A man who departed the UK for Spain three years ago has opened up about the “brutal truth” behind pursuing a sunnier way of life.

Duncan Ponter relocated from his homeland alongside his wife in 2023, settling in a small town an hour from Alicante on Spain’s Costa Blanca. The expat couple took the plunge after both sets of parents had passed away and their children had flown the nest.

On his YouTube channel Move to Spain – Life on the Spanish Costas, Duncan reveals the most frequent question he receives is whether life proves superior in the UK or in Spain.

His response was emphatic in favour of Spain, citing the climate, sense of belonging, living expenses, healthcare and public amenities, plus the general standard of living as key factors.

Duncan said: “It’s nothing like we could have ever imagined. We get somewhere around 320 days of sunshine a year, very little rain,” reports the Daily Record. 

“July and August are almost unbearably hot in southern Spain. We enjoy the weather in a way I never thought possible. And it does have more of an impact on our lives and well being than we ever realised.

“We eat outside most of the time we go for strolls and we enjoy a whole host of other outdoor activities we wouldn’t be able to do in Scotland.”

The expatriate was equally enthusiastic when discussing the community spirit they’ve discovered in their residential development, Senorio de Roda. Another significant advantage has been the stark difference in living costs between the two nations.

Duncan recalls a recent seaside lunch with mates that came to just €66 (approximately £57) for five people.

He remarked: “You just can’t do that in the UK, it’s just become so expensive and cost prohibitive.”

Duncan also praised Spain’s healthcare system, where appointments are typically available within 48 hours and test results arrive within a fortnight.

He doesn’t begrudge paying slightly higher income tax either, as the funds appear to be “used to good effect” with “great council services” and “roads in great condition without potholes”.

However, life abroad isn’t entirely rosy. Rather surprisingly, the expat confessed they’ve found themselves missing holidays.

He explained: “We used to love travelling and seeing new places. But we’ve just got out of the habit of that when we’ve got the beach on the doorstep and the sunshine every day. It is completely different when you live here to when you go on holiday.”

The couple make the journey back to Scotland twice annually, during summer and at Christmas, with flights often remarkably affordable outside peak season. They’ve also established a weekly FaceTime routine with their children.

Reflecting on their transformed way of life, Duncan wrapped up by saying: “Let’s address the elephant in the room. Take into account the weather, community spirit, feeling of safety, the health service, the overall cost of living and the lifestyle, all of these things obviously contribute to that. In our case, we definitely have a better quality of life here.

“So it’s not perfect, but we just have a really nice life here.”