Sisters Demi (31) and Brenda (32): "We moved with our children and our parents to the Spanish sun"
Back to the roots in Nieuw-Vennep
Two years ago, we – Raoul (34), Brenda (32), and our then three children – moved from Hoofddorp back to Nieuw-Vennep, the village where I, Brenda, grew up. It felt like coming home: family nearby, more frequent family dinners, and small street parties. Raoul worked a lot in his father's company; I taught two days a week and had the remaining days to meet up with friends or visit my parents and little sister Demi. We cherished those small-scale, warm moments together.
On Saturday or Sunday afternoons, we often sat together on the couch with a glass of wine, watching shows about moving abroad. It might be very cliché, but those episodes stirred something in us. What if we did that? A new chapter, a different pace, more outdoors, more sun. We made one simple agreement: if we were going to do it, we would do it together. That was the spark that ignited the fire.
Slowly it changed from a daydream into a plan. We asked questions: what would that look like, where would we live, and how do we combine that with work and income?
From daydream to concrete plan
The answers became increasingly clear. We fantasized about a large house with a place for everyone, but practical matters remained a reality: how do we keep our bills paid? We considered renting out our houses in the Netherlands and living off that income, but changing regulations made that more difficult.
One thing was certain: Brenda’s and Demi’s parents could live off their pension and buy something for themselves with the surplus value. Demi had her own place in Haarlem and ran a successful maternity care business, but she too longed for more sun and peace. We all noticed: the comfort zone feels safe, but not everything life has to offer happens there.
The step towards independence
Eventually, the idea took shape. Raoul took over part of his father's business, which was later sold. After that, he started as a freelancer, which gave us much more freedom. I immediately felt the changes: more time together, eating together, taking the kids to school together – that had always been our dream.
Demi said, “We need to do this now, before it gets more difficult when I start a family of my own.” Thus, everyone actively participated and the plans were developed.
Why Spain?
Spain was already a bit in our hearts. Raoul's parents had a house there for many years, we visited regularly and he spoke some Spanish. Demi had even lived in Gran Canaria for a while and knew the fine, airy life there.
In the spring of 2023, the idea really started to take shape. A year later, Raoul and I welcomed our fourth child. And at the beginning of 2025, we finally made the decision: we're just going to do it. We sold our houses in the Netherlands, decided to rent first in Spain, and gave ourselves the time and space to build something new.
The search for a house
Of course, not everything went smoothly. In April 2025, we visited a house that turned out to be unsuitable. Subsequently, we rented a property where we could stay for six months, but during the viewing in September, it turned out to be situated on a steep hill, with the access road closed due to roadwork. Not exactly practical with school-aged children!
Fortunately, we found another rental property within two days – by chance two houses in one – which turned out to be perfect for our families. On October 1st, we officially moved, and we have been living there for almost a month now.
Getting used to a new rhythm
The children have been going to school for almost four weeks now and things are going well. The Spanish language is still an adjustment and some routines are not quite in place yet, but that's part of it. What makes it all special is the place where we live: less than 400 meters from the beach.
We can always take a walk to the sea, get some fresh air, let the children run through the sand or have a coffee together while we look out over the water. The smell of salt, the sound of playing children, and the rustling of the waves give us a sense of freedom and connection with nature every day. That simple happiness makes everything worthwhile.
New dreams in the sun
Demi is investigating whether she can continue her maternity care practice here; she is currently writing an e-book and looking into options, because postnatal care is organized differently in Spain. Often, you stay in the hospital for a short time after giving birth and then go home without the extensive maternity care that we are familiar with in the Netherlands. How nice would it be to offer families here that extra help temporarily?
Her plans sound promising and align perfectly with what we want: to add value to the lives of others while building a new life for ourselves.
Family, doubt and trust
Brenda's parents are visibly enjoying themselves; they love having the little ones around and the sun is doing everyone good. Brenda and Demi are inseparable – each other's best friends – and Raoul is extremely happy that he can spend more time on work he enjoys and with his family.
Of course, we also have moments of doubt. Sometimes we lie awake at night wondering if we made the right choice: have we deprived our children too much of their friends and familiar surroundings? Will they feel at home here if they don't yet speak the language?
But then we get up, get in the car, drive to school in the village of Pego and see the mountains and the Mediterranean sky. We walk to the beach, feel the wind, and realize that every new beginning needs time to become familiar. That's part of it. We do this together – and that keeps us strong.
A new chapter
This adventure has only just begun. We learn, adapt, and sometimes enjoy all at once. If you want to follow us, we share our experiences, the ups and downs, and sunny moments on our Instagram: @dezusjesbergers.
DEMI and BRENDA
We are here. And we will face this together.
