We didn’t move to Cantabria by accident.
We left the sunny south of Spain on purpose as we were in search of waves, green landscapes, and a community of people that felt more like us. Knowing it would rain more. Also knowing there would be days we had to stay indoors. And still, after months (okay, a year) of scrolling, visiting, second-guessing and going back and forth, we bought a house here with the clear intention of staying and why we decided on moving to Cantabria.
Cantabria wasn’t a compromise. It was a choice.
And like most good choices, it came with a few surprises, some magical, some mildly inconvenient, and some that only really reveal themselves once you’re here on a random Thursday in February.
This post is for anyone who’s been quietly Googling “moving to Cantabria”, wondering if it’s all green hills and empty beaches, or if there’s more to the story (yes, I´m talking to you there)
Why Cantabria made sense for us, despite what people say
We were looking for a place that could hold a few different identities of us at once: surfers, parents, people who work online, and humans who don’t thrive in constant noise and want an escape to the peace of nature (my 16-year old me would have been shocked I would say this), yet with the facilities of the big city conveniently closeby (ok, there is the 16-year old me again)
Cantabria (and specially Somo) ticked boxes we didn’t even know we had.
The surf (obviously)
If you surf, Cantabria needs very little introduction (but just in case it does, read my blog on surfing in Cantabria here). But what really sold it for us wasn’t chasing perfect waves, it was consistency. Having jobs and a small child, we knew from living in the south the frustration that, once that one swell finally comes around and you won´t be able to make it due to other responsibilities. So we wanted a spot where, when we have time, we could (most likely) surf.
Life with kids, but outdoors
This mattered more than we initially realized. Our little girl grows up outside. Proper outside, rain boots, muddy trousers, salty hair, a collection of sticks and shells that must be taken homeand puddles of sand in her bed at night. There’s less rush, less pressure to over-program childhood. People are generally kind to kids, and life feels scaled-down in a way that makes parenting lighter. Not easy, just lighter and above all, more like us.
And how about the rain?
Yes. It rains. We knew this before moving, and still, knowing something intellectually and living it are two different things. I do have to admit, it really isn´t as bad as we thought (or as it used to be, as every local has told us since) but yes, autumns can be wet. Winters can feel long. Grey days stack up, and if you’re sensitive to light, this is something to take seriously (hello vitamin D, hello midday walks even when it’s drizzling).
But we´ve learned to live with it, which means, accepting that the green exists because of the rain, no one will melt with a little rainy beachwalk, when the sun comes out, it’s spectacular and summers are mild and breathable, not oppressive. So basically, the rain becomes part of the rhythm. You adapt. You plan around it. And eventually, you stop seeing it as a flaw and more as… the price of admission.
Let´s get practical: work, internet, and other daily-life stuff
Let’s be honest: unless you’re working locally, remote work helps a lot. Internet is generally good, but not magically perfect everywhere. Some villages are better connected than others (by the coast it´s really fine, in the mountains you might have to check before you commit). In contrary to other places in Spain like Barcelona, Valencia or Malaga, life logistics aren’t built around internationals or digital nomads. You’ll adapt to local systems, not the other way around, and honestly, that’s part of integrating. That said, Somo is starting to become a spot where remote workers and surfers meet, with more and more co-working options and cafes opening up, as is the same for the city of Santander.
Integration and language barriers
If you don´t yet: learning Spanish matters. Making an effort matters more. Community here grows slowly (ask any Spaniard to define a ´northerner´ and they will tell you they tend to be more closed-off,, but it does grow. We’ve found that showing up consistently, being curious, and staying open goes a long way. It’s not instant, but it’s real. Again, this is our vibe.
The downsides (because nowhere is perfect)
Let’s not romanticize everything:
- Winters can feel quiet, very quiet, with bars closing down, surfschools closing until Easter and seasonal workers taking off to warmer countries to surf until the season starts again.
- Social life takes effort
- You might miss variety, events, or buzz, unless you decide to be based in the city of Santander of course.
- Rainy weeks test your mood
If you need constant stimulation or a packed calendar, this might feel small and I suggest you try it out first. But if you’re craving grounding, routine, and a closer relationship with nature, it might feel exactly right.
Why we want to stay here
We chose Cantabria because we were looking for a place that could support a, our life and dreams very specifically, not just a lifestyle.
Somewhere we could surf regularly, raise a child close to nature (I mean, her school is literally in the dunes, overlooking the sea and more than one parent drops off their kids in wetsuits to go catch a wave right after), work remotely without feeling disconnected, and live days that feel full without being frantic. It’s not perfect. But it fits. And fitting, we’ve learned, is underrated.
So… the question of the day: should you move to Cantabria?
Honestly, I kind of hope not all of you do 😉 the magic of this spot is that it´s still quiet and undiscovered 😉 Just kidding, the real answer: maybe.
If you’re okay with rain. and you like quieter places. If waves, green landscapes, and a slower rhythm sound appealing, but above all if you’re willing to adapt rather than expect everything to adapt to you. Cantabria doesn’t sell itself loudly. It waits. And sometimes, that’s exactly what you’re looking for.
