Hi there!
I’m Amanda, founder of La Vidalencia. This business was born in collaboration and made personal.
I am a mom of two, originally from Seattle, WA (GO STORM!), my family made the big move to Valencia in August 2023—but the journey truly began nearly a year earlier.
After an extended trip to Barcelona in September 2022, we knew we wanted to change our lives forever and make Spain our home. Upon arriving home to Seattle, we jumped into action, downsizing our lives in a big way. My husband and I had spent over a decade owning and operating restaurants and bars in Seattle, which meant we had accumulated a lot of stuff! Moving across the world wasn’t just about packing up our home—we also had to sell and donate years’ worth of restaurant equipment and belongings.
Our journey here was built on the resilience we developed over a decade as owners and operators of Seattle’s only Spanish restaurant and top speakeasy bars. We’re no strangers to paperwork and red tape, but Spanish bureaucracy is a whole different challenge. With determination, organization, and a lot of persistence, we successfully filed our Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) at the San Francisco consulate (eventually), opened a Spanish bank account, secured a year-long lease, and enrolled our children in Montessori school.
Once in Valencia, we tackled the complex process of obtaining our ID cards and local registration—no small feat. It took expert guidance, countless hours, and a deep dive into the system to get everything done.
But wait—our journey wasn’t as smooth as we had hoped. Due to misguidance from a recommended attorney and rapidly changing visa laws, we found ourselves having to return to the U.S. after just two months in Spain (along with our two new puppies) to apply for a different visa. Unfortunately, our story isn’t unique. I’ve met many expats and immigrants who have faced similar challenges, even when working with professionals. These mistakes can be costly and emotionally exhausting.
That’s exactly why I created La Vidalencia—to ensure you don’t go through what we did. After a year of working closely with immigration attorneys, accountants, sworn translators, U.S.-based courier services, school administrators, and shipping and packing companies, we’ve built a trusted network of experts. Our goal is to make your relocation as seamless and stress-free as possible, so you can start your new life in Spain with confidence.
My family and I moved to Valencia for its incredible quality of life. We were drawn to its slower pace, where connection, family time, and enjoying the moment come first. With sunny Mediterranean weather, we spend more time outdoors—walking the city, swimming in the sea, or savoring ice cream in a plaza. Valencia’s strong sense of safety, community, rich culture, and amazing food made it the perfect place to put down roots and embrace a more balanced way of living.
I'm an entrepreneur, educator, and community builder with a background in hospitality and family support. I learned how to create welcoming spaces and run a successful business + support families through life’s big transitions, which continues to inspire everything I do. I am so excited to work with you!
Nearby Districts
Valencia is organized into 19 districts and 87 official neighborhoods (barrios). This index hub is your quick, skimmable map to every district and its neighborhoods, each linking to a deeper Neighborhood Spotlight. Use it to compare areas by vibe, housing style, walkability, green space, and proximity to schools, the Turia Garden, beaches, and transit. When you’re ready, I can help you shortlist streets and buildings that match your lifestyle, not just the postcard shots. 🧭
Poblats del Sud strings together Valencia’s southern villages between the city and Albufera Natural Park—think traditional houses, slow rhythms, rice fields, dunes, and some of the region’s best paella. It’s where nature and heritage meet easy city access.
Pobles de l’Oest is the western cluster of villages—Benimàmet and Beniferri—where rural charm meets easy city access.
Pobles del Nord is a collection of northern villages absorbed into Valencia, retaining strong local identity. Expect traditional houses, quiet streets, and countryside proximity.
Benicalap is a northern district where tradition meets modern expansion. Known for its green spaces and family housing, it’s a quieter alternative to central Valencia while still well-connected.
Rascanya is an up-and-coming district north of the Turia Garden, mixing working-class roots with growing expat appeal. Affordable rents, strong local markets, and easy transport make it a smart relocation option.
Benimaclet is Valencia’s bohemian village within the city—once an independent town, now a cultural hotspot with an artsy, community feel.
Algirós sits just east of the city center, hugging the Turia Garden and stretching toward the universities. It’s vibrant, student-friendly, and threaded with residential pockets that feel surprisingly village-like.
Camins al Grau bridges the center and the sea—straight routes to the beach, strong transit, and residential neighborhoods with practical value for expats.
Poblats Marítims is Valencia’s seaside soul—colorful fisherman houses, beach promenades, and a growing creative scene. If your Valencia picture includes morning swims and sunset paellas, start here.
Quatre Carreres stretches south of the Turia Garden and includes the futuristic City of Arts & Sciences, family friendly parks, and a wide mix of housing. It’s a go to for expats who want modern comforts, space, and fast links across the city.
Jesús offers local flavor, affordability, and quick metro access. It’s a practical, family-focused district with a strong sense of identity.
Patraix balances neighborhood charm, affordability, and solid transport. It’s a family-oriented district with authentic local flavor.
L’Olivereta may not make every expat’s shortlist, but it has a lot going for it: affordable rents, everyday services, and proximity to the Turia Gardens. Neighborhoods here are diverse—some with mid-century apartment blocks, others with renovated flats attracting young families. It’s less touristy, more authentic, and still only a bike ride from Old Town.
Extramurs means “outside the walls,” and that’s exactly where this district grew—just beyond medieval Valencia, with straight‑shoot access to rail, markets, and daily life. If you want central convenience without tourist swarms, Extramurs is a smart, value‑forward choice.
Ciutat Vella is Valencia’s historic core—Roman footprint, Moorish memory, Gothic grandeur, and a lively present all stitched into a walkable maze of plazas and narrow streets. If your Valencia dream includes café breakfasts beneath church bells, a quick stroll to museums, and a buzzing after‑dark scene, this district is your center of gravity.
Eixample is Valencia’s elegant grid—wide boulevards, modernista facades, luxury boutiques, and café terraces. It’s central, polished, and beloved by expats who want space, style, and convenience.
Campanar blends a preserved village core with modern residential zones, shopping, and family attractions. It’s ideal if you want calmer streets, strong transport, and quick access to parks and services.
El Pla del Real pairs leafy elegance with academic energy—Viveros Gardens, university faculties, and the legendary Mestalla stadium. If you want green space, culture, and calm streets near the center, start here.
La Saïdia sits just across the Turia from Old Town, offering green parks, solid transport, and neighborhood value. It’s lively but local, with a strong sense of community.