Lucía, a 27-year-old who left the city to live in a village with nine people: For me, the monthly purchase is around 50 euros

Lucía, a 27-year-old woman who left the city to live in a village with nine residents, has become a subject of interest after sharing her lifestyle choices online. She recently moved from Madrid to a small village located in the province of Ourense, Spain, where she lives among just nine other people. According to reports, her monthly grocery expenses amount to approximately 50 euros, reflecting her commitment to a simpler, more self-sufficient life. The transition from urban living to rural life was a deliberate choice made over several years. During this time, Lucía pursued education in permaculture, which influenced her decision to seek a more harmonious relationship with nature. Her move was not impulsive but rather the culmination of a long-term process aimed at aligning her personal values with her daily existence. The village, known as Concello do Irixo, offers a stark contrast to the fast-paced environment of Madrid, where she previously lived. In the village, Lucía purchased a centuries-old house along with several plots of land for around 6,000 euros. She is currently working on restoring the property to make it her permanent home. Her efforts extend beyond mere renovation; they include building a sustainable lifestyle through agricultural practices and community engagement. She emphasizes that her current expenses are minimal, with only about 150 euros spent each month on animals, while the rest of her costs are covered through food grown in her garden and collected from local resources. Lucía’s adaptation to village life has been smoother than anticipated. Initially, she had concerns about how well she would fit into such a close-knit community. However, she found support and warmth from her neighbors, who welcomed her warmly and treated her like family. This sense of belonging has helped her feel at home in the village, even though she grew up in the city all her life. Her new lifestyle involves not only maintaining her restored home but also contributing to the preservation of historical structures within the village. These include a communal bread oven, an old sawmill, and a mill that await restoration. Additionally, Lucía keeps livestock and repurposes materials from old buildings for her projects, reinforcing her philosophy of sustainability and resourcefulness. As part of her broader vision, Lucía aims to expand her vegetable plot so that she can reduce her reliance on external purchases further. She plans to limit her shopping to essential items such as rice and oil, ensuring that her life remains rooted in simplicity and self-reliance. Her story resonates with many who are seeking alternatives to traditional urban living, highlighting the growing trend towards minimalist and eco-conscious lifestyles.