Why are Foreigners FLOCKING to this Spanish City?

[@spainrevealed]

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[@mitcoes]

You have to come back to the Feria del "Tomate del Perello", I think it is the best tomato, but unfortunately it is just a Summer fruit (legally vegetable in the USA for tax reasons). To the South of Valencia, the city has 20 km of beaches, one of them being savage and mostly with no people, because it is only the Parador del Saler and golf club there, Also it is rare to have a 2nd row on those south Valencia city beaches, but you will have 3rd and more rows of people on beaches from Cullera to the south.

[@kilcal]

I thought about moving to Spain several times (Valencia specifically) in the last few years but ended up deciding not to because of climate change concerns. I've heard several times that Spain is running out of fresh water, Europe's energy blackouts due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, and longer and hotter heat waves every year. I know that this probably isn't your area of expertise but maybe you can do a video about some of these concerns and what Spain is doing to prepare or mitigate whats happening.

[@mitcoes]

Unfunded fears. Agriculture "drinks" 90% of the water, and we have a lake that is almost half the city "l'Albufera" . If some day in the far future you are still alive and seawater rises, you can live far from the coast, but temperatures for living are better near the sea, you will need AC in summer days, for one or two moths, and heat more or less the same number of months in winter.

[@kilcal]

@@mitcoes wow, not sure how it's unfounded when a simple google search for "Spain water shortage 2024" brings up Fortune - Spain's drought is so bad that Barcelona is getting a second desalination plant for drinking water. NYTimes - A Glimpse Into Spain’s Future, Where Water Comes by Truck, Not Tap euronews - Spain on track for hottest first quarter on record: Have heavy rains helped with severe drought? npr - In Spain, a years-long drought is pitting locals against the tourism industry comments like "some day in the far future" is why things continue to get worse for everyone.

[@ALEjandro-Travels]

Great video. I do love Valencia; in fact, I love most of Spain 🏖 Thanks for the great information. I can't wait to go back to Valencia this summer bundled with my Mallorca and Lisbon trip.🍹

[@owenriddle1572]

5 years ago we paid 500€ a month for a 2 bed in the centre of Valencia practically. It's now between 1500 and 2k. Its shocking buts its how it is. Average salary is 1,200/300€ . Same situation everywhere

[@nellycastro4482]

I live here for 2 years and going out has increased too. Before what I spent on a meal 35 to 50 euros now is 85 to 100 euros

[@elledix3575]

The same gentrification going on here in Sicily! Locals may feel snubbed cos they can't afford to sit down in a restaurant or bar in their own town anymore. The menus are getting less authentic and the old-school good chefs have retired so who wants to anyway?! You can move to other slightly less touristy towns, but the same is happening there. The biggest shame is that these places are gradually losing their identity despite what the video is trying to make out with "the grandmothers with their carts" at the indoor market. WhyTF are women over 50 always referred to as grannies anyway??

[@MrCanalon]

No it´s not, Valencia, Palma and Barcelona, "expat" hotspots are very nuch expensive now. You know where Zamora even is?That's the point

[@relocatetoEUROPE]

Everytime foreigners move in the rents go sky high and the locals cant afford to live there, same in Portugal.

[@christinecleavest9099]

@@MrCanalon many did not know about Girona but they are facing it now too. I am finding with DNV being issued, people are finding many places to lay down roots away from the usual hotspots. P.S I know where Zamora is, even have some Zamorano 🙂

[@Jon-jn8zx]

Spanish guy currently living in Melbourne . After moving to a different country can't wait to move back home. VIVA ESPAÑA

[@mizginavale22]

Yes, Valencia is a great area here in Spain but the secret is out and more people are moving here. Rent prices keep increasing and availability of apartments is tight.

[@nicolasb.henry294]

Yes unfortunatelyValencia is the new Barcelona....

[@owenriddle1572]

Not quite Barcelona. You can still move around quite happily but give it a couple of years

[@southcoastinventors6583]

Tourist hating on other tourist the circle is truly complete

[@mizginavale22]

@@southcoastinventors6583 In my case, I am not a tourist. I am a legal resident of Spain. Also, I am stating facts in my post and not hating on anyone.

[@rickdeckard7470]

Liberal Americans stay in the US in the cities you ruined. we don't need you ruining this country too with your woke bs. I say this as an American who moved here 13 years ago. My parents movee here too and live on Ave Alemeda in front of arts and science .. I invested in this city and it's getting ruined by tourist and cruise ships. BTW i also have Spanish citizenship and passport..

[@furryrug5998]

I think cities worldwide need to get a grip of this problem which I believe is mainly due to people harvesting the property market for short term letting. Drives up the cost of property & rental market.

[@fernandosegui1]

Let´s not forget that the people from Pego (only 76 Km away) IN Alicante rejected and avoided to have Eurodisney built in the middle of a wetland natural area, in order to avoid the drastic change that it would have meant!!!! HATS OFF!!!!!! TOURISM IS GOOD ... BUT WITH CONTROL!!!!!

[@miggu]

I thought Paris won the the contest but ok

[@testseven6663]

@@miggu Better located in europe... but weather is nuts there compared to mediterranean area. xD

[@miggu]

@@testseven6663 I think that part is the California of Europa , a better place for Eurodisney

[@JLTravels]

DOWN WITH DISNEY!!!

