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Valencia - Advice on housing, visas & healthcare

My partner and I (age 56 and 73) are returning to Valencia in a few weeks to look at apartment rentals and to determine which neighborhood would be best for us.  Looking for other expats who understands the process and would be willing to share their experience with us. Is it difficult to get private health insurance and are prescriptions covered? We were thinking of applying for student visas as we will be attending school for at least a year to learn Spanish full time.  As retirees,  is this the best option?  We plan on buying a home/apartment, but not for a year until we determine the best neighborhood for us.  Any help or suggestions would be appreciated! Thanks,  Jonathan

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@Jons0417

***

Thank you

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@Jons0417

healtcare in privid  is in the beginning good for a schrats if it is to much there gone, make yourself resident wit the help of a layer we have a recomended one my wife found him in Gandia we are here now 4 years en gat first the property the residency wil give you a national siknes cover for allkinds exept dental verry good one here in town.

A practical point on neighborhoods: Valencia's Ruzafa, El Carmen, and the beach area near Malvarrosa each offer very different lifestyles and rental markets. Short-term rentals are more common near the center, while longer-term contracts (which you typically need for residency registration) can take time to find. If you're visiting specifically to scout areas, it helps to have a rough idea of your monthly budget because that will shape which neighborhoods are realistic. Some expats in older threads on Expat.com mentioned that certain landlords are cautious about long-term contracts with non-EU nationals, so building a local bank relationship early can smooth things out once you decide on an area.

@Jons0417  Hi Jonathan! Great plan to spend time in Valencia first as it’s the best way to get a feel for different areas.


Private health insurance in Spain is generally straightforward, but the exact setup and prescription coverage depends on your visa/residency route, so it’s worth confirming based on your situation.


The student visa can work for some people, but for retirees it really depends on your long-term plans.


Renting first before buying is definitely the right approach in Valencia, as neighbourhood choice makes a big difference to day-to-day life.  Also acceptance of noise levels and Budget will also play a massive part. 


*** Either way, I wish you the best of luck, and have an awesome time in Valencia.   Deb

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