Vitamin Valencia
After a rare rainy few days here in Valencia, the sun has got his hat back on and shining true to form and so I felt very inspired to write to you about how living in Valencia could actually be as good for you as say taking vitamins or following a healthy diet.
Speaking of diet, the Mediterranean diet in particular, active lifestyle, climate and its location make Valencia the healthiest city in the world to live in according to a study by price comparison website Money. The report is based on factors such as life expectancy, the cost to be healthy, air pollution, obesity rates, safety and hours of sunlight, in which Spain as a country wins and Valencia as a city.
Climate and Hours of Sunlight
Beyond having the most stunning light, the sun and the climate of Valencia, as well as its location and the sea breeze, are responsible for placing it on the podium of being the healthiest city in the world.
While the climate which is neither too hot nor too dry, means that you can be outside, socialise and practice outdoor sports pretty much all year round. In turn, these healthy activities facilitate the absorption of that much needed vitamin D.
Low Pollution Levels
In the same vein, Valencia’s location and the sea breeze literally blows fresh air into the city and the bad air out and so has lower levels of contamination compared to other Spanish cities.
The large number of green areas such as the Turia park, formerly a river that was converted into the city’s main urban garden and the newly inaugurated Central garden, make up as a very efficient pair of green lungs that help maintain good air quality.
Furthermore, as Valencia is a very bike friendly city and with more and more Valencians choosing to cycle over taking a car, this will continue to maintain these low levels of pollution.
More and more people choose to ride by bike helping to keep pollution levels down
Relaxed Lifestyle
The city of Valencia is dedicated to upholding its musical and cultural heritage while encouraging social interaction and a relaxed lifestyle where history and the arts play a significant role through its museums and theatres.
Spaces such as the Carmen Cultural Center and the Bancaja Foundation offer free exhibitions, while venues such as the La Fabrica de Hielo and the Casa del Mar invite you to enjoy music in front of the sea while also being incredibly child friendly by hosting regular workshops so that mum and dad can have a good time too.
The sea is en easy twenty minute bike ride from the city center.
Gastronomy and its Connection with the Huerta (the land)
We all know or are starting to know the benefits of the Mediterranean diet and consuming fresh products.
Valencia is the expert on this being surrounded by vast expanses of agricultural land: orchards of horchata “tiger nuts”, orange and lemon trees and all kinds of locally grown vegetables – including the tomatoes from El Perello which are actually grown in the sand – to the Albufera which is the main supplier of rice to the community and hence Paella being born. In fact, paella is heralded for its excellent nutritional value thanks to the use of fresh products, low fat content and fish as a source of omega-3s. You can’t get much fresher or tastier seafood than here in Valencia due to its close proximity to the sea. The high salt content of the Mediterranean also adds to the flavour, if you compare lobsters from the Carribean with those from the Mediterranean, Carribean lobsters are much bigger but less tasty due to the size of the ocean and having a lower salt content.
A typical huerta just outside of Valencia
Life Expectancy
Lastly, the Mediterranean diet is rich with healthy sources of omega-3s, fats and proteins that studies have associated with a lower risk of dementia, obesity, heart disease and cancer, which places Valencia in third place of cities with the highest life expectancy in the world.
This is accentuated by Spain’s free access to healthcare and the lower average cost of living in comparison to many cities of its standard around the world.
So, there you have it, those of you who have read any of my articles before know that I am quite the Valencian advocate and as you can see from the above, there are plenty of reasons why.
If you are thinking of moving to Valencia or on the fence about moving, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Aside from sharing useful tips on Valencia and the Costa Blanca, Encantada is also a bespoke relocation service and can help you move to this beautiful side of the world. Our services include: orientation, property search, legal and family services.
Such a wonderfully vibrant and bright place to live