[@SPRidley]

Nah, oliva-pego actually WANTED disneyland. Paris won because of internal conflict between local and central governments pushing and pullibg between seville and oliva pego, and the site near whats now port aventura as also a possiblity. It was a major fuck up because at the end, the french were the ones that didnt want it except the governement there, making the park fail till Space Mountain in 1995, and sent disney into an economic recession that fucked up all the other parks around the world. Something that would have never happened if Disney would have chosen Spain instead (port aventura was a success showing how bad of a choice disney did there). At that time Spain was a country reinventing itself and selling itself internationally to erase the absolute awful 80's full of drugs and unsafe, and we had and all the shit with paquito before that. Thats why projects like barcelona 92, the expo of seville and later even Valencia with the City of Arts and Sciences, happened. Absolutely nobody at the time knew turning into a more international open up country and better place to live would go overboard and make Spain a tourist trap that would hurt locals in the long run. At that time oliva pego was inviting Disney like this was Bienvenido Mr Marshall, so please, dont lie about on the interner because someone that actually knows about that stuff will discover your lie.

[@Anastasiaknt]

Side note: you mention rents like 1k or 1.8k a month and while that can be a reasonable price for people from other countries its a dramatic situation for local people. Minimum legal wage in Spain is 1134e/month which means that many earn that or even less. The majority of people dont gain more than 2k/month. The tourism is destroying the locals, specially in Valencia.

[@Aunethc]

I used to live in Valencia and wanted to get a new appartment, but the prices for appartments are absolutely crazy. I felt priced out with a decent salary and moved to Galicia. I know Im a part of the problem, but I feel really sorry for the locals.

[@Nine49_49]

I come from a country with similar minimum wage (definitely under 1200eur) and the house prices are twice as expensive as Valencia...with way less to offer in terms of entertainment, public transport, etc). People still seem to manage to buy property, of course with a lot of hard work, getting an extra job for a few years, help from the family. It's easy to blame tourists but the fact is, tourism is omnipresent and affecting pretty much every European country's way of life.

[@d4nt3sc0]

100% agree. Rich expats and fondos buitres like Backrock are pushing out locals in Valencia and rest of cities. This video is just a show up

[@borjajimenez2640]

Completely right, but they dont care if the well being of others is destroyed. Check what japan had to do and those were tourists not “expats”

[@Answersonapostcard]

Who sets the prices for the rents? Spanish landlords? The same is happening in Mexico City, and the landlords are local mexicans who are exploiting the situation. Unless its US and other foreign companies buying the buildings and setting the high rents...

[@madhavyu]

American who has been living here for six years. Valencia is my favorite city in Spain.

[@worldobserver3515]

Nice. What's the temperature during the summer? Did you pick up Spanish there? Are you fluent now?

[@madhavyu]

​@@worldobserver3515 Weather similar to Southern California but on average it gets about 5 degrees (F) hotter and more humid in the summer and 5 degrees (F) colder and wetter in the winter. My Spanish is not that great but enough to get by.

[@worldobserver3515]

@@madhavyu 105 degrees with humidity? Yikes.

[@madhavyu]

@@worldobserver3515 No, the hottest days in the summer are usually around 95. There might be one day every couple of years that is 105 but that is rare. Humidity is very high in the summer - reminds me of Houston or Miami.

[@worldobserver3515]

@@madhavyu "reminds me of Houston or Miami." Wow.

[@TP-3000]

My adopted City, having married a local. Beautiful city, great people

[@sarandonga0011]

It would have been super interesting to know how someone from Valencia feels about gentrification and rising rent prices. Of course British or people from USA can afford those houses… it is def a good value for money for them.

[@veronicav1779]

Protests all over Spain against over tourism. Can you blame them?

[@Valencianet1970]

@@veronicav1779 Protests??? Where are the protests? I´ve just seen one small protest in Tenerife but nobody is protesting, only complaining about tons of tourists arriving in cruiships, silly hen or stag parties, and illegal tourist apartments. But people moving here to live is something different.

[@OrangeNash]

Many people in Britain can't afford houses in Britain because it's even more expensive here. Hard to escape now, thanks to Brexit, too.

[@MindYourself2100]

Living here for over a year now and I can safely say that buying and renting prices Kate mentioned are 3 years old, really outdated. Current prices are around 30% higher

[@enriquer007]

Here a guy from Valencia, moved back home after 16 years abroad and I confirm it is crazy full of foreigners, tourists or even living. Rents are sky rocketted, looks like I moved with bad timing, prices to buy are also quite high

[@-jamthesun1103]

We went to Valencia last year. Wow. What a beautiful city. Lovely old town. Beaches. Parks. Just stunning.

There are so many great cities in Spain, Valencia is one but not the only one

[@pabloblascocarrascosa5425]

Not just one, THE BEST CITY ❤😊

[@xtrmnatrpv]

Ok so go to Another place, right

[@Necessary_Chemical]

Given its popularity in the past years, Valencia has turned into a magnet for tourist and immigrants alike. Regardless if they're coming from the US or from other parts of Europe, Valencia seems to be on everyone's mind. It is indeed true that it got quite expensive in the past years due to this and as a consequence, rent increased all over the place (the fact that it's also a quite big destination for students due to its many universities does not help the situation) and it's becoming increasingly hard to rent an affordable place. It reminds me of Barcelona where this bubble is heavily speculated by both locals and companies who buy a lot of flats and then let them out, pricing them for the "foreign" pockets rather than the local ones. I still love Valencia, it's a perfect city for me but as usual, there are two sides of each coin so I guess this is the "price" Valencia has to pay for its soaring popularity.

