Is Valencia still the perfect retirement spot in Europe, or has it changed?
I talked to a dozen locals and expats to get a real update on this city that, only 2 years ago, I told you it was among the best cities to retire in Europe.
But since then, big changes have happened all over Spain.
With firsthand accounts from Valencia residents, I’ve uncovered what changed. How does that affect you? And what alternatives to Valencia might be better for retirement.
Today you will discover all that.
The Protests Against Tourists
In 2024, tourists were attacked with water sprays while eating in restaurants and bars in Barcelona during the massive anti-tourist demonstrations that happened in the city.
Similar protests also happened in other famous Spanish cities like Mallorca and Malaga.
So I went for my sources to check if this wave of revolt is affecting Valencia, the darling of expat retirees in Europe.
Valencia’s Situation
Here is what one of my sources told me: “What happened in Barcelona is a few people sprayed water on a few tourists, big deal. Anyway, the situation there is way worse than in Valencia. No one is hostile or has a hostile attitude in Valencia against foreigners. The problem is the rent hikes.”
And while this is not the only issue, it is probably the most visible: the increasing housing costs. In 2021, the average price per square meter to rent an apartment in Valencia was 10 euros.
Only 3 years later, this price skyrocketed to 14.56 euros per square meter.
This is a 45% increase in only 3 years!
Rent Increases
This is way above the increase in the average salary of the Valencian resident. And yes, in good part, this increase is due to a tremendous explosion in demand from expats and retirees willing to move to a sunny, warm place to enjoy their golden years.
The reason these huge protests happened in Barcelona but not in Valencia is that in Barcelona, the situation is even worse.
Entire districts of the city are completely taken over by Airbnbs, displacing locals and inflating the prices. Nowadays, there are virtually no districts where someone can rent an apartment for less than 20 euros per square meter.
Cost of Living Comparison
So did this price inflation make Valencia too expensive? Is it still worth moving there for retirement?
Let’s compare the cost of living in Valencia with Tampa, Florida, one of the favorite cities for Americans to retire to.
When we made our video about Valencia almost 3 years ago, the city was way cheaper than Tampa.
Right now, it is still 35% cheaper. Not impressive, but still a considerable difference. Would I move abroad just to save 35% of my income? Not sure.
But soon, I will show you some alternatives to Valencia where you will save way more than that, so keep watching.
Comparing Rentals
The average rent in Tampa is $1608 dollars per month, which is around 1480 euros.
Let’s see what you rent in Valencia for this value.
In the center of the town, very close to public transport, commerce, hospitals, and entertainment, I found this 59-square meter, 2-room apartment, for 1500 euros.
It has a nice view and a decent standard, but it is not much cheaper or larger than what you would get in Tampa in Florida. And in Tampa, for this price, the apartment at least has access to a swimming pool…
This higher price kinda shows the price inflation caused by Airbnb, since in this same region, there are hundreds and hundreds of them.
It is a shock for me because years ago, when we talked about Valencia for the last time, this same kind of apartment would be for 1100 or 1200 euros max.
Airbnb’s Impact on The Cost of Living in Valencia
But why would someone rent an apartment for 1200 euros if he can make much more by renting it on Airbnb?
It is not that I agree with protesters throwing water at tourists. It is not the fault of tourists. However, it is also not fair that properties available on Airbnb are inflating rent so much.
However, if you go a bit further from the historical parts dominated by Airbnb, and closer to the beach, you will find some cheaper places, like this 85-square meter, 2-room apartment in Malva Rosa for only 1.350€, with a really cool sea view.
To Live in Valencia Might Be Expensive, But There Is An Alternative!
So yes, as you can see, Valencia is still relatively inexpensive when compared to Florida, but by a much smaller margin than what we saw in 2021.
Is it still worth it? Maybe, but here is the thing that nobody is talking about: If you are moving to retire abroad, you don’t need to move to Valencia, and even less to Barcelona.
You don’t need to move to cities where you will compete for rent (and probably displace) young professionals who are trying to make a living. Not far from these metropolitan areas, there are wonderful small towns, with the same climate (or even better, as I will show you in a few minutes).
These small towns lost a lot of young residents to bigger cities. Some of them are dying because of the decreasing population.
Smaller Towns
In these cities, you would have the amenities of urban life, but for a much, much smaller cost.
And, here is the best part: no angry protesters harassing you while you lunch.
In these cities, you will be more welcome – especially if you try to learn some of the local language, of course.
Castellón de la Plana
The first city I want you to think about is Castellón de la Plana. This city is located 76 kilometers from Valencia or just one hour drive, and it is not a small city per se, since it has 150 thousand residents.
This city was once voted the ugliest in Spain. Because large parts of the city were built in the ’60s and the ’70s and apparently, they are not very uniform.
When you see Spanish cities from above, you realize that Spaniards really like that uniformity and maybe that is why they voted Castellón de La Plana as “la Ciudad mas fea” (the ugliest city) in Spain.
