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Living in Spain

Moving to Valencia: neighbourhoods, schools, budget

Published 19 May 2026·10 min read·By The Alveo team

Spain's third city, regularly ranked among the world's best for expats, Valencia attracts more international families every year. Neighbourhoods, schools, real budgets: the guide from our team on the ground.

Contents Why Valencia wins over expats The neighbourhoods to live in Schools and family life What budget to plan The paperwork to settle in

Why Valencia wins over expats

300 days of sunshine, urban beaches, a lively historic centre and a cost of living 30-40% below Paris or London: Valencia ticks the boxes. The international community is active and well organised, with schools, clubs and networking groups in several languages.

The neighbourhoods to live in

Ruzafa: the creative quarter, cafés and galleries, €3,000-3,500/m²
L'Eixample: modernist elegance, close to everything, €3,000-3,500/m²
El Carmen: the historic heart, for old-town lovers, around €2,800/m²
Benimaclet: village feel, popular with families, under €2,200/m²
Patacona / Alboraya: the beach as a daily routine, €2,400-2,900/m²

Schools and family life

Alongside the French Lycée (accredited from nursery to baccalaureate, 1,000+ pupils), the city offers several English-language international schools and a good public network. Valencia is flat and very cycleable, and the Turia gardens, 9 km of parkland, cross it end to end.

What budget to plan

To buy, count €2,450/m² on average, plus around 13% costs (10% ITP). To rent, a family three-bedroom goes for €1,100-1,500 in central districts. Day to day, a household budget sits roughly 35% below a big French or UK city.

The paperwork to settle in

1. Get an NIE for each family member
2. Register at the town hall (empadronamiento), the key to public services
3. Join Spanish social security or take out private insurance
4. Exchange your driving licence (mandatory after 2 years of residence)
Key takeaways
check Cost of living 30-40% below Paris or London
check French Lycée (AEFE) with 1,000+ pupils, plus international schools
check Buying: €2,450/m² average; family rental: €1,100-1,500
check Empadronamiento is the first step once you arrive
The Alveo team Alveo Group · Updated August 2026

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