I first came to Ireland from London in 1997 for three months but that quickly turned into six months, then 12 months and then 10 years. Living in Malin Head I got some work in radio and in 2006 RTÉ's Lyric FM sent me to cover a big music festi­val in Essaouira on the Atlantic Coast of Morocco.

It was my first time in Morocco and my first time in Africa. During the festival I met a crowd of nomadic people from the desert who invited me for lunch and to play their music for me. Taking a complete risk I went with them and then for dinner. I found I really liked these people.

On another trip back to visit my new friends, when I arrived in Marrakech I felt instantly at home, I felt a confidence I hadn't felt anywhere else, I felt I belonged there even though I'd never been there before. I had one of those 'lamp bulb moments' – it was December 2006 and I was standing in the famous Place Jemaalel Sma in Marrakech and there was Moroccan music in the square, the Marrakech International Film Festival was showing a Bollywood film, there were extraordinary spicy smells coming from the market and the call to prayer was ringing out over all this. My Moroccan friends said "why don't you just buy somewhere here and learn Arabic?" – and I thought I can do this!

The riads were too expensive for my €100,000 budget. I looked at a few places and eventually found a two-bed apartment in the 'nouvelle ville' area outside the old city. It had lots of light, overlooked the street and had a great view. It was expensive but the agent rang and said that the French seller needed a quick sale so I was able to agree a lower price. By July 2007 I had the keys to my new apartment.

The purchase process was very easy but as I was remortgaging my flat in London, living in Ireland and was self-employed, getting a mortgage was a bit of hassle.

I deliberately chose not to live in a tourist gated community – my friends are Moroccans and I like Moroccans so why would I choose to live in a country where you don't want to live with the people?

One thing I quickly found out is that prices vary depending on whether you're a local or European so you have to haggle. The property management company that was supposed to look after the building didn't do a good job so myself and my French neighbour, who I recently had a heated argument with over my leaking bathroom, had to take care of things ourselves.

Being able to speak French makes life easier and if you like Irish bars and British cafés you will be disappointed as even though Morocco is just over the water from Spain this is a completely different world. I rent out the apartment through the Holiday Rentals website but I am very particular about whom I rent to as it's not an investment, for me it's my home.

Rachel Blech presents 'The Magic Carpet' on Lyric FM. Her apartment is available to rent at www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/91281

Interview by Shane McGinley