A British expat who moved from Scotland to Spain three years in the past has shared the ‘brutal reality’ about dwelling there and whether or not it beats life within the UK
The British expat spoke glowingly about life in Spain (Picture: Getty Photos)
A person who departed the UK for Spain three years in the past has opened up in regards to the “brutal reality” behind pursuing a sunnier lifestyle.
Duncan Ponter relocated from his homeland alongside his spouse in 2023, settling in a small city an hour from Alicante on Spain’s Costa Blanca. The expat couple took the plunge after each units of oldsters had handed away and their youngsters had flown the nest.
On his YouTube channel Transfer to Spain – Life on the Spanish Costas, Duncan reveals probably the most frequent query he receives is whether or not life proves superior within the UK or in Spain.
His response was emphatic in favour of Spain, citing the local weather, sense of belonging, dwelling bills, healthcare and public facilities, plus the overall way of life as key elements.
Duncan stated: “It is nothing like we might have ever imagined. We get someplace round 320 days of sunshine a yr, little or no rain,” studies the Each day Document.
“July and August are nearly unbearably scorching in southern Spain. We benefit from the climate in a means I by no means thought attainable. And it does have extra of an influence on our lives and properly being than we ever realised.
“We eat outdoors more often than not we go for strolls and we get pleasure from a complete host of different outside actions we would not be capable to do in Scotland.”
The expatriate was equally enthusiastic when discussing the group spirit they’ve found of their residential improvement, Senorio de Roda. One other important benefit has been the stark distinction in dwelling prices between the 2 nations.
Duncan remembers a latest seaside lunch with mates that got here to only €66 (roughly £57) for 5 individuals.
He remarked: “You simply cannot do this within the UK, it is simply grow to be so costly and value prohibitive.”
The expats don’t have any imminent plans to return to the UK (Picture: Getty Photos)
Duncan additionally praised Spain’s healthcare system, the place appointments are usually out there inside 48 hours and check outcomes arrive inside a fortnight.
He does not begrudge paying barely increased revenue tax both, because the funds look like “used to good impact” with “nice council companies” and “roads in nice situation with out potholes”.
Nonetheless, life overseas is not completely rosy. Quite surprisingly, the expat confessed they’ve discovered themselves lacking holidays.
He defined: “We used to like travelling and seeing new locations. However we have simply acquired out of the behavior of that once we’ve acquired the seashore on the doorstep and the sunshine day-after-day. It’s fully completely different whenever you reside right here to whenever you go on vacation.”
The couple make the journey again to Scotland twice yearly, throughout summer season and at Christmas, with flights typically remarkably inexpensive outdoors peak season. They’ve additionally established a weekly FaceTime routine with their youngsters.
Reflecting on their reworked lifestyle, Duncan wrapped up by saying: “Let’s tackle the elephant within the room. Keep in mind the climate, group spirit, feeling of security, the well being service, the general value of dwelling and the approach to life, all of this stuff clearly contribute to that. In our case, we undoubtedly have a greater high quality of life right here.
“So it is not excellent, however we simply have a very nice life right here.”
Leave a Reply