A British resident living in Benidorm has expressed concern that English individuals are increasingly dominating the Spanish vacation spot, urging them to reconsider relocating there. Harry Poulton, who regularly shares his travel insights with his 50,000 TikTok followers (@harrytokky), believes that British influence is growing in the Alicante region.
Harry suggests that Brits should think twice about moving to Spain, particularly Benidorm, due to various challenges he has observed since his relocation. He highlights the complexities and expenses associated with obtaining paperwork and visas post-Brexit, emphasizing that the cost of living in Spain is higher than perceived, especially for those earning a Spanish income.
Comparing average annual incomes, HousingAnywhere reports that Spain’s €27,000 equates to £23,000, while the UK’s average income is £37,430 according to the Office for National Statistics.
Despite acknowledging the high cost of living in Spain, Harry’s main concern is the impact of British migration on the local culture. He believes that the influx of Brits is diluting the original Spanish culture, with many establishments catering to British preferences such as English breakfasts and cheap beer, leading to a blurring of cultural boundaries and language barriers.
However, Harry does appreciate one aspect of living in Benidorm as a Brit – the weather. He praises the Spanish climate for offering a mix of scorching summers and milder winters, contrasting it with the consistently cold, rainy weather in the UK.
In summary, while Harry enjoys the climate in Benidorm, he raises valid concerns about the cultural impact of British migration on the Spanish destination.
