When I left London, I wasn’t just moving—I was stepping into a new life, far removed from the one I’d known. After the end of my marriage, everything about the city—the noise, the pace, the endless commutes—felt suffocating. I wanted simplicity. I needed space to breathe, to think, and to figure out who I was beyond my career and past relationship. That’s when I stumbled across La Alpujarra.
At first, it was the pictures that captivated me. Rolling green valleys framed by rugged mountains. Whitewashed villages perched on hillsides like clusters of clouds. I could almost hear the quiet. As I dug deeper, I learned about the region’s Moorish history, its slow rhythms, and the communities that had thrived there for centuries. It felt like the antidote to the life I was leaving behind.
I remember the moment I decided to make the move. It wasn’t logical—it was entirely a gut feeling. I booked a trip to explore the area, and as soon as I set foot in Pampaneira, I knew I’d found the place. There was a warmth to the people and the landscape that spoke to me. The mountains stretched endlessly, but instead of feeling isolated, I felt embraced. For the first time in months, I felt hopeful. When returning to London after my initial trip it was all I could think about. I was sold.
Now, months later, I wake to the sound of birds and a stillness it’s hard to describe. My days are shaped by choice, not obligation. I can work my own hours in my job so I can plan hiking trails that lead to views so beautiful they’re almost surreal. In the evenings, I share meals with neighbours who’ve welcomed me into their lives as though I’ve always been here. It’s not just a fresh start. It’s a second chance at life.