Sandra and José left their spacious city house and stable jobs after growing dissatisfied with urban routines. Today, they and their four children live in a self-sufficient home deep in the Spanish countryside, where daily life is shaped by autonomy and close contact with nature.
Known online as Crianza Salvaje and Capitán Salvaje, Sandra and José have spent more than three years adapting to a lifestyle that demands resourcefulness. Their home operates almost entirely off-grid: solar panels and batteries supply electricity, letting them maintain impressive comforts without relying on the conventional power network.
Managing Resources
Water, but, remains a daily challenge. The family collects every drop they use, then transports and filters it, a process that has changed how they think about consumption and waste. They also maintain a small farm with goats, chickens and rabbits as they gradually move toward full self-sufficiency. José says this was never a meticulously planned project. Instead, solving problems as they arose led them to learn new skills and adapt their routines.
Home Education
One of the most debated aspects of their new life is education. Sandra and José have chosen to homeschool their four children, tailoring lessons to each child's pace and interests. In Spain, the constitutional structure recognizes both the right to education and freedom of teaching, while Article 27.4 of the Constitution makes basic education compulsory and free. Compulsory schooling covers ten academic years, broadly from ages six to 16; early-childhood education before age six is not compulsory. The legal structure does not make parental preference alone a substitute for the requirements governing basic education, so the children's ages matter when considering how the rules apply to a family.
The couple organizes their days with less rush and more flexibility, while acknowledging the increased responsibility that comes with this freedom. Every setback, whether a broken water pump or a damaged solar panel, must be handled without outside help. Their experience echoes the challenges faced by others balancing rural living with financial and legal realities, as in the case of the retired farmer in La Rioja ordered to repay pension funds after continuing agricultural work.
From Urban Stress to Rural Simplicity
The turning point for Sandra and José came after a mountain getaway prompted them to question their definition of success. Since then, they have cut expenses, prioritized food quality and learned to value every resource. Severe weather has occasionally damaged their solar infrastructure, forcing them to improvise and deepening their commitment to independence.
For this family, rural life is not a sacrifice but a deliberate effort to reclaim time, stay present and retain control. Their story reflects growing interest in simpler, more sustainable living, while raising questions about access to rural homes and the legal and practical limits of home education and self-sufficiency in Spain.
