Introduction: Looking for Property Abroad Starts With Understanding Culture
When you begin looking for property in another country, the excitement of a new chapter often mixes with uncertainty. In my previous blog, I talked about the importance of research before making such a big decision. But today, I want to highlight what I believe is the real foundation of any successful move abroad: culture and lifestyle compatibility.
I don’t know about you, but I would never relocate to a place where the culture clashes with my own values. For me, understanding how people live, how they interact, and what they believe is far more important than simply finding a house or comparing prices. When you’re looking for property, you’re not just choosing a building—you’re choosing a community, a rhythm of life, and a cultural environment that you’ll need to embrace.
Adapting to Culture—Not Expecting It to Adapt to You
One principle I strongly believe in is this: If I’m moving to a different country, I should never expect people to change for me. It’s my responsibility to adapt to their culture.
This mindset makes integration smoother and shows respect for the locals who call that country home. After all, when you’re looking for property, you’re not just buying a place—you’re joining a society with its own traditions, customs, and expectations.
Spain: A Culture That Felt Familiar
When I explored Spain, cultural compatibility wasn’t a major concern. The lifestyle felt warm, familiar, and welcoming. However, one thing became clear very quickly: Speaking Spanish is imperative.
Language is the bridge to connection. It’s how you build relationships, navigate daily life, and show respect to the community. So if you’re looking for property in Spain, learning the language isn’t optional—it’s essential.
Useful Links for learning Spanish
Is It Time to Start Looking for Property?
When you reach a certain point in life, a moment arrives when you ask yourself a simple but powerful question: Is it time to start looking for property? For us, that moment came naturally, almost quietly, as if life itself whispered that it was time to begin a new chapter. We had spent years dreaming, researching, imagining, and planning. Now, the journey was ready to unfold.
The Dream Begins in l’Estartit
Our story starts in l’Estartit, a coastal gem in Catalunya that had become our holiday haven. Every visit filled us with joy, peace, and a sense of belonging that is hard to describe. It was the kind of place where the sun always seemed to shine a little brighter, where mornings felt softer, and where evenings carried a gentle breeze that made you believe in fairytales.
We often joked that l’Estartit was the place where our story would end with “and they lived happily ever after.” So naturally, when we finally decided it was time to start looking for property, l’Estartit was our first choice.
But dreams sometimes collide with reality.
The First Disappointment: Prices Beyond Reach
Our reliable companion—the Internet—was quick to deliver the truth. Property in l’Estartit was far beyond our budget. Beautiful homes, yes. Stunning views, absolutely. But realistically? Not within reach.
It felt like a punch to the stomach. Was this the end of our dream?
Not at all.
Dreams don’t end because of obstacles. They simply change direction.
Expanding the Search: Looking for Property in Southern Spain
We widened our search and began looking for property in the South of Spain. Suddenly, the landscape changed. Prices were far more reasonable, and many homes were fully finished and ready to move into. Some were owned by British expats—perhaps reconsidering life in Spain after Brexit. That’s only my opinion, of course; I haven’t researched it deeply.
But our focus remained clear: finding a decent property at a reasonable price.
Southern Spain offered sunshine, affordability, and a relaxed lifestyle. It was tempting. But something inside us said: keep looking.
Sicily: Close, Familiar, and Full of Charm
Many Maltese people buy property in Sicily. It’s close, accessible, and familiar. With flights from Malta to Catania taking only fifteen minutes, it seemed logical to explore it.
Sicily is stunning—Taormina, Mount Etna, endless food, culture, and weekend escapes. We had visited often, enjoying long weekends filled with good food, warm hospitality, and breathtaking scenery.
But something inside me whispered:
“This isn’t where I want to live.”
No reason. Just instinct. And instinct matters when you’re looking for property that will shape the rest of your life.
The Internet Listens—And Shows You Everything
Do you ever feel like the Internet listens to you? Because suddenly, my social media was flooded with property adverts—Spain, Italy, Sicily, France, Portugal.
It felt like the universe was saying: “Here are your options. Choose wisely.”
And then something unexpected happened.
A property in Tuscany caught our eye. Then another in Abruzzo. And then… Torrebruna.
Discovering Torrebruna: A Hidden Gem in Abruzzo
Time to research.
Torrebruna is a mountain village in the province of Chieti, within the Abruzzo region. A place of peace, silence, and untouched nature. Something deep inside me said:
“This is us.”
crave tranquility. After years in catering, nightlife, and customer support, I long for silence, fresh air, and nature. Torrebruna offered exactly that.
A Home That Matches the Heart
All my life, I lived in apartments. But now? I wanted a house. A real house. A place with land, privacy, and space to breathe.
An apartment, in my opinion, never gives you 100% privacy. You always share walls, sounds, and routines with others. But a house in Torrebruna? That was different.
Imagine this:
- A home in the middle of nature
- Fresh mountain air
- Woods and wildlife
- Practically no traffic
- Greenery everywhere
- A small town center just minutes away
This was the lifestyle I had been searching for.
Why Torrebruna Felt Like “Home” Before We Even Arrived
When you’re looking for property, something magical happens. You start to feel connected to places you’ve never visited. Torrebruna gave us that feeling.
It wasn’t just about the house. It was about the life we could build there.
A slower pace. A deeper breath. A fresh start.
Is It Time to Visit Torrebruna?
Yes. It’s time.
We need to see this place with our own eyes. We need to feel it, breathe it, walk it.
Torrebruna, here we come.
