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Household leaves UK for Egypt and ‘can be mortgage-free in two years’

Shelley Quijada, 35, and her household moved to Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt in October 2025

Shelley moved together with her husband and daughter after changing into attracted by the cheaper costs and a extra relaxed lifestyle (Picture: Shelley Quijada/SWNS)

A British household has escaped what they describe as “depressing” climate within the UK, relocating to Egypt the place they’re having fun with “three hundred and sixty five days of sunshine” after buying a two-bedroom condo with sea views and pool entry for a mere £54,000. Shelley Quijada, 35, made the daring transfer to Sharm El Sheikh in October 2025 alongside her husband Luis, 39, and their 14-year-old daughter, drawn by the considerably decrease value of dwelling and a extra laid-back way of life.

The Derby-based enterprise coach and social media company proprietor is now pocketing a powerful £887 month-to-month on family payments, with an additional £260 saved on groceries every month. The pair have secured a two-bedroom property boasting sea vistas, full with a rooftop swimming pool and on-site gymnasium, for the cut price value of £54,000.

After placing down a £27,000 deposit, they’re making month-to-month funds of £1,125 over a two-year interval, following which they will personal the property outright with none mortgage. Moreover, the couple bought a studio flat for £24,000 in money, which they intend to let loose to tenants.

Shelley defined: “We all the time knew we needed to maneuver overseas, my husband’s from South America, and I’ve all the time most well-liked the solar. After occurring vacation to Egypt a number of instances, we fell in love with the peaceable really feel of it.

“As quickly as I bought off the airplane I might instantly really feel relaxed. I want the slower tempo of life.

“There are three hundred and sixty five days of sunshine, you possibly can’t go unsuitable. It is a lot cheaper as properly. We will dwell a really good life right here for 1 / 4 of what folks usually spend within the UK.

“We purchased a studio condo for £24,000. Folks instantly suppose it will be horrible due to the value, nevertheless it’s lovely.

“The most costly meal out we have had was £17 for the three of us and our meals store is now £65 cheaper per week. All we did in England was go to Primark or the cinema and now we will go quad biking, boat journeys and snorkelling.

“I can not see myself transferring anyplace else now. Egypt has bought all the things you could possibly presumably need, the warmth, the cheaper costs, the extra relaxed lifestyle.”

Shelley and Luis, who’s employed within the property sector, had harboured ambitions of relocating abroad for a while, notably as Luis hails from Venezuela and has by no means been keen on Britain’s dreary local weather. Initially, Spain was on their radar, however after a number of holidays to Egypt, they have been captivated by the perpetual sunshine and laid-back way of life.

Again in Britain, the pair introduced in a mixed earnings of £2,600 month-to-month, which they exhausted totally every month, with £550 going in the direction of hire and £917 on family bills. In October 2025, the household departed their Derby house for Sharm El Sheikh, the place Shelley says they settled in “immediately”.

Their daughter at present receives training at house, although there are plans for her to attend a British faculty domestically subsequent 12 months. While bidding farewell to family members proved tough, Shelley famous her kinfolk have been thrilled to have a motive to journey extra often.

Shelley Quijada, 35, moved together with her husband and daughter to Sharm El Sheikh in October 2025 (Picture: Shelley Quijada/SWNS)

Since Shelley’s job permits her to work remotely, she will function from nearly anyplace, while the couple additionally leverage their social media presence to rearrange native excursions for vacationers. The pair snapped up a “lovely” studio flat for a mere £24,000, which they intend to let loose, and have acquired a two-bedroom condo boasting sea views, a rooftop pool and fitness center amenities throughout the constructing for under £54,000.

Whereas the household are totally having fun with their Egyptian journey, they’ve encountered a number of cultural changes, together with the considerably chaotic highway circumstances and market distributors inflating costs upon assuming they’re holidaymakers slightly than residents.

“It does take a little bit of getting used to, nevertheless it’s all a enjoyable expertise,” she defined. Again house in England, Shelley revealed that she and her household have been “by no means out previous 6pm” and would usually spend evenings watching Netflix.

Nevertheless, blessed with Egypt’s splendid local weather, the household now dedicates their afternoons to seaside visits and their evenings to searching retailers and frequenting juice bars till 10pm. “Our lives have fully modified for the higher,” she remarked.

In Britain, the family would fork out £100 weekly on groceries, whereas their procuring invoice now quantities to a modest £35. Their month-to-month outgoings in Egypt whole simply £30 they usually’re set to be mortgage-free inside two years.

“It is all contemporary produce from the market,” Shelley stated. “The potatoes have actually simply been harvested.”

    The household additionally treats themselves to eating at “wholesome” eating places as soon as weekly, with their priciest meal totalling a mere £17 for the trio. This represents a dramatic saving in comparison with the £100-plus payments they routinely confronted again in Britain.

    Their month-to-month expenditure in Egypt sits at roughly £800, which covers their weekly restaurant visits and fortnightly adventures akin to snorkelling excursions within the Pink Sea. The household has dedicated to creating Egypt their everlasting house, with no plans to return to British shores.

    She paperwork their journey on @movingourlifetoeg.

    Shelley’s payments within the UK and Egypt

    Weekly meals store in UK: £100

    Weekly meals store in Egypt: £35

    The household’s condo advanced (Picture: Shelley Quijada/SWNS)

    Utility payments in UK: £917

    Utility payments in Egypt: £30

    Lease in UK: £550

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    Lease in Egypt: £0

    Mortgage: £1,125 for 2 years after which mortgage-free

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