Podcast special - Living in Valencia, Spain

In this living in Spain podcast special I talk to Alex Searle, who last year moved with his family to Valencia city in Spain from South Africa. We talk about why they chose to move to Spain, why they chose Valencia, how long it took him and the family to adapt to life in Spain, his work-life balance, dealing with Spanish bureaucracy and other aspects of their new life in this country.
Check out Alex's channel: / @alexsearle
If you like my videos, please buy me a coffee
www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr...
Please comment and subscribe to this channel.
I also create content for curious.com. Take my lessons +20,000 more @Curious on anything from tennis, to test prep, to tango. As my student, get 20% OFF! curious.com?coupon=curiousteacher20&ref=iGRfmw4X6Wg

[@magdalenawalton1215]

My beloved city! Plan on moving there in near future 💕

[@AlexSearle]

Thanks for the great chat Stuart :) see you soon in Madrid!

[@aarontoal]

Loved this video you should make an update video on your channel doing a vlog style video I feel like that would suit you.

[@soc6253]

You are more than welcome here in Valencia!!

[@UltraGoodTV]

Man, you are unbelievable. Literally just got offered a job in Valencia and was looking for help! Thanks

[@AlexSearle]

Cool! Hit me up when you're here!

[@UltraGoodTV]

@@AlexSearle For sure I will, thanks for the help guys!

[@stevem9353]

Spent a week there 2 years ago loved it , but city got everything old new beaches and sports facilities are awesome eg indoor velodrome 2 soccer teams . .

[@AllenStanten]

Exceptional interview, Stuart, thanks for the useful information

[@Juan_Dystopian]

19:08 in Málaga the city hall is forcing dog owners to have their dogs' DNA recorded so that if the police picks dog poo on the street they can check if that DNA is recorded and you'd be fined. My younger sister did that and she always pick her dog's poo. It's a start, I guess.

[@markdonovan1540]

The mayoress in Madrid, Manuela Carmena, also has proposed this idea. Interestingly, while on holiday in Guipúzcoa I found the towns to be exceptionally clean and well maintained. The regional wealth distribution and types of local government mean that there are often marked differences between the various communities.

[@ojosazules8828]

They should tackle the problem of barking dogs too in Spain.a menace...owners who leave their dogs for hours in properties or don't train them...

[@Juan_Dystopian]

@@markdonovan1540 that's true

[@markdonovan1540]

@@ojosazules8828 yeah, I know what you mean. But when anyone decides to come and live in Spain this is just something that's part of life, especially outside of the cities. Cities have even more noise, for reasons other than dogs. Motorbikes are loud and frequent; buses and refuse collection service vehicles are loud and operate at times when you might still like to sleep some more. In villages I have stayed in, while walking El Camino de Santiago, I was often woken up by church bells chiming the hour and each quarter hour through the night! After a time you get used to the boisterousness that can characterise parts of Spain, due to people celebrating and enjoying life, so that's got its positive side.

[@PS-uz4ep]

Dys Topian. I'm spanish and would never get used of that. It's just disgusting, hope They take mesures in València City

[@johnnewton3335]

Valencia, cool parts, old town, new town, plaza de toros, metro, beaches, architecture, football, food market, i could go on forever, ive only been on a weekend trip but i love it, good luck alex, words of advice, chufi and fartons !

[@charlieismydarling22]

Good luck with everything Alex, thanks for all your very useful advice about living in Valencia. Steward: I've listened a lot of your podcasts and find them both interesting and entertaining. I'm moving myself and my family from Albacete (we're both Irish and have been here 15 years) to Valencia over the coming summer. My husband and I are both ESL teachers. Now our girls are a little older we feel it's time for another change. If you know of anyone looking for teachers for the summer or for the coming course we'd be mightily interested. Keep up the great work guys, this really helps...Gracias!!

[@butterfly4875]

So I'm 50, grew up in the U.K and discovered just recently that my Spanish Parents (Andalusian) had sorted out a Spanish Birth cert for me. So I thought great when I'm ready to make my move back to Spain, I will apply for my passport in the London Spanish consulate. When I heard your news about having to declare that you actually have to state that you want to keep your Spanish nationality between the ages of 18 -21yrs my heart completely sank!!! Considering I didn't even know I had a Spanish Birth cert until 3yrs ago? Xx

[@bj-th7ul]

another good program... I enjoyed my recent visit to Valencia & thought this was an interesting conversation... interesting to hear Alex talk about being a new resident in Valencia. thanks

[@cresenciotannagan6683]

Valencia, I'll be living there soon. Thank's Stuart.

