It all started with us falling in love with a house… in a town we’d never been to… in a country we’d never visited. Yes, you read that right! Andrew and I (Jasmine) decided to make Montefrío, Spain, our new home without setting foot in the country or even laying eyes on the house in person. Sounds a bit crazy, right? But that’s just who we are—spontaneous and unconventional. We knew in our hearts this was the right move for us.
As if by fate, after we committed to the house, we found out that Montefrío is ranked 4th on National Geographic’s Top 10 Views in the World list. Our backyard will literally look onto one of the most stunning views on the planet. Not a bad start to this new chapter!
Montefrío is a quaint village tucked away in the Andalusian mountains, about 50 minutes from Granada and just over an hour from Málaga. It’s peaceful, quiet, and feels like stepping into a different time. This little slice of paradise is where we’ll be calling home, and we can’t wait to share this journey with you as we continue moving to Spain from Australia.
Our Big Move and the Plan Ahead
Once we arrive in Montefrío, the first two years will be dedicated to getting our hands dirty with renovations. The plan is simple: turn this house into the home of our dreams. From painting walls to planting veggie gardens, we’ll be pouring our hearts into every corner. We’re ready to become busy bees, and trust me, there’s a lot to do.
But here’s the thing—we’re going to be documenting everything. So, if you want to follow along with our renovation adventures (and misadventures), you can! We’re going to blog it all—every success, every hiccup, and everything in between. It’s going to be one heck of a ride as we adjust to moving to Spain from Australia and embrace this new lifestyle.
The House Hunt: What We Were Looking For
Before we found the one, we had a checklist. There were a few must-haves we wanted to tick off when searching for our dream house in Spain:
A large outdoor area (We’re smokers and splashers—yes, we love swimming, even if it’s just splashing around.)
An enclosed outdoor space or one we could enclose (Privacy is key.)
A house that’s small enough to manage but big enough for both of us to have our own spaces (Work-from-home life, am I right?)
A garage or guaranteed car parking spot.
At least two bedrooms (for guests, of course!)
A space to plant veggies (because who doesn’t love fresh produce from the garden?)
The Location: What We Wanted
Montefrío ticked every box on our location checklist too. We weren’t just looking for a house; we wanted a place that fit our lifestyle:
Within 1.5 hours of Málaga or Alicante airport (for affordable flights out of Spain).
Close to a main city (within an hour’s drive).
A township with at least one large grocery store for convenience.
Remote enough to avoid summer’s tourist crowds.
A community mainly made up of Spaniards—we really want to immerse ourselves in the culture.
Close to a natural swimming hole (because swimming in nature is our absolute favourite thing to do).
And Montefrío delivered. Here’s what we got:
1 hour and 15 minutes from Málaga Airport.
50 minutes from Granada.
Just 33 minutes from Paraje de Las Calderas, a gorgeous natural swimming spot.
Multiple grocery stores, including the chain store Supermercados Dia.
Plus, hair salons, beauty salons, a trendy barber, a tattoo shop, two medical practices, a dental clinic, and 20 bars and restaurants!
Talk about ticking every box and then some. Moving to Spain from Australia suddenly felt even more exciting with all of these amenities.
Here are some Facts About Montefrío
Montefrío has so much more than just a pretty view. It’s rich with history, culture, and hidden gems.
One of the Best Views in the World: National Geographic put Montefrío on the map for its stunning hilltop Church of La Villa, perched atop a rocky cliff with the picturesque village below.
A Moorish Stronghold: Back in the day, Montefrío was a key defense point for the Moors before the Catholic Monarchs took over in 1486. You can still feel the history in the air.
Olive Oil Heritage: Montefrío’s olive groves produce some of Spain’s finest olive oils. The Olive Oil Interpretation Centre even has a geodesic dome—the first of its kind in Spain! You can learn all about the olive oil-making process, which has been a key part of the local economy for centuries.
Neolithic Origins: Montefrío has been around for thousands of years. The nearby Peña de los Gitanos caves feature prehistoric rock paintings and ancient artifacts dating back to the Neolithic period.
Carnival Time: Montefrío’s annual Carnival is a colourful celebration filled with costumes, music, and dancing. It’s one of the town’s most anticipated events.
Flamenco Tradition: You can’t talk about Andalusia without mentioning Flamenco. Montefrío hosts several Flamenco festivals throughout the year, celebrating this passionate art form.
Semana Santa Processions: Holy Week in Montefrío is a deeply spiritual event with beautifully decorated floats and processions winding through the streets.
Cave Dwellings: Some of the homes in Montefrío are built directly into the rock formations, keeping cool in the summer and warm in the winter—a unique way of living that we found fascinating!
Wrapping It Up
Montefrío, with its breathtaking views, deep-rooted history, and quiet charm, is more than we could have ever dreamed of. We’re beyond excited to start this new chapter and share every step of the way with you as we embark on this journey moving to Spain from Australia.
From renovations to adventures, there’s going to be a lot going on, and we hope you’ll come along for the ride. It’s going to be an unforgettable journey, and we can’t wait to see what Montefrío has in store for us.
Thanks for joining us on this wild ride!
Adios!
Jasmine & Andrew
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