Moving in

Moving In and Naming Our New Home

Hola, lovely readers! Marta here, reporting from Villa Six—or should I say, the home formerly known as Villa Six? Yes, the first order of business after moving in is giving our new house a proper name. After all, “Villa Six” feels more like a hotel room than a family retreat.

The Naming Debate

Naming a house is harder than you’d think. Bryan, true to form, suggested something practical like “The Citrus Villa,” since the garden is full of orange and lemon trees. Anna lobbied for “Casa del Sol,” which she thought sounded exotic and cool. Luke, ever the minimalist, wanted “The House,” which was promptly vetoed by everyone else. As for me, I’m leaning toward something that reflects the warmth and love we want to bring into this home—something like “Casa Amada,” which means “Beloved Home” in Spanish.

For now, the debate rages on, but we’re hoping inspiration strikes soon. Suggestions welcome!

The Big Move

Moving in was… an adventure. Let me set the scene: a rental van filled to the brim with boxes, a car packed with kids and snacks, and Bryan clutching his trusty spreadsheet. The moment we unlocked the front door, chaos erupted. Anna and Luke sprinted to claim their bedrooms, while Bryan started inspecting light switches and taps to make sure everything was in working order.

I, of course, went straight to the kitchen. It’s the heart of any home, and I couldn’t wait to imagine future family dinners here. But before we could settle in, there was one major hurdle to tackle: furnishing the villa.

Furniture Hunting: Ikea Meets Spanish Charm

Furnishing a house in a foreign country is no small task. We decided on a mix of practicality and personality, which meant starting with a trip to Ikea in Valencia. The kids were thrilled to roam the vast warehouse, although their enthusiasm waned somewhere between the shelving units and the meatballs.

We stocked up on essentials: beds, a sofa, a dining table, and enough storage to contain Luke’s gaming gear and Anna’s ever-growing collection of books. But as much as I appreciate Ikea’s clean lines and reasonable prices, I wanted our home to have a touch of local flavour.

That’s where the second-hand shops came in. Denia has a treasure trove of antique stores and markets, and I spent a blissful afternoon hunting for unique pieces. We found a beautiful hand-carved mirror for the hallway, colourful ceramic tiles to use as coasters, and a sturdy wooden bench for the garden. Bryan even discovered a vintage lamp that he says gives off “just the right amount of reading light.” (He’s very particular about his reading light.)

Settling In

Once the furniture started arriving, the house slowly began to feel like ours. Anna strung fairy lights around her bed and hung up posters of her favourite bands. Luke set up his “command centre” with a desk, chair, and dual monitors that Bryan insists will make the electricity bill skyrocket. I’ve claimed the terrace as my sanctuary, complete with a hammock and a table perfect for morning coffee.

The garden has already become a family favourite. We’ve spent evenings picking oranges, afternoons lounging by the pool, and mornings planning how to turn the flowerbeds into a mix of Mediterranean herbs and colourful blooms. Bryan’s even talking about building a small pergola for shade—a project that I suspect will involve more trips to the ferretería than he’s anticipating.

A Few Surprises

No move is without its hiccups. We discovered that the water pressure in one of the bathrooms is laughably weak (Bryan’s adding it to his “to-do” list), and the local utility company took their sweet time setting up our internet. Let’s just say Luke wasn’t thrilled about that delay. We do have 5G but it’s not that quick.

But the biggest surprise has been the neighbours. Within days, we’d met half the street, thanks to my warm introductions and Bryan’s awkward-but-endearing attempts at Spanish. They’ve welcomed us with open arms, offering everything from gardening tips to homemade paella. It already feels like we’re part of a community. Promising…

What’s Next?

Now that we’re settling in, our focus is shifting to making memories. There’s so much to look forward to: summer barbecues, Christmas by the fireplace, and endless days soaking up the sun. And, of course, we still need to settle on a name for our beloved new home.

Stay tuned as we continue this adventure. Moving east has been a whirlwind, but every step has brought us closer to the life we’ve dreamed of. Until next time, I’ll be unpacking boxes and daydreaming about our next family dinner on the terrace.

We’re savouring every moment as shortly we’ll be heading back to not-so-sunny Ashburton, back to reality…

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