A woman has revealed why she ditched the UK to live her dream life on a cheap Spanish island without worrying about bills or rent – but is now forced to make her tea in a saucepan.
Olivia Mamode grew up in London but after finishing her studies, started growing sick of the cold British climate and rising housing and living costs.
Fed up with not being able to enjoy her money, the 24-year-old gave up her old life and jetted off to Menorca with nothing but a suitcase and a dream to become an English teacher.
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Since moving, she says her quality of life has improved substantially.
“After a long visa process, I headed to Spain with about 25kg of personal belongings packed into a suitcase and hand luggage,” she told Luxury Travel Daily.
“I had no clear idea or plans about where I would be living but [figured I would] wing it when I got there.
“It felt extremely liberating to pack up and start a new chapter in a new, foreign place.
“At times, the moving process has been overwhelming – the Spanish bureaucracy is definitely not for the weak.
“But it has always felt worth it, since my lifestyle here is incomparable to anything I have experienced in the UK.”
After hopping around a few hostels, Olivia soon found a flat with a Spanish woman.
Her current rent is just over £255pcm – compared to her previous £1,000pcm room in London.
Olivia, who is fluent in Spanish, has also joined a teaching programme to help locals learn English.
She said: “I feel absolutely settled and comfortable in Spain, it feels like home.
“Once I got into the swing of things and got accustomed to the process of ‘building my life’ here, everything started to fall into place.
“I don’t feel like I’m breaking the bank anymore if I go out for a breakfast or drinks, since a beer here is usually less than €3 (£2.55) and a coffee is around €1.50 (£1.28).
“On top of that, I have very few other expenses since public transportation is free for residents in Menorca and I get everywhere either by foot or by bus.
“Also, my hobbies are very low cost, usually free in fact – like hiking and exploring beaches.
“I find that having fun here is usually inexpensive.
“I wake up every morning excited to get out of bed and take advantage of the day.
“I think that sums up how I feel about my life here.”
While most of her experiences so far have been positive, the young woman has been forced to make some adjustments – such as to her daily cuppa.
She said: “I now make my tea in the microwave or in a saucepan!
“None of the apartments I have seen or lived in come with a kettle here.
“[Also], despite them [men] being known as ‘princesos’ [princesses] I have met a lot of lovely men here who I have loved spending time with.
“However unfortunately since my future plans are not clear, I have always been hesitant to commit seriously to another person.
“I love dating here, because the dates usually involve the beach, chill drinks, or a hike, all of which I am a big fan of.
“Something spontaneous happens almost every weekend.
“The most unique one [experience] would probably be meeting a Portuguese Naval squadron who had been patrolling the Mediterranean for a few months by submarine.
“He offered me a guided tour of the sub the next day.
“We then had a great night partying together!”
For now, Olivia is living life in the moment and is happy in Menorca, but there is no telling what the future holds.
She said: “I was drawn to the islands because of their stunning natural beauty and, of course, the proximity to so many beaches.
“Living here has given me an insight into the standard of living that I would like to uphold, and changed my outlook on the way life can be lived.”
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