But put that aside, this city has plenty of advantages.
Advantages of Castellón
One of the biggest perks is the good infrastructure available, like big supermarkets, pharmacies, all these things.
The city features efficient public transportation and well-maintained roads, making it easy to get around. The AVE high-speed train connects Castellón to major cities like Madrid and Barcelona, offering convenience and connectivity.
Castellón also has good private healthcare options.
The Vithas Castellón Hospital is considered one of the best in Spain, for example.
Close to the city, there are plenty of small villages where you can have a quiet life with access to all this urban infrastructure. The beautiful beaches of Costa del Azahar are just a short drive away, perfect for relaxing days by the sea.
Local’s Opinion on Castellón
Here is what a local told us about Castellón: “The city is usually regarded as a bit dull if compared to other capitals in Spain, but the villages are some of the best in the whole country! This includes both the countryside and the coastal ones.”
And remember when I told you that the average rent in Tampa, Florida, is $1608 dollars per month? Let’s see what you could rent in Castellón for HALF of this price: 800 dollars (or 740 euros). For only 686 dollars, you can rent this 3-bedroom apartment with 93 square meters. Already furnished.
If you want something even bigger, for 817 dollars you can rent an entire DUPLEX. This living room is huge, you can throw a party there.
Sagunto and Puerto de Sagunto
But let’s say that Castellón, with its 150 thousand residents, is too big for you. You want something smaller. In fact, that is indeed what another resident of the region of Valencia told us: “If you don’t want somewhere touristy and prefer to live a quiet life, look for a smaller city in the region of Valencia. You will be able to find sizable houses with a pool outside the city itself, that’s what I would look for if I were in your position.”
And that is what we went to look for.
And the first smaller city we found is not one, but actually two in one: Sagunto and Puerto de Sagunto.
Sagunto, with a population of around 65,042, combines historical charm with modern amenities. Puerto de Sagunto, the coastal part of the municipality, offers beautiful beaches and a relaxed atmosphere, attracting many expats.
Infrastructure in Sagunto is robust. Efficient public transport, including regular trains to Valencia, makes commuting easy. The proximity to Valencia, just 28 kilometers away, means that the amenities of a big city are within easy reach without the hustle and bustle.
Affordable Rentals in Sagunto
And remember the local who told us that we could find an apartment with swimming pool access for less than 1000 euros in these cities? He was absolutely right because we found a house with swimming pool access for less than that.
A fully furnished house. With a beautiful balcony and a swimming pool for only 825 euros!
And all that in the region of Playa de Almardá.
It is mind-blowing that for such a low price you can live in such a nice place!
Gandia
But let’s say that Puerto de Sagunto and Sagunto with their 105,000 residents combined are still too big for you, and you want an even smaller city that is even cheaper and has a beautiful beach!
Let me present to you the city of Gandia. With a population of about 75,000, it offers a perfect blend of convenient city life and tranquil coastal living.
They also have many restaurants with traditional dishes. In fact, locals recommended that anyone who goes to Gandia should try the local Fideuà. Despite being in such a splendid location, the cost of living there is significantly lower than in larger coastal cities of the Valencian region.
In this city, you do not find as many expats as in Valencia or Puerto de Sagunto, and that might be a good thing.
Benefits of Gandia For an Expat Retiree
First, because the local community is friendly and welcoming. So with them, you will learn Spanish, and a bit of the Valencian dialect.
In my channel, I always stress how important it is to blend with the locals, and Gandia is a good place for that.
Second, and that is the most important: since the expat community is small, the prices are also much lower here.
In Gandia, you can rent an apartment with swimming pool access for less than 600 euros. The best part is that it is only 60 meters from the beach.
And if you think this is an exception, it is not, in fact, I found multiple other similar offers of apartments with swimming pool access.
Some of them are for as low as 525 euros per month. This is 570 dollars, which is the price to rent a parking space in some American cities.
Conclusion on the Mediterranean Coast as an Alternative to Retire in Valencia
So yes, while Valencia might not have the cost-benefit ratio it had in the past since it has become much more expensive lately, in the Valencian community, there are still many inexpensive and alluring gems that offer immense quality of life for very low prices.
And before I end this article, I want just to give two more pieces of advice that locals gave me when I asked them for tips for those planning to move to Valencia.
Local Advice For Those Thinking About Retiring in Valencia
The first piece of advice is this one: “If you decide to retire in Valencia, learn the language, and make an active effort to be active within the community, you don’t have to be friends with everyone, just don’t be a **** to everyone else only because you have got money.”
The second tip is: “Valencia is still a little cold in winter. Very humid, keep in mind. Colder the more you go inland, but humidity is just in Valencia (it has to do with “acequias”, some unique local system of agriculture canals that run underground).”
Now, if you would prefer a less humid place that is cheaper than Spain, and has a longer warm season, the eastern part of Europe might have some good surprises for you, like Cyprus, Greece, and… a surprising country in the Balkans.
To discover which country I am talking about, check this article.
