Valencia Housing Guide for Exchange Students
Valencia is one of those cities where people come “just for one semester” and end up trying to stay longer. It’s sunny, cheaper than many other big cities, by the sea, full of students, and the nightlife is serious.
Your housing choice will decide a lot: how you move, who you meet, how much you spend, and how close you are to the beach vs. city center vs. campus.
This guide puts together real experiences from students in Valencia (UV, UPV, CEU, Universidad Europea…) + Studcasa tips so you don’t go in blind.
1. Big picture: what housing in Valencia feels like
Overall, students rate Valencia very highly:
- Overall experience: around 8.8/10
- Housing: about 4.2/5
- Social life: about 4.8/5
- Travel: about 4.5/5
Compared to cities like Madrid or Barcelona, Valencia is:
- Cheaper for rent and groceries
- Very student-friendly (tons of Erasmus, lots of events)
- Compact and bikeable
- Right next to a huge beach
Most exchange students live in shared apartments or coliving, often with other internationals, in neighborhoods between the universities, the center, and the beach.
2. Where students actually live (and what it’s like)
Valencia is not huge, but the neighborhood you pick changes your daily life a lot. Here are the main zones students mention, with pros/cons based on real feedback.
Cabanyal / El Cabanyal
Cabanyal is the traditional fishermen’s area, close to the beach and not far from the university campuses (especially UV / UPV Tarongers).
Students like it because:
- It’s near the beach and the universities.
- Trams and buses connect you to the center.
- Many flats are newly renovated colivings aimed at students.
One student paid ~670€/month in a renovated coliving in Cabanyal and loved the location. Another lived in El Cabanyal and said being close to the beach was the best decision, with easy access to buses and trams.
It’s a good option if you want to run by the sea, go to beach clubs, and still reach campus quickly.
Malvarrosa
Malvarrosa is the big beach area – very famous among students.
Some students love it:
- 1 minute from the beach,
- about 10 minutes from university,
- very social in spring and summer.
Others are more cautious:
- One student rated Malvarrosa as “okay” but not amazing for coliving,
- another explicitly said to avoid Malvarrosa, especially for walking home at night, as it’s “not very well frequented.”
So: Malvarrosa is great if you’re beach-obsessed and comfortable with the vibe. If you’re more into calm, central streets and late solo walks home, you might prefer another area.
Amistat / Ayora / Mestalla area
These are classic student neighborhoods between the center and the universities (especially for Universitat de València and UPV).
Real experiences:
- One student in Amistat paid 450–460€/month, in a coliving between city center and university with metro and buses nearby – recommended.
- Another in Amistat at 420€/month was 10 minutes from university and very happy.
- Near Mestalla stadium, one student shared a flat with 9 other girls for 550€ all included, 15 minutes by bus from UPV and 10 minutes to the center, and found it super easy for social life.
This zone is a great compromise:
close to campus, not too far from the center, and still bikeable to the beach.
Ruzafa (Russafa)
Ruzafa is the trendy, “cool brunch and bars” neighborhood slightly south of the center.
A student who lived in Ruzafa + near the faculty (450–500€/month) calls Valencia “the best destination with no regrets”, and strongly recommends Ruzafa.
Why people like it:
- Lively bars, cafés, local vibes
- Super social
- Easy access to the center; still reachable to university and beach by bike/metro
If you care more about cafés, nightlife and atmosphere than living on the sand, Ruzafa is a top choice.
Benimaclet / Sagnut / Viveros side
Several students mention Benimaclet and areas around Viveros park (one student in a residence near there, probably “Sagunt/Sagnut”).
What they say:
- Benimaclet is full of students, with good prices and local bars.
- One student in a residence (Viveros area) paid ~800€/month but loved the area and said prices remained student-friendly compared to the Old Town.
- Old Town (“Ciutat Vella”) is beautiful but more expensive and touristy.
If you want a balance of local/student vibes and easy access everywhere, this side of town is a strong match.
City center / Ciutat Vella / Plaza España / Old Town
Living central (Plaza España, around the Old Town, near the cathedral etc.) means:
- 10–15 minutes’ walk to “everything”,
- metro stations nearby,
- beautiful streets, historic buildings, more tourists.
One student in Plaza España paid ~520€/month, had a big room and could walk 10 minutes to most places. They loved being central and said the metro card for students (~14€/month) made everything easy.
Another warns: in the Old Town, prices for food and drinks jump compared to more student areas like Benimaclet.
Patacona
Patacona is another beach area just north of Malvarrosa.
Two students in the Resa Patacona residence say:
- The view and proximity to the beach are amazing.
- The residence is clean, social and friendly.
- But: the neighborhood itself feels a bit “ugly/unsafe” and far from the center, with weaker transport connections.
So Patacona residence is cool if you want a beach-front student residence and don’t mind commuting longer or depending more on buses.
