I have now reached the three year mark in our newly adopted city on the coast of Spain; Valencia.
It’s a very lively and warm town with just the right mix of locals and foreigners, decent weather, great beaches and plenty of cultural attractions to suit my interests. I feel very at home here and find myself not wanting to travel as much as I thought I would because I am so comfortable where I am. That is a first for me after years of being unsettled in various locations in America.
There is a mellow, easy rhythm to my day to day life that is partially due to being semi retired and in large part because of the energy of the place.
Valencia is a large town or small city with close to 800,000 residents. Easy to navigate with public transportation, walking or a bicycle, Valencia has a distinctive barrios that each have their own flavour.
We chose Ruzafa which is a perfect mix of artists, young families, abuelas (and abuelos) and ex-pats. There are small family run businesses throughout the barrio and charming shops such as the Miel store right across from our apartment and the Ruzafa market two blocks away.

I have found a routine of sorts which includes swimming at one of the many public pools doted throughout the city, going to the gym, seeing friends and studying Spanish. Wish me luck!

I have named Valencia “my new love” as this is a city I can embrace and feel a part of. I am proud of myself and my husband for accepting this challenge and finding our new home in the last quarter of our lives.

There is so much more to see and do, we are just beginning.