Why Galicia? A happy coincidence

Why Galicia? Well, like so many things in life—it happened by chance.

The idea of emigrating first came to us about two years ago during a holiday in Portugal. We spent three weeks in January in the Algarve, and the wide-open space and relaxed way of life felt exactly right for us. Back home in the Netherlands, I started browsing the internet for houses in that region, only to be a little shocked at the prices. It was clear that we’d need a few more years of work before we could afford something decent there.

Because I was searching on the real estate website Idealista, which lets you draw your own areas on a map to see available properties, I noticed that the further north you went, the cheaper the houses became. That discovery sparked a new idea: what if we explored central Portugal instead? We booked a holiday there to get a better sense of the region.

But then, while checking the website again before our trip, I stumbled upon a house that was not only half the price of what we’d seen in Portugal, but also of much better quality. In Portugal, our budget would only buy us a fixer-upper, but this house was move-in ready. The surprise? After a closer look, I realized it wasn’t even in Portugal at all—it was across the border in Spain. Apparently, I had drawn part of Spain into my search area.

Better quality for a lower price—that instantly grabbed our attention. From then on, I began researching the region more seriously. We decided that while we were in central Portugal, we’d also take a few days to cross the border and explore Galicia.

After booking a hotel in Galicia, we drove just two and a half hours from central Portugal to get there. Our first impression? Fantastic. Peaceful, spacious, and welcoming. The very first town we visited, Allariz, was an immediate hit: charming, relaxed, and full of life at the same time.

What we found in Galicia was exactly what we had been looking for in Portugal: tranquility, space, and an uncomplicated way of living. But it came with some added advantages. The Spanish language is easier for us to learn than Portuguese, and the housing market offers plenty of opportunities.

By the time we returned to the Netherlands, we had completely let go of the idea of Portugal. Instead, we planned a dedicated trip back to Galicia to explore further. In the months leading up to that trip, I devoured every piece of information I could find—about the climate (yes, it does rain a lot), the geography, the lifestyle, and much more.

Galicia may not have been part of our original plan, but sometimes the best adventures begin with a happy accident.

In January, we returned to Galicia for a more serious exploration. This time, we booked three weeks in a cozy B&B near Ourense, giving ourselves enough time to really get to know the area.

For two weeks, we drove around almost daily, visiting many houses and discovering different corners of the region. Eventually, we found ourselves drawn to the Ribeira Sacra—a stunning area known for its deep river valleys, vineyards, and dramatic landscapes. That’s where everything began to fall into place.

We got in touch with a Dutch-speaking real estate agent, who guided us through the process and showed us several properties. And then, it happened. The house we ended up buying was love at first sight.

Located in a small village yet still within reach of essential services, it immediately felt right. The view is breathtaking, stretching across the valley, and the house itself had already been beautifully renovated by the previous owner. Everything looked well cared for and ready to move into.

We visited the house again the very next morning, just to be sure. Afterward, we took the day off from house-hunting and drove back to Allariz—the town where this whole adventure had started. During a walk through its charming streets, Yvonne and I made the decision: we were going to make an offer.

Negotiations were surprisingly quick and smooth. Before we knew it, we were homeowners in Galicia.

A house in the very region where we first felt that spark, where we realized that our future lay here. Was it coincidence?

Michel & Yvonne.

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