Family leaves UK for Egypt and ‘will be mortgage-free in two years’

January 16, 2026 3,116

Shelley and her husband standing next to a boat

Shelley moved with her husband and daughter after becoming attracted by the cheaper prices and a more relaxed way of life (Image: Shelley Quijada/SWNS)

A British family has escaped what they describe as “miserable” weather in the UK, relocating to Egypt where they’re enjoying “365 days of sunshine” after purchasing a two-bedroom apartment with sea views and pool access for a mere £54,000. Shelley Quijada, 35, made the bold move to Sharm El Sheikh in October 2025 alongside her husband Luis, 39, and their 14-year-old daughter, drawn by the significantly lower cost of living and a more laid-back lifestyle.

The Derby-based business coach and social media agency owner is now pocketing an impressive £887 monthly on household bills, with a further £260 saved on groceries each month. The pair have secured a two-bedroom property boasting sea vistas, complete with a rooftop swimming pool and on-site gymnasium, for the bargain price of £54,000.

After putting down a £27,000 deposit, they’re making monthly payments of £1,125 over a two-year period, following which they’ll own the property outright without any mortgage. Additionally, the couple purchased a studio flat for £24,000 in cash, which they intend to let out to tenants.

Shelley explained: “We always knew we wanted to move abroad, my husband’s from South America, and I’ve always preferred the sun. After going on holiday to Egypt a few times, we fell in love with the peaceful feel of it.

“As soon as I got off the plane I would immediately feel relaxed. I prefer the slower pace of life.

“There are 365 days of sunshine, you can’t go wrong. It’s so much cheaper as well. We can live a very nice life here for a quarter of what people normally spend in the UK.

Shelley and her husband at the pyramids

Shelley ditched the UK and moved with her family to Egypt (Image: Shelley Quijada/SWNS)

“We bought a studio apartment for £24,000. People immediately think it’s going to be horrible because of the price, but it’s beautiful.

“The most expensive meal out we’ve had was £17 for the three of us and our food shop is now £65 cheaper per week. All we did in England was go to Primark or the cinema and now we can go quad biking, boat trips and snorkelling.

“I can’t see myself moving anywhere else now. Egypt has got everything you could possibly want, the heat, the cheaper prices, the more relaxed way of life.”

Shelley and Luis, who is employed in the property sector, had harboured ambitions of relocating overseas for some time, particularly as Luis hails from Venezuela and has never been fond of Britain’s dreary climate. Initially, Spain was on their radar, but after several holidays to Egypt, they were captivated by the perpetual sunshine and laid-back lifestyle.

Back in Britain, the pair brought in a combined income of £2,600 monthly, which they exhausted entirely each month, with £550 going towards rent and £917 on household expenses. In October 2025, the family departed their Derby home for Sharm El Sheikh, where Shelley says they settled in “straight away”.

Their daughter currently receives education at home, though there are plans for her to attend a British school locally next year. Whilst bidding farewell to loved ones proved difficult, Shelley noted her relatives were thrilled to have a reason to travel more frequently.

Shelley Quijada with her husband on a boat

Shelley Quijada, 35, moved with her husband and daughter to Sharm El Sheikh in October 2025 (Image: Shelley Quijada/SWNS)

Since Shelley’s job allows her to work remotely, she can operate from virtually anywhere, whilst the couple also leverage their social media presence to arrange local excursions for tourists. The pair snapped up a “beautiful” studio flat for a mere £24,000, which they intend to let out, and have acquired a two-bedroom apartment boasting sea views, a rooftop pool and gym facilities within the building for only £54,000.

While the family are thoroughly enjoying their Egyptian adventure, they’ve encountered several cultural adjustments, including the somewhat chaotic road conditions and market vendors inflating prices upon assuming they’re holidaymakers rather than residents.

“It does take a bit of being used to, but it’s all a fun experience,” she explained. Back home in England, Shelley revealed that she and her family were “never out past 6pm” and would typically spend evenings watching Netflix.

However, blessed with Egypt’s splendid climate, the family now dedicates their afternoons to beach visits and their evenings to browsing shops and frequenting juice bars until 10pm. “Our lives have completely changed for the better,” she remarked.

In Britain, the household would fork out £100 weekly on groceries, whereas their shopping bill now amounts to a modest £35. Their monthly outgoings in Egypt total just £30 and they’re set to be mortgage-free within two years.

“It’s all fresh produce from the market,” Shelley said. “The potatoes have literally just been harvested.”

The family also treats themselves to dining at “healthy” restaurants once weekly, with their priciest meal totalling a mere £17 for the trio. This represents a dramatic saving compared to the £100-plus bills they routinely faced back in Britain.

Their monthly expenditure in Egypt sits at approximately £800, which covers their weekly restaurant visits and fortnightly adventures such as snorkelling excursions in the Red Sea. The family has committed to making Egypt their permanent home, with no plans to return to British shores.

She documents their journey on @movingourlifetoeg.