Areas to be careful with
From students’ comments:
- Malvarrosa: some love it, others find it sketchy at night. If you party a lot late, don’t walk home alone at 4 a.m. from the clubs.
- Oriols: one student explicitly does not recommend the neighborhood and found it too far/out of the way.
- Some students say: “I would avoid living too close to the beach long-term” if you also want central nightlife and easy access to other areas.
Overall, Valencia is described as very safe compared to many other cities – especially for going out at night – but as always, choose your area carefully and stay aware.
3. Types of housing in Valencia (and what students actually choose)
Most exchange students end up in coliving/shared flats, but you have other options too. Here’s how they compare.
3.1 Coliving / Shared houses
This is by far the most common: you rent a room and share kitchen + living room with other students.
Typical prices from real cases:
- 400–450€/month in coliving a bit further from the center (e.g. Oriols, some Ayora flats).
- 440–460€/month in Ayora, Amistat, Malvarrosa via Rooms4Valencia.
- 500–550€/month in Ayora, between university and center, or big 10-person flats close to Mestalla or UPV.
- 600–670€/month in trendy or beach-adjacent neighborhoods like Cabanyal, Malvarrosa, or nicer/newer flats.
Pros:
- Social: easy to meet people immediately.
- Often already furnished and set up (Wi-Fi, washing machine, etc.).
- International atmosphere (Erasmus from everywhere).
Cons:
- Quality varies a lot: some are super modern, others are old and humid.
- Flatshares with 8–10 people can be intense (noise, cleaning, shared fridges…).
- Your experience depends heavily on flatmates.
Popular operators & platforms students mention:
- Rooms4Valencia (very common; many good experiences in Ayora, Amistat, etc.).
- Helloroom (coliving close to UPV / UV with private bathrooms).
- Uniplaces, Idealista, HousingAnywhere for finding shared flats.
3.2 Classic private apartment
Some students rent a “normal” apartment and then choose their flatmates (friends from their home university).
This often happens through:
- Idealista
- Spotahome
- Uniplaces
- HousingAnywhere
- Facebook groups (e.g. “Logement Valencia”, “Français à Valence”, Erasmus housing groups)
Prices:
- Around 430–600€/month per person if 3–4 people sharing.
- More if it’s very central or near the beach with high standards.
Pros:
- More control over who you live with.
- Sometimes bigger spaces, living room, balcony, etc.
- Often better value if you split a 3–4 bedroom flat.
Cons:
- Harder to secure from abroad.
- Landlords may prefer long stays or locals.
- Need to read Spanish contracts.
3.3 Student residences
Residences give a more “campus life” feeling with services and events.
Examples from students:
- Resa Damia Bonet (near UV campus) – gym, games room, cafeteria, parking option, residence events, lots of students, social life guaranteed.
- Resa Patacona – directly in front of the beach, beautiful view, friendly environment, but neighborhood feels ugly/unsafe and is far from center/transport.
- Livensa Living / Livensa Living Viveros – residence in Sagnut/Viveros area, pool (closed in off-season), strict on visitors but very comfortable, good for students in Benimaclet/Viveros side.
Prices:
- Usually 800–900€/month or more, depending on room type and services.
Pros:
- All-in-one package (furniture, Wi-Fi, utilities, sometimes cleaning & gym).
- Many other internationals = easy social life.
- Residence-organised events.
Cons:
- More expensive than many colivings.
- Often stricter rules (visitor limits, quiet hours).
- Less “local” feeling than a normal apartment.
4. What budget should you expect?
From the reviews, you can roughly think in this way:
| Monthly rent (per person) | What you usually get |
|---|---|
| 400–450€ | Coliving room in less central area (Oriols), or basic coliving near uni |
| 450–550€ | Standard room in coliving near UPV/UV or between center & uni |
| 550–700€ | Nicer room in popular areas (Cabanyal, Amistat, Ayora, Ruzafa) |
| 700–900€+ | Residence (Resa), beachfront Patacona, high-end or central apartments |
Good news:
transport, groceries and eating out are cheaper than in many countries (especially France/UK). Several students highlight:
- Very cheap and good-quality groceries.
- Reasonable restaurant prices outside the ultra-touristic spots.
- Cost of transport is low or free under certain age.
So most of your budget battle will be rent, not everyday life.
5. Where to look: concrete websites & operators
Students in Valencia consistently mention these platforms:
- Idealista – the big Spanish rental platform. Great for both shared flats and whole apartments.
- Uniplaces – used for colivings and rooms, especially near center and universities.
- HousingAnywhere – reliable for exchange students; some good experiences in Ayora and other zones.
- Rooms4Valencia – very popular coliving provider used by many students in Amistat, Ayora, etc.
- Helloroom – coliving very close to UPV/UV, often with private bathroom per room.
