I discovered that living in a five-star resort in Turkey is cheaper than my life in Britain. Now I live in the hotel for a month to try it out…
A savvy Brit has moved to an all-inclusive five-star resort abroad, which he claims is cheaper than his home life in Britain.
Josh Kerr, 24, will spend 28 days at the five-star Port River Hotel and Spa in Antalya, Turkey, on a trip that will cost £944, compared to the £950 a month he pays in rent and bills for his Manchester flat.
In addition, this price includes his return flight plus drinks and meals at the hotel – and access to the five swimming pools in 20 degrees Celsius sunshine.
The hotel also features several bars and restaurants, a spa and entertainment area and is just 300 meters from the beach, which is popular for snorkeling and windsurfing.
Josh announced his move in a TikTok video, in which he tells his 48,000 followers: 'I'm not being funny but I pay £950 for my rent, bills and council tax. Here you get breakfast, lunch, evening meals, drinks, snacks and a gaff. What are we doing in England?'
Josh Kerr has moved to an all-inclusive five-star resort in Turkey, which he claims is cheaper than living in Manchester, Britain. Here he is pictured enjoying the warm weather by the pool
Josh's video went viral and was viewed more than a million times within 24 hours.
In the video he showed how he had used it On the beach to find a deal for the Xoria Deluxe Resort in Turkey, where he could live in luxury for a month with all the food and drinks he wanted.
Then the online travel agent bosses contacted him and challenged him to pack his bags and give it a try.
The hotel from Josh's original video doesn't open until March, so instead he stays at the Port River Hotel and Spa, located on the beach in Antalya.
Josh will spend 28 days in luxury at the Port River Hotel and Spa (pictured) in Antalya
Josh imagined himself leaving his apartment in Manchester. The smart traveler left for Antalya on Saturday
He checked in on Saturday and spent the weekend lounging by the pool and exploring the area, including the nearby town of Side, which he described as a “beautiful” place “surrounded by ancient ruins.”
'I can't believe I'm actually doing it,” Josh told MailOnline Travel.
'I wondered if it would be cheaper to go all-inclusive abroad than to live at home and it turns out that it is.'
Comparing Manchester to life at the hotel so far, he added: 'Everyone is much happier here. I think it's because they're all on holiday.'
Josh, a creative strategist, will be working from the resort – outside in the sun
Josh's meals are included in his 28-day stay, which costs less than what he spends on rent and bills in Manchester. Pictured right: Josh's breakfast from the hotel buffet
Josh, a creative strategist, will continue to work his full-time job from the resort and said he plans to do this outside in the sunshine.
It means he continues to make money from the hotel while avoiding his usual supermarket costs, utilities, council tax, rent and bills, which are covered by On the Beach.
“I'm taking advantage of one of the benefits I have with my workplace, which allows me to work abroad,” he said.
'My daily work schedule still looks the same. It's only three hours later in Turkey, so I hope no one calls at 5pm UK time, which would be 8pm here.
The hotel is just 300 meters from the beach (pictured), popular for snorkeling and windsurfing
The hotel has five swimming pools, several bars and restaurants, a spa and an entertainment area. In the photo: a lounge area in the hotel
'The hotel has WiFi, which works pretty much everywhere on the complex, which meant I could work from a lounger by the pool if I really wanted to.
“There's a desk in the room for private conversations, but I'm planning on exercising in the sun.”
Zoe Harris, chief customer officer at On the Beach, said: 'When we saw Josh's TikTok showing how cheap it is to live in an all-inclusive for a month, we knew we had to challenge him to do it .
'It's a brilliant idea for anyone who can work from anywhere.
“Pack your bags, put your apartment or house on a rental site for a month to cover your mortgage or rent and live in the sun for a month instead, and you'll still have money saved!”
Anyone who would like to follow Josh's journey can do so via his TikTok page where he will post regular updates about his life abroad over the next month.