A British expat who moved to southern Spain 20 years ago says he lives in one of the most authentic regions of the country, which has managed to escape the ravages of mass tourism afflicting elsewhere.

Nicholas Horobin, 37, from Blackburn, moved to the city of Granada with his parents at the age of 16 and has since built a life for himself in the region of Andalusia.

He met his wife Rocio in the area and they now have two children together, Alex, 11, and Lucas, three.

The family live in Alhama de Granada, a traditional hot-springs town about 40 minutes from Granada and just over an hour from Malaga. 

Mr Horobin in Granada, with the Alhambra behind him

“I came to Spain with my parents 21 years ago. They were buying and renovating old houses, real fixer-uppers, Mr Horobin told The i Paper. “Our first home had no water, electricity or even windows. We lived in it while we renovated it with a camping stove and a Portaloo.”

Now he runs a property agency helping others to make the move to the area and find hidden gems. 

Mr Horobin believes Granada is ideal for buyers looking for real value for money as they can still find village houses from €25,000 to €30,000 (£21,616 to £25,940).

“A traditional three-bedroom, two-bathroom townhouse might be around €95,000 (£82,140). We also list modern villas from about €125,000 (£108,083), with luxury properties also available for those looking for something more upmarket,” he said.

The couple with their children Alex, 11, and Lucas, three

Mr Horobin worked as an estate agent in Malaga for five years before deciding to open his own business, Granada Estate Agency, six years ago. He bought his own home for just €58,000 (£50,150), a renovated three-bedroom house with a garage, garden, and mountain views. 

Only around 5 per cent of people in Granada are expats. Most of the ones Mr Horobin comes across want to integrate with the local community, learn Spanish and enjoy the outdoors, he said.

The local lifestyle is central to own life, he added: “When I’m not working, I’m with my family. In the summer, we swim in the afternoons, I go windsurfing on the lake or kitesurfing down on the coast. In winter, I go snowboarding once a week in Sierra Nevada. I also do a lot of road and gravel cycling; the terrain here is amazing.

Mr Horobin and his family spend their time out in nature cycling, walking and swimming

“If you’re looking for a genuine lifestyle change, it’s all here. In a country increasingly shaped by mass tourism, expat enclaves, and resort-style developments, Granada province stands apart as one of the most authentic and traditionally Spanish regions left in the country.”

While major cities such as Madrid and Barcelona have become increasingly international, Granada province has held firmly to its identity.

Towns such as Alhama de Granada, Montefrío, Loja, and Órgiva still retain a true sense of community, he said, where people know their neighbours and life moves at a more relaxed pace. 

“It’s a region where family values run deep, and it’s common to see multiple generations enjoying daily life together, from grandparents helping with the olive harvest to children playing in the local plaza.”

Almost all of the restaurants and bars are Spanish-owned and family-run, serving home-cooked dishes made from locally grown produce. Many owners source their ingredients from nearby farms or even grow them themselves.

“In many places, you’ll still receive a free tapa with your drink, a tradition that has vanished from parts of Spain.”

The traditional fiestas are not put on for tourists, he said, but are a real expression of local identity, pride, and family tied to religious celebrations where every town has its own calendar of events.

He added: “In Granada, you’re not just buying a house, you’re becoming part of a village, a rhythm, a tradition.”