Ríona and Grace are friends who have a natural desire to make life easier for those who are moving to Cantabria.

Having studied Spanish at university Ríona realised her long-term dream of living in Spain when she moved to Valldolid in 2013. After starting a family and spending a few years there teaching English as a second language, she moved to Cantabria in 2022, knowing it would offer her young family a rich environment in which to grow. Her third child was born in Cantabria in 2022 and since then she’s been gradually building her yoga business, opening her own studio in 2024.

Fluent in Spanish, with an in-depth understanding of Spanish history and culture from her university degrees, Ríona brings indispensable insider knowledge to what living in Spain is really like and an awareness of the many challenges and frustrations that can arise when you aren’t as familiar with the language and customs.

Grace fell in love with a Santander man in Sydney and 12 years later they decided to move to Cantabria. Being Irish, she felt instantly at home with the Celtic green land. However, gosh, the transition from Anglo countries; Ireland and Australia, to here was one of the toughest times in her life. She was naive to the impact the move in 2020 would have on her and her family. Different food, different eating times, new language, many people not used to hearing a foreigner attempt Spanish, so many new things to contend with; which is hard at 40.

I’ve been a marketer for over 20 years and since I’ve moved here I’ve been cultivating a community of English-speaking mamas in Cantabria. I’m a mum to now two children and love the outdoors lifestyle this wonderful part of the world offers us. I now speak Spanish and, while I don’t like all of the cultural differences, I at least understand them and can navigate with ease!