A couple from Essex who abandoned their lives in England for a new beginning in Majorca have declared they will never return after observing one significant transformation in their family's daily existence.
From Basildon to Balearic Bliss
Jordan and Ray Bath, aged 32 and 37 respectively, made the bold decision to sell their house and business in Basildon, Essex, and relocate to the Spanish island of Majorca with their two young children, aged six and four. After ten weeks residing in the coastal town of Pollensa, they have documented their adaptation to a completely different culture on YouTube and expressed no desire to revisit the United Kingdom.
Ray Bath stated exclusively: "It has been nearly 11 weeks now and we have not missed anything about the UK. We are flying back briefly to participate in the London Marathon, but that is only a five-day trip. After that, we do not know when we will be back in the UK again." Jordan added: "We are very content, very happy, and it is like, 'Why didn't we do this sooner?' I'm so glad we took the leap when we did."
The Catalysts for Change
The couple, who have been holidaying in Majorca since childhood and throughout their 14-year relationship, explained that a combination of personal reflection and life events prompted their move. Ray revealed: "I have always wrestled with the idea of retiring and then moving to the beach. But the biggest struggle for me was, why do I have to wait until I am 65? Why can't we do it now while I've got the energy?"
Jordan noted that the sad passing of Ray's father made them acutely aware of life's brevity, realizing that the perfect moment might never arrive. She emphasized: "We moved here for a better quality of life, not for tax benefits or to earn more money. Essex was such a rat race. I cannot emphasize enough how I am still trying to get used to it myself. But it is a slower pace of life; the children are the priority. Our children go into school and the teachers hug them and kiss them good morning."
Radical Lifestyle Improvements
As personal trainers with 15 years of experience, Jordan and Ray now operate their online fitness coaching business, Viva Endure, from Majorca. They described their new daily routine as profoundly different from their previous existence in England.
Ray explained: "Life just feels less heavy, doesn't it? The lifestyle out here forces you to be more present. It forces you to slow down." The family rents a spacious four-bedroom townhouse with two balconies and four bathrooms in Puerto Pollensa, where everything is within walking distance, including the children's school, sports clubs, and supermarkets.
Regarding their children's adaptation, Jordan said: "They are absolutely loving it. My parents visited during Easter and asked if they wanted to return to the UK, and they said 'no!'" Ray highlighted the active lifestyle: "In the UK we always struggled to get them out on their bikes. It was dark, dull, grey, and we lived too far from the park. Here, we chucked them both on their bikes and just rode. Within three days we were riding to and from school together, and now we do it every day."
Notable Contrasts and Practical Benefits
The couple pointed out several striking differences between life in Majorca and England. Ray mentioned: "Kids tend to stay younger for longer here, where active play is encouraged, as opposed to staying indoors on devices scrolling TikTok and YouTube." Jordan added that children come alive at night, often seen on scooters and bikes in the evening, dancing around the town square.
On a practical note, Ray compared utility costs: "Our last monthly electricity bill in the UK cost £272, compared to in Majorca where we just paid €150 (approximately £131)."
Overcoming Challenges
The relocation has not been without its difficulties. The most obvious challenge has been adapting to an island with two official languages, Spanish and Catalan. Jordan and Ray are taking Spanish classes twice weekly, while their children attend a state school to immerse themselves in the local dialect, learning both Catalan and Spanish from classmates.
School schedules also differ significantly, with classes ending at 1pm rather than 3pm, creating a smaller window for the parents to complete their work. Jordan acknowledged: "The biggest challenge for me is ensuring our kids, especially our six-year-old daughter, has settled into school. She was very confident in the UK, but here she has gone from a big fish in a small pond to the smallest fish in the biggest pond with a language barrier."
She continued: "We have been to kids' parties, she does tennis and football after school, and she has developed a great little friendship group. It's just getting used to a slightly different routine. The days are longer; in the UK the kids went to bed around 7pm, but here it's more like 8:30pm because of the culture."
A Permanent Future in the Sun
The couple is currently on a three-year visa, renewable for two more years, after which they can apply for full-time residency. When asked about their long-term plans, Ray concluded decisively: "I can't see any reason why I personally would want to return to the UK—and Jordan is shaking her head so she feels the same. So how long term is it? Forever."
Jordan summarized their experience: "We hope we can give our kids the quality of life that we are striving for. The town is family-oriented, and while the pace is slower than Essex, it's a smaller bubble full of love, especially for little ones."
