'I moved to Benidorm after one visit at 24 – I'll never come back to boring old Britain'

A British travel influencer who packed up his life after one holiday to says he’ll never return to the UK - branding Britain “cold, dreary and depressing”.

Harry Poulton was just 18 when he visited the Spanish hotspot on a lads’ trip – and instantly knew he wasn’t going home. Now 24, the content creator from Brighton says the move was the best decision he’s ever made - and he’s got no regrets about leaving family, friends and everything familiar behind. Speaking to Luxury Travel Daily, Harry said: “I don’t know why anyone would want to live in Britain. It’s cold, gloomy and there’s just no fun.”

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“After I came to Benidorm, I knew this was it. The , the beaches, the laid-back lifestyle – it’s the complete opposite of the UK.”

Harry insists most Brits have got it completely wrong - and says the myths about scams and overpriced bars couldn’t be further from the truth.

“It’s mad what people back home believe,” he said. “They think you’ll get ripped off or mugged - but that stuff happens more in Britain than it does here.”

“People mock Benidorm like it’s just for stag dos and bar crawls, but there’s so much more to it. The beer’s less than a quid, the food’s cheap, and the quality of life is better in every way.”

Since swapping Brighton for Benidorm, Harry says his monthly outgoings have dropped significantly - now spending between £500 and £1,000 a month, including bills.

And although he misses the odd pasty or a McDonald’s milkshake, that’s about all he longs for from his old life.

“Moving to Spain completely transformed my life,” he said. “I’ve got more freedom, better weather, and I actually enjoy my days. You just don’t get that in the UK.”

For others considering a move abroad, Harry advises learning a bit of Spanish, getting finances in order, and being ready for post-Brexit paperwork.

But for him, it’s a small price to pay for waking up under blue skies and sunshine.

“If you live here, you get it. Benidorm is paradise - and anyone who says otherwise is lying.”

Benidorm has long been a favourite for British expats, with reports suggesting the Spanish town has a population of around 10 to 30 percent UK locals.

It's also a popular location for Brits looking for a holiday destination, welcoming thousands each year. In 2023, Benidorm saw 832,115 British tourists, representing the second largest market after Spanish tourists.

Meanwhile, between January and August of 2024 alone, more than 600,000 British travellers visited Benidorm, with numbers continuing to climb throughout the year.

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