The Transformative Journey of the Laurie Family
Sandra Laurie and her husband experienced a staggering 89% reduction in their monthly childcare expenses when they made the bold decision to relocate to Spain. Previously residing in County Tipperary, Ireland, the couple, along with their two children, found themselves caught in a relentless cycle of living “paycheck to paycheck”.
At 38 years old, Sandra recalls how her family struggled to find time together. “Family outings were virtually non-existent,” she explained. “Any luxuries we indulged in had to be meticulously planned out.” Despite having what she described as an “affordable” mortgage of €600 (£500) each month, the majority of their earnings were consumed by exorbitant childcare costs.
“We both held mid to senior-level positions with good salaries, but the exorbitant childcare expenses, combined with a glaring lack of support for families, made life particularly challenging,” Sandra continued. “We were shelling out around €2,000 (£1,650) monthly just for childcare. On top of that, medical expenses added to our financial stress.”
She went on to detail the healthcare costs: “Each visit to the GP set us back €50 (£41), not to mention the high costs of prescriptions. My son suffered from severe asthma, and living in a valley exacerbated his condition. Unfortunately, we often faced agonizing decisions about whether to prioritize doctor visits, medication, or simply delay our bill payments. It was an incredibly stressful time for our family.”
It was during a much-needed holiday to Spain, celebrating Sandra’s 30th birthday, that the couple decided it was time for a change. “While in Spain, we encountered families who seemed to be living the life we yearned for, and we couldn’t help but feel envious,” she reflected. “Their weekends were filled with outdoor activities, parks, and sunshine. Life just felt different there, and that’s what we wanted.”
“We asked ourselves, ‘If they can live this life, why can’t we?’” Sandra shared. The allure of a family-friendly lifestyle, abundant outdoor spaces, and the opportunity for their children to grow up bilingual felt like a dream come true. “That was the moment we made our decision, and we moved in 2017.”
Life in Spain presented a dramatic contrast to their previous existence. Sandra noted, “We immediately transitioned from paying €2,000 (£1,650) a month for childcare in Ireland to just €200 (£165) a month in Spain. This substantial decrease had an immediate positive impact on our savings.”
“The favorable climate also allowed us to engage in more free outdoor activities with our children,” she added. “In Ireland, due to the often inclement weather, most activities came with a hefty price tag. Dining out is significantly more affordable in Spain as well.”
According to Sandra, a coffee in Benalmádena on the Costa del Sol costs between €1 (83p) and €2 (£1.66), whereas the same drink in Ireland would typically cost around €4 (£3.32). “As Irish citizens, we didn’t need a visa to relocate,” she explained. “After our exploratory trip to Spain, we promptly put our house on the market. Within days, we received an offer, and everything fell into place swiftly.”
As they packed their belongings, Sandra began searching for job opportunities and conducting remote interviews. Simultaneously, she scoured rental listings online and secured a temporary apartment in Spain for six weeks, until their long-term home was ready. “It took six to eight weeks for our belongings to arrive from Ireland, so everything worked out perfectly,” she recounted.
Once they arrived, the final hurdle was arranging their children’s schooling, which required their rental contract. The only funds they had at their disposal upon arrival were the €50,000 (£41,462) profit from the sale of their home. However, without employment when they first moved, they had to pay a year’s worth of rent upfront to their landlord as a security deposit. They also needed to purchase two cars right away.
Now, the couple operates a thriving real estate business that they launched in 2018. Their children are flourishing, proficient in multiple languages, and the family enjoys a more leisurely and fulfilling pace of life. Sandra expressed her joy, saying, “Life has been incredibly kind to us here; we are truly living the Mediterranean dream.”
“Every year, our business gains momentum, driven by our mission to help others discover their slice of paradise on the Costa del Sol,” she added. “Spain is our home. We have fully embraced the culture, and there is nowhere else we would prefer to live and raise our family. We are committed to staying here for the long haul.”
