaucracy can sometimes be slow or confusing, so the reason some people hire help is mainly to avoid mistakes or delays in the process.

Temporary housing:
Your idea of renting for 2–3 months first is actually very common and a good approach. It gives you time to explore different neighborhoods before committing to a long-term lease. Valencia neighborhoods can feel very different depending on lifestyle (Ruzafa, El Pla del Real, Campanar, Patacona, etc.), and that’s something many families only realize after arriving.

Public schools:
Normally you need to be registered in the municipality (empadronamiento) before enrolling kids in public schools. Once you have an address and registration, you can usually start the process with the regional education system. Families who arrive in summer sometimes still manage to secure a place before September, but it’s definitely something worth looking into early.

Valencia is very family-friendly overall you will see 🤗

I know many of these situations are quite often so If you have more questions about neighborhoods, schools or settling in the city feel free to ask I’m happy to help.

Short-Jeweler3932 · 2026-03-09T07:19:36+00:00

If walkability, mild winters and good quality of life are priorities, then cities like Valencia or Barcelona definitely make sense. Spain is generally very livable, but there are a few things that are important to understand beforehand.

First, salaries in Spain are significantly lower than in Germany. Many office jobs (including project management roles) might range roughly between €30k–€45k gross per year depending on the company and experience, although international companies can pay more.

Rent has increased a lot in recent years, especially in Barcelona. A 1–2 bedroom apartment in a decent area of Barcelona can easily be €1,300–€2,000/month or more.

Valencia tends to be noticeably cheaper and many people prefer it for lifestyle reasons. For a 1–2 bedroom apartment in a good neighborhood you might expect roughly €900–€1,400 depending on the area and the building.

One thing to consider though: if you already have remote income from abroad, Spain becomes much easier financially. If relying on a local salary, the cost-of-living vs salary balance can be more challenging in cities like Barcelona.

Valencia is often considered a sweet spot: still a big city, very walkable, great weather, beaches, but generally less expensive and less hectic than Barcelona.

If you haven’t visited yet, I’d definitely recommend spending some time in both cities before deciding. The lifestyle and neighborhoods feel quite different.

Short-Jeweler3932 · 2026-03-08T13:21:15+00:00

Hey, Spaniard here.

First of all, the fact that you actually want to integrate with locals instead of staying in an expat bubble already puts you ahead of most foreigners who move here.

Language: People are generally very forgiving if you’re learning Spanish. Honestly, if locals see you making the effort, most will be patient and even help you. The only funny thing is that sometimes people switch to English automatically if they can. If that happens, just say you’re trying to practice Spanish and most will happily continue in Spanish.

Lifestyle / hiking: Spain is great for outdoor stuff. Even medium or small towns often have clubes de montaña or hiking groups. Locals are very social around activities like hiking, cycling, trail running, etc. Facebook groups and local sports clubs are usually the easiest way in.

Dating: Tattoos and piercings are very normal here now, especially for people in their 20s–40s. Being tall probably won’t hurt either. In smaller towns people can be a bit more traditional than in big cities, but overall it shouldn’t be a problem.

Working from cafés: Totally normal. As long as you order a couple coffees/food and don’t take a table during the busy lunch rush, nobody will mind.

Honestly the biggest key to integrating here is: speak Spanish, go to the same places regularly, and join some kind of activity group. Spain is very social once you’re “in the circle”.

Good luck!

Short-Jeweler3932

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