I worked 14 hours a day until I moved to Spain – now we save £1,600 a month
As the weather starts to turn a little gloomy, many of us are dreaming of swapping the rain in Britain for a day of sunshine somewhere in Europe.
A British family has made that dream come true: not only can they enjoy the glorious Spanish sunshine, but they are also saving £1,600 a month with lower rent and bills.
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John Bird, 39, was fed up with the relentless grind in the UK and had had enough of working 14-hour days to make ends meet.
Together with his wife, who is from Spain, the couple regularly went to the sunny country to visit family. It was only a matter of time before they fell in love with the relaxed lifestyle.
The couple decided to move to the tourist attraction with their one-year-old son, hoping not only to find a sunnier place to live, but also to keep costs down.
According to John, who shares their adventures on TikTok, expenses have dropped dramatically from a staggering £3,500 a month to a more affordable £844.
The father said: John said: “Work-life balance [in Spain] is better, I saw that people had more freedom to spend time with family and friends.
”Spaniards are very happy with their country and it is much more affordable than the UK.
”I now live healthier and have more time, but also money, to enjoy everyday life.
“It’s like being on holiday all year round, it’s paradise.”
John and his wife started buying properties in Alicante in 2015 and renting them out to make money.
Three years later, the family moved into one of their apartments while they renovated a beautiful villa. They financed this by selling a business. Less than a month later, they were living their ultimate dream.
Now John is encouraging his fellow Brits to do the same, sharing tips on social media and working as a moving consultant.
The father continued: “I never understood how bad it was living in the UK until I left.” J
Some of the clips also show the family estate, which includes vegetable fields and a swimming pool, which John says costs him less than €3,000, or £2,500, a year to fund.
It’s about finally being able to enjoy life
John Vogel
The father, who knows about money, advised people who own a house with some equity, or who want to sell a business, to take the plunge.
“I have absolutely no regrets,” he said, although the 39-year-old admitted that the job market in Spain is tough and that homesickness is not uncommon.
He added: “I made a few videos explaining life and what is possible for people who want to live in Spain, and people asked for my help.”
John explained his top tip as follows: “Plan your departure from the UK in a tax-efficient manner and use a recognised tax advisor.
Moving from the UK to Spain
It may sound like a fantastic idea to leave the gloomy weather of the UK behind and move to Spain, but is it as easy as booking a flight?
According to Advance MovesPeople considering moving to Spain from the UK in 2025 will need to apply for a visa to live in Spain after Brexit.
Currently, you are allowed to stay in Spain for a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period. After that, you must leave the EU zone.
You can then come back again once the remaining 180 days have passed.
While this may be fine if you’re staying in a holiday home during the colder winter months, permanent residence requires a visa, experts warn.
“You can book a personal consultation with me and hire an immigration lawyer from BAR for a visa.”
He added: “Rent a property here first before you buy one and finally make sure you enjoy your time here.
“I wish I had done a little more research because I might have been able to make the move cheaper.”
John concluded: “Spain has a slower pace of life and it can take some time to adjust to that.
“Yes, in the UK you can earn more money, but that’s where it ends in Spain. It’s about finally being able to enjoy life.”
