Monday, March 17, 2025
A Somerset couple finds a new life in rural Spain, embracing authentic culture, deep community ties, and unforgettable adventures away from the coast.
A couple from Somerset who relocated to Spain have chosen to live far from the typical coastal property trend, instead embracing rural Spain and rediscovering a true sense of community.
Many Brits have bought homes in Spain, whether for retirement or occasional getaways, but Sue and her husband Andy took a different path. They bought a 500-year-old house in Villena, a quaint town of about 36,000 residents, located just under 40 miles from Benidorm.
The house, set on two acres of land, was purchased for a modest €93,000 (£78,252) back in 2002.
While Villena is home to around a few hundred Brits, Andy emphasizes that they were never interested in recreating a warmer version of Somerset. Instead, they sought to immerse themselves in an authentic Spanish lifestyle.
Sue adds that, while they’ve adopted more traditional Spanish diets and customs, they’ve made a few concessions—such as introducing their new Spanish friends to the delights of curry.
