Cantabria homesteads (Northern Spain)

Hi all,

I'm researching hectare/2.5acre+ plots inland from Santander or Bilbao. I'm from the American PNW and after 8 years in Barcelona/Cubelles I'd like to buy a summer place with year-round potential. I'm finding some beautiful, fairly affordable lots, sloped grazing land with small stone barns in various states of disrepair and wood lots near smaller towns. Utterly charming, not especially practical for our family of four, but the climate looks wonderful for summering and growing things. I'm curious whether any permies here have already taken the leap in Cantabria and how they find it.

My time in Spain has taught me to fear theft of property large and small, so I wonder how feasible it is to tent camp, plant an orchard, run some chickens for a few months... and cross your fingers until the next spring when the cold and work demands send you back to Barcelona. My husband is Catalan and although he is...less enthusiastic...about the plan he's able to help with translation of negotiations, finding an attorney for the sale, etc. We're less clear about how to get reliable info on water, access, soil quality here. Spain is famous for its red tape but if you found a few acres zoned for building surely a patient person would get their house/barn built eventually?

I have some money from the condo in Seattle I sold when I moved to Spain. Eco-villages seem like an even more intense version of the purgatory that is Home Owners' Associations, so i seek good fences/good neighbors scenario more than shared ownership. It would be reassuring to know that someone would call you if squatters show up...

Tell me your tales, please.

Hi Eileen! I'm in a similar situation right now and cae across your thread. Wondering how everything worked out for you?
I'm currently in Cantabria with the family scouting for land.  Any tips would be very much appreciated.

Thanks!

Hi Daniel,

We haven't purchased property. I had one I was serious about but it was sold to a neighbor instead.

This year an historically bad drought approaches so perhaps there will be more for sale, but I haven't had much success using the idealista.com site. It's a good opportunity to see what is listed, but it's disheartening overall because research and conducting the sale definitely should involve a local agent. Initial inquiries by my Catalan husband often reveal errors or what may be deliberate misinformation.

Much of the best agricultural land in Spain is held by aristocratic people paid EU subsidies to not farm it, but be 'ready' for specific uses. I still watch for listings but for now am mostly just trying to learn local plants, keep quail and worms, compost with dedication and enjoy a purple palate in my spring garden. I still think all of the time about orchards, sheep and regenerative agriculture but at the moment am very tied to my husbands's job location and stability for kids in primary school in Sant Cugat del Valles (about 40 minutes by train from Barcelona).

I do wish you luck! Be sure to share when you find your place.
Eileen

Sounds like you are fairly nearby Oliver Goshe of the “Abundant Edge” podcast. It sounds like he is trying to help aspiring food foresters like you. Its a worthwhile listen regardless, with many great guests and Oliver seems to be a knowledgeable and thoughtful guy making a go of it on a plot like you are looking for near Barcelona.