A British expat living in Spain has revealed her biggest regret about relocating: not doing it sooner. Carley Chaplin, who moved to Catalonia with her family, said overthinking and worrying about small details delayed their dream life abroad.
Sharing her experience online, Ms Chaplin said: 'I regret stressing about the small stuff, I regret not having the clarity of what I needed to do to make it happen and get here sooner. Every single day that I was stressing and worrying about the small stuff meant that our move to Spain was delayed by another day.'
Now happily settled, she regularly shares tips on visas, relocation and family life. Although she worried about her children not speaking Spanish, they have settled in well and made new friends. She claims the quality of life in Spain is 'on another level'.
Reflecting on the move, Ms Chaplin said it reshaped her family's values. 'Back in the UK, it felt like everything was measured by what we could buy or achieve next: a bigger house, a newer car, a better job title. We were chasing things that didn't actually make us any happier,' she said.
Spain remains a top destination for British expats thanks to its sunshine, lower cost of living, excellent healthcare and relaxed lifestyle. Since Brexit, UK citizens need a visa for stays over 90 days. Options include the Non-Lucrative Visa, Digital Nomad Visa, Work Visa and Student Visa. The Golden Visa for property investors was scrapped earlier this year.
