/housing·2024·Valencia·2y ago·@tapas_us

Coliving in Valencia for 6 months, the trade-offs

Okay, so the "trade-offs" of coliving in Valencia for six months on a DNV are very real, and I've experienced them firsthand. Initially, the idea of having a built-in community sounded amazing, especially arriving here last September. I ended up at "Casa Nomad," one of the newer spots near Ruzafa, and while the monthly rent of 850 euros (all-inclusive) felt steep, the promise of ease was compelling. The good: instant social life. I met friends from day one who were also from outside Spain, which was invaluable for adapting. The workspace was decent, and having utilities and cleaning handled was a huge weight off. However, the biggest trade-off came down to personal space and flexibility. Finding quiet time for deep work at Casa Nomad could be a challenge, especially with different schedules and social dynamics constantly at play. My room was a decent size, but it was still just a room. I also quickly realized the market for short-term independent apartments is better than I expected. After three months, I decided to move out via a 30-day notice which was thankfully part of my contract. I found a great 1-bed apartment in the Ensanche area through Idealista for 700 euros plus utilities. It meant more admin, but the peace and quiet have been worth it. If you value your solitude, coliving might introduce more trade-offs than benefits.

#housing

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17 REPLIES

@nodeco·2y ago

Does the 30 day notice actually work in practice? I have heard horror stories of colivings keeping the deposit for 'cleaning fees' or 'administrative repairs' even if you leave the room perfect. I am looking for a place for June and I am terrified of getting scammed by these bigger companies that target nomads.

@pepjp68·2y ago

most of the big ones in Valencia are fine but avoid the ones that don't have a physical office you can walk into. if everything is via WhatsApp it is much harder to get your money back.

@phantom_ibz·2y ago

I got my full deposit back but I had to nag them for three weeks. be sure to take photos of every single corner of the room the day you move in and the day you move out. they will try to charge for wear and tear that was already there.

@remote__io·2y ago

Ruzafa is great but the noise at night is no joke. If your coliving was near the main bars I bet the 'quiet time' issue wasn't just the housemates. I looked at Casa Nomad and loved the terrace but the rooms felt a bit like a hotel. I think these places are basically arbitrage for landlords who don't want to deal with long term rental laws. easy in, easy out.

@remote_24·2y ago

I stayed at a similar spot near El Carmen and my biggest issue was the kitchen situation. It does not matter how much you pay, there is always that one person who leaves their pans soaking for three days. It felt like being back in university but paying 4x the price. I lasted two months before I moved to a studio in Cabanyal. The social aspect is great for the first week then it just becomes noise.

@paella__dev59·2y ago

Your move to Ensanche for 700 sounds like a massive win. honestly i am surprised you found something that low this year since everything on Idealista seems to be 950 plus now. Did you have to show a Spanish contract or did they accept your DNV paperwork without a fight? I felt like coliving was the only way to avoid the three months deposit plus agency fee nightmare.

@siesta_fr62·2y ago

Finding that price in Ensanche is rare now. I suspect the landlord might have been okay with it because it was a short term transition. usually they ask for a year minimum or 6 months upfront if you don't have a Spanish payroll.

@chuecadesign91·2y ago

wish i saw this before i signed for my place in ruzafa. i went the agency route and paid a massive deposit plus the booking fee just to find out the walls are paper thin. valencia housing is such a mess right now for anything under a year. glad you finally found something that works. did you go with one of the big chains like ensanso or just a local landlord setup?

@martadesign·2y ago

not op but i tried one of the chains and it was basically a dorm for 30 year olds. you pay for the convenience of not having to fight over the electricity bill but you lose all your privacy. it is a trade off for sure.

@matrix_26·2y ago

i had the opposite experience. I moved into an apartment alone in March and felt incredibly isolated for the first two months. I ended up joining a coliving workspace just to see people. If you are an extrovert the 850 is basically paying for a social club membership. I think the trade off is worth it if you are new and don't speak Spanish yet. once you have a crew then moving to your own place makes sense.

@pixel26·2y ago

That is a fair point but you can just go to language exchanges at the bars in Ruzafa for free. You don't need to overpay for a bedroom just to meet people. most of the people in those colivings leave after three months anyway so your social circle is always reset.

@nomad__nomad0·2y ago

six months is the hardest length to find. most owners want the full year long term contract because of the new rental laws and the short term stuff is all airbnb priced. coliving is expensive per month but when you factor in not having to set up wifi and water it usually evens out. people underestimate how much of a pain itu is to get utilities in your name without a local bank account ready to go.

@martade·2y ago

i am doing the same in cabanyal right now. the community aspect is actually okay if you find a spot that filters for professionals. the biggest issue i found was the kitchen situation. sharing a fridge with five other people is the quickest way to hate your life. i ended up buying a tiny plug in cooler for my room just to keep my sanity. and my milk.

@martadesign·2y ago

curious what the sub default advice was that burned you. usually people here just say look on idealista but that is a nightmare if you are not physically in the city to do viewings within ten minutes of a post going up. i tell everyone coming on the dnv to just book a week in a hotel first or they will get scammed by someone asking for a transfer before a viewing.

@alvaro25·2y ago

exactly. i lost 200 euros on a holding deposit for a place near the beach that did not even exist. if it looks too good for 2024 prices it is 100 percent a scam.

@raul_svq·2y ago

850 euros for a room in Ruzafa is actually decent for a coliving spot if utilities are truly included. AC in the Valencia summer can easily add 150 euros to a monthly bill if you are not careful. people underestimate the electricity costs here. Did your place have a cap on the utility usage or was it truly unlimited? i have heard some spots charge extra if you go over a certain limit.

@codeibz·2y ago

I think the mid-range is the best. finding a room in a shared apartment with locals or other long-term residents is usually 400 to 500 euros. You still get the social vibe but you aren't paying the 'nomad tax' of 850. The only hurdle is that those rooms rarely want someone for just six months. They usually want a year and a Spanish bank account for the bills.