Valencia Life: Recent Episodes
Eugene Costello
Valencia Life is the podcast brought to you by the people behind the English-language site ValenciaLife.es (and various other languages as well) aimed at foreigners living here, as well as visitors to our beautiful adopted city. History, culture, leisure, networking, business and property, what's on, food and drink...all life is here! We give you everything you need to live like a local in Valencia. Brought to you by Eugene Costello and Lily Chen and assorted guests and interviewees... Follow us on @ValenciaLife
Andrea Mignozzi came to Valencia for studying, but found love - and work. He would not live anywhere else and has adopted Valencia, as many do. 🌴
Kevin Wuytack came to Valencia for love from his native Belgium. Sadly, it didn't work out and he was considering moving back home. But he manned up and started looking for work. Now he is a successful head of sales for a number of tech and software companies, and would not live anywhere else. 🌟
They share their stories about why Valencia is the perfect fit for them. Listen now and see how their stories compare to yours! 💡
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Connect with Eugene or Lily
It is becoming extremely common (tiresome?) to hear people complain that the influx of expats to Valencia are responsible for massively driving up prices, from rents to cost of living. 🏡
What these people fail to take into account is that many are originally Valenciand, drawn back by the exciting buzz of new opportunities in our beautiful city. 🌟
Carla Matoses is one such.
After 15 years of being a digital nomad all around the world — including a stint at the prestigious St Martin’s College of Art and Design in London, plus France and a host of other countries — Carla is home to roost.
And facing the same host of issues as “expats”.
Does that irritate her? Not remotely.
She is delighted to see her city reach world-class status. It will give her opportunities that people once had to emigrate for, she explains.
And with her well-honed background in brand design, the future is bright for Carla. We loved having her on the podcast! 🎙️
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Connect with Eugene or Lily
Carlos Gimeno is Valencia, born-and-bred. But he lived for 15 years in Oxford, England, giving him a near-flawless cut-glass English accent and two daughters. He now splits his time between Valencia and Oxford but gives both his all. 🌟 He grew up in Abastos, near Angel Guimera, and is proud to see how Valencia is developing.
Carlos is a natural speaker, which is why he has become a public-speaking coach Says Carlos: "I coach humans who want to succeed in life and in business. And I coach them to become engaging Public Speakers because success in business and in life can be achieved through the power of the spoken word."
He has coached people all over the world, including Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and Latin America. 🌏
Carlos tells us what drives him and how with simple coaching he can make a speaker out of pretty much anyone. 🗣️
Join us as we get to know Carlos Gimeno, and get in touch:
Whatsapp: +34 607 470 275
Email: carlos@itsthefullcircle.com
Connect on Linkedin and Instagram
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Connect with Eugene or Lily
Jorge Molla is a resident Valencian who spent several years Down Under – he worked at putting on festivals in Australia and generally living his best life.
Now he is home to roost. Having seen from abroad how Valencia was topping the polls for start-ups, digital nomads and sustainability, he made his move home. 🇪🇸 He now works for Banco Mediolanum, a new disruptor bank and asset management private bank.
So what is the difference between Mediolanum and any of the other mainly-online banks? Jorge laughs. "You get me as your dedicated financial adviser, with offices in central Valencia." For Jorge, banking is just one element in your financial health check. He is dedicated to giving you bespoke and ongoing financial advice to help you win at life. You need to make an appointment to see him. And did we mention that he has piercing blue eyes? 🧿
Drop a message and pencil in your appointment with Jorge:
- jorge.molla@bancomediolanum.es
- +34 695 975 408
- Connect on Linkedin
Visit Banco Mediolanum
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Connect with Eugene or Lily
Born in the Philippines to US parents – her father was in the military and her mother active in a missionary church – Tirzah headed off to boarding school in Japan aged nine. Since then, she has lived in Hong Kong, China and Africa, where she set up a charity with her then-husband (and found time and energy to have three children).
Since then, she became a teacher in the UK and worked for the Department of Education. 👩🏼🏫
So she knows all about travelling and learning.
She is bringing that vision to Valencia to help support children primarily who are studying remotely via online platforms, possibly following syllabuses from their home country, whether the US, the UK, northern Europe or anywhere. 🗺️ She has taken over a large space in Amistat where children can co-study and have a shared sense of belonging. And she plans to bring in experts from the world of work to teach life skills such as managing your taxes, banking, leadership, time management and relaxation techniques.
It promises to be quite the ride! Get onboard from the get-go...
Learn more about Connection Hub or follow Tirzah on Instagram, Facebook and Linkedin.
