Buying a property abroad or starting a new life outside of the UK is an exciting experience. It’s a chance of a fresh start and to explore a new destination but it’s not without its challenges. Whilst many jump into it, travel abroad and sort out the finer details upon arrival, you may prefer to research a move first before considering a town or city.
Spain is still top of many peoples’ lists for a multitude of reasons but realistically, is it still an option? In this article, we’ll look into the reasons why Brits love Spain so much as well as popular destinations within the country to consider moving to.
5 reasons why Brits move to Spain
The weather
Living in the UK means a multitude of weather conditions so why not move to somewhere where it’s sunny around 300 days a year down the Mediterranean coastline. Even the major cities of Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia have warm climates for the majority of the year.
The lifestyle
Following the pandemic, many of us are realising that we suffer from burnout easily by stuffing too many activities into our daily schedules. Moving to Spain is the perfect excuse to slow down and just enjoy life! They’re a little more lax with their daily 9-5 routine and who doesn’t want a siesta in the middle of the day?
The language
Many Europeans are bilingual, trilingual or may know more than three languages. In the UK, it’s not common practice to learn a language in school anymore so many people grow up knowing English and nothing else. During the pandemic, many of us used that time to learn something new, including languages. Spanish is a popular choice for Brits as we envisage ourselves sitting on the beach, conversing with locals. Whilst it’s not a necessity, especially if you’re moving to an English-speaking region, it is considered courteous to speak their native language. There will be different dialects across the country but learning enough to hold basic conversations with people won’t go amiss.
The cost of living
With prices rising for just about everything in the UK, many are looking to see if it would be cheaper to live abroad. The cost of living is around 22% less in Spain than in the UK, with rent around 34% cheaper also. Expats are likely to spend more time outdoors, cutting down on utility costs, with travel and eating out prices comparable or lower.
The job prospects
Whilst a lot of people think that it’s only retirees that relocate, people of working age move also. Those with specialist skills, such as IT, accounting or teaching, have stronger job prospects than others; however, that’s not to say that there aren’t vacancies for many industries. If you intend to work whilst in Spain, it’s recommended you find a job first before moving. This could dictate the area you’d live in too as many occupations will be located within the major cities, rather than on the coast.
Popular regions of Spain for British expats
It’s not uncommon for Brits to rent initially whilst they adjust to the Spanish way of living as well as the areas they’d like to live in. It will give you time to explore the areas without a huge commitment, such as buying a property outright. Some even rent somewhere different every couple of months to experience city and coastal lifestyles. However, there are a handful of popular regions that Brits tend to gravitate towards.
Costa Blanca
The south-east coast of Spain on the Mediterranean is home to the Costa Blanca region. It’s a popular holiday destination area for Brits so many love it that much and decide to relocate there. Alicante and Benidorm are the two most popular towns/cities for Brits and with larger expat communities, you’ll feel right at home almost instantly (but with better weather). Javea in the north Costa Blanca seems to be most people favourite destination when buying property in Spain.
Costa del Sol
Located in southern Spain, the Costa del Sol is another popular area for British expats. Nine municipalities make up the area, with Malaga coming out as most popular with Brits. Whilst popular with tourists during the summer, it tends to be a lot quieter during the winter months, giving you plenty of coastline to discover.
Madrid
For those who still want a city feel, why not the capital of the country? Many expats start by living in the centre and gradually move away to the outskirts. Even if you plan to work after relocating, Madrid’s public transport links are excellent so no need to worry about living too far from work. It’s a hotbed of culture so expect to walk around a lot during weekends and days off.
Barcelona
The other popular city within Spain is Barcelona. This is perfect for those who want a mixture of city and coastal living as it has both. Again, exploring the region will take up a lot of your free time because there is just so much to see. To live and work in the area, you will need to pick up the Catalan language to fit in with the locals. However, the Catalonian people are incredibly friendly and also speak Spanish; they’ll help you out with the language.
Bilbao
If you want to continue city living but want somewhere a little less hectic, Bilbao is certainly an option to consider. Situated in northern Spain close to the Atlantic coastline, it’s an ideal destination for middle-class Brits. It’s one of the more expensive cities in Spain for accommodation but daily expenses are similar to the rest of the country. Also, it’s not as popular with tourists as the opposite coastline and the south so you’ll be able to explore in peace.
Moving to Spain is still as popular as ever, due to the change in pace and lifestyle. It’s a destination for young and old, families, young adults and those retiring. With large expat communities across the country, it’s the perfect destination to start a new life abroad.