[@arcabuz]

Valencia will turn into the same sh1t hole as Benidorm, Magaluf, etc.. just look at the lady of the video. Tacky, potentially drunk and I bet she is unable to learn the local language

It is funny to see so many foreigners flocking to any spanish place and then wondering where all the locals went, why prices do increase, and so on. Some even have the audacity to complain about locals not caring about befriending them. You've got your way but somehow it isn't enough until I'm willing to put effort into sharing my private life with "expats" too. I have to deal with all the consequences, I get no benefit out of it, but also get to be lectured on how xenophobic I am, close-minded, racist, how much tourism benefits me and so on. I am tired of this. I don't speak for all spaniards, but I have no intention to befriend foreigners any more. I have no more mental energy for dealing with this BS and attitude. I'm not going to share the "local spots" with foreigners to get them exposed to the internet and ruined. I've helped plenty of people settle in my city. A week ago someone told me that I don't show up to meetups anymore. I've been reflecting about this and I realized I'm only an entertainment to this people. It has always been transactional. I'm just part of this theme park. I just hope I can find a decent place that stays under the radar of this "expat bloggers" so I don't have to deal with this any more.

[@arcabuz]

@ estoy contigo 100%, no le quito una coma. And in my opinion the Anglos are the worst.

[@vmoses1979]

It's a failure of regulation to allow real estate speculators to jack up rents to prices that locals cannot afford. You are in effect taking money from the lower classes and foreigners and giving it to wealthy landlords.

[@activ8me3]

I agree.

[@Phantoman7]

When I was in Valencia over a decade ago,, I had exactly the thought, that this is a place I would love to live. Combination of modern with historic, an abundance of sun, sea side and great weather. Maybe I should have actually moved there when I first had the idea.

[@francefradetjardineslacora8114]

In Sueca you get a Modernista house with original tiles and woodwork for peanuts, and a train station to pop up to Valencia. Cullera for beach and fun. Win-win.

[@barbieholicable]

Kate, her home and family are gorgeous and welcoming. Thank you Kate

[@6861Charley]

I visited Valencia on second week of April. Food was delicious especially Paella and City of Arts and Sciences is amazing and explored other places.

[@marijolivitzky4336]

Same in Valencia town in the Philippines in the province of Negros Oriental. The town Valencia has many foreigners residing there as it's cool and close to nature rather than living in Dumaguete the capital of Negros Oriental, Philippines. It's not a surprise as the Philippines was colonized by Spain many centuries ago wayyyyy back in 1567.

[@retirarseenfilipinas]

I agree. I live in the beatifull city of Valencia, Spain 🇪🇦 and i'll move to retired to Valencia, Dumaguete, Philippines🇵🇭. The principal reasons are cost of life, similar good weather and the gentle people. Have u been in Dumaguete?

[@Tirant1976]

Saludos hispanos desde la Valencia primigenia, amigo filipino. 🇵🇭💞🇪🇸

[@easydrive3662]

Visited valencia a couple of times, its a beautiful city with every part of it clean, tidy and not one rough bad area to it. It has a real mix of old and modern buildings that blend together so well, together with onr of europes best climates the city is perfect

[@belenbenitonunez7264]

I can think of at least 2 rough areas in the city, and one more in the less touristic side.

[@javierjativa10]

I can tell I am from Valencia and the last months I see more foreigners than locals everywhere

[@BitcoinandGold]

Welcome to the new world.

[@guacanememoya2045]

@@BitcoinandGold Welcome to New York

[@ladyr.9510]

@@guacanememoya2045 As a New Yorker who has long suffered year round tourism, gentrification, inflated real estate prices, it's interesting to read how Spaniards feel about this over-correct to their poor fiscal policy. Americans feel it as well and are moving abroad because retirees cannot truly supplement their retirement funds. Young families find it impossible to have a decent standard of living. Many digital nomads will be temporary and will not affect profoundly the long term rental prices but the only thing assured in this thing called life is change.

[@Valencianet1970]

I’m Valencian 100%, all my grandparents are Valencian, and I love the fact that more and more people are thinking of moving here. House prices are going up, true, but this is happening all over the world not just here, and gentrification happens also within Valencian people, moving from one area to another. I was brought up in Cabanyal, then moved to Russafa, then to the City Centre, and now I live in the outskirts. This is what people do, move from place to place, and prices go up when an area becomes trendy. Of course, I don’t like millions of tourists from cruises in the streets of Valencia or silly hen or stag parties, but people from other countries moving here, I love it.

[@CarlosPerez-zf1uy]

So you m like to be cucked by tourist with more money pushing you out, borinot.

[@pk2k2]

Quan tinguis tot el el Carmen que no es pugui parlar ni castellà, ja veuràs si te'ls estimes tant estos gringos.

[@Valencianet1970]

La meua llengua es el valencià, i no la puc parlar quasi per que n’hi ha mogollo de gent que parla castellà i no valencià. Així que estic acostumat a que no parlen la meua llengua. De tota manera, la gent que es muda a viure ací, tots aprenen a parlar castellà per que es una de les coses que els atrau als estrangers, començar una nova vida a un altre país i aprendre els costums i la llengua.

[@vmoses1979]

More foreigners with much more money moving in is not a good thing. If they come as tourists fine but living there means inflated rents and home prices.

[@CarlosPerez-zf1uy]

@@Valencianet1970 Pues tio si te parece bien ir por colon y que se hable mas holandes e ingles que español y valenciano. Bien por ti, a mi me parece horrendo. Nos va a tocar irnos a vivir a requena a este paso, para pagar un alquiler.

