Pros and Cons of Living in Valencia, Spain

Autumn in Spain reminds me of when I first moved to Valencia from the Netherlands. It has already been over a decade since I packed my bags and decided to live abroad for one year. I never would have thought I would still be living here after all these years. It might be obvious that I like the life I live here, but living in Valencia is not just a happy holiday lifestyle all the time like many people think. Living abroad has ups and downs. Let me show you some of the pros and cons of living in Valencia, Spain. 

Pros and Cons of Living in Valencia, Spain: The Cons

• The summers are too hot, with lots of humidity, and there is no real winter with snow and ice.
• You’ll miss your family and friends especially during holiday season, on birthdays, and other special occasions.
• If you want to get something done, it can take a while. You need to be patient.
• You will always be an outsider even if you live here for a long time.
• If you're from the Netherlands or another northern country, your direct and honest way of communicating can be perceived in a bad way. 

Pros and Cons of Living in Valencia, Spain: The Pros

• Valencia offers over 300 days of sunshine every year. If you want snow, go on a short trip to the nearby mountains.
• Your family and friends will come visit, and in my case, our bond got even stronger.
• Keep calm and adapt to the relaxed way of living. Don’t get stressed over every little thing and live in the moment.
• Maybe you won’t become a true Valencian, but that's okay. Locals will respect you the way you are and are very tolerant, even if you're a little different.
• There is a huge respect for authority and the elderly. This results in a safe and enjoyable environment.
• An immense benefit when living abroad is that you can compare the two nations, learn from it, and take the best of both worlds.
• Valencia has beautiful old and new architecture and is a clean city.
• Locals are proud of their city and there is an event or a festival every single week, liked the famous Las Fallas. 

My perspective about the pros and cons of living in Valencia, Spain has changed over the years. It is like a long love affair:

• Phase one: The first few years where I was excited about a new city and my new life was beautiful, full of energy, and adventurous.
• Phase two: This happened after a few years when my first crush was over and I learned about the negative side of Valencia. I would get annoyed when things didn’t go my way and I was always comparing situations to my home country, where it was better, faster and easier.
• Phase three: This is the phase I’m in today. I’m still living in Valencia and I now accept the differences. It makes me stronger, more tolerant, and I find myself convincing others to do things "the Valencian way". 

If you need help moving to Valencia, discover Match Better Valencia. If you want to experience the city and learn about the traditions and the best neighborhoods to live in, discover my Dutch website, Fit In Valencia. If you want to learn about the cost of living in Valencia and other cities in Spain, read the free cost of living guide below: