Home Travel Do you dream of a life abroad? Three British expats who moved to Spain explain why the grass really IS greener on the other side

Do you dream of a life abroad? Three British expats who moved to Spain explain why the grass really IS greener on the other side

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Ian Ryder moved to Alicante in 2023, which he says is

Is life greener for Brits in the continent’s favourite, Spain?

MailOnline Travel speaks to three British expats who say yes, absolutely.

A mother reveals she wanted her son to enjoy an outdoor lifestyle in sunny Sitges, a second-time expat was keen to move to Benicassim after a decade in the UK and a business owner loves his style cheaper life in Alicante.

What about the anti-tourism protests? It is revealed that the Spanish are more welcoming than ever to the British in some places.

Read on to find out if our expats can convince you to put in the effort…

Ian Ryder, 52, co-founder of paddle tennis playerHe moved to Alicante from Wendover, Buckinghamshire, last year, having previously lived in Barcelona.

His company offers padel holidays to fans of this sport.

Why did you move to Spain?

Because of the way of life, the climate and the cost of living. Alicante is the sunniest city in Europe.

Ian Ryder moved to Alicante in 2023, which he says is “the sunniest city in Europe.” He moved to Spain for the climate and lower cost of living.

Ian (pictured), 52, co-founder of Padel Tripper, says: 'The weather is so good there are more things to do that don't involve spending'

Ian (pictured), 52, co-founder of Padel Tripper, says: ‘The weather is so good there are more things to do that don’t involve spending’

How does the cost of living in Spain compare to the UK?

Not everything is cheaper, but since the weather is so good there are more things to do that don’t involve spending. In the UK you are always going somewhere.

Has anything changed in Spain during your stay there?

There are many more digital nomads, which has driven up rents quite a bit.

I lived in Lisbon for a while and they were one of the first to offer digital nomad visas. Local prices were completely excluded from the market.

I left partly because the cost of living there was so high. Someone who earns a normal salary cannot compete with a digital nomad who earns £50,000 or £60,000 and can pay £1,000 a month in rent. The typical salary here is much less.

What are the best and worst parts of living in Spain?

The best is the lifestyle, the worst is the bureaucracy. Doing anything can be really frustrating.

Have attitudes towards expats changed due to the anti-tourism movement?

Not really in Alicante. I hear stories from other parts of Spain.

Don’t the British like them at all?

Benidorm is close to Alicante, so Spaniards here see the worst side of Brits abroad. Generally, it’s something most people laugh about here, but for those who live in those areas it might be a different story.

Would you ever leave Spain?

No.

Kate Austin, 54, originally from Staffordshire, runs an online business selling vinyl flooring (zazous.es). She has lived in Sitges (pronounced sit-juhz), near Barcelona, ​​since 2014 with her husband and daughter, who was eight years old when they arrived from the UK.

Kate Austin has lived in Sitges (above), near Barcelona, ​​since 2014. She says she loves the

Kate Austin has lived in Sitges (above), near Barcelona, ​​since 2014. She says she loves the Spanish “lifestyle” and notes that the people are “very sociable.”

Kate (above), 54, says she wanted her daughter to have a

Kate (above), 54, says she wanted her daughter to have an “outdoor childhood”

Why did you move to Spain?

Mainly to escape the bad weather but also to enjoy the lifestyle in Spain. She is very sociable and, thanks to the climate, our daughter was able to enjoy a childhood more outdoors.

How does the cost of living in Spain compare to the UK?

Where we are is quite expensive. Rents are high. Eating out was cheaper when we moved here, especially the price of wine, but the cost of living has increased. Although still a bit cheaper than the UK overall.

Has anything changed in Spain during your stay there?

When we moved here it was still recovering from the credit crisis, or “the crisis” as they say here. Since the economy improved, rents and property prices have increased. Also, when we first moved, most supermarkets were still closed for siesta, but now they are open all day.

What are the best and worst parts of living in Spain?

Obviously the weather is the best! September to June is wonderful, although I find the summers too hot. But also the way of life of the Spanish. They are very sociable and the cities are always packed with people in the early afternoon, with families and older people mingling happily in bars and restaurants.

Have the recent anti-tourism movements affected you in any way?

I am aware that this summer there were some problems in Barcelona. But we rarely venture into the city during peak season because it’s too hot and crowded. Out of season it feels as friendly and calm as ever.

Where we live is still welcoming to expats.

Don’t the British like them at all?

I think that in areas where the British come in large numbers and drink a lot, are often very loud and sing in the streets until the early hours, they have a bad reputation. It’s understandable. Spaniards simply don’t behave like that.

Would you ever leave Spain?

No, I love it here. I have met people who leave for work reasons or because they want to be closer to their families. But most people I know are very happy living in Spain.

Mike Bailey, 60, from London, is a freelance writer/content based in Benicàssim since 2023, while from 1999 to 2013 he lived in Madrid.

Mike Bailey moved to Benicassim (above) in 2023, but previously lived in Madrid. Says:

Mike Bailey moved to Benicassim (above) in 2023, but previously lived in Madrid. He says: “I fell in love with Spain when I went there on holiday for the first time in the late 80s and 90s.”

Mike (pictured), 60, is a freelance advertising and content writer.

Mike (pictured), 60, is a freelance advertising and content writer. “He took advantage of the opportunity” to return to Spain

Why did you move to Spain?

I fell in love with Spain when I went there on holiday for the first time in the late 80s and 90s. I took the opportunity to live there in 1999. I only returned to the UK in 2013 because I couldn’t find any more work. I promised to return as soon as the opportunity presented itself, which is what happened in 2023.

How does the cost of living in Spain compare to the UK?

It’s cheaper. There are outliers in both directions, but I estimate that on average it is 20 per cent cheaper to live in Spain compared to the UK. As a general rule, based on current exchange rates, what costs a pound in the UK costs a euro here.

What are the best and worst parts of living in Spain?

The best thing is the people and the culture, the approach and pace of life and of course the weather!

Worst? Bureaucracy is always an arduous task. And apart from football matches, start or opening times can be fluid!

Have attitudes towards expats changed due to the anti-tourism movement?

Spaniards love interacting with all people. Being non-Spanish is a fascination. Their attitude toward knowing about me, where I’m from, why I’m here, etc., hasn’t changed. As I develop friendships, I feel completely accepted in my local community.

The Spanish have always welcomed me and other expats in the 15 years I have lived here. In any case, today they are more welcoming than ever.

Don’t the British like them at all?

In my opinion, any anti-tourist sentiment is a symptom of the cost of living problem that Spain (and other countries) has. It is a message to the Spanish government. It is not directed at any particular group of people.

Would you ever leave Spain?

I don’t personally know anyone who is considering leaving Spain.

Interviews courtesy of move to spain.

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