I’m a mum & moved my family to Tenerife to escape the miserable rain – we also save £11k on rent, it’s genius
A FAMILY swapped out the rainy weather in Ireland for a sunny life in Tenerife, and even managed to save money while doing so.
The mum-of-one revealed how the move has saved over £11,000 a year.
Mia Bowen, 29, and her partner, Ross Hurley, 34, decided to relocate after struggling to afford to find somewhere to rent in Cork, Ireland.
In 2020, the couple moved with their son, Levi, now seven, but were plunged straight into a seven-month lockdown due to the pandemic.
Since restrictions lifted the family say they have loved life in Tenerife and only pay £600 a month for a two-bedroom, two-bath apartment with a sea view.
The family say they save around £945 a month on rent after looking at rental properties back in Ireland.
They were living with family at the time and struggled to find a home within their budget in the right location.
When the couple viewed a £1,545 a month one-bed apartment, Mia started looking at other options.
“On top of the cost, it was 30 minutes out of the city and the applicant list was so long,” she explained.
“That’s when I first brought up the idea of moving abroad.”
The couple fell in love with Tenerife after a holiday there however Ross still felt worried about moving abroad but soon came around.
“After coming back from work on a miserable, soaking wet day at 5pm he said: ‘Why don’t we just do it? We can always come back,'” Mia recalled.
“I booked a one-way ticket that night, a year in advance.”
The young family spent the year saving and flew out in March 2020, just as Covid hit.
Fortunately, they had saved up enough to pay six months of rent upfront despite their job opportunities falling through.
When the island opened up they were both able to get jobs and build their life.
Now they spend every day outside and say they’ve all been less stressed and happier since swapping “miserable” rainy days for constant sunshine.
“It’s a stress-free life,” Mia, who now works in hospitality.
“Everyone said [we were] mad or crazy [but] we’ve made the right decision.”
She added that the Spanish lifestyle has added 10 years to their lives.
“The work life balance is amazing, 90% of life is outside of the house,” she said.
How easy is it to move abroad?
Brexit means British citizens now have to apply for visas to move to countries within the EU. While some countries residency restrictions are easier than others, here's what you need to do at home before moving:
- Notify HMRC about your upcoming move.
- Let your local authority know and provide a forwarding address.
- Contact your mortgage and utility providers and bank before leaving.
- If you have paid enough UK national insurance contributions, you can qualify for a state pension abroad – contact the International Pension Centre.
- You can sign up to the Royal Mail’s redirection service.
- If you have outstanding student loans, contact the Student Loans Centre.
- If you have children, give due notice to childcares and schools.
“I remember living in Ireland – if it’s raining you’ve got to go to an indoor play area and it costs between £13 to £22.
“Here the outdoor play areas are £2.60, it’s just so different.”
The family enjoy regular trips to the beach, scenic hikes, and free festivals.
“In Ireland [if] it’s raining – you come home from school and get straight on the Xbox or PlayStation,” she said.
“You spend your year waiting for the summer you’re not going to have.”
She described her homeland as “absolutely stunning when it’s sunny.”
“But there is no point living 365 days for five to be good,” she pointed out.
Mia’s mum, Mona, 57, who now works for a call centre, even quit her job in care after 30 years to join the family.
They explained that it has been easier to pick themselves up in a sunny and warm climate after more than one family bereavement.
“We both lost parents but walking to work and seeing the sun shining, it’s so much easier to pick yourself up,” Mia said.
“It’s the lack of stress you have in life, it’s unbelievable.”
Mia revealed that she intends to move away from hospitality but is worried about the lack of opportunities in Tenerife.
However, even the limited job opportunities haven’t tempted her to return home to Ireland.
She encouraged anyone considering a stint livign abroad to take the leap.
“Give it a go and follow your dreams,” Mia said.
“Be smart about it. Have savings.
“You’re never too young or too old.”