ONE in five Brits admit to daydreaming about ditching the UK for a new life in sunny Spain.
It’s no surprise when you discover you can escape the Great British gloom for a three-bed in the Med for just £500-a-month.
Areas like Villajoyosa have a more authentic vibe[/caption]
The 2024 British Expat Report shows even more British families are considering emigrating in the next five years, with 11 per cent ready to leave right now.
According to the data, 532,000 Brits emigrated last year, with 45% craving a better quality of life, 39% blaming the cost-of-living crisis and 37% just sick of our miserable weather.
Millene Adaime works for relocation experts, Movinn, who help people move to Spain and Portugal from overseas.
Over recent years, the demand for expats seeking a new life in Spain has increased, with more families reaching out to them for help.
She told Sun Travel: “Spain used to have the reputation of being somewhere to retire to in your 60s and 70s, but we are getting more requests from modern families or young entrepreneurs who are looking for a different way of life.
“The cost of living here is more affordable, and, of course, we have a fantastic climate.”
With demand growing, areas typically popular with Brits flying south for the sun are becoming crowded and more expensive.
Boozy Benidorm has long been the Brit bolthole of choice, but Millene says the party playground is not necessarily the cheapest spot on the coast.
She said: “Brits tend to favour areas they already know, like Benidorm, and due to the popularity of British movers to the area, the suburbs outside the tourist hub are very nice and very desirable.
“However, the downside is that prices are on the rise and it’s not the cheapest place to move to now.”
Benidorm can be very crowded.[/caption]
Think about where your kids will be going to school in Spain[/caption]
Plan ahead
Milene warns families also need to take into account other things that may end up costing more money down the line.
She said: “We identify our clients’ needs and make suggestions that might make life easier once they move in.
“For example, if you have kids and would like them to attend an International school, where they speak primarily in English, moving to an area with a good school that has space available is highly recommended.
“You don’t want to base your family somewhere and land yourself with a terrible commute.
“Some areas are better for families and some are more suited to young professionals.
“Of course, our retired residents tend to favour the south of Spain, due to the year-round warm weather.”
Milene says when her clients ask for advice, she tailors it to suit their needs.
She said: Some people who come to Spain from the UK want a completely different way of life. They want to embrace Spanish culture and go all-in.
“Cádiz in the south is very Spanish. It’s a traditional community where people leave their front door open and it’s very social.
“It’s a place where your friends will just walk into your home, uninvited. A lot of Brits are thrown by this.
“Some people want to move here for the weather and be around other British people.
“That’s fine, but I would recommend a different area to them, where life is a bit closer to home.”
With more people working from home than ever and incentives for business start-ups in countries like Spain, it’s no wonder that so many of us dream of a new life on the beach.
Do you imagine yourself soaking up the sun after work and spending weekends sipping €3 Cava under a palm tree?
If you are considering a Mediterranean move, these are the Spanish spots you should be looking at this year:
Best all-rounder – Alicante
The San Juan neighbourhood in Alicante is a great location for British families[/caption]
This is a good choice for Brits wanting to start a new life in Spain.
Alicante is a well-rounded city with beaches, international schools, good healthcare, and excellent public transportation.
It’s a popular choice for British families and has a strong expat community, which will help you settle in and feel more at home.
Look at suburbs like San Juan or El Campello, since they are particularly family-friendly.
Expect to pay:
A three-bed house in El Campello, close to the beach: £1,000-a-month.
Three bed apartments can be found for £750-a-month.
Best for budget – Torrevieja
The coast of Torrevieja south of Alicante[/caption]
Torrevieja is a beautiful coastal area, just south of Alicante.
The rustic coastline is less populated and made up of a series of secluded coves and sandy beaches.
It’s less crowded than the more famous tourist areas and cheaper than many other coastal towns, since it’s very small and quaint.
However, expats are catching on and Torrevieja has started to build a significant British population.
It offers a quieter, simpler lifestyle with essential amenities like parks, beaches, and English-speaking services, making it ideal for families looking for lower rental costs.
Expect to pay:
A three-bed apartment with a balcony and a partial sea view: £506-a-month.
A three-bed house with gardens and shared pool: £1,000 per month.
Best for families – Malaga
Malaga is popular with Brits moving to Spain and has great weather[/caption]
With claims of over 300 sunny days a year, Málaga is popular with sun-seeking Brits.
Compared to other European cities, it is considered very affordable and has a stretch of beautiful beaches.
Málaga features several international schools, including the British School of Málaga, and Brits can enjoy very convenient flight links to the UK all year round.
Away from the nightlife strip, the coastal suburbs like Pedregalejo and Rincón de la Victoria are excellent for families.
Expect to pay:
A three-bedroom house in Pedregalejo: £1,500-a-month.
A three-bedroom apartment with sea views in Rincón de la Victoria is £1,100 a month
Best for young professionals – Seville
Sevilla has fantastic weather and a rich history[/caption]
A city rich in culture and charm, Seville offers a warm climate and a more relaxed pace of life.
It’s a good option for families seeking a more traditional Spanish experience, but Brits might be put off that there is no beach.
The closest beach is inside the Donana National Park, an hour from Seville.
While there are fewer international schools than in Alicante, but bilingual education options are available if you want the kids to learn Spanish too.
Affordable housing with a bit more space can be found in areas like Mairena del Aljarafe, outside the city centre.
Expect to pay:
A semi-detached home in a serviced complex with a shared pool: £1,338 a month.
A three-bed apartment in Mairena del Aljarafe: £700 euro a month.
If you need help or advice on relocating to Spain or Portugal, contact moviinn.com
