Don’t trust the media, basically because most of it is Madrid centered... what I mean is, as soon as you get out of there, even if it’s not Barcelona you’ll see why everyone “hates” people from Madrid. Prices have dropped, of course the political situation helped but they’re now stagnant all over Spain, I live in Alicante and you also feel the drop, if you’re thinking about buying property I’d wait two years and it’s a matter of time until it gets to Madrid(which I think people went crazy with rent prices, like real madness for the wages they offer). As I said, the political situation is magnified in Catalonia but just to cover up the shitty situation in the whole country and the slow down of the economy which we’ll feel next year. But as I said before, Valencia is a great choice, like an small mix between Madrid and Barcelona just don’t expect all the concerts, theaters or job opportunities.