Maria’s Experience in Valencia, Spain

What attracts you to living in Valencia? Would you recommend it? What’s it like?

I have been living in Valencia for three years and for me it is the perfect city. It isn’t very big, so at the same time as there being a great atmosphere on the streets, there isn’t a huge amount of people (except on Calle Colón [Columbus Street] and by the town hall on Fridays and Saturdays xD). You can also get to places relatively quickly on the metro, and you can also get to other towns easily via train (Renfe). For young people we like to do things differently here, I think that it is a good place to live. There are outside areas where you can play sport (by the river), there’s the beach, and the bars where you can go out with friends are really well situated (specifically the area of Aragon and Blasco Ibanez). You can also go for food and drink on the terraces in the old town; there are medieval and Moorish vestiges where you can go to learn about the history, and you can do more relaxing activities like sit and take in the scenery in the Gardens of Fernando the Catholic (Jardines de Fernando el Católico).

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What’s the student lifestyle like in Valencia?

My experience is good. The students usually go out in the area of Blasco Ibanez, Aragon and the area by the port. Thursdays are popular nights for university students. In general, everyone goes out together and helps each other – there is a great atmosphere among us.

How much does it cost to live in Valencia?

I try to spend the minimum on bills in the house so that I can go out more, and when I go out I also try and spend the bare minimum. If you make a small sacrifice you can go out relatively cheaply.

Was it difficult for you to find accommodation? Do you have any advice?

I live in a flat that I got from my grandparents a while ago, so I didn’t have any problems with accommodation. I have some friends that found accommodation easily and didn’t have any problems, but I also know people who had more difficulties finding somewhere.

What’s the country’s food like? What are your favourite dishes?

In Valencia you can eat all types of food and in general its pretty good. For me, the best thing is eating tapas with a cold beer. There are loads of bars where you can do just that, and the prices vary between moderate and expensive.

What places do you recommend visiting in Valencia?

My preferred places are the river, where you can do all sorts of things (sport, take a walk, have a picnic, etc. and you can also find the City of Arts and Sciences there); lose yourself in the El Carmen neighbourhood and the rest of the old town; the Ruzafa area (Calle Cádiz, Calle Dénia, Calle Sueca, etc. ); Avenida de Francia (Francia Avenue) is also a good place to go for a walk.

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What about eating out in Valencia? What are your favourite places?

I usually eat out in cheaper places, but when I can I go to El Saona, which is on Marqués del Túria Street (Calle Marqués del Túria). It’s really cozy, the menu costs less than ten euros, the food is really good and it fills you up. Near to Calle Serpis there is a really good tapas bar called Tanto Monta, and there’s also a pizzeria called Carusso, which is on the same street (Serpis) and makes really good pizzas that cost about €3. 50.

Where do you recommend for nightlife in Valencia?

In the Aragon area there are lots of pubs, on Blasco Ibanez there is a club called Rumbo an on the port there is a variety of clubs as well. Personally, my favourite is TB club, even though it is a little small.

Do you have any advice for future students in Valencia?

In Valencia you feel comfortable very soon after arriving, so relax because before you know it you will be accustomed to living there. Enjoy your time there and make the most of it! Go everywhere you can, do everything you can do, and get to know as many people as possible!

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Las Fallas festival.