[@zenonvargasperez9355]

Great video and I'm gonna say many thanks for that useful information.

[@chrissofpv3017]

Great interview Stuart,really enjoyed it.Hope Alex nails it in Madrid!👍🍺

[@markwilliams5681]

We spent a couple of months in Valencia last year to get a feel of it. Came away very impressed. Thinking seriously of moving there. This podcast was very helpful.

[@ojosazules8828]

Valencia, excellent choice, i live in the region and having spent time in South Africa, it provides a similar quality of life to Cape Town although i still miss the quality of South African food!

[@markdonovan1540]

Interesting interview guys. I can sympathise with Alex's predicament regarding nationality and paperwork etc. I too come from a mixed marriage, my mother also being Spanish. I was born a Brit in the UK, but had no problem changing to Spanish nationality after applying at the Spanish Consulate in London. However, you do need to provide all the various paperwork required. This is where it can become tricky. There is currently no dual nationality agreement between Spain and the UK, and on becoming a Spanish National you are given a second surname. The "birth certificate" that gets created when you change nationality is a strange process. I needed one to get married earlier this year, it arrived the morning of the wedding, almost 16 months after having been granted my Spanish Nationality and obtaining the DNI and Spanish Passport. I'm not bilingual as such, but I'm a fluent Spanish speaker, so that definitely helps. PS. Valencia is a wonderful city and certainly a more relaxing city to live in compared to Madrid or Barcelona.

[@alexburns6783]

Excellent interview with a very responsive interviewee. Answered all my questions as I am planning to move from Perth, Australia to Valentia.

[@ovidiumurzea]

Interesting choice, my I ask what drove you to make this move? Did you do it? I too want to settle in one of those two countries although Oz does not seem that reachable in terms of immigration. I would appreciate any input. I hope all went well.

[@whirltraveller1350]

Stu, Great interview. I believe this may he the second time you have had Alex on. He was delightful to listen to, and I hope that over time, he becomes a regular. Thanks Roget

[@CapturingSpain]

Really enjoyed this conversation between you two!

[@Vicky-ji1iw]

My husband and I are preparing to move to Valencia soon from U.S, we will live close to Ruzafa area if all goes well. :) This is very helpful. Thank you for the podcast!

[@Simco_]

Have you guys found any good resources for moving there? Or if you're there now, which were best for you in the transition?

[@janetlombardi2314]

Very interesting interview keep them rolling thamks

[@scottklocek6985]

Stuart, Wonderful podcast. And I am sure it was great to hear from someone that followed your channel and used your insight to set on their endeavor. Would like to hear of others that have followed your channel and settled in other areas of Spain. I was stationed at Naval de Rota, meet my Spanish wife, 2 boys born in Spain. Once we are an empty nest here in the States, we are planning to come back to Spain with in the next 5 years.

[@scottklocek6985]

Also was great insight on Alex and his Spanish citizenship. Will keep that in mind for my boys when they come of age on their decision making. Would like for them to keep both their citizenships for Spain and was as USA. Trying to convince them to go to the Universities in Spain for their cultural experience. They are very fluent in both English as well as Spanish without any accent.

[@MrSeinfeldFan2]

Loved the interview... very interesting.

[@mauclert]

Thanks you guys for this interesting conversation and testimonial. I appreciate also the clarity of your english which is affordable for a poor french. You made me fluent for the first time !

[@nomadentrepreneur189]

Great all round interview. Heaps of valuable info for a fellow Digital Nomad.

[@Luijeee]

Thanks for the insightful podcast, I'll be moving to Valencia next week!

[@giglegab]

Great 👍 Love the info, very helpfull❤️

[@frankl410]

Great interview Stuart

[@trostefaret]

Hi just found your chanel happy to see this place

[@marturquesa77]

Loved the enterview 👏

[@swimmer6575]

Thank you, very informative.

[@josealemany4525]

Nice chat...Interesting for me because I was born in Valencia but have lived in Canada all my life. It tempts me sometimes to try living there for a while.

[@denniszenanywhere]

Can you do more of this? This is great.

[@anulaluna]

Great interview !

[@samerkeilani6439]

Hi Stuart I'm enjoying subscribing to your videos wondering if there's some good videos that you probably already have done regarding looking forward to may be retiring in Spain I'm still in my 50s but it's something I would like to have as a goal I'm very familiar with Andalucia Marbella and the surrounding areas

[@robertosanjoseagudo2479]

Very nice Interviú

[@stanleygronek]

Alex has a clear and crisp spoken English, which he should use to his advantage in any European business endeavor.

