Relocating to Cantabria: How One Family Found Support and a Fresh Start Moving from Off-Grid Life
How One Family Found Home in Cantabria After 15 Years Off-Grid in Portugal
After spending 15 years living deep in Portugal’s forests, immersed in nature and far from the noise of modern life, one family made a radical change. They weren’t running from something — they were moving towards a life that could hold space for both freedom and connection, for nature and community.
“We weren’t looking for a city. We were looking for a life.”
Raising a child changed everything.
What once felt like paradise — off-grid living, self-sufficiency, isolation — began to feel like a risk. Climate change brought longer droughts, more intense wildfires, and a sense of urgency they could no longer ignore. Living remotely with a young daughter also meant sacrificing access to education, healthcare, and community.
It was time for a new dream.
What They Were Searching For:
🌊 Proximity to wild nature, but with the safety net of better infrastructure
👧 A vibrant, welcoming community to grow roots in
📚 Quality education and cultural opportunities
🌿 A slower lifestyle, without the stress of isolation
Enter: Cantabria
Nestled between the mountains and the sea in northern Spain, Cantabria offered a blend of everything they had longed for. But relocating wasn’t just a matter of packing boxes and booking flights. They needed help navigating bureaucracy, finding housing, choosing schools, and settling into a place they’d never lived before.
That’s where our relocation support came in.
“It felt like falling into a soft, ready-made bed of friendship and support.”
Today, this family lives just minutes from the ocean, their daughter is growing up trilingual and thriving, and their days are filled with the kind of simple, grounded joy they always dreamed of.
Relocation isn’t always easy. It’s full of hard decisions, cultural shifts, and paperwork. But with the right support, it can also be transformative.
Your New Life Starts Here
If you’re dreaming of a life like this — one rooted in balance, beauty, and belonging — we’re here to help.
Whether you’re coming from within Europe or across the globe, our team of relocation experts is here to guide you every step of the way — from the first questions to your first cup of coffee in your new home.
