Are you retiring to Spain? Do you have friends who already live here? Are you a digital nomad? Are you just looking for some great weather and peace and quiet?
Whatever your situation, a rural property in Valencia could be the answer if your dream is to move to Spain. This article will go over the many advantages of rural living before having a look at some specific areas in the province of Valencia where many ex-pats have already found their dream home in Spain.
Perhaps the first thing to take into account if you are weighing up moving to Spain is that living inland does not by any stretch of the imagination mean you are foregoing access to the Mediterranean or an international airport. In fact, most rural areas in the province of Valencia are no more than a 30-minute drive to the nearest beach and the airport. The difference is of course what you get for your money. A budget of €150,000-€200,000 can buy you a villa inland with three or four bedrooms and two bathrooms, a private swimming pool, BBQ area and potentially a 1000m2 plot with fruit or olive trees. Not bad when you consider the same budget will probably only get you 30m2 studio in Madrid or Barcelona!
And while we are on the subject of price, rural property owners in Valencia are generally happy to negotiate their selling price or include furniture in the deal, as there are less buyers competing for this type of property than in coastal areas or large cities. All the above means of course that you can afford a larger house, with more room for people to stay over and more outdoor space to enjoy the 300 days of Spanish sunshine a year.
And the savings don’t stop there, as the cost of living in rural Valencia is also very affordable, particularly when compared to large cities or seaside resorts. By way of example, a beer in a small town or village will probably cost about €1.50-€2.00 and a nice meal out no more than €20.00-€30.00.
So, if you have had enough of the hustle and bustle of the big city and just want to slow things down and enjoy an easily affordable life in Spain, then living inland is definitely going to be for you. You probably won’t hear or see your neighbours and you will have plenty of outdoor space to enjoy all to yourself. But this doesn’t mean you are going to be in the middle of nowhere necessarily (although some may like to be). Valencia has a plethora of small towns and villages with all the basic services you need and most inland villas are within a five or 10-minute drive.
And this brings us to one of the more obscure, but highly significant advantages of living in a rural area in Valencia.
Despite not living right next door to other people, the feeling of community in the areas around small Spanish towns and villages is huge. The people who live in these areas generally live there all year round and both the local Spanish residents and the growing ex-pat community all have a sense of belonging and are very welcoming to new arrivals. People converge on the main village in an area, making it a lot easier to meet people, make friends and join in the many popular and cultural activities that rural communities organise. So, if authentic Spain is what you are looking for, nothing quite compares to being part of a close-knit rural community in Valencia.
Apart from clean air and less noise, which makes for much healthier living anyway, rural areas in Valencia offer a wide range of outdoor activities like hiking, biking and horse riding that allow you to take in the seldom hyped but quite often breath-taking scenery on offer. And these activities are literally on your doorstep!
Regarding the areas themselves, here are some great options for purchasing a rural property in Valencia.
Located just a 25-minute drive from the white-sand beaches in Cullera and the same distance south of Valencia city, Alzira is a large town with a population of 45,000 inhabitants and a myriad of services. But it is the beautiful area surrounding Alzira where you can find spectacular properties for rural living. The area is mountainous and green and offers a wide variety of hiking routes with fantastic views of valleys and the Mediterranean Sea. The area is also home to arguably the most spectacular golf course in the province, La Galiana, where a 5-star hotel was recently opened.
Chiva is a smaller town with 16,000 inhabitants that is just a 25-minute drive inland from Valencia city and has the added advantage of being connected by train in only 20 minutes. The surrounding area is home to a whole host of housing urbanisations as well as agricultural land with rural properties. The nearby Turia River provides a serene setting for picnics and leisurely walks along its banks, while the town itself is proudly overlooked by the Castle of Chiva.
Olocau is nestled in the beautiful Sierra Calderona Natural Park and offers a unique combination of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and a tranquil lifestyle. Nature enthusiasts are drawn to Olocau for its breath-taking surroundings. The Sierra Calderona Natural Park provides a picturesque backdrop with its lush forests, rugged mountains, and winding trails.
Situated in the region of La Hoya de Buñol, Turís is renowned for its beautiful landscapes, rich cultural heritage and traditional Valencian charm. The region is famous for its wine production, particularly the renowned Turís Bobal wines, while the town itself boasts a well-preserved historical centre with narrow streets, traditional whitewashed houses, and quaint squares.
Valencia, Spain, has reclaimed its spot as the best city in the world for expatriates, according to the 2024 Expat City Ranking by InterNations.
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HomeEspaña is looking for Real Estate Agents to join our team in our Montserrat, Valencia office. Find out more…
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