FAST FACTS

Valencia is about 350 kilometers from Madrid (which lies on the west) and Barcelonia (which lies on the North). It lies at the mouth of the Turia River, in the Gulf of Valencia. This excellent location has made the city play a prominent role in Spain’s history, not only for its economic contributions but as the entry port of people from different lands. After all, it is Spain’s multi-ethnic population that helped give its culture such diversity and richness.

About 800,000 people live in this beautiful city. The people are warm and friendly, and while they speak Spanish, quite a few can speak English. It is a popular place to buy property, and many foreigners have settled down there. The excellent weather, and the breathtaking view, have made it a true seaside paradise.

CLIMATE

As with any spot in the Mediterranean, Valencia is blessed with a sunny tropical climate. The winters are very mild, which make it a popular retreat for people looking for a respite from December’s harsh cold and bleary gray skies. However, summers get to be quite dry. Spring brings a lot of rain, and fall can be wet as well, but it fortunately spared from very strong storms. In July and August, the temperature average a comfortable 25 degrees Centigrade.

TRANSPORTATION

It is easy to go around alencia. There is the Norte Railway Station, found at the center of the city. It is networked to Madrid, Barcelona, Sevilla, Alicante, Port Bou (French border), Zaragoza, and Bilbao, You can get schedules of the trains from the Spanish Railway Service.

FESTIVALS

The city’s biggest festival is Las Fallas, which falls on March 12th to March 19th. During this time, gigantic papier-mache art sculptures are made, and then displayed on the town squares. They often make social or political statements. On the last day of the festival, the sculptures are burned in a ritual the people have dubbed “la nit del foc”.

SHOPPING

True to its historical prominence as a center of trade, Valencia offers many opportunities to shop. Check out the Covered Market, located at al Mercado Central de Valencia. You’ll find not only great bargains but an interest architectural juxtaposition: find 8000 square meters of market space, enclosed by modern steel and glass building, but decorated with traditional Valencian ceramic tiles. Valencia also played a role in silk trade, which is continued in the Silk Exchange, the Llotja de a Seda.

You can buy several specialty crafts. One of them is ceramics, often gaily painted. Also look for the word artifacts, and objects made of handwoven
vegetable fibers. You can also buy high quality rice, but it would be difficult for tourists to bring this all across Europe.

SIGHTS AND ATTRACTIONS

You can see a lot of things in Valencia. Some of its favorite tourist attractions is the City of Arts and Sciences, where you’ll find a planetarium and imax theater, not to mention the Prince Felipe Museum of the Sciences (Museu de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe). Here you are encouraged to take a hands-on approach to learning, building items to see scientific principles at work. Children will enjoy the L’Oceanografic, which may be the largest aquarium in Europe. Outside sits a beautiful garden,. called Umbracle. For an even more spectacular collection of flora, visit the Botanical Gardens, which has over 40,000 plant species, and is considered to be one of Europe’s finest.

There are many museums, too, testament to the country’s great culture. Check out the Bull fight Art Museum, the El Museo de Bellas Artas de Valencia (second only to Madrid’s Prado) and the Valencian Institute of Modern Art.

Be sure to visit the Cathedral, built in th 13th century. It bears a mix of Gothic, Romanesque and Baroque element.

One of the worst things you can do when buying property abroad is to scrimp on a real estate agent. Forget those who advertise themselves as “cheap” and “bargains”. You’re not buying a pair of shoes, this is your house you’re talking about, and a major long-term investment. You would do well to get someone who is qualified, experienced and dedicated to providing you with the best possible service. Naturally he would charge a little more, but at least you know you’re in good hands.

A good real estate agent doesn’t just post whatever property he finds. He really looks at the property to check if they’re legally owned, and are considered to be “good finds”. A self-respecting real estate agent would never represent a property he wouldn’t personally buy himself or recommend to a good friend. He watches out for his good name and that means he’s watching out for you, too. He delivers only the best and doesn’t waste your time showing you property that, quite honestly, is a big dump.

Real estate agents are also fair. They don’t hype up the property and try to hide the faults just to guarantee a sale. They inform their clients of the strengths and weaknesses of the place. They advise you if it’s a good fit given your needs and budget. They tell you what needs to be fixed, and can help you find an estimate of how much those costs will be.

Of course in Spain one of the problems you may encounter is the difference in languages. You have to find someone who can speak good English and can comfortably translate Spanish terms. The language barrier shouldn’t handicap your efforts to really understand what you are getting into.

While a good real estate agent should understand legal terms, at least in the sense that he can explain it roughly, don’t make the mistake of thinking a real estate agent can replace a lawyer. However, you can ask a real estate agent to refer you to a qualified law firm, as well as to other suppliers, consultant or subcontractors (such as architects or plumbers).

No matter how good a real estate agent is, he can’t read your mind. If you don’t tell him what you want, you’ll drag both of you into a long, painful and often pointless game of trial and error.

Be as specific as possible about what’s important to you. Remember, a good real estate agent will have a very wide network, and can show numerous properties to you. It’s not enough to give him a budget, and say, “Show me houses that fall within that amount.” Give at least two or three of your most important criteria. For example, “My budget is so and so. I want a house wit at least three rooms, since I have kids, and preferably located near a shopping area and a school.”

Notice that you not only told her what you wanted, but also gave a sense of which of those criteria were more important. Budget matters, of course, and size, but the location was a matter of preference—meaning, you’d like it to be near a shopping area, but it’s not as important as the other two.

If you’re not sure about your preferences, you can at least describe your lifestyle or needs to your real estate agent. For example, “I will be traveling very frequently between Valencia and Madrid, where I plan to put up a business. I also have relatives in other parts of that I’d like to see every once in a while.” Well, that tells your real estate agent that access is an important consideration. It can also prompt her to ask other questions, based on what she knows about the real estate industry and the specific properties she already handles. “I know of a house that’s very near the transportation system, but do you mind the noise? Would you like something quieter?” Aah, see, you’re helping each other narrow down the options.

If you can’t think about what you want, you can tell the real estate agent what you don’t want. For example, “I don’t want to be in an isolated area. I really like the party scene and would like to be able to visit a bar or a restaurant at least three times a week.” Or, “I don’t have time to manage a big house. Look for something easier to clean.”