Abstrakt
Lifestyle migrants coming to the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains differ in their origin, financial resources, or ideas about their lifestyle. Yet, a considerable part of those newcomers comes not only in search of better life for themselves, but they aim for the "good life" defined by environmental and social mindfulness.
The "good life seekers" come to create and consume new luxuries: space, time, or fulfilling life projects. Their critique of mainstream society starts with migration but does not end there.
They partly integrate into Spanish society (speak the language, work locally, participate on local events and politics) but also create their own worlds. They found seed banks, set permacultural projects, promote economizing with water and new approaches to agriculture and breeding, or set alternative schools.
During the long time research I could observe how they shape their surrounding using experience and learning, technological innovations, and bricolage. They do not to fully assimilate with the receiving society, but shape another culture.
The way they live is neither what they escaped from in the countries of their origin, neither Spanish society: it is a hybrid project choosing the best from both. In parallel to the positive psychology that focuses on psychologically healthy individuals I propose a concept of positive anthropology focusing on ways of living that show signs of healthy social and ecological practices.
The counterurbanisation move to La Alpujarra is characterized by social and ecological mindfulness, but also other lifestyle migration moves entail some characteristics that would lead us to the concept of positive anthropology. Lifestyle migrants show us directions to the lifestyles people find meaningful and desirable.