Rising costs and high property prices drove a British couple to emigrate. In Andalusia they found an old farmhouse – and a life without credit.
When the monthly mortgage payment suddenly doubled, Callum and Jemma McGlynn pulled the ripcord. As the British newspaper “The Sun” reports, the family from Hertfordshire left the United Kingdom with their two children and bought an abandoned farmhouse in southern Spain for around 40,000 euros. The mortgage was history in Great Britain.
House for 40,000 euros: Family is looking for a new start in Spain
The building near the Andalusian community of Cantoria had previously been empty for decades. According to The Sun, the family invested several months in renovations to make the house livable. Today they live on around one and a half hectares of land with olive trees, partly self-sufficient through solar systems and rainwater harvesting.
The financial differences are significant. While they recently paid around 1,300 pounds (around 1,520 euros) per month for their mortgage in Great Britain, the running costs are now significantly lower. Insurance and groceries are also cheaper, they report to “The Sun”. Both continue to work remotely on their own technology company.
High property prices are driving many Brits abroad
The background is the tense situation on the British real estate market. According to “The Sun”, the average house price in the United Kingdom is around 285,000 pounds (around 333,000 euros), and even significantly higher in particularly expensive regions. At the same time, surveys report that many Brits are feeling financial pressure due to rising living costs.
The family emphasizes that the step was not easy. Renovation, home schooling for the children and residency regulations – they are only allowed to stay in Spain for 90 days in a 180 day period – required planning. Nevertheless, they see the decision as a gain in quality of life and more time together.
Why more and more Germans are thinking about emigrating
The British family’s move exemplifies a trend that doesn’t just affect the United Kingdom. In Germany, too, more and more people are thinking about turning their backs on the country and emigrating – for very different reasons.
The following points are mentioned particularly frequently:
- High tax and duty burden
- Falling purchasing power and rising cost of living
- Dissatisfaction with political developments
- Concerns about security and social stability
- Better quality of life and lower costs abroad
At the same time, other voices point out that emigration often has several motives – from professional opportunities to family reasons to the desire for a different lifestyle. The discussion shows how complex and emotional the topic is now.