[@jorgeruizibanez2318]

The problem, serious for me, is the heat at Summer , doesn't drop off from 28 °c at night....!!!80%humidity...

[@Answersonapostcard]

yes, I have a friend in Valencia and she says the same.

[@Lily4444]

Yes it’s awful and the city smells bad

[@JohnLovesSpain]

I love Valencia... IMO it's as close to a perfect city that exists on earth. Thank you for this 👍

[@JohnLovesSpain]

@@arcabuz what country do I live in?

[@CarlosPerez-zf1uy]

@@JohnLovesSpainjust stay in your country.

[@brintaelzabenny1881]

Did you know anything about ecoutor institution Valencia

[@chrishall1407]

Ultimately, my wife and I want to finish up life on this planet in Spain. HOWEVER, I have ZERO desire to do it this way. I don't understand the point of moving to a wonderful area and changing it to resemble what I'm LEAVING. My goal will be to be as invisible as possible. Renting from a family in small country town would be preferable. Whether it's achievable or not in about 10 years is a whole other thing. 😅

[@SBDoingStuff]

Bruh. I moved from 4-5 million Kyiv to a small mountain town in Spain You don’t want this life. Its too boring, its a groundhog day every day. Also everything is closed all the time and no one speaks anything except spanish. And they speak like a machine-gun, so be prepared not to speak to anyone at all. Its cold half of the year and local houses are terrible at insulation. If you turn anything power consuming - expect the lights to go off. Look at least at a mid-size tourist popular city, like Alicante. Before anyone asks - it is a free crib. We are thankful as hell, we pay for electricity and such, just stating facts. And yeah, we are moving out soon

[@SBDoingStuff]

On the other hand if you’re old and speak good spanish - maybe it will work out 🧐

[@chrishall1407]

​@@SBDoingStuff 😅 I grew up in the sticks. I'm used to that. I'm not the most social person(understatement) so that's perfect for me. Plus, we've already experienced exactly what you described. BTW, you did a fantastic job!

[@geertstroy]

Great insight.... would do the same , but not in España....

[@CarlosPerez-zf1uy]

@@SBDoingStuffso you moved to my country not speaking the language got a free house, while we have multiple homeless people, and just complain about us for what? Just leave already you are saying more negative things that positive. You should have never come to this country.

[@Salvatore997]

Wow ..Very Nice ..😮😄😍🤩 Valencia is really Big & Beautiful City ..😂 I'm amazing for the whole beauty around and architecture Definitely, this city offer number of alternatives places to live according everyone budget and conveniences .. There's so much to see around which is definitely worthy to visit Valencia to enjoy and compare all the possibilities..👌😊🤗😍❤❤🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈

[@virginiafeliciano9318]

The first place I visited was Valencia and fell in love. That market is amazing and I long to visit it again. This video however popped my bubble of living there because it seems very expensive to rent or even buy now. It seems that all the people relocating there have made it like any US city which looses it allure for me now. I will visit it again, God willing, but if I do move or buy in Spain I think it will be elsewhere. Thank you James. The video was very good and I appreciate your hard work.

[@veronicav1779]

the Brits ruin everywhere

[@Benmkent]

Ah Valencia! I visited a month ago via a cruise and had no expectations. A nondescript coach transfer through a few functional neigbourhoods from the port and again the city didn't seem that remarkable. But a short walk over the parks inside the former course of the river Turia, through the Torres de serranos, what a glorious sight awaits! The old centre is the most splendid medieval quarter I've seen in any city. The plazas are gorgeous, the alleyways and nooks and crannies make exploring exciting. Then you end up closer to the port again and those fabulous brand spanking new buildings pop up leading down to the Oceanagraphic centre. The new expertly blended with the old. I loved the place.

[@NuttyButtery846]

Visited Valencia many times when I lived there. However, I'm not much for the big city as I believe you get much more of a cultural feel from the smaller towns. I would visit the small town of Alginet many times and really began to love it along with the beach town of Cuellera. Additionally, my ex-wife lives in Valencia so I would not want to run into her. 🤣

[@denniszenanywhere]

I'm glad you did this. More journalistic -- more informative.

[@LivegoodWilliam]

its the 2nd city in Spain i visited back when it was still pesetas. absolutely stunning city

[@marielonsdale1765]

The best city in Spain is Madrid. Nothing like it.

[@marcusadrian7646]

It is sad. The tourist and expat hype destroys one city like BCN before, then passes to the next one Valencia.

[@saalfeld_rocks]

Thank you for the wonderful video, James. Your portrayal of Valencia really captures its beauty and vibrancy. I've been living here as an foreigner for two years and I'm currently exploring other Spanish cities to possibly move to, most likely Madrid. While Valencia is indeed charming with its friendly locals and pleasant climate, it seems to suit short-term stays or tourism more closely if you are after a life in a city centre. Prospective residents might want to consider the city's lively atmosphere, which includes a vibrant party scene and the boisterous Fallas festival, which, despite its deep cultural roots, can often be overwhelming with its noise and the aftermath of celebrations. Additionally, Valencia also ranks on the higher side for taxpayers in Spain, which is an important consideration. And while real estate prices are on the rise, the quality of housing doesn't quite compare to what you might find in Madrid or Barcelona. Just some thoughts for anyone considering Valencia as a more permanent home!

[@f.g.e.3889]

Valencia area has around 2,000,000 people, 800,000 is just the municipality.

