'We moved to Tenerife to save £11K a year on rent'
A family have shared how they moved to Tenerife to escape the "miserable rain" and say they save £11K (approx €13K) a-year on rent.
Mia Bowen, 29, and her partner, Ross Hurley, 34, decided to relocate to Spain four years ago after struggling to afford to rent somewhere in Cork, Ireland.
The couple decided to move to the Canary Island with their son, Levi, now seven, but got off to a tricky start to their relocation when they were immediately plunged into a seven-month lockdown due to the pandemic.
However, since restrictions were lifted the family say they have been loving life in Tenerife and only pay around £600 (€700) per month for a two bedroom, two bathroom apartment with a sea view.
In total the family believe they are saving around around €1,100-a-month on rent (approx £950) after looking at rental properties for €1,800 per month (approx £1500) back in Ireland.
"It's a stress-free life in Spain," Bowen, who works in hospitality, explains.
"Everyone said you are mad or crazy, but we know we've made the right decision.
"We feel like we've got 10 years of life back."
Bowen had already travelled a lot when she met Hurley, a vehicle spray painter, and the couple had Levi in 2017.
The trio were living with family, but though they wanted to a place of their own they struggled to find anything within their budget in the right location.
In 2018, after viewing a one bedroom apartment for rent at €1,800-a-month, Bowen started looking at alternative options.
"On top of the rental cost it was 30 minutes out of the city and the applicant list was so long," Bowen explains.
"That's when I first brought up the idea of moving abroad."
While the couple had fallen in love with Tenerife after a holiday there, Hurley was initially worried about moving there.
A year later, however, he had a change of heart.
"After coming back from work on a miserable, soaking wet day at 5pm he said 'why don't we just do it? We can always come back'," Bowen explains.
"I booked us one-way tickets that night, a year in advance."
The young family spent the next year saving before flying out to the island in March 2020, just as Covid the Covid pandemic unfolded.
Fortunately, despite their initial job opportunities falling through, the couple had saved up enough to pay six months rent upfront.
Then when Tenerife opened up again they were both able to secure jobs and start building their lives in Spain.
"The work life balance is amazing," Bowen says.
"90% of our lives are spent outside the house.
"In Ireland if it's raining you've got to go to an indoor play area and it costs between €15 to €25.
"Here the outdoor play areas are €3.
"It's just so different."
The family say they spend time going to the beach, for a hike and enjoy free festivals and entertainment.
"At home if you come home from school and it's raining you get straight on the Xbox or PlayStation.
"You spend your year waiting for the summer you're not going to have.
"Ireland is absolutely stunning when it's sunny.
"But there is no point living 365 days for just five to be good."
Two years ago Bowen's mum, Mona, 57, who now works for a call centre, quit her job in care after 30 years to also move out to the island.
While the family say their relocation hasn't been without certain struggles Bowen says she has found it easier to cope in a sunny and warm climate.
"We both lost parents but walking to work and seeing the sun shining, it's so much easier to pick yourself up," she explains.
"It's the lack of stress you have in life.
"It's unbelievable."
Bowen is now considering a career change away from hospitality, but is worried about the lack of job opportunities in Tenerife.
Despite her concerns she says she still couldn't see herself moving home and has some words of advice for anyone considering doing something similar.
"Give it a go and follow your dreams," she says.
"But be smart about it and make sure you have savings.
"You're never too young or too old."
Follow Mia on TikTok and Instagram @miajbowen
Additional reporting SWNS.
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