- Spotahome – used for some apartments near Marítim and other zones.
- Resa – for student residences like Damia Bonet and Patacona.
- LivensaLiving / Livensa Living Viveros – student residence in Viveros area.
- Facebook groups – e.g. “logement Valencia”, “Français à Valence”, Erasmus housing groups to take over flats from previous students.
Whenever you use a platform that connects you directly with a landlord, students strongly recommend asking for a video call and a virtual tour before sending money, to avoid scams.
6. Scams, humidity & other things nobody tells you
Most people have a great housing experience in Valencia, but there are recurring warnings.
About scams
Several students say:
- Don’t book just from photos.
- Ask for a video tour or visit IRL if possible.
- Be careful in Facebook groups: some ads are fake.
One student explicitly says:
“Do NOT get your apartment online before coming — do a real-life visit because landlords can be scammers.”
Another recommends, when using apps like Idealista or HousingAnywhere, to ask for a video call or video of the flat to make sure it’s not fake.
About apartment quality
A few red flags students faced:
- Humidity and mold: especially in older flats and poorly insulated buildings. One mentioned mold appearing in winter.
- Noise: bad sound insulation is a common Spanish problem; you may hear everything from neighbors or roommates.
- Big colivings (10 people): fun but quickly messy and tiring, especially if everyone has different lifestyles.
If you’re very sensitive to noise or air quality, ask:
- How many people live in the flat?
- Is there heating / AC?
- Any problems with mold in winter?
About water & safety
One student specifically says: “Don’t drink house water” in their area – many people in Valencia use bottled water or filter jugs for taste and quality.
In terms of safety, most students call Valencia:
- “Very safe, even for girls at night”
- “Quite safe compared to other European cities”
Still, some neighborhoods around the beach are seen as less comfortable late at night (Malvarrosa, Patacona, some streets in Cabanyal). Basic precautions go a long way.
7. Transport: the secret reason you can live “a bit further”
Valencia’s transport is one of the biggest advantages for students.
From the feedback:
Under-25 / under-30:
- You can often get free or very cheap public transport (metro + bus), by making an appointment at MetrobusValencia or following the local scheme when you arrive.
- One student says: free transport for under 25; another says you can get a monthly metro card delivered to your home for about 14€/month as a student.
Bikes:
- The city has a public bike system (Valenbisi) with subscriptions around 29–30€/year – extremely worth it.
- Many students mention installing the bike app and using bikes daily.
Walking & layout:
- Valencia is very walkable.
- From Amistat/Ayora/Mestalla areas, you’re basically between center, beach and campus.
Because of that, it’s totally okay to:
- Live near uni and bike to the center, or
- Live near the center and bike to UPV/UV, or
- Live near the beach and rely on tram/metro to reach classes.
Just make sure you’re not in a total dead zone for transport, and you’ll be fine.
8. Matching housing with your university
Universitat de València (UV)
Main student tips:
- Many UV students live in Amistat, Ayora, Cabanyal, Malvarrosa or near Tarongers campus.
- Flats in Amistat / Ayora give a great balance: 10 minutes to campus, easy bus or bike to center, not far from beach.
- Finance track at UV is reported as hard but interesting; some recommend choosing finance courses carefully and being ready to work a bit more.
If you’re at UV, a classic combo is:
Live between university and center (Amistat, Ayora, Mestalla, Ruzafa),
bike to the beach, and use metro/buses for everything else.
Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV)
UPV’s campus is also close to the beach and the student areas in the east.
UPV students mention:
- Living near Mestalla / stadium area (15 minutes bus to UPV, 10 minutes to center).
- Colivings near Marítim tram station (15 minutes from UPV, near beach).
- Avoid living too much in the strict city center if you want daily easy access to campus; you’ll pay more and commute more.
Classes:
- UPV campus is described as big and modern with good teachers.
- Finance, marketing, world economy etc. are recommended by some, while a few warn about tougher modules (e.g. accounting, operations research/IO).
- Some courses require your original diploma (BAC) for registration.
Universidad de Valencia vs. Universitat de València
Many reviews mention “Universidad de Valencia / Universitat de València” with finance tracks. The patterns are similar:
- Tarongers campus is well located and students like it.
- Admin can be slow or strict, but once you’re registered, it’s okay.
- Students say they would often pick the same uni again, mainly thanks to the city.
Universidad Europea de Valencia
This uni has several buildings across the city, but they’re within walking distance from each other.
A student there recommends:
Find out which building you will have most of your classes in, and then find housing near that one, or at least near a good metro line.
Classes are available in English and Spanish and are generally accommodating for exchange students.
CEU (Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera)
For CEU, one student in Plaza España (central) paid ~520€/month and says:
- The campus is amazing, but you’re not really “hand-held” by admin.
- Spanish students are not always very inclusive, so international student groups matter a lot.
