Are you looking for a family house near Valencia, with some land, schools for the children and a real quality of life? Then you need to look to the west of the city, inland, where the most sought-after residential developments are concentrated: the Camp de Túria, led by L’Eliana and La Cañada.
This is where most of the international and English-speaking families settled in the region actually live. Let us explain why, area by area, and with what budget.
The Camp de Túria: the premium area for families
As we explain in our guide to houses in Valencia and its surroundings, the detached house is found neither in the centre nor by the sea, but in the hinterland. And among all that hinterland, one comarca stands out: the Camp de Túria, to the west of Valencia, heading inland.
Here you find exactly what families are after: detached houses with a garden and pool, a green and secure environment, well-regarded schools, shops, and yet a fast connection to the city centre. It is the ideal compromise between residential calm and urban life.
L’Eliana: the international residential heart
L’Eliana is probably the most emblematic town in the area. Hugely popular with expats, it offers a human-scale way of life: tree-lined streets, low-rise housing developments, a weekly market, restaurants, sports facilities and a genuine village feel.
Its main strengths:
- Villas and detached houses with generous plots, alongside more affordable terraced houses.
- The immediate proximity of international and French schools (see below).
- Direct access to the centre of Valencia on metro line 1 (L’Eliana station), without needing the car.
- Plenty of local amenities: healthcare, sport, shops, leisure.
It is an area where you can settle as a family without giving anything up: not the space, not the schooling, not the access to the city.
La Cañada and the other sought-after towns
Right next door, La Cañada (within the municipality of Paterna) appeals with its large leafy developments, its chalets tucked into the pinewood and its very quiet residential feel, while staying close to Valencia.
The rest of the Camp de Túria and its surroundings rounds out the options according to taste and budget:
- Bétera: golf, large plots, family developments, served by the metro.
- Rocafort and Godella: smart, wooded villages, very close to the city.
- San Antonio de Benagéber and La Pobla de Vallbona: developing residential areas, often more affordable.
To broaden the search to other towns around the city, take a look too at our guide to the most affordable towns around Valencia.
International and French schools: the deciding factor
If so many expat families choose the west of Valencia, it is largely down to schooling. It is in this area (Camp de Túria and Paterna) that you find the French Lycée, several British and American schools and well-regarded international establishments.
For a family settling in, being able to drop the children at an international school a few minutes from home changes everything day to day. It is a criterion that often weighs as heavily as the property itself when choosing the area.
Transport and amenities
People sometimes picture these areas as cut off: it is quite the opposite. Metro line 1 (Metrovalencia) links L’Eliana, La Pobla de Vallbona and Bétera to the centre of Valencia. By car, the main routes into the city, to the airport and to the A-7 are quick.
The result: you live in a quiet house surrounded by greenery, while remaining within immediate reach of the services of a big city. It is precisely this balance that gives these areas their value, and that keeps prices firm over time.
What budget should you plan for?
These areas are premium, and prices reflect it. For a detached house with a garden in L’Eliana, La Cañada or Bétera, expect to pay most often between 500,000 and 800,000 euros, and more for large properties with a pool and high-end finishes.
There are, however, more accessible entry points: terraced houses (adosados and pareados), properties to renovate, or the developing towns of the area. On the financing side, buying on urban land (which is the case for these developments) is a real advantage, because banks lend far more readily than on rustic land, a point we detail in our guide on rustic versus urban land and in our article on financing a purchase in Spain.
Conclusion: the right address for a family house
If your plan is a family house near Valencia, with schools, space and easy access to the city, the Camp de Túria (L’Eliana, La Cañada, Bétera and their neighbours) is the most obvious answer. It is an area we know inside out and where we regularly support international families.
At BuenApart, an English-speaking agency in Valencia, we work with you to target the right town, the right school and the right type of house, then we secure the whole purchase, even from abroad. Let’s talk about your project.
Frequently asked questions
Why is L’Eliana so popular with families?
L’Eliana brings together what international families near Valencia are looking for: detached houses with a garden, a green and quiet setting, easy access to international and French schools, plenty of shops and a direct link to the centre of Valencia on metro line 1. It is the residential heart of the Camp de Túria.
What budget do you need for a house in L’Eliana or La Cañada?
For a detached house with a garden, expect to pay most often between 500,000 and 800,000 euros, and more for large plots with a pool. Terraced houses or properties to renovate are a way to get into these areas with a more contained budget.
Are there French and international schools near Valencia?
Yes, and they are largely concentrated to the west of the city, around the Camp de Túria and Paterna: the French Lycée, British and American schools, international establishments. It is one of the main reasons expat families choose this area.
How do you reach the centre of Valencia from L’Eliana or Bétera?
Metro line 1 (Metrovalencia) links L’Eliana, La Pobla de Vallbona and Bétera to the centre of Valencia. By car, the routes into the city and to the airport are quick. You enjoy the residential calm while staying connected to the city.