Many Brits fantasise about relocating to abroad, but one woman revealed the downsides of her move to Spain.
Geo, known as @geoinspain on TikTok, loves her life under the Spanish sun but insists on sharing the full picture. Despite the allure of daily sunshine, she faces challenges such as a tough job market and complicated property purchases.
In a revealing TikTok video, Geo confessed the work prospects “aren’t great”, and buying a home is harder than in the UK, with higher down payments despite lower average salaries.
She lamented: “I don’t get to see my friends as much as I’d like to. I spend 99% of my day speaking in Spanish, and now my English is rusty. I actually feel awkward speaking in English sometimes.
“Despite living on the beach, I rarely go in summer. I drink more coffee and wine here than in the UK.”
When it comes to romance, dating across cultures presents its own set of quirks. Her candid insights have resonated with viewers, racking up hundreds of views, with some expats even considering a return to the UK.
One viewer shared their own experience, writing: “I’m literally moving back to the UK. Barely leave the house in summer as it’s too hot. House prices are the same as the UK almost, but with an impossible deposit needed. I’ll miss the beach but.”
Another chimed in with: “The coffee and wine is so true. Now that I’ve been limiting alcohol and cutting out alcohol for a while, I can really feel that too!”
A third also replied: “I get it. I was three years in Spain, Benidorm. Not my favourite place. Yes, it’s nice in summertime, but otherwise too many tourist areas, very hard getting long-term accommodation and jobs are hard.”
Meanwhile, another expat declared their contentment, stating: “After 25 years in Spain, I would never go back to the UK. Spain is my home for life.”