Part 4/9:
Beyond infrastructure, my experience in Valencia brought the element of safety into stark contrast. Growing up in LA trained me to be cautious, especially regarding nightlife and safety concerns for women. However, during my stay in Valencia, I felt at ease walking around the city at night. The pervasive sense of safety came from not just fewer people on the streets but also a noticeable lack of gun violence, an unfortunate reality that many American cities face.
In addition to feeling safe, I was astounded by the lower cost of living in Valencia compared to LA. While wages might be lower for locals, as a digital nomad, I realized that my earnings remained the same regardless of my location, illuminating a striking combination of a high quality of life with an affordable living standard.