[@theafricannomad4203]

In case you didn't know, people speak English in South Africa.

[@fergaldownes]

Seems like a nice guy. Good interview lads.

[@clydeinverness1197]

Been to several parts of Spain, and I got My eye on Galicia as my favorite place to move to later in life. I am grateful to all your videos full of information 😊. Thanks and Shout out to Harry Kane's brother from another mother 😁.

[@FeelingShred]

Heard good things about that region too, but how's the accent? Is it a completely different language there? Do as many people comprehend english on the streets?

[@clydeinverness1197]

@@FeelingShred they speak Galego, it sounds like Portugese because both languages share the same origin, but they're different languages. I speak Spanish and had no problems communicating with the locals. As for whether the majority of the locals understand and speak English I wouldn't know.

[@FeelingShred]

@@clydeinverness1197 awesome

[@clydeinverness1197]

@@FeelingShred Galicia is beautiful!, It's green because they get plenty of rain. It's safe and the train connects you to Portugal and other parts of Spain. I usually fly into Vigo's Airport and move around by train. Prices are lower than some parts of Spain ( looking at you Basque Country Lol ).

[@FeelingShred]

@@clydeinverness1197 Sounds great, thanks for sharing. It's a beautiful world we live in =D

[@patrician5699]

We love València too!

[@ruthslone2992]

I want to live near Alex! It sounds perfect.

[@robertosanjoseagudo2479]

Welcome!

[@robertosanjoseagudo2479]

Alex you are brave!

[@robertosanjoseagudo2479]

And welcome to Madrid!

[@OpenDoorEnglish]

Good stuff guys! Stuart if you’d like to do something similar with someone from the Barcelona area I’d be happy to volunteer!

[@zhengxu4464]

I loved that part of the expired nationality, I mean Alex's facial expressions (yeah, not nice it happened). Very funny and cute.

[@danpalmer8]

Stuart you should do a podcast with John and Alex

[@ignaceneuman6059]

Airco on solar is also a very economic heater in winter for places like Madrid.

[@KarolisJukna]

Love Valencia, planning to go back there. We have spent 9 months living there and loved it, but we were not so lucky with accommodation, we could not rent a place "permanently" as easy as we did not have a work contract and showing bank acc was not enough as a proof + deposit, they insisted on work contract. We were running an affiliate and dropshipping business and people in real estate had no idea what was that. and freezing 10k in the bank in the joint acc with a landlord was not a sexy option as a guarantee that the rent will be covered, it was weird. Oh, and we did not speak Spanish. We started the same, checked a few areas by renting Airbnb, even shared accommodation with Spanish just to get some info about the areas, and what to avoid. But we know the city well now and next time we will come prepared. Great talk! We are vegan and were really disappointed with restaurants and vegan culture there. we found one okeish vegan place but,,, there was a big but. We love cooking at home, so it was not a big deal, but spending all day running around took some planning about the food. Price of ingredients, veggies, the fruit was lowest in Europe to our experience, of course, if you are not shopping in the Central Market as it looks it became the main tourist attraction which made everything a bit more expensive than in small shops or mercadona

[@dorotakrzeszewska4130]

@Ben Smalley Hi,I plan to move to Valencia this year ... I'm a vegetarian and jewelry designer, I enjoy living between a not big city and nature and the sea ,, do you recommend valencia as an artistic place?

[@andreapowley7458]

Wonderful podcast, thanks Jules and Alex. My husband and I are planning on moving to Valencia in about 18 months. Do you have any tips for us and when do we need to start our planning and sorting out of visas, etc. (We are from Perth as well Jules). Any help will be much appreciated. Thanks!

[@kmzzzzz]

Good episode on Valencia :) Do you see real estate prices rising in Valencia as it is on it's way up, is it as good of an investment opportunity as it seems?

[@MrRobian56]

Conde Noble great table wine from Lidl for 0.85 cents and I've been living in Spain for 29 years :)

[@danpalmer8]

Hi Stuart and John. I'm planning on moving to Germany asap (I know this is a living in Spain podcast but the principles are the same I hope) but my German is very basic. How can I move there and get a job so I can learn German to hopefully a fluent level? Any help would be much appreciated :)

[@alcabriphotography]

Niceee, very close to what I've been looking for, I'm moving to Spain with my family soon and have spent countless hours trying to decide where to settle, looks like around Valencia is a great choice, I need to find a small town near by without beeing in the middle of the Sierra, any suggestions would be greatly helpful, great work Stwart.