Visit Valencia Life or follow on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook or Linkedin
Connect with Eugene or Lily
Some ten years ago, Nacho Cambralla and his brother had the idea of setting up a coworking project and interviewed Berit Barck, a Finnish national, for the role of Operations manager. She was cycling to Albufera when her phone rang and she saw it was Nacho calling. So she stopped and took the call. A wise decision!
These days, Wayco is building on the growth of the digital nomad community in Valencia, with their flagship site in Canovas, a space in Abastos and today they proudly showed us their new enormous site in Cabanyal – coincidentally, a mere 500 metres from where Nacho grew up!
Learn more about the coworking space Wayco and the coliving experience 4Wanders.
Visit Valencia Life or follow on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook or Linkedin
Connect with Eugene or Lily
Meet José Moliner, also known as Joe to his friends, originally from Valencia. He has travelled the world as a digital nomad before the phrase became so widespread. 🗺️
Now he is back and devotes himself to his twin passions — supporting start-ups and helping them to scale. 🚀 He gives us half an hour of his time in the fabulous coworking space that is Wayco.
Visit NioVentures or connect with Joe on Linkedin
Visit Valencia Life or follow on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook or Linkedin
Connect with Eugene or Lily
Rebeca Cámara is the bilingual Adeslas broker for Valencia. Valenciana herself, she understands the challenges facing expats, having lived around the globe herself. The difference she brings is understanding your needs and offering fantastic post-sales support! With a free initial consultation, you really have nothing to lose! Thanks to Wayco as ever for hosting…
Read the article about the new Animal Welfare Law 🐾
🌏 Useful info blog post about insurance requisites for residency purposes
Spanish and English Adeslas webpage
Expat Insurance Policy in Spain (Facebook Group)
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Connect with Eugene or Lily
To introduce Season 2 of the Valencia Life podcast, we open with the inspirational Nikky Leon. 🙆🏻♀️
She has lived an extraordinary life and has suffered sexual violence and abuse which has led her to seek peace through her art and storytelling. Nikky even won a competition to have her autobiography edited and published — pretty impressive at the tender age of 28! Get a copy on Amazon and Fnac. 📕
Follow Nikky on Instagram ✨
Visit Valencia Life or follow on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook or Linkedin
Connect with Eugene or Lily
This week, we horse around with Eros Messina for the season finale!
Eros is a Renaissance Man who has worked as a mixologist and bartender. But he recently returned to his old love of art and photography by opening a venue, gallery and events space in Monteolivete… Tutto bene!
Watch out for our surprise announcement as we move towards a different format and vibe for Season 2️⃣!
Follow Eros and Hangout.Studio on Instagram.
More information: fizzphoto.com
Visit Interno Mediterraneo too!
Visit Valencia Life or follow on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook or Linkedin
Connect with Eugene or Lily
This episode, we donned our festive wear (OK, I didn't but the others did) to chat to Tanja Bojovic of Ruzafa's Vidrio Vacio, the homely wine bar with small plates in the heart of the trendy district. She tells us about leaving Serbia with husband and two young kids to create a new life in Valencia. And describes the delicious food and extensive Spanish wine list on offer...
Follow Vidrio Vacío de Novi Sad on Facebook or Instagram
Visit Valencia Life or follow on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook or Linkedin
Connect with Eugene or Lily
Stephanie Siu is a serial digital nomad. She was loved in Scotland, London, New York and now Valencia! 🇪🇸
With her Spanish sister-in-law who is a lawyer, they run boutique relocation consultancy Encantada World. It’s a fitting name — not only does Valencia “encanta” Stephanie, Stephanie in person is an “encantadora”…
Visit Valencia Life or follow on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook or Linkedin
Connect with Eugene or Lily
A born- and bred-Valenciano, Miguel Perez has his dream job. Promoting his city to incomers and visitors. We chat to him about the astonishing slew of accolades that Valencia has received this year – they just keep coming – and he talks to us about what wonders Valencia has for residents and tourists over the Christmas period. He started out in sales, including furniture, but now sells the thing that is closest to his heart. Valencia. And after 14 years with Visit Valencia, he knows what he is talking about!
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Visit Valencia Life or follow on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook or Linkedin
Connect with Eugene or Lily
When Jennifer Powers – aka Hurricane Jennifer – swept into the studio at Wayco as a guest on the Valencia Life podcast, we were not prepared for this high-energy powerball!
Half an hour of hilarity ensued, perhaps our favourite podcast yet! We spoke to Jen about her plans to put on an event called Valencia Has Talent, encouraging all kinds of performers to get involved.
It promises to be an amazing night – and it's open to the public!
