Living in Northern Spain

Northern Spain is not an area that immediately springs to mind as a popular destination for sun seeking tourists or for those looking to retire to the sun.  The average daily temperatures are similar to those one might experience in the UK…though winters tend to be more temperate.  And rainfall levels in Northern Spain actually exceed those of the UK (taking London as a comparison) for an average of nine months a year!

And yet the area is becomingly increasingly popular with those seeking an unspoilt Spain and you’ll find an increasingly large number of expatriates living in Northern Spain and totally adapting to the Spanish or Basque way of life.

The rugged coastline and striking mountains, the wealth of historical landmarks and legends together with pretty fishing villages and lively towns and cities make Northern Spain an interesting and attractive choice for those in search of the ‘real’ Spain.  Property prices in the region are also more attractive and affordable than in some of the better known areas of Spain and there are plenty of properties for a prospective purchaser to choose from.

Key Facts - Northern Spain has actually been suffering from a decrease in population numbers.  In the decade to 2001 numbers fell by over 58,000.  The area is popular with tourists seeking a more relaxed Spain where history and rugged coastlines dominate.  The Spanish government are working hard to preserve the wealth of unique natural beauty that Northern Spain is famous for.

The Area and Its Attractions

Northern Spain has long been a favourite holiday destination for Spanish tourists looking to escape their city life or the heat and mass tourist influx experienced in the more commonly known Costas.  They have long been benefiting from all that Pais Vasco, Cantabria, Asturias and Galicia have to offer.  Pais Vasco is Basque Country and you will sometimes hear it referred to as Euskadi; this is the name the Basques give to their region.  The coastal regions of Northern Spain face the Bay of Biscay and the wild Atlantic, the largest city, or conurbation of the region is Bilbao.

Bilbao is actually Spain’s main commercial port and there are regular ferry services to and from Bilbao from Portsmouth in the UK.  The city is an exciting destination with its cultural mix of modern museum and futuristic gallery life and its charming old quarter with narrow streets and many bars and restaurants to choose from.  It makes for a great city break experience as you can combine art, culture, history, beauty and great Spanish night life for a truly unforgettable holiday.  It is also an exciting and dynamic place to live. 

Since the 1990’s Bilbao has reinvented itself and now boasts many luxury residential and commercial property developments, sophisticated infrastructure and it has recently gained a reputation as being the Mayfair of Northern Spain!  As this description suggests, property prices in Bilbao are steep and if you’re thinking of buying and living in Northern Spain to benefit from attractively priced property you might not be considering Bilbao!

Other cities of note in the region are San Sebastian which is very cosmopolitan, Vitoria which is steeped in history and Santander which is Cantabria’s main city.  Of more interest in my humble opinion is the stunning Picos de Europa mountain region which is inland from Santander and where you’ll still find bears and wolves living uninterrupted! 

You can ski, cycle, mountain climb and enjoy the incredible natural beauty of the Picos de Europa region; naturally enough this area is increasing in popularity year on year as a holiday destination for those looking for a little more than a hot flop beach experience from Spain.  Further west you come to Asturias which shares the Picos de Europa with Cantabria and which is also blessed with many unspoilt beaches and which UNESCO recognises as an area they are very keen to preserve seeing as it is so geographically and naturally blessed. 

The far northwest coast of Spain is made up of the very Celtic Galicia region.  The biggest city of this region is Vigo which has recently undergone something of a revamp as it was a little neglected in the past.  Now it has a wealth of new amenities and attractions making it an interesting destination in its own right.  The capital of the region is the lively university town of Santiago de Compostela - which has also been home to thousands of pilgrims who have flocked to the tomb of St. Michael since it was discovered in the city in the Middle Ages.  Finally, southern Galicia gives way to the incredible Mino Valley and then Portugal.

Demographics & Regional Social Make Up

It’s very important to understand that there are many different social and cultural differences throughout Spain, nowhere is this more important to understand than in Northern Spain where in the Basque Country the people consider themselves to be Basques rather than Spanish.

Many Northern Europeans have already settled in Northern Spain, but it has yet to evolve into the multi cultural mix that you come across in the Costas of Spain.  The region is aware that more British are being attracted year on year and the city of Vigo in particular seems to be gearing up to welcome cultural expansion.  The city is young with the means average age only 38.2 years old meaning those moving to the area are benefiting from vitality and a fresh approach to life.

The relative cheapness of property across Northern Spain has meant it is growing in attraction as other areas of Spain have priced potential foreign and local buyers out of the market.

It seems Northern Spain is attracting many foreign buyers and settlers keen to live in Spain away from the beach and party destinations in the south and east of the country.  If you’re considering moving to Spain it would be well worth your time visiting the North and investigating all it has to offer potential settlers, especially as property there is far more ‘realistically’ priced.

To find out more about this ‘hidden’ region of Spain Shelter Offshore recommend you read the following: -

Landscapes of Northern Spain - Picos De Europa

Teresa Farino

The titles in the “Landscapes” series are designed to take visitors away from the tourist centres and out into the countryside, exploring by private or public transport, or on foot. Included in this revised edition are 24 long and short walks, one car tour, and five picnic suggestions.

Click here to order a copy directly from Amazon!

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