Moving to Cantabria: Finding Home Between the Sea and Mountains

Mardi Lucich of www.the3rdp.com shares her story of her family’s transition to Cantabria

When I tell people I moved from California to Cantabria, I often get a raised eyebrow. The truth is, I didn’t come here chasing a dream of northern Spain—I came because my husband’s company relocated us. Before we arrived, my connection to Cantabria was fleeting: a couple of trips to Galicia and Asturias with quick stops in Santander. Still, those brief visits stuck with me. The city’s blend of bay and ocean, framed by rolling green hills, reminded me of the Bay Area —beautiful, vibrant, and surrounded by nature.

We arrived with our 8-year-old son, who was born in Zaragoza, and a determination to make this new chapter work. My husband, being Spanish, slipped right back into the language and rhythm of life here. I’ve been learning Spanish since 2012—functionally bilingual, though always practicing and improving.

The Reality Check
Adapting hasn’t been without its challenges. Back in San Francisco, diversity—in culture, thought, and food—was a given. Here, life is more traditional, more conservative. That shift has been harder than I expected, not just because of preference but because it’s meant living without some of the values and perspectives that make a place feel like home.

Then there’s housing. Whether renting or buying, finding something decent and affordable has felt nearly impossible. It’s not just an inconvenience—it’s a weight that makes it harder to feel truly settled. The rising cost of living paired with stagnant salaries adds a layer of uncertainty about whether we can really stay long term.

Lessons in Patience
I’ve lived in many places, so I thought I understood adaptation. But Cantabria has taught me a different kind of patience—the kind that comes from holding the tension between loving parts of a place and missing others deeply. I’ve learned to stay open to the experience, to find connection and joy where I can, and to keep living in a way that reflects my values, even when the surrounding culture doesn’t mirror them.

An Unexpected Gift
The school community has been the greatest surprise. We chose it for its pedagogy—it aligned perfectly with how we want to raise our son—and it gave us the confidence to make the move. But what we didn’t anticipate was finding our anchor there. Without knowing a single person before we arrived, we stumbled into a rare and beautiful fit.

Beyond our son’s school, we’ve discovered small but meaningful pockets of like-minded people—organic farmers, nature-based educators, environmentally ethical projects and restaurants like: Tarruco, EnBoscados, Ruda, La Lleldiría, and Pan de la Vida. They’ve been a breath of fresh air, proof that there’s room for more of this kind of community here.

If I Could Do It Over
I’d start with real, hands-on help for finding housing. What seemed like the logical route—inmobiliarias—weren´t much help, and we ended up struggling in a market where demand far outstrips supply and prices are pushed well beyond affordability. A service like Move to Cantabria, one that genuinely supports newcomers, could have saved us a lot of frustration. The right financial guidance would have also made a big difference, helping us understand the tax implications of moving internationally and sparing us from what turned out to be an extremely costly and painful lesson.

Advice for Others
Don’t let the beauty alone sweep you away. Understand what life here actually looks like: housing is tough, alternative education options are limited, the job market is small, and summers transform the region as tourism takes over. The landscapes are breathtaking, the weather has its charm, and nature is always close—but they don’t erase the day-to-day realities.

Why I Stay
Despite the challenges, Cantabria’s raw, authentic beauty reminds me of home in Northern California in a way that feels grounding. The freedom to step into nature every day is something I cherish. The mix of sea and mountains, the slower rhythm, the quiet moments—it all offers a kind of ease I’ve rarely found elsewhere. And sometimes, that’s enough to make me think: yes, I could stay.