My husband and I were already living in Spain, 4 years on an urbanisation, when my husband who was unwell at the time, declared he wanted to move inland! I spoke to various friends in different areas of Spain and one suggested I speak to Hayley at Inland Andalucia. I messaged Hayley and gave her my wish list. A few weeks later we were in Alcala de Real and ready to go house hunting!
From the start Hayley was fabulous, she took us to different areas and showed us some cracking properties. On day 2 the hubby still wasn’t 100% on any house but by this time Hayley had an ulrika moment! We drove to Luque. Oh my goodness! From the moment we drove up the hill, seeing the castle and the whitewashed houses we were in love! The house itself was the smallest frontage I’ve ever seen and was really outside the box of requests. However, from the moment we parked up we were both speechless. The neighbour was sat outside his door and it was love at first Hola, My husband went into our little higgledy piggledy house and just walked off! Poor Hayley hadn’t even had time to open a window or door! We found Mr B upstairs and he just couldn’t find the words. After touring the house Hayley suggested a little drive round the town and to go for a coffee in the square. Well, that just sealed the deal!
We have now been living in Luque for 12 weeks. We are in the middle of reforming our house. We have the best neighbours who now treat us as family. Our local bar is wonderful, with the help of translate I asked if the bar owner knew a local company who did granite worktops, 2 nights later he knocked on our door, drove us to the granite company, just 5 minutes down the road, introduced us to the owner and drove us home! We now have beautiful tops in our kitchen. The local shops and restaurants will all try and help with our spanglish and we always get there in the end.
Just yesterday a lady shopkeeper advised me on the name of the bread I was buying and got me to repeat it numerous times. We walk down any road in Luque and every single person we see will say Buena (we seem to drop the s here). When my 3 year old granddaughter visited it felt like everyone came out of their houses to welcome her. Luque has all the amenities close at hand but within 10 minutes you can be in beautiful Baena. There are large supermarkets in Baena. Nothing is too far and the people are just wonderful.
My initial concern was moving from a nearly all British population to an all Spanish population. To be perfectly honest we actually prefer this simpler way of life. Mr B is actually doing much better and we feel we have absolutely made the best decision. Hayley is still on hand if we ever need her but we’re doing brilliantly.
I also have a friend who once she sells her house will also be moving to Andalucia. Don’t ever write off these little villages and towns, they are filled with the nicest people and you also feel you’re living in “real & authentic” Spain.
I was going to make this funny with a few stories of some of the characters we’ve met along the way but I really just wanted to emphasize how fitting into a completely different culture and way of life is doable if you get yourself out there. Google translate also helps and failing that sign language and actions. We have loved our journey so far, in a couple of weeks our little higgledy piggledy house should be updated and finished. Remember that life is an adventure and tomorrow is never promised. Take the leap. Talk to the experts and live your best life.
Un Saludo Jules, Ian and Pepe the perro !
Also interested in buying a property in Andalucia? www.inlandandalucia.com