[@Tirant1976]

Ciudad: 830.000 hab. (Valencia ciudad) Á. Metropolitana: 1.850.000 hab. (Comarca de L’Horta de Valencia) Provincia: 2.850.000 hab. (Provincia de Valencia) Región: 5.350.000 hab. (Reino de Valencia, mal llamado hoy como “comunidad”) País: Casi 50 mill. de hab. (España)

[@Ioveladybug]

Not so nice after the flash floods. Prayers up for the survivors 🙏🏽

[@echo5287]

1.8k rent is not cheap by any means and quite similar to Barcelona's rent prices

[@isashax]

I live in Russafa, have been all my life. We are lucky because my grandpa bought our flat in the 60s and it is really big compared with new ones. I love living here, just a small walk till the centre, in a main but quiet street (most of the time!) And we also have our local market that is fab, just smaller than the central market, but with produce just as good (and better prices).

[@SBDoingStuff]

11:40 My typical conversation with locals 😅 Me: - Hola como estas? Spaniards: - Hi, how are you? Let me practice my spanish gotdamit 😂

[@manuelfresco6879]

THE most important phrase is "Lo siento, pero no hablo ingles“.

[@SBDoingStuff]

@@manuelfresco6879 haha, thanks, I will try that

[@LaudenElizabeth]

Hahahahaha, “can I at least try?”, them: “where are you from?”

[@AIejandroide]

And let us practice our english

[@southcoastinventors6583]

That because your Spanish is bad and they are trying to be nice.

[@jenniferpennoyer3753]

Thank you James for introducing Kate to all of us. I spent my childhood summers in Alicante and Valencia. I am so trying to talk my husband into retiring there. I have always felt Spain and that part as home.

[@CarlosPerez-zf1uy]

We are not a nursing home, retire in your country.

[@nutriaball]

As a valencian, I loved the video! Just a little correction: it's not "Cavanal", it's "Cabanyal" 😅

[@RayRay-xt2qh]

Do you talk with a lisp there like they do in Madrid?

[@nutriaball]

@@RayRay-xt2qh ugh no

[@Benito-lr8mz]

Valencia se mueve acciones comtra la turistificacion en el Cabañal y otros barrios y la gentrificacion al haber tantos extranjetos en general .

[@testseven6663]

Y aun así, no acaban con el tema de las casitas rosas...

[@josejavi8620]

Spaniard here, dont come its impossible to make an honest living here. the cost of live has skyrocketed since covid, we do not need more expats increasing the price of everything

[@MrCanalon]

Se la suda lo que vivan los demás, estos expats quieren vivir como reyes y si tu o todos sus vecinos están en la mierda LES DA EXACTAMENTE IGUAL. Saludos desde Baleares

[@NarrativeOfLifeM]

we will come for your jobsssssss :D

[@josejavi8620]

@@MrCanalon y lo peor es aguantas los videos que ponen, things i love about ✨Spain✨

[@MrCanalon]

@@NarrativeOfLifeM Tu no trabajas ni aunque el trabajo te de una patada en la espinilla, ale a comer fish and chips

[@MrCanalon]

@@josejavi8620 en uno de sus videos reconoce él impacto negativo que tiene en las ciudades que visita pero como buen expat...SE LA SUDA!! JAJAJA el tío tiene un cuajo...

[@surfzion]

"Expat" !!! I love how Anglo-Saxons do everything to distance themselves from the term "immigrants".

[@summerwine9918]

James is quite correct to use the term "expats" and not "immigrants" in this context. As an Anglo-Saxon, allow me help you along your English learning journey. "Expat" typically refers to someone temporarily residing in a foreign country often for professional reasons and with an intention to return home, while "immigrant" describes someone who relocates to another country usually for permanent settlement, driven by a variety of reasons such as economic opportunities or safety.

[@sportsfreundberlin]

@@summerwine9918 But people move to Valencia permanently. So they're actually immigrants.

[@summerwine9918]

@@sportsfreundberlin That's lovely for them, however James' video is about expats.

[@sportsfreundberlin]

@@summerwine9918 😂

[@Dhi_Bee]

@@summerwine9918🤡🤣

[@AlejandroLopez-ed8kj]

It's funny, an American woman and a New Zealander greeting each other the Spanish way (with two kisses). Yes, you're part of us🙂👍🏻.

[@chrisallen-turner6995]

I have been here 9 years, and I have adapted and integrated, I speak Spanish and Valencian. I am fallero. I hate what tourism and foreigners buying homes is doing to my neighbourhood el Cabañal ... They stick out like arrogant sore thumbs and drive up property prices...

[@santgenisfashion1]

Spanish person here. Do you realize how ridiculous the word “expat” sounds? Why don’t you call yourselves ‘immigrants’? that’s what you really are! It seems that this euphemism give you some sort of status above any other immigrant because of your country of origin. I understand that moving to Europe is trendy now, especially for Americans who want to experience living outside the American bubble, and Spain is still a “cheap” place for you all to live in, but it’s in part because of this “expat invasion”, that prices are raising in Spain and life is becoming harder for us, locals. Just reflect on it, please!

[@chrishall1407]

❤

[@Michaelcj-m2d]

exMichigan in Spain 🇪🇸🇪🇺👍 . People who use the words expat, Americans and Brits there not like those others.

[@Michaelcj-m2d]

Took me 8 years to get spanish citzenship.

[@Benito-lr8mz]

​​@@Michaelcj-m2dThe word expat sound clasist in Spain practically all peolpe say inmigrant independent of born place at the end exit of your country for some reason .

