About the nomad base, Valencia, the neighbourhood and local culture
Nazaret neighbourhood
This neighbourhood (spelled witha a t = Natzaret in Valenciano) used to have a bad reputation, there was a fair amount of petty crime, poverty and drugs here, at least by Spanish and European standards. Which is to say: not all that much. When you talk to Valencians from other areas, older ones especially will still seem wary of Nazaret since their idea of what it is like is based on how it was 12 to 20+ years ago. However, a good number of expats and others have been buying property, the neighbourhood got a Metro/Tram line in 2022, Linea 10 & the stop, "Natzaret" is about a minute walk from the apartment) and the city has started on building the 63.000+ m2 "Parque de Desembocadura" with sport and recreation facilities (the park will separate the neighbourhood from the harbour, which you can smell on some days). This park is 5 minutes walk from the Nomadbase.
There are at least three (newish) real estate agent offices here, these companies are all of the opinion this is the next neighbourhood to truly become more popular and better. My real estate agent friend and my downstairs neighbour Rosa have lived their whole lives in Nazaret and in their opinion it is very safe here. Like in any city, common sense is a must of course.
Much of life here takes place on the street, on public squares and terraces, Spaniards are on average friendlier and louder than North Europeans. On some days you may well hear music fairly loud (sound system), or people playing a guitar and singing Flamenco close the building. It doesn't go late usually, but for when it does, earplugs can be a good thing.
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Neighbourhood facilities, sights, shops and activities
All within 1 to 7 minutes walking distance you will find:
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-A polideportivo (large multi-sports center) with a pool and a lot of different sports
-An amazing Pumptrack skate park, this one. It is set in middle of a large park they are expanding.
-A public library with free WiFi, one ATM.
-An indoor market hall, open in the mornings, small but has a lot of fresh produce, meat, fish and more. Ukrainian food store. 3+ Hairdressers 3+ Pharmacies.
-An outdoor market for household goods, clothes etc, Tuesday mornings until about 13:00
-An award winning bakery close by, pic on the right. The bakery opens until evening, extremely fair prices, big range of baked goods and they do some home cooked meals/takeout if you get these early, before the run out.
-A "CONSUM" supermarket as well as many fresh produce stores and convenience stores
-A number of small lunch rooms and bars that serve bocadillos/snacks and a few which also have dinner. 8 Minutes cycling gets you Indian, Italian, Spanish food and more.
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A little further afield you will find:
-Two long/large beaches: one popular and 10 minutes cycle (Playa de las Arenas/Cabanyal), the other quiet and 14 minutes cycle (Playa de Pinedo).
-The spectacularly chill and long (7km) "Jardín del Turia" park is 10 minutes cycle.
-"El Rastro" a good flea market, every Sunday from 10:00 to 12:45, 20 mins bike.
-The architecturally gorgeous Central Market of Valencia, great food, 25 mins bike.
So, so much more, half of which I don't even know yet. :) See link/guide below.
Opening times, siesta, meals & pace of life & a 100 things to do
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In Valencia the siesta is observed. This means that almost every business and (Government) organization will be closed from 14:00 to 17:00, with the exception of most super markets but including the majority of restaurants, we know the exceptions, just ask. A lot of businesses will stay open until 20:00 after they open at 17:00 again
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Valencians eat breakfast quite early and then have heaviest, most varied and longest, meal of the day ca. 13:00 and then have another meal late, at 21:00 or later.
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I am not an early morning person, am quite the night owl. I tend to get up/active 11:00 ish (though before that I am usually working/translating online in my room), but if you like to get up between 07:00 and 09:00, go do your thing! :) Ideal time go to explore.
This is an extensive guide we made, it has 100+ things to do, see, places to eat and shops & prices information and much more. It is rough -especially the formatting- but the info should be invaluable nonetheless. âž” Guide to Valencia
Tidbits and good to know things: ATMs, tap water & cycling
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There is an ATM 1 minute walk from our place & right by the town square/the market, Caixa bank. Most ATMs will charge you between €0 and €4 per withdrawal, depends on your bank.
The tap water is perfectly fine to drink everywhere if pretty hard (minetals), in summer you really want to fill up your own bottle & apply sunscreen before you head out, the heat is no joke.
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Valencians tend to be quick to smile and joke, friendly and social, they are not the best drivers however. It used to be a real car-centric city but in last 10 years it is becoming a true cycling city, nonetheless there are still plenty of people that are not so good at anticipating bikes, even on bike lanes. It is not like Germany/Netherlands/Scandinavia. The city is not big, so just go slow, certainly obey all traffic laws (the fines are high if you bike on sidewalk, with headphones or against traffic etc!) and just enjoy, and always bike through Turia park when you can. There is no rush, the Turia park bisects entire city, is super safe, 0 cars and you will enjoy your ride way more.
