Given the difficulties finding stable and well-paid work, the high cost of housing, and the stress of living in the big city, more and more young (and not so young) people are considering leaving the big urban centres and making a radical change in their lives, moving to one of the many small villages in Spain in 'danger of extinction'.
Here, not only can you live a quiet life, but also a much more inexpensive one. That is why job offers like the one recently published by Hontanar's council do appear from time to time.
This small town in the province of Toledo (Castilla-La Mancha) offers free housing in exchange for running its only bar, which was abandoned after the town's population exodus in recent years. According to data from the Spanish Statistics Institute (INE) for 2023, only 145 people live there.
Hontanar offers a job and free accommodation. What are the requirements?
Being such a small town, it is normal that there is not a wide range of bars in Hontanar. When the main one closed down, it became a concern for the whole population.
It was a place that served as a meeting point for the locals but also a food delivery spot for the village's elderly residents, some of whom have mobility problems. That may be why the job offer for the next bar manager includes a free house: a sweet treat for anyone looking for a better quality of life... and fewer bills at the end of the month.
The entry requirements for the job and free house are not demanding: you just need to be self-employed, design a daily menu at a good price, and, if possible, move to the village with the rest of the family.
The premises are also refurbished and ready for operation. If this were not enough, the town council will pay half of the electricity, water and heating costs generated by the premises.
What to see in Hontanar and the cost of living
Hontanar, a name that refers to the term "fontana aqua" or "spring water", is a small town in the province of Toledo whose population has gradually decreased over the years.
It is located in a valley surrounded by high mountain ranges and belongs to the Montes de Toledo region. It is surrounded by two streams (Pasadero and Cedena) and a third, also called Hontanar, which is only visible in autumn and winter.
In the mid-19th century, it had 60 houses and before the Spanish Civil War, it had around 400 inhabitants. Nowadays, it has more than 3,000 hectares in the Cabañeros National Park, one of its main attractions along with the Malamoneda archaeological site. If you visit Hontanar, don't miss its castle and the Malamoneda Tower.
Houses for sale in Hontanar: affordable homes for a peaceful retreat
If you're looking for a quiet relocation or to enjoy a retreat close to the capital, Hontanar is a recommendable option. There are currently several properties for sale in this town at affordable prices, ready to be refurbished and take on a new lease of life.
This is the case of this rustic house, half an hour from Toledo and one hour from Madrid, located "in the heart of Montes de Toledo and close to the Cabañeros National Park". It costs only €40,000 (negotiable) and includes a fairly large courtyard and access to two streets. It has two floors, a fireplace, three bedrooms, a bathroom and a garden integrated into a plot of 500 square metres, of which 250 square metres are developed.
If you're looking for a larger, more luxurious home, another option is this rural house built in 2012, which has 425 m2 of living space on two floors, with spacious, light-filled rooms.
On the ground level, you will find a large living-dining room with an integrated kitchen, a living area with a fireplace and a dining area, plus five bedrooms with private bathrooms, four of which have direct access to an individual porch and a garden. There is also a guest toilet, a service area with pantries, a storage room and a laundry room.
The upper floor has a games room, an en-suite bedroom, and a large outdoor terrace with magnificent panoramic views. All of this is on an estate of almost 27,280 m2 with an orchard area, a plantation of one hundred olive trees and other fruit trees, and a landscaped area with native plants and trees, which surrounds the property and the swimming pool area.
It also has a shed for the biomass heating boiler, woodshed, tack room and parking area.
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