[@kmzzzzz]

Area around Javea is beautiful and also Peniscola in the north is nice if you want smaller towns with beautiful nature near Valencia.

[@alcabriphotography]

@@kmzzzzz HI Ronald, thank you very much for taking the time, I appreciate it, I'll check them right away 👍🏼

[@FeelingShred]

I was not born in the mountains, but I lived shortly in a mountain area recently, felt super weird there, being surrounded by mountains with no range of vision is someone that creeps me out for some reason, feels... I don't know... strange... and I thought that I enjoyed loneliness, not quite to that extent I think xDDD

[@caninbar]

Hello Alex!

[@MrMediterrano]

what's the name of the song in the background?

[@mihaiilie4780]

Hi, Guys! Lovely interview. Question: Alex, said that his wife is working from Valencia to a South African Company. I’m interested in this subject. Is this possible? Is there any tax that you need pay for the Spanish government or is just an agreement in between your wife and her Co? Thanks!

[@jasonsweb1]

great informative videos.keep it up. I plan to retire to live in spain but not for another 6 years,but at this moment in time, which area is cheapest for property rent/buy and cost of living.... velencia,alicante,mercia,denia,la marina thanks. Jason(UK)

[@bluetip]

Sorry Alex if I bother you but I think is incredible that your mum never talked to you in Spanish. You would have the language without effort. Well, the fault is from your mother not you, of course. But man, she should have talked in spanish when you were a child. By the way Alex, your accent is amazing, very clear, I'm living in Ireland and the Irish don't talk like you. All the best with your spanish!

[@anthonyposso3764]

He's alright

[@anacasanova7350]

Alex, aunque te digan que en Valencia ha habido o hay corrupcion, politicos, la mitad es con la ayuda de otros politicos. Lo importante es que en ValenciA se vive muy bien, no hay leones, no hay serpientes peligrosas, no hay tiburones, no hay criminalidad, muy poca. Tampoco hay negros resentidos, con razon, contra los blancos a los que odian y desean matarles, en Valencia no existe eso y en España tampoco. Suerte.

[@majdavojnikovic]

Ok, I see it already, I will have a challenge there: I have two dogs and I can't stand dog poop on streets or parks. Luckily, in my neighborhood there are ton of dogs and 90% of dog owners pick up, and many of us pick up even if it not from our dog, so... I see myself picking up much more than I am used :) I have to make it in psyhical exercise. And find cheep eco bags...

[@harmankhehra2836]

hello sir , please tell me how much income an average guy make monthly in Valencia ,Spain because my dad lives & work in spain and want me to come there can u please tell me rough figure of monthly wage so that i can decide that i will come there or not please reply!!

[@soc6253]

The average wage is around 1.500 euros for a graduated student per month. Else, if you don't have a degree, expect 1.100 initially aprox. And depending on your experience, age, background.... it can vary, of course... But the average cost of living in Valencia is quiet cheap. You may find a 60 sq meters flat in a good neighborhood like Benimaclet (students, nice pubs, restaurants...) for 600 euros, and a room for 230 - 250 euros per month. So it definitely worth it...

[@PS-uz4ep]

SOC I actually live in Benimaclet with my wife an kid and pays that for a 3 bedroom flat.

[@timelwell7002]

Valencia interests me, not least because Berklee School of Music (based in Boston, USA) has a college in Valencia. However, I have been warned by various Spanish people from other parts of Spain (Madrid, Malaga, etc.) that the Valencianos are none too friendly. It certainly seems that the Valencianos I've met personally MUCH PREFER to speak Valenciano, and only speak Castellano grudgingly and will ill temper. And, similar to many Catalans, they tend to treat people from other parts of Spain with a less than friendly attitude. My understanding is that their language is similar to Catalan, and they are therefore friendly to Catalans, but sadly not, to Gallegos or Andalucians, for example. I have enough trouble speaking Spanish and have NO DESIRE to learn Valenciano. What are your thoughts on this please?

[@FeelingShred]

school of music? as a less than average guitar player and a decent drummer, this sounds interesting to me =D planning to moving there? would definitely love to share a house with fellow musicians... europeans are stuck into their asses like that, also in Italy, France (for those who don't speak french) from what I hear very ass backwards mentality

[@James-dx6sf]

It seems if you move to another country and culture but your mind and work is in the old culture, what is the point?

