Our lifestyle change journey in Spain continues—and this week, it brought us to a little gem of a village called Orxeta, tucked away in the hills behind Vila Joiosa. We’d driven through it not long ago during a road trip to explore more inland areas like Relleu and Sella.

I remember pointing out a few things about Orxeta when we drove through. It had a bakery and a chemist—small essentials that quietly signal life in a village. My husband, however, dismissed it within seconds. “I don’t think we need to stop here,” he said.

Funny how things come full circle. Now, just weeks later, there’s a promising house within walking distance of this little gem of a village. The online ad looked intriguing, and we quickly arranged a viewing. The estate agent, to our surprise, was responsive and helpful—quite rare in our experience. She had moved to Orxeta herself five years ago, relocating from nearby Finestrat, closer to the bustle of Benidorm.

We arrived early for our viewing and wandered through the village. To our delight, it was more than charming—it was remarkably well-kept. The streets were tidy, houses freshly painted, and the town square lively. There was a small market, a grocery shop, a pharmacy, a bakery, two cafés, and a few restaurants. Small, yes—but everything we could need.

Over coffee and tostado (a modest €4 for both of us), we began to picture ourselves here.

A Near Miss—and What We’ve Learned

But then came the disappointment. The seller had accepted an offer the night before—from a different agent. Just our luck.

Why was it so disheartening? Because after 14 weeks of researching the Costa Blanca and its hinterland, we’ve fine-tuned what really matters to us in this lifestyle transition:

• Proximity to a village—we don’t want to be isolated
• Authenticity—a true Spanish town, not just an expat enclave
• Basic amenities—at least a shop, pharmacy, and a café
• Signs of life—not a dying village, as sadly many rural spots in Spain and France seem to be
• Accessibility—within short driving distance of supermarkets, services, and the coast
• Connection to a city—here, Alicante, with its medical facilities and hospital

This house, or rather this location seemed a little gem and ticked all the boxes. Even though we only glimpsed it from afar, it left an impression. Of course, many things could have been wrong with the house—we are not romanticising blindly. We are becoming aware of the ins and outs of buying property on terra rústica land.

The Hidden Complexity of Rural Living

On rustic land, you can generally make changes inside the house—but anything outside could be illegal, including something as significant as a pool. Regulations can be strict and vary by region.

As fate would have it, the offer on the house fell through. According to the agent, it was due to the buyer’s financial issues, though it’s just as likely a legal complication was uncovered. The agent recommended we engage a lawyer to perform thorough due diligence. It turns out that in this part of Spain, a notary mainly certifies your signature and not much else.

Yes, hiring a lawyer may cost extra, but for peace of mind? It’s probably worth every cent.

So now we’re back in the game. Another viewing the this house in Orxeta is on the cards. It’s quite exciting, really.

A Lifestyle Vision Comes into Focus

Whatever the outcome, we feel closer to understanding what our future life might look like. This location isn’t in the well-known Marina Alta region and we are not even sure we would want to be there. A little gem like this may be the next best thing—or even better, in its own quiet, understated way.

This journey is as much about rediscovering what we want from life as it is about buying a house. For anyone 50-plus considering a lifestyle change—whether moving to the sun, downsizing, or seeking simplicity—this kind of exploration can be deeply fulfilling.

Stay tuned. The dream is still unfolding.