John Bird ditched 14-hour days in the UK for life on the Costa Blanca – slashing his bills and finding freedom in the sun.
A British dad has revealed how uprooting his family to Spain has slashed his monthly bills by £1,600 – and given him a life he describes as “paradise.”
John Bird, 39, once found himself grinding through 14-hour shifts just to survive in the UK.
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But after years of travelling to Spain to visit his wife’s family, the pair decided to make the leap for good with their one-year-old son.
The property investor says their bills have dropped from £3,500 a month to just £844 (€1,000) since moving, allowing him more time and money to enjoy life.
“I was working to live and living to work, with the occasional holiday just to keep me alive,” John told Hype Daily.
“Seeing how Spanish people live really opened my eyes.
The work-life balance is better, life is more affordable, and I feel healthier and happier. It’s like being on holiday all year – it’s paradise.”
John and his wife had already been buying property in Alicante since 2015.
In 2018, they relocated permanently, moving into one of their apartments while refurbishing a villa and selling off one of their businesses to cover costs.
Within a month, they were settled into the life they had once dreamed of – complete with vegetable fields, no neighbours, and a pool that costs less than €3,000 a year to run.
The move has also turned John into a TikTok hit, with clips about his new lifestyle racking up millions of views.
He’s now launched a business as a location consultant, advising others on how to relocate to Spain.
He admits there are downsides – finding work locally can be tricky and homesickness still strikes – but with London only a two-hour flight away, he insists the benefits far outweigh the challenges.
“My only regret is not moving sooner,” he said. “Yes, the UK allows you to earn more, but Spain gives you the freedom to actually enjoy being alive.”
John now urges would-be movers to do proper research, plan their exit with a tax advisor, and rent before buying.
But above all, he says, “Make sure to have a good time when you’re here – I have absolutely no regrets.”
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