A BRITISH mum-of-two has revealed what life is really like living in Spain and just how much it costs.
Jodie Marlow revealed she and her family moved to Spain four years ago after Brexit and haven’t looked back since.
Jodie, her husband, and two sons now live in Torre-Pacheco in the South of Spain and live close to the beach.
Many asked how she did the move and how much money living in Spain compares to the UK.
So Jodie revealed just how much she was spending.
In the clip, the stay-at-home mum said: “We don’t have any rent to pay or mortgage to pay because we own our property.”
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For electricity, Jodie said her bill was around £30 a month, but in the peak of summer, it would go up as they had to keep aircon on at all times and was around £50 a month.
Water bills for the family set them back just £28 a month, and Jodie revealed the house ran on a gas bottle.
“I thought it was really weird at first, but actually it’s pretty normal in Spain,” she explained.
“A gas bottle costs around 16 euros (£14). And currently at the moment, because it’s so hot, we’re not even having hot showers. So the gas actually doesn’t get turned on for that.”
The mum also said that she typically used the BBQ or air fryer to cook so she was barely using the gas at the moment and said the bottle would last about three months.
The mum’s equivalent for council tax in Spain was just £220 a year, which was around £18 a month, that meant her household bills cost her just £110 a month.
Jodie has advised people on how they can also make the move to Spain.
She shared: “If you hold a UK British passport, you can’t just move to Spain like you could pre-Brexit, you do need a visa.
“The working visa you could look into getting dependent on if you’ve got a specialised job.
The self-employed visa, basically they said to us it’s just impossible to get, so we didn’t even try with that.
“But the digital nomad visa allows anyone that is working online, as long as you are earning a set amount of money that provides for if there’s four of you for the family, you can pay for all four of you, and they set out exactly how much that would be.”
Since Brexit, UK citizens, and non-EU citizens require a visa to stay longer than 90 days.
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The clip of Jodie sorting through the cost of her monthly bills has since gone viral on her TikTok account @jodiemar1ow with 300k views.
Many were left stunned in the comments, revealing it was much cheaper than their UK outgoings.
One person wrote: “Bills are definitely cheaper there.”
Moving house hacks
1. Declutter Before You Pack
Sort through your belongings and get rid of anything you no longer need. Donate, sell, or recycle items to lighten your load.
2. Create an Inventory
Make a list of all your items. This helps keep track of everything and ensures nothing gets lost in the move.
3. Use Quality Packing Materials
Invest in sturdy boxes, bubble wrap, and packing tape. This will protect your belongings during the move.
4. Label Everything
Clearly label each box with its contents and the room it belongs to. This makes unpacking much easier and more organized.
5. Pack a ‘First Day’ Box
Include essentials like toiletries, a change of clothes, snacks, and important documents. This will keep you from rummaging through boxes on your first day.
6. Take Photos of Electronics Setup
Before unplugging your electronics, take photos of the wiring setup. This will make it easier to reconnect everything at your new place.
7. Use Suitcases for Heavy Items
Pack books and other heavy items in rolling suitcases. This makes them easier to transport and reduces the risk of injury.
8. Colour-Code Your Boxes
Use different coloured stickers or markers for each room. This will help movers quickly identify where each box should go in your new home.
Another commented: “This is so cheap, I want to move!”
“I really want to do this with my little family but I’m so scared,” penned a third.
Meanwhile a fourth said: “50% less than UK easily.”
“Not bad, I’d love to move,” claimed a fifth.
Someone else added: “That’s fantastic.”
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