Learn more: IntermissionVLC.org
Visit Valencia Life or follow on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook or Linkedin
Connect with Eugene or Lily
This week we meet Murat Mumcuoglu, from Adana, eastern Turkey and, later, Istanbul.
He moved to Valencia in 2019 to work for a company that builds waterparks – but then discovered Spanish wines. In fact, he became an influential blogger about Spanish wines in Turkey.
His daughter was at the same school as Producer Lily's little girl – and he and his wife are renowned gourmands. Now his passion is to bring beloved Spanish wines from small producers to new markets...
Visit Laurus Global Spanish Wine Consultant and Trader, or follow on Facebook, Instagram and Linkedin
Visit Mai Waterparks for Water slide and pool systems
Visit Valencia Life or follow on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook or Linkedin
Connect with Eugene or Lily...
This week, 27-year-old Dutch national Pim Hollander – technically, Eugene Costello's oldest friend in Valencia, having meet him on the first day of his new life here – talks to us about his new venture: ONDA F.C., a web app that allows members to train, play matches and take part in organised tournaments.
He talks about witnessing Eugene's welcome to Valencia – a punch in the face from an elderly neighbour, the Dutch invasion of Valencia and those "bloody cyclists" from Holland, and wanting to spend more time with his partner Louise.
He also describes the mushroom-like explosion of call centres in Valencia for Dutch companies, where employees are required to pretend they are back in the Low Country.
Check out ONDA F.C., follow their Instagram account or Linkedin
Visit Valencia Life or follow on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook or Linkedin
Connect with Eugene or Lily...
This week, Eugene Costello and Lily Chen chat with Ludo Cheeps from relocation specialists Globexs. Ludo first moved to Valencia 18 years ago, to Ruzafa. Says Ludo, “Now it is very fancy, with bars and restaurants, but back then Calle Cuba, Calle Denia and so on were dreadful, no-go zones.”
He adds, “I am not sure that Spain is the best country for foreigners to live and to work, but what I can say with absolute certainty is that, within Spain, Valencia is definitely the best city in which to live.”
He should know – originally from Ghent, he has lived in Pais Vasco (Bilbao), Madrid, and knows Barcelona and Seville very well. Together with wife Tiscar, a residency and property lawyer, they run Globexs, with Ludo focusing on the property rental size.
He tells us how enormously the city has changed in his time – “back then, Peris I Valero was basically a dirty, fume-filled motorway and there were no cycle lanes. Now the city has cycle lanes everywhere, making it a huge attraction especially to the Dutch and Belgians.”
He concludes: “Valencia is very welcoming to foreigners, and there is zero racism.”
Find out how they can help you at Globexs and BlueKey
And explore Valencia Life or follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook or Linkedin
Jonathan Cherry moved to Valencia in July 2019. He has developed a successful business training people to achieve fitness and live their best lives. He talks to fellow Londoner Eugene Costello about why he hasn't been back to London, what he wishes he knew before he pitched up here – and he patiently pretends to laugh at Eugene's wince-inducing jokes. What a legend the geezer. [Eugene says: Can we make this fridge freezer, Producer Lily?]
Listen and enjoy!
Visit Fit Valencia website to learn more about bootcamps!
Follow Jonathan Cherry on Instagram
Learn more about Valencia Life
Jason Webster has written 15 books – most recently, Duende, released last month. It is, he says, "an anthology that tries to capture the elixir that is the soul of flamenco", be it through poetry, lyrics or essays.
Jason is also the man who put Ruzafa, and Valencia, on the literary map, not least through his Max Cámara detective novels. It is what Eugene Costello calls Med Noir, and he is now working his way through them.
Find out how the story of his finca almost collapsing under the groaning strain of human waste that had not been connected to the sewerage became a reality for poor Cámara, and how it was common during the financial crisis for people to commit suicide by jumping off the top of tall buildings!
Fittingly, in England, in the Middle Ages, 'webster' meant 'weaver'. And, says Eugene, he really is a weaver – of locale, of character and of plot. Funny, engaging and erudite, he nonetheless wears his erudition lightly. Listen to the interview – and order his books!
Read more: Valencia Life
Jason Webster: website
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Thanks for listening to Valencia Life – the Podcast! In this pilot episode, editor and journalist Eugene Costello and Producer Lily Chen reflect upon why they chose to make Valencia their home. We discuss Parque Central, Ruzafa, the history of the Turia, the City of Arts and Sciences, local boy Santiago Calatrava's futuristic masterpiece, and Caixa Forum's bold adaption of Calatrava's Agora, before now largely unused... Welcome! 👏🏼