haha!We were in Barcelona 2 years ago and there were Catalan Flags everywhere. I get the history of Catalan and why they may feel that way but I really only want to only learn Spanish.

No,Valencia is not part of Cataluña. Its the capital of the autonomous community of the same name. Lincasanova might be able to confirm this, I think there's such a language/ dialect as "valencian" , but Spanish is obviously spoken.

Thats what I thought thank you for confirming!

Living life day to day in Spain is not like vacationing. If you where to purchase the apartment, how do you deal with the electrictian or plumber?

I had a feeling that people in Valencia were much more relaxed about
" the language"....I did not feel I had to be careful about using
Castilian.

Please look into the paperwork issues as that could well end your dream in a few words.
Apart of a visa, you will have to obtain a Spanish bank account obtain a fiscal number, health insurance, then there are the tax issues, etc etc. No work permitted.

Do not be put off about this idea.

Valencia has been the choice of MANY families I have met recently. They said they chose valencia for the better weather, and the abundance of English schools to choose from, equidistance from Barcelona and Madrid.. and access to better accommodations for the price they wanted to pay.

The residence visa is NOT difficult to be approved if you have the funds available, or own a house in the US and can prove medical insurance and a clear background check.

It is just time consuming, with lots of recent certifications and translations and can be quite costly in the end because of that..

Once you check a place out for a few months you will know if you want to go forward with the process.

Valenciano is spoken more in the small towns, but there is also a subject or two at school. Many people speak valenciano however there is not the in your face nationalism and separation politics going on here as in Cataluña.

However, with these new faces in local governments, who knows what the future brings:

If you want to be self employed, here check out whatever those requirements might be for that type of visa. I ma not aware of them but it also exists.

A film on how the paperwork chase works in Spain.
A film main by Spanish on the spanish system. As a foreigner believe me you can find it even more frustrating.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXWZ3uAEKsw

My experience with presenting papers for residence visas has been very good. if you have what they ask for.. no problem. But don't bring photocopies, older then 3 month certificates and papers in a foreign language.

I do not know if you are an EU citizen or when you moved here and when you purchased your property and car.
You perhaps should have written translated into Spanish with a legal apostle.

All of these things are listed are in the the Angloinfo website I gave above. Also read just how difficult it is for EU citizens (who supposedly have freedom of movement) had in settling in Spain. http://britishexpats.com/forum/spain-75/

Maybe do a blog on all the your personal experiences re the paperwork chase and what offices you had to run too. It may be a bit more useful than adding the odd bit of information on to this forum.

I help others, EU and non-Eu do the paperwork by interpreting and translating for them, It is all very clear. However, some people just do not like to bring the right papers with all the bells and whistles.

The forum you posted has so many entries I wasn't sure which one you wanted to have me take a look at.

Most people's problem is not understanding the language.They just need to hire someone to help out. really fairly simple solution to avoid misunderstandings.

just adding that some people, even EU, do not QUALIFY for moving here since they cannot prove sufficient income.

All
Very good information! Thank you all and good points to ponder. Not looking to buy today will need to rent in a few locations before deciding and if it works for the whole family. If not, I can always fulfil when retired or just rent until the time feels right and the funds are actually there:)