[@Benito-lr8mz]

Inmigrantes o expatriados da lo mismo el caso es que hay demasiados

[@sievc]

I’m from Iceland, moving to Valencia this month. Thanks for this video

[@SDLHula]

Nice video. However, I hoped you'd share a little more about the difficult situation Valencia is going through with average salaries being around ~1.5-1.8k and any decent appartment being at a price of 1k minimum. For example, where I live, Sant Isidre, which is on the edge of the municipal term of València, rent is around 800-900€ already, whereas it was less than half of that not even 10 years ago. Places like El Cabanyal, which have been traditionally poorer, are now impossible to live in for long-lasting residents and their local activity has been reduced to street-level AirBnbs.

[@Carol-pv1gu]

The lady has a beautiful home and close to the ocean 🤩

[@tomodutchie6142]

Very saddened to see the devastation in Valencia. We are still planning to visit this Christmas 2024 and hope to help in anyway we can.

[@mandiplummer5541]

I loved this video, a fantastic tour - thanks Kate!

[@Emy53]

That's a beautiful home. Many levels and balconies. Rooms were very large.

[@dav1drg]

My favorite place to live in Valencia is the one by the river (yellow in the map). I woun't move to Ruzafa honestly and also el Carmen, those place are more for turist but not for live long time. Flat are smaller for the same price, you can get big houses if you pay for it. The largest port I think is not this one but Algeciras.

[@LisaOwen-jx1st]

I loved the video. What a lovely city and a lovely family.

[@co-il-lusion]

Fun fact in view of the topic being discussed in this video: I was born and lived in Valencia for 3/4 of my life, but in the end I decided to move away for good, selling my flat in El Carme and settling in my second homeland here in Central Europe, for the heat and humidity were taking a serious toll on my health, and of course, issues related to the impossibility to find a reliable income source weighted heavily at the time of choosing a new path (very little family and no connections anywhere, which equals suicide in terms of earning a living), but the asthma-like breathing problems in the "neverending" hot season and the all-day-long sweating + the winter with its humid cold weather which is actually rather detrimental to the joints did play a chief role at the time of taking a final decision. Very pleased now in this mild continental climate and not returning, not for the world. (Edit: there are by far not so many expats and tourists here, yet another reason that supported the decision to leave. The peaceful atmosphere of old times is lost forever, small shops selling useful everyday items began closing one after another, and the only businesses that opened after them were bars and restaurants, so that it all evolved towards a choking atmosphere and the constant danger of being hit by a Dutch riding his/her bicycle. "Tourists go home" is actually a slogan which could sometimes be seen painted on walls in the streets of the old town.)

[@ladyr.9510]

I notice how few trees there are, the lungs of the Earth are completely necessary for healthy living.

[@Tirant1976]

@@ladyr.9510 ¿Pocos árboles? No conoces Valencia, eso seguro.

[@Tirant1976]

Ye, no seas flojo y vente a la terreta aunque sea de visita... Una cassalla i un bon almorçar tens ya pagat açi! ...tú vorás! 😜

[@iannorton2253]

Valencia is fabulous. I've visited often and lived for a couple of years near one of the inland towns.

[@SpainGuru]

Amazing video as always. James always makes me feel I am there with him and his guests.

[@patrickl7156]

Thank you Kate for showing us your beautiful city and Thank you James for all the amazing videos.

[@richardmyles1301]

Rents DOUBLED in 2- 3 years Not so cheap anymore

[@nellycastro4482]

If you are thinking about moving to Valencia, you should experience the whole holiday of Fallas (from March 1 to 19th) and not like someone is having a holiday in Valencia but like someone that live in the city. For a foreigner could be very intense in every way you would think of. Many foreigners I have talked to experience the same situation. Even many people from Valencia leave the city. I wish someone would of told me before.

[@madhavyu]

Yes, this an important point - most locals don´t like living in Ciutat Vella because it is too noisy and hectic.

[@Benito-lr8mz]

Fácil solución no vengas a Valencia emigra a otro sitio que aquí hay muchos ya.

[@nellycastro4482]

@@Benito-lr8mz Los Valencianos son muy amables, verdad.

[@mircos6994]

@@Benito-lr8mz Benito te veo enfadado XD

[@josemariagarcia9577]

Muchos españoles hacemos lo mismo. A los que no nos gusta el barullo, cuando son fiestas en nuestras ciudades, nos vamos unos días de vacaciones a otros pueblos o ciudades más tranquilas. No creo que sea un drama, y que le haga repensar a alguien no vivir en una ciudad, simplemente por eso. De todas formas, si no les gusta la fiesta y todo lo que conlleva, no creo que España sea la más adecuada para ustedes, aunque en la provincia de Soria o Teruel pueden encontrar sitios muy, muy tranquilos.

[@renatoantonelli3894]

Literally the lull before the storm ... The hapless population was lulled into a false sense of security as the history of this region already has catastrophic events . In 1957 the flooding was so bad that Valencia literally moved its river from the northern course to the southern route . Unrelenting urbanisation has completely ignored the possibility of a repetition of such an unthinkable event . Owing to the accentuated effects of climate change this was literally an acute accident waiting to happen . The Neopolitans live on the side of Vesuvius even though an eruption destroyed Pompeii ; the Valentians were doing the same thing here except that this weather event was an invisible menace in part caused by our modern lifestyles .

[@sabinenadal8470]

The right word for foreigners living in Spain is not "expats", it's immigrants

[@mjp96]

Why is that? Please elaborate. Thanks.

