Living in Spain

Valencia; I understand there is not that much to see there either. I haven't been there, so can't say from experience, but I've heard that there is not that much for the visitor to see. There is no old area like the Barrio Gotico in Barna, for example. Living there might be a different matter though.

Vrex, if you are not "Helena," then are you associated with the Valencia tourist industry or the city in some way. Full disclosure is so good for the soul.

Badger (only afiliated with other badgers; part of the pro-badger alliance)

Does the Badger Alliance have an anthem or a flag? I'd like to know :)

BTW - it looks like the OP isn't going to answer questions we all asked here...

Vrex,
Well, now you've come out and told us about yourself; that's all I was really looking for. I am sorry if I assumed that you were associated with the Valencia tourist industry. You must admit that from your posts, it certainly seemed that way. About "Helena:" She was someone that used to come on the forums here and every chance she got she would say "come to lovely Valencia" (or something similar whether or not it made any sense or not). She WAS associated with the Valencia tourist industry. She hasn't posted here in a while so I thought you might be her.

You obviously have a great love for Valencia and that's wonderful; we all have our reasons for loving certain places. What I said was only what I heard. I hope to experience it myself someday. I just was never inspired to visit since I hadn't heard very many good things about it.

No, you don't owe any explanation, but I was just curious what your connection with the city was. Thanks for explaining yourself.

Badger

Same here. Thanks for the explanation, Vrex. My attitude was very much coloured by helena's idiotic postings. People would ask for bus details from San Sebastian to Madrid and she would say "Come to Valencia".

I'm with you Vrex.

We have recently started thinking about settling in Spain - I retire in a couple of years - and having spent a lot of time in Spain in the last decade or so we are starting to hone in on somewhere permanent. We've been to most of the cities and love a lot of them but we've, somewhat surprisingly, come to the conclusion that Valencia does, indeed, tick all the boxes.

Plenty to see and do, decent all year round climate, not too touristy, good transport links to elswhere and crucially a real feeling that you're in authentic Spain.

Vrex - I am glad that we've cleared it up, and yes, Helena was certainly good for a laugh, however she managed to put me off Valencia for a while with her mindless repetition. Hopefully that's not a permanent state!

Good luck with your postings, I appreciated your straight forwardness.

Valencia isn't a place I like that much personally, but that just goes to show that you need to visit any place you're thinking of by going to see if it does it for you.

I see your request has received a lot of attention. Well...I only have one word for you.

Barcelona!!!!

It is amazing and wonderful and you get a taste of Spain and a distinct look into another culture, that of Catalunya. You are also on the water and near the Pyrenees for all types of natural goodness. You are close to southern France for quick vacations as well as the amazingly beautiful and green regions of northern Spain. The parties are amazing and the weather is oh so pleasant. It is still affordable yet cosmopolitan and growing ever more so. To really get a deep understanding of the city, go to the local cultural newsweekly bcnweek.com and read the past feature articles. You can live cheaply (see http://www.bcnweek.com/feature40.html) and you can live well. You will not regret it!! BARCELONA!!

Maybe she got fired and doesn't work for the Valencia tourist board any more.

@19 Vrex - you, unlike Helena, wherever she may roam, have a sense of humor... ;)