El Nórdico Viajero - Escaping Scandinavian Winters with a Holiday Home in Spain. Welcome to our journey in sunny Costa del Sol.
From the relentless nights to the freezing temperatures, surviving the Scandinavian winter is no small feat. Like many families, we found ourselves at a crossroads; should we relocate permanently to escape the cold, or find a winter retreat and continue to enjoy life in the Nordics for the rest of the year?
Initially, we opted for winter retreats, repeatedly settling on the Canary Islands as our destination of choice. The warmth, delicious food, and friendly locals made these trips unforgettable, and for five years we indulged in everything the Canary Islands had to offer. However, over time, we grew weary of endless hotel bookings, the scanning of reviews to ensure the "perfect" stay, the repetitive nature of it all. That’s when we began entertaining a different solution: owning our own winter retreat. We debated as a family, because buying a holiday home is not just a major financial commitment — it also limits your travel flexibility, unless you’re retired or a digital nomad. Nonetheless, we continued to explore our options.
Two Spanish provinces stood out as ideal options for our needs, both just a five-hour flight away and offering sunshine even during the Nordic winter’s darkest days; Alicante and Andalucía. Over three years, we alternated spending our winter holidays in these regions, soaking in their unique charms. Ultimately, we chose Andalucía (more on how we made this choice in a future post). The next step was finding the right municipality and property — a journey that we will also explore in future posts.
Then came the pandemic, and like many, we were overwhelmed with uncertainty. Yet, during this challenging time, we took a leap of faith and purchased a holiday home on the Costa del Sol. It wasn’t without its hiccups, but looking back, this was a decision we’re glad we made.
One thing that quickly became clear is that at every step of buying and owning property in Spain, there’s a middleman, and as foreigners it is easy to feel like you’re navigating a maze of bureaucracy. But as someone who’s passionate about self-sufficiency and digital tools, I believe that many of these processes don’t need to be outsourced. Sure, some matters are best handled by experts, but certain things — like filling out the infamous 210 form if you have no income in Spain — can be surprisingly straightforward.
What YOU will get from this blog
Through this blog, we’ll share everything we’ve learned on our journey. From choosing the perfect area to buying property and enjoying life in Spain while avoiding bureaucratic pitfalls, El Nórdico Viajero is here to make your journey easier.
Stay tuned for honest insights and practical tips on making your winters a little sunnier!
- Your Fellow Winter Escapee
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