[@billlynn8256]

wrong...ask a Spaniard and they are always referred to as "guiris"..look it up.

[@barrysteven5964]

@@mjp96 The point being made is that English speaking people living abroad frequently refer to themselves as 'ex-pats'. However, when they talk about other people moving from one country to another they call them 'immigrants'. They have trouble seeing themselves as immigrants. Personally, to my mind 'expats' are people temporarily living abroad for work with the intention of going home at a later date. If you have moved somewhere permanently you are an immigrant.

[@OrangeNash]

True. Though whatever you call them, immigrants generally don't set property prices. Property owners set the prices. Maybe not all, but I'd guess most of those property owners are not immigrants. Even wealthy foreigners don't go "Hey, this villa is 300k Euros, lets offer them 1m Euros to show off how we have money to waste".

[@niguel4438]

Excelente vídeo. Isn’t Kate a true charmer with a lovely family

[@marisaberi-in4eb]

Gorgeous place, everything you need. Lovely people too.

[@ArtFreeman]

I love this video. Thank you for showing Valenzia and a home.

[@Abriendo_Cajas]

El sábado 19 de octubre a las 18:00 en las Torres de Serrans hay una manifestación contra la turistificación de la ciudad bajo el lema "València no està en venda" ja n'hi ha prou!!

[@joaquincastello6174]

It´s funny cause you look impressed that "there are some LOCALS going to the market", "Still some LOCALS living in the center".. I am 100% valencian , i speak valencian language and the LOCALS are about 90% of the population of Valencia city. it¨s like going to manchester and say..Wow, wow, some english are still living in this city?. Anyway , it´s just funny. You didn´t mention the valencian language.

[@italianlifestyle7911]

Lovely country💛

[@jjp5619]

I was suprised when visiting valencia how dirty/gritty the streets were.

[@wesgraham2262]

Europe is SO expensive compared to southeast Asia. An apartment in Valencia as she said is $1,500 a month. I’m paying $200 a month for a fully-furnished 1-bedroom apartment with a balcony, free water and Internet, and a 50 inch Smart TV in Siem Reap, Cambodia. English is spoken and the US dollar is used. What’s not to love?

[@lateralival]

Infrastructure, education, health care services, poverty on every corner ..

[@johnnevada46]

Brexit has completely changed the profile of the typical British immigrant (or expat) arriving in Valencia. Twenty years ago the region was very popular with British pensioners on average or even below average pensions. However, the costs, requirements, and uncertainties involved in obtaining a 'third-country' visa have frightened away this profile. Arrivals from Britain now tend to be fewer - but younger and wealthier.

[@johnschooley3631]

So much fun to see Katie in Valencia. I know her from Maine.

[@jgomezgadea]

The locals have to move out because of the rising house prices that we can’t afford, while more tourists buy apartments. But it’s a nice city yes

[@BookLoversValencia]

...and there is an amazing bookstore with over 10,000 used and new books in English in Ruzafa, with tons of events for expats...

[@mathiaskruck2576]

Hi Alan!

[@Benito-lr8mz]

Solo 10.000?

[@geertstroy]

Why dont you read Español..... hilarious....

[@BookLoversValencia]

@@geertstroy I appreciate your interest in my language skills. While I do live in Spain, I choose to read in English for personal reasons. Everyone has their preferences, and mine happens to be English. Thank you for understanding.

[@bov.2843]

Very lovely video, kudos both of you 🎉

[@raquelbuhos6320]

The market Mercado Central is lovely and it still has people who buy their food there, but as you can see it is mostly old people. They bought their houses in the city center a long time ago and they are the only locals who can afford to live there. Everything else is for tourists or foreigners because they are the only ones who can pay the prices of those flats. There won't be locals buying at Mercado Central in a few years. I find sad that the people who come to see "the locals lives" are the ones destroying it.

[@juanlugofitness]

Love Kate’s vibe. Might hire her in the near future.

[@Nodoybefore]

Prices in Valencia have sky rocketed. It's not affordable for most, let alone Spanish people unfortunately.

[@crdecos]

James, please stop using expat as a euphemism for immigrant. Please don't play that game. I'm an immigrant myself elsewhere, and it's just a way to avoid being identified with us. It's becoming increasingly racist and aporophobic. And you are definitely not like that.

[@j.joseph5353]

Racist? Give me a break. So tired of 'racist' being used in place of 'something I don't like'. Funny how you're complaining about others manipulating language while you do the same dang thing.

[@gjaxx]

I live in Oliva, about an hour south of Valencia, and try to get up there at least once a month, for shopping, eating, and generally just to enjoy the ambience. it HAS become more expensive, even compared with my 1st visit 4 years ago. I couldn't afford to live there. Comparatively, I rent a 2 bed house, with 3 terraces, including a roof one with spectacular views, for eur 450pm. I've learned to be VERY careful about where I eat in Valencia. Historic Centre restaurants/bars/cafes aren't shy about scalping anyone they think is a tourist. One establishment charged 12 euros for a G&T. On the bill, it was described as 'premium' gin, but it wasn't poured in front of me, as is normal in Spain, so I had no idea if it was 'premium' or not. Average price in Oliva is 5 euros. Head for Russafa district for reasonable prices and spectacular architecture. I had considered Torremolinos on the Costa del Sol as my final resting place, but on considering whether I wanted to spend every day tripping over tourists became a major consideration, decided against it, and the same was true of Valencia city. I'm quite happy living within commuting distance

[@bkm2797]

Isn't Valencia home of the famous oranges, they are great for cooking if you like a bit of tang. Looks beautiful and it was nice of Kate to take you along for a tour. Thanks James and Kate, enjoyed the take along.❤️👍

[@8tonystark8]

Because it has the best climate in whole of Europe from October to May.

