Back in 2017, Linda Svilane — founder of YES Valencia and author of the popular Moving to Valencia blog — was invited to share her story with Lifehacks for Expats, the podcast and video series hosted by Daniel Norell. At the time, Linda had already spent years helping people relocate to Valencia and navigate Spanish bureaucracy, real estate, and day-to-day expat life.
The interview is a candid, wide-ranging conversation about what it actually takes to build a life in Valencia as a foreigner. Linda talks about the early days of her own move, the challenges most expats underestimate, and the practical lessons she’d accumulated from years of helping others make the same journey.
What Linda and Daniel Discuss
The conversation covers a lot of ground, including:
- Why Linda chose Valencia and what made her stay
- The most common mistakes expats make when relocating to Spain
- What you really need to know about Spanish bureaucracy before you arrive
- How the rental market and property market in Valencia work for foreigners
- The importance of community and local integration for long-term happiness
- Advice for people thinking about making the move but still on the fence
It’s the kind of conversation that feels more like sitting down with a friend who’s been there than listening to a generic expat advice piece. If you’re seriously considering moving to Valencia, this is well worth watching in full.
About Linda Svilane
Linda founded YES Valencia after years of documenting her own experience moving to Spain on the Moving to Valencia blog — one of the most trusted English-language resources for expats in the region. Since then, YES Valencia has helped hundreds of families and individuals with relocation, property purchase, and setting up life in Valencia.
Today, Linda and her team focus primarily on real estate — helping international buyers find and purchase property in Valencia through a dedicated buyer’s agent service.
Thinking About Moving to Valencia?
If this interview sparked something and you’re seriously thinking about making the move, a good next step is our practical guide on how to purchase a property in Valencia — or if you’re still in the rental phase, our guide to renting an apartment in Valencia covers everything you need to know before signing a contract.
Questions? Get in touch with us — we’re always happy to have a conversation about your Valencia plans.
NO HE PODIDO COMP’ARTIR LA ENTREVISTA
Gracias Mari Paz por avisarnos, parece que funcionaba unicamente para mi. Ahora si que esta arreglado y todos pueden compartirla. Un saludo, Janis
Linda are you familiar with the Alicante area as well or do you just focus on Valencia ? If so can you please share a bit of the pros and cons of both? We are a family of 4 with 2 young girls and trying to decide which area makes more sense. We are moving to Spain in June.
Thank you!
Karenkkk