[@Frenchtechprofessor]

I love been a subscriber of your channel for a while but I wanted to point out that...I am not sure what your SouthAfriican/Spanish said is correct regarding dual nationality. My mother is Spanish and moved to France in 1966 where she met my Father who was Portuguese. They married in france and live their whole lives there...I had only French nationality as was born in France. After my father passing a fe year back ..I was able to get Portuguese id card but wasn't able to get Spanish. In order to get Spanish nationality I would have had to surrender my French nationality which I would refuse to give up. If Dual nationality is possible then let me know as I possibly missed something.

[@lizettebuys5198]

Spain does not allow dual nationality for South Africans. My husband received his Spanish citizenship last year and he had to relinguish his SA citizenship but he got a letter from the minister of homeland affairs in SA that guarentees him the right to claim back his SA citizenship if we should ever return there.

[@juliosalazar6924]

Jorge Ferreira Spain only accepts dual nationality to people from Latin American countries, Portugal, Andorra, the Philippines and Equatorial Guinea.

[@FeelingShred]

very useful information the both of you! the guy didn't even bother coming back to say Thank You... some people...

[@josealemany4525]

@@juliosalazar6924 not quite Julio. I am Canadian, born in Spain (Valencia) and recently recovered my Spanish nationality. I have both a Canadian and a Spanish passport..

[@dansfosterthanyou]

Alex you’re quite “prim and proper” for a South African 🤣 how long were you in the UK for?

[@FeelingShred]

South africans naturally have a more "british" accent to their english, in case that's what you were wondering

[@iainsanders4775]

'If you can get away with it..' No, not everywhere. A genuinely free press helps though.

[@ellieramseyer2291]

How complex is it to get a residency visa in Valencia, Spain?

[@jchandal5238]

Easy, get a non lucrative residence in two to three weeks

[@marianacaffaro]

I would have found out if my passport was real before moving. I also can't get my Spanish citizenship because they stopped giving it to Latin Americans in 2011

[@WronaJester]

"We didnt want to live in UK" 😁 Wonder why... 😂

[@FeelingShred]

The primary reason for me not wanting to go to the UK either is the "less than desirable" weather and everything looks grey, I feel claustrophobic there... But I must say that the UK compensates for it and the absolutely BEST PEOPLE I ever met in my life I met there. If I could find a place that had weather+people combination I would be a lottery winner. Same thing goes for jobs, we either love a job or get paid a decent salary, not often both at the same time. Or having to deal with crappy boss. Gets on your nerves.

[@herbolarilamenta]

We have so much bureaucracy in Spain because we have to give jobs to such a large number of civil servants. Everything is proportional in that sense, lol.

[@FeelingShred]

The perfect self-perpetuating pyramid scheme / money laundering scheme Keep employment levels artificially low so the peasants stay under control Nice move, Caesar

[@algarragonz]

The problem is the foreing people, they said we,re polite and then piss in the middle of the street , i saw that in benidorm ( valencian community). And many more problems..... .

[@stevem9353]

S A is f'ed big time

[@julioprego1956]

Protestant orientation? So the richest region of Germany, it's not catholic?

[@jchandal5238]

Aladdin style? Were you drunk?

[@neilcvernon6957]

Getting a NIE or anything official it Valencia is a nightmare. Otherwise it's a great City except for the Dog crap everywhere !

[@MaxZagar]

Kind of funny with the political correctness 😄

[@coratheexplorer1824]

Hmmm i noticed it in Spain not a lot of public toilet even by the sea no toilets, Spanish wants all the tourist, but don't build toilets, they should be thankful for the tourist without them Spain is bunkrupt.

[@joaquinandreu8530]

Yeah, the second producer of cars in Europe would become bankrupt because you are not able to find a free toilet...

[@SermonsSubtitled]

@@joaquinandreu8530 LOL

[@Juan-xg4kr]

Spain is the world's leading exporter of fresh fruit and vegetables, is the world's top producer of table olives and leading olive exporter, Spain ranks 2nd in vehicle production in Europe and 8th worldwide, and is the leading European manufacturer of industrial vehicles, etc etc. espanaglobal.gob.es/en/rankings Yes, tourism is a very important part and you have to take care of it that there is no doubt, we must move forward and improve

[@towaritch]

@@joaquinandreu8530 now that you have a Socialist government, open borders and separatists in power in Barcelona, you are doomed imho

[@joaquinandreu8530]

@@towaritch I will concede you that point.