Because CEU isn’t in the very center, living near Plaza España or central areas with metro access is a good strategy.
9. Social life, nightlife & why your neighborhood matters
Valencia is often described as “one of the best student cities in Europe” for social life.
Students constantly mention:
Nightclubs:
- Umbracle (beautiful open-air club, great setting)
- Mya (often paired with Umbracle)
- Marina Beach Club (especially for summer/nice weather)
- Akuarela, Diva, Spook
- Committee, Indiana (for Erasmus nights)
Bars & rooftops:
- Irish pubs (St Patrick’s, Saints & Scholars) for games and football matches
- Mercabanyal near the beach
- Tapas places all around Ruzafa, Cabanyal, and the center
- Rooftop like Atenea Sky
Erasmus organizations:
- Erasmus Life Valencia
- Happy Erasmus Valencia
These organizations:
- Run student parties almost every night.
- Offer cheap or free club entries (sometimes 1€) and free shots.
- Organise trips (Andalusia, Morocco, Ibiza, Seville, Peñíscola, Alicante, etc.).
Your area influences:
- How easy it is to get home from these nights (Be cautious if living far up the coast).
- Whether the bars are right downstairs (Ruzafa, center, Cabanyal) or a tram ride away (Patacona).
10. Admin & paperwork: small but important housing-related tips
A few details that matter for housing and life:
NIE & Spanish paperwork:
- If you stay more than a year, one student strongly advises doing your NIE (foreigners ID) early – Spanish paperwork is long.
Transport cards:
- Book an appointment for the free/cheap public transport card for under 25/30 as soon as you arrive. Spots can fill up.
Utilities & contracts:
- In some colivings, all bills are included.
- In private flats, check if electricity, water, Wi-Fi are separate – Spanish electricity bills can be surprisingly high in winter if heating is electric.
11. How to use Studcasa smartly in Valencia
Instead of reinventing the wheel, you can plug directly into the previous cohort.
Here’s how to use Studcasa to upgrade your housing hunt:
Feedback tab → Valencia
- Look up your university (UV, UPV, CEU, Universidad Europea…).
- Read housing sections: note recurring neighborhoods (Amistat, Ayora, Cabanyal, Ruzafa, Malvarrosa, Mestalla, Patacona).
- Pay attention to platforms they mention (Rooms4Valencia, Idealista, etc.).
DM 2–3 students
- Message people whose situation looks like yours: “Hey, I’m going to UPV in spring, I saw you lived near Marítim/Mestalla – would you recommend it? Any problem with your agency?”
- Ask them if your specific area or building is safe/okay.
Use the Valencia WhatsApp group
- Introduce yourself: uni, semester, housing budget, preferred area.
- Say what you’re looking at (links, screenshots of flats).
- Ask: “Does this look legit? Anyone living nearby?”
- Look for people who want to share a flat in the same neighborhood.
This is exactly what the Studcasa “How to Have a Killer Exchange” advice is about:
Best housing = talk to people who were there just before you,
not random Google search results.
The group is also where many students take over apartments from leaving Erasmus – often the best deals and least scammy options.
12. Simple step-by-step plan to find housing in Valencia
To finish, here’s a concrete plan you can copy:
Pick your priorities
- Beach vs. center vs. campus?
- Max rent per month (e.g. 450€, 550€, 650€)?
- Do you want a big flatshare (6–10 people) or a smaller one (3–4)?
Choose 2–3 target neighborhoods
- For UV/UPV: Amistat, Ayora, Cabanyal, around Mestalla, Ruzafa.
- For CEU / Universidad Europea: central areas like Plaza España, Benimaclet, center with good metro.
- For “I want beach life”: Malvarrosa, Cabanyal, Patacona – but check safety and transport.
Search on safe platforms first
- Idealista, Uniplaces, HousingAnywhere, Rooms4Valencia, Helloroom, Spotahome, Resa, Livensa.
- Avoid sending money to private IBANs you don’t know without strong proof.
Always verify the flat
- Video call or in-person visit.
- Ask: number of flatmates, included bills, any mold or humidity issues, deposit conditions.
Cross-check with Studcasa
- Look up reviews from students who lived in the same area/building.
- DM them with your doubts.
- Drop your links in the Valencia WhatsApp group and get quick feedback.
Secure a “good enough” place
- It doesn’t need to be perfect, just: safe area, decent room, clear contract.
- You can always move in semester 2 once you know the city and have more contacts.
Once you arrive: be active
- Join Erasmus Life / Happy Erasmus events, the beach, the WhatsApp chats.
- Say yes to plans, especially in the first weeks — that’s where most friendships start.
If you follow this, you should end up with exactly what you want from Valencia:
a nice flat, good flatmates, short commute, and a life split between the beach, the old town, and wild Erasmus nights. 🌞🌊