What’s it like living in Galicia? Ask an Expat
Caroline lives in in Galicia in Northwest Spain. It’s not a place that automatically comes to mind for Expats looking to settle in Spain but those who do live there love the easy lifestyle, the variety of geography (beaches, mountains, and valleys), and – most important for many – the cooler temperatures that Galicia is known for.
Caroline tells us all about what led her to Galicia and what she loves about the region.
Name: Caroline Harris
Age: 51
Country of Origin: England
Number of years living in Spain: Most of my life
Hi Caroline! I see you have 5 kids and are living in Galicia. Would love to hear your story about how you ended up in Spain and in particular the Galicia region.
I live in Gondomar which is a small village close to the beautiful coast of the Val Miñor which is part of the Rias Baixas which is situated south of the city of Vigo in Galicia.
I was born in 1970 and brought up in South London, my father is English and my mother Spanish (originally from Lugo in Galicia), so I was aware of the Galician culture from an early age. I often spent summer holidays in Monforte de Lemos in Lugo and Vigo which were always a grand adventure and a very sharp contrast from life in inner city London.
In 2000, we decided to move to Barcelona where my husband had managed to get a job transfer because we wanted a better life for our 3 young children and were expecting our fourth at the time. We lived in a nice village south of Barcelona called Castedelfels and enjoyed the sun and beaches and the relatively safe and free lifestyle (compared to being in a big city like London).
What I most liked was that Spain has a family orientated atmosphere. Children are welcomed everywhere by everyone and nobody worries if they make a little too much noise or if they break a glass in a bar or restaurant. Everybody makes so much noise so it goes unnoticed.
Two years later I got divorced. I found myself alone to bring up four children with little Spanish skills. I decided to move to Vigo where I had some cousins. I felt more at home and thought it was a good place to start our lives over again.
What do you like about living in Galicia? (and what’s the weather like? I always hear the north can be cold and wet)
Why Galicia? It’s probably one of the most beautiful places on earth: Each province has its own identity but the Coastlines look almost tropical (although the clear blue waters of the sea are cooler in temperature). Inland there are breath taking views of mountains and rivers, vineyards and quaint villages.
With lots of children, holidays away can be challenging and expensive so the fact that we live here meant we could enjoy the holiday atmosphere nearly the whole year round. Beaches, water sports, hiking, grape picking, fiestas and ferias.
The Galicians live everyday in the moment : A coffee with friends/colleagues every day, weekends filled with exciting things to do whether it be eating out: Tapas, fresh seafood, octopus on wooden platters in the town square, going to ferias of fiestas with live music and rides, finding hidden coves or simply walking along the long stretch of sandy beaches, picnics in the woods and there’s always family and friends get togethers to enjoy a churrasco (BBQ). There’s always something to do!
The spring and summer days are long and warm, rarely too hot and evenings always fresh enough to sleep. Generally the temperatures are not too low even in the winter but when it rains, it doesn’t stop. Having said that the sun is never far away even during the colder and wetter months and I’ve never experienced the grey days of London where you had to put the lights on during the day.
What do you dislike about living in Galicia?
The opportunities for further educations are limited and there are few job opportunities. High unemployment, low wages and lots of very unethical employers.
The average expat might not consider Galicia as a place to live. What would you tell them to sell them on the region?
Galicia doesn’t have a lot of tourism from the UK aside from the famous Camino de Santiago but it is a favourite destination of the Spanish to escape the extreme heat experienced in Madrid, Barcelona and the south. However, every expat that I know who has come here to live falls in love and never wants to leave, no matter where they come from. Whether from the US, Australia, Ireland, South Africa or the UK, there’s great unity in the expat community and they find support and friendship following their life path here in Galicia.
What’s your daily life like in Galicia?
I myself found work as an English teacher and then as a form teacher at the British school. After eighteen years of that, I found “Age in Spain,” where I started out as a volunteer and then became regional coordinator for the North of Spain. It is an organisation with a goal of helping the elderly and vulnerable as well as (more recently) residency for UK expats under the withdrawal agreement after Brexit.
Update: Caroline now works as a property and relocation manager for people looking to move to Galicia. You can contact her here.
Do you have any regrets at all? If you had to do it all over, would you change anything?
Regrets, I miss my language, the British sense of humor and politeness, fish and chips but mostly I miss my friends and family I left in the UK.
Many thanks to Caroline for telling us her story and for detailing the attractions of living in Galicia.
