Five Years Living in Cantabria: Lessons Learned from Expat Life in Northern Spain
This week marks five years since we moved to Cantabria, and what a journey it has been. We left Sydney, Australia, with our three-year-old son, and a year later welcomed our daughter here.
Although my husband is Spanish, he had lived abroad for nearly 20 years and had never been a father or husband in his home region. For me, as a foreigner in Cantabria, the adjustment was just as intense — from craving Thai food to learning Spanish bureaucracy. Looking back, Cantabria has shaped us in ways we never expected.
Here are five lessons we’ve learned from living in Cantabria as an expat family.
1. Communication Works Differently in Cantabria
Information here isn’t always online. Instead, WhatsApp groups and phone calls are the real lifelines. At first, I found it overwhelming — but I’ve learned that it’s less about Googling and more about knowing who to ask. This personal, word-of-mouth style has connected us with the right people faster than any website could.
2. Moving to Cantabria Requires Bravery & Adaptability
Relocating to Spain takes courage. From learning Spanish to navigating bureaucracy and winding mountain roads, every challenge has stretched us. Together, we’ve grown as parents, partners, and individuals. Adaptability is now second nature.
3. Raising Kids in Cantabria: Independence from a Young Age
One of the most surprising things about family life in Cantabria is how much independence children are trusted with. Our son attends a Waldorf school, which has given us a close-knit community and taught him confidence early. Watching both our children grow resilient and independent has been one of the greatest gifts of living here.
4. Nature Shapes Everyday Life in Northern Spain
Cantabria’s landscapes pull you outside daily. Green mountains, wild beaches, birdsong, and seasonal rhythms have become part of our family routine. Living in Cantabria means living close to nature, and that constant connection keeps us grounded.
5. Community is Everything
Expat life in Cantabria thrives on community. I founded an English-speaking mothers’ group, and through school, activities, and friendships, we’ve built strong local networks. From home renovations to parenting advice, relationships are the real search engine in Spain.
Finding Our Rhythm
We’ve also learned that you don’t need to copy every local custom to belong. For example, our family still eats lunch at 13:00 and goes to bed early — long before most locals have dinner. And that’s okay. We’ve blended traditions in a way that works for us.
Looking Ahead: Why We’re Proud to Call Cantabria Home
Living in Europe has opened doors for our children, from weekend trips to Paris or Milan to regular visits with family in Ireland. Professionally, one of my proudest achievements has been launching Move to Cantabria, helping other expats navigate the joys and challenges of relocating here.
Five years on, our roots run deeper, our children are thriving, and Cantabria truly feels like home. If you’re considering moving to Cantabria or Northern Spain, know that it will change you in unexpected and wonderful ways — just as it has changed us.