[@petek5523]

*Malaga has entered the chat 😅

[@Answersonapostcard]

and an insufferable summer.

[@chrisofmelbourne87]

Hmmmm. Do you know the weather in all of Europe? Kalamata in Greece has an amazing climate also. Also Crete.

[@Answersonapostcard]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mYrIm2aQi82Gq68

[@rafarequeni822]

@@petek5523 As a valencian who has been in Malaga a few times in different periods of the year, I'd say that Malaga's weather is better. It's not that hot in the summer, and the humidity tends to be a little lower too. The winters are similarly mild.

[@traderstan1438]

finally, a good channel about Spain. Cheers )

[@wandagonzalez3302]

Awesome Video!!! Love it 😍 Thank you 😊

[@barrysteven5964]

A lot of people talking about the increase in the price of rents and property and the effect of incomers. Spain is not alone in this. A big issue in the UK is the fact that house prices have now gone beyond what people on average wages can afford and even rents can be more expensive than paying for a mortgage. But you can't get a mortgage because the deposits needed are ridiculous. Obviously, tourism doesn't affect this the way it does in Spain but in London rich foreigners buying properties that they never live in but have just as an investment have pushed the prices of property out of the reach of normal Londoners. And even in the north where I live a lot of better off southerners are moving north where it is cheaper but inadvertently pushing the cost of rents up.

[@ellieramseyer]

Kate, I hope you and your family are well. The DANA flooding in Valencia was a catastrophic event that will have a social/economic impact on the Valencia region for years.

[@martamartinezrubio89]

I've been living in Valencia for almost my entire life and despite I think tourism is good for the city to grow, the fact that the old town/city center flats belong to foiregn wealthy people just piss me off. That means the essence/personality/authenticity of a city it's getting lost..... More and more valencian residents are moving outside the city , and that, to me, is really sad. The big shit is happening, like in Barcelona, renting&buying houses it's a nightmare because of the increase of prices. Tbh I prefered pre-pandemic situation.💔

[@sbkpilot1]

Valencia used to be very affordable relatively speaking, now are costs going to quadruple just like what has happened elsewhere?

[@jaigas]

Yes. Valencia now is like Barcelona and Madrid

[@enekoetxeandia906]

Ninguno de estos flipados se siente culpable de estar contribuyendo a joder indirectamente a tanta gente? Ya sé que la movida va de mirar para otro lado, de decir que America is a shitshow (como si esto fuera muy diferente) y de descubrir el sitio ideal para tu retiro (con dolares americanos, por supuesto), pero supongo que en el fondo algún remordimiento tendrán...? O igual no, ya que muchos creen que tienen derecho a todo porque tienen pasta y son gringos. Prueba a entrar en su país tú. Me aburre sobremanera esta invasión y tanto video sobre el tema. Todo el día hablando de "build a community" haciendo los gestitos de los quote-unquote con los dedos. Muchos buscan sitios donde vayan los locales, lo auténtico, pero seguido lo suben a las redes y en menos de nada ya está petado de guiris también. Sé que es complicado, que los propietarios de inmuebles tienen su parte de culpa también (y en parte, lo entiendo) y que pasa en muchos sitios, pero... Qué hartazgo!

[@Abriendo_Cajas]

@@enekoetxeandia906 no se sienten culpables, no son conscientes del daño que causan y muchos nisiquiera se esfuerzan por integrarse en los lugares a los que van a vivir, vienen a España a seguir comiendo hamburguesas en la franquicia de moda de turno.

[@cmcjvcltcbmc]

Gracias y gracias a Kate tambien.

[@PortageurCa]

I can't wait to check out Valencia. I think it's my next destination in Spain.

[@cmacmenow]

Malaga or Valencia? I need to make my mind up James! Super vlog. Kate was so informative and fun. Her home and family are muy, muy bonito. Horchata is delicious.

[@funkaddictions]

Go to Malaga, there are too many of us in Valencia

[@mado.madeleine]

Valencia

[@funkaddictions]

@@mado.madeleine 😁

[@MiloshBlack00]

As a native Valencian I answer you, go to Malaga

[@saalfeld_rocks]

If you're considering Valencia, I recommend staying there from March 1 to March 19 to experience the Fallas festival (technically only 15 to 19 March, but it starts getting busy as of 1 March) firsthand-it's quite different from what tourist videos typically show. I regret not moving to Malaga, where the beach in the city center is perfect for after-work walks.

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Way to go making such a great vid with just an action cam and lavs!

[@mircos6994]

Yes, I'm from Valencia, and from 2-3 years ago, you were paying half price than know for a flat, and if you want to buy, 1/3 more expensive. Incredible

[@HanzHeHim]

Thank you for this video

[@noel.abascal]

Loved the video, keep them coming! Thank you James, I’ve been to Spain a few times and never visited Valencia but it’s definitely on my list for the future. ❤ I’m going to Gran Canaria in November, I don’t remember any videos of the islands from you, think about please. 😂😎✌🏼

[@ellieramseyer]

As always, very thorough information. Thank you, James!

[@seanpollock5300]

The problem is expats never ever get in volved in the local culture. I'm British, but 40 years experience in Spain, all in Valencia provence

[@mariabermejo2403]

Buen video.Muchas gracias