Spaniards are often considered deeply attached to their home towns, families and regions. Yet a new study has produced a surprising result: 63% would be willing to move to another autonomous community if they were free to choose where to live. And when it comes to their preferred destinations, one part of Spain stands out in particular: Andalusia
Spain Expat Press Editorial Team
63% would consider moving to another region
How attached are Spaniards to the region in which they currently live?
The latest Preferencias residenciales de los españoles study by Grupo Mutua Propietarios offers an interesting answer.
According to the research, 63% of Spaniards would be willing to move to another autonomous community if they could freely choose where to live.
That is almost two in every three people.
There is, however, an important distinction.
The figure does not mean that 63% of Spain’s population is actively planning to move house. Rather, it reflects people’s willingness to consider living elsewhere if they had complete freedom to choose.
Most Spaniards would still choose Spain
Despite the apparent appetite for a change of region, most respondents would still prefer to remain in Spain.
According to the study, 66% would choose Spain as their preferred country in which to live.
Among those looking beyond Spain, Europe is by far the most attractive alternative. Around 17% would choose another European country.
Other parts of the world attract considerably less interest. South America was selected by 3%, while North America and Asia each received 2%. Africa was chosen by 1%.
The findings suggest that while Spaniards may be open to changing their surroundings, most would prefer to do so without leaving their country – or at least Europe.
Younger Spaniards are far more willing to move abroad
Age makes a considerable difference.
Among 18 to 24-year-olds, 41% would consider living in another country.
The picture changes dramatically among older generations.
Three quarters of respondents aged over 65 would choose to remain in Spain.
The findings point to a clear generational divide: younger Spaniards appear considerably more open to moving abroad, while older residents show a much stronger preference for remaining in Spain.
Andalusia is a favourite among people considering a move
One of the most interesting aspects of the research is where Spaniards would choose to live if they moved to another part of the country.
Andalusia emerges as one of the most attractive destinations for residents of several autonomous communities.
The preference is particularly strong in Extremadura.
Among Extremadurans considering another region, 25% would choose Andalusia.
The region is also the preferred destination for 20% of respondents from Murcia and 17% of those from Castilla-La Mancha.
Andalusia also tops the list among people living in Madrid.
Some 15% of Madrileños would choose Andalusia if they moved to another autonomous community.
The Valencian Community follows on 10%, Castilla y León on 8%, while the Canary Islands and Balearic Islands each attract 7%.
Where would Andalusians move?
There is an interesting twist.
While Andalusia attracts residents from several other parts of Spain, Andalusians themselves are looking in a rather different direction.
Their preferred alternative is Asturias, chosen by 8%.
Galicia follows on 6%, while Madrid and the Canary Islands each attract 5%.
It creates an intriguing contrast: while some residents of central Spain and other regions are drawn towards the south, a proportion of Andalusians appear tempted by the greener and cooler north.
Asturias and the Canary Islands also prove popular
Andalusia is not the only region attracting potential newcomers.
Among residents of Asturias, for example, the Canary Islands are the leading alternative, chosen by 10%.
Galicians are more evenly divided. Andalusia, Asturias and the Canary Islands each attract 8% of respondents considering another region.
The results demonstrate that there is no single Spanish definition of the perfect place to live.
For some, the appeal may be the Mediterranean climate and coast; for others, northern Spain’s landscapes and milder temperatures hold greater attraction.
Why are so many Spaniards willing to move?
A willingness to live elsewhere does not necessarily indicate dissatisfaction with someone’s current home.
There is a substantial difference between imagining an ideal place to live and actually packing up and moving there.
Employment, family ties, property ownership, finances and personal circumstances all play a major role in determining whether someone can realistically relocate.
That distinction makes the 63% figure particularly interesting.
Rather than predicting a mass movement of people between Spain’s regions, it suggests that a surprisingly large proportion of the population is open to the idea of starting life somewhere else.
Andalusia remains a dream destination for many
Perhaps the clearest regional trend in the study is the attraction of Andalusia.
For respondents in Madrid, Extremadura, Murcia and Castilla-La Mancha, southern Spain ranks among the leading choices for a potential new home.
The study primarily tells us where people would like to move rather than conclusively establishing why they choose a particular region.
Nevertheless, Andalusia’s climate, coastline, cities and lifestyle are likely to form part of its wider appeal.
And perhaps that is the most striking conclusion of all.
Spaniards may have a reputation for being strongly attached to their home regions, but given complete freedom to choose, a remarkable number would consider somewhere new.
Almost two in three would be prepared to cross a regional border to find it.