Related: All you need to know about buying Real Estate in Galicia
Related: What’s it like living in Muxía? (Galicia)
Hi Caroline, such a useful forum !
Life in Galicia… are the locals welcoming ?
What is healthcare like there ?
I love the info re the lady you have just helped to move near the river dividing Portugal and Spain.
Can you advise where to find properties in that area.
Many thanks
Hi Annie. Caroline did a new post just a few months ago here. You’ll also find her updated contact info there.
Hi!
We are looking for an area where our 11 year old son can have a good education, but we want to live in the countryside. We have sheep and dogs. Is there a town that offers a good education? With public transport to the countryside (20 minutes).The last 7 years we were in South America. Thank you in advance.
Best regards
Mel
Hi my name is Jo, I have lived in Almeria for 8 years now & am thinking of relocating to Galicia area, the summers are really getting too hot here.
We have sold our house & plan to travel up in mid April. We want to take good look around before we buy, We would like to be on the coast, as we live inland at the moment. We would like to live nearer to a large town this time round within walking distance. Suggestions would be most welcome. My husbands convinced the English community up North will be not as common perhaps you could put that one to bed.
Dear Jo , there is an expat community made up of many English-speaking people, but they are ore spread out, but there are groups who meet up and share interests, integration is more prominent here and the locals are welcoming and kind. The culture here is unique and cities, villages have each their own identity The landscapes are lush and green coastline is spectacular
We now have a team to help expats relocate to Galicia and Asturias, offering client representation and Buyers agents for real estate to help with the language barriers as well as guide you through the processes
https://galiciagreenspainproperty.com/
[email protected]
Is the language in Galicia a problem, I know they don’t speak Castellano mainly?
Hi Matt, I would say the contrary. Most people mainly speak Castellano. They also may speak Galician, and usually can revert from one language to another. Galician is spoken more frequently in rural areas, but generally everyone speaks both languages and are very willing to accommodate a non-Galician speaking person and use Castellano.
However, having said that, the language is not so very different , and easy to pick up, but there is no pressure to speak it yourself.
Hi Caroline,
I currently live in Malaga after spending 25 years in Seville. We are considering moving up to Galicia. We have seen properties and good prices but most need to be refurbished. Do you have any experience with this or do you know of anyone who could give me any advice?
Many thanks.
Regards,
Charlotte
Hi Charlotte,
I’ve started a new project help expats relocate : G&G property & relocation offering personal ianintergral client representaion: Below is my website:
https: https://galiciagreenspainproperty.com.
It has a lot of info and show services I can provide also my contact details if you ever just wanna have a chat 😁
Hi Caroline! I’m also Caroline! I have some distant family all over Vigo and am looking to visit in the summer to see about moving there. I’m very interested in creating artist retreat opportunities and was wondering if you had any an idea what it’s like to start a business there and what the community’s reception might be to such an organization?
Thank you!!
Hi Caroline , there are lots of new ventures being started in Galicia as it has become a new destination not just to visit but to live.
I’ve started a new project help expats relocate :
https: https://galiciagreenspainproperty.com. It has a lot of info and show services I can provide also my contact details if you ever just wanna have a chat 😁
Amazing, that’s so helpful!!
Thank you,
Caroline
I was born and raised in coastal southern California and looking to live at least half the year in Northern Spain.
Thank-you very much for this interview.
Where are places in Northern Spain I could consider for low noise and air pollution, mild summers, walkable town, no need for a car?
Thank you for the comment Sheila. I’ll make sure to pass it on to Caroline 🙂
La coruna, Vigo and Santiago are tthe larger coties wiyh all avaibale amemities, but out of those santiago has least pollution and noise apart from the noise created by a large student community. and it rains alot there
The Val miñor has milder summers and winters and smaller towns such as gondomar, tui. nigran, baiona, tomiño. alll close to the river that divides spain and portugal. The more inland the extremer the weather temps but of course the smaller the villages more isolated areas but of course air is cleaner, less pollution. i think only you will know when / where the location is perfect to you
Dear Sheila , most places in Galicia and northern Spain have low air & noise pollution except perhaps Bilbao
Obviously bigger cities se like to have a bit more, but you don’t have to travel far to find clean fresh area and a Peace and quiet.! I just helped another lady from San Jose find her dream home in O Rosal on the very southern estuary coast of Galicia on the border of Portugal . She has peace, fantastic views, fresh air , microclimate and an assortment of quaint villages , vibrant towns nearby on both the Galician & Portuguese side all with good commutations and close to international airports . Let me know if you would like me to help 😁