A family from Derby has dramatically cut their monthly outgoings by over £800 after leaving the UK for a new life on the sun-drenched Egyptian coast. Shelley and Luis Quijada, along with their 14-year-old daughter, relocated to the resort of Sharm El Sheikh in October 2025, driven by the allure of affordable living and a warmer, slower pace of life.
The Financial Leap: From Aldershot to Alexandria
The couple, who had long dreamed of moving abroad, were stunned by the stark contrast in property prices. While the average UK home costs around £300,000, they managed to purchase a two-bedroom apartment with a sea view, a rooftop pool, and a gym for just £54,000. They paid a £27,000 deposit and now have a monthly payment of £1,125 for two years, after which they will own their home outright.
Their financial transformation is profound. Shelley Quijada, a 35-year-old business coach, now saves a staggering £887 per month on household bills alone, with her weekly food shop costing £65 compared to £100 in the UK. Their utility bills have plummeted from £917 in Britain to just £30 in Egypt.
A New Lifestyle Under the Sun
The family's daily routine has been revolutionised. "All we did in England was go to Primark or the cinema," said Mrs Quijada. Now, they spend afternoons at the beach and evenings out at juice bars until 10pm, enjoying activities like quad biking, boat trips, and snorkelling. This is a far cry from their UK life, where they were "never out past 6pm" and spent evenings watching Netflix.
The decision was also influenced by husband Luis's Venezuelan heritage and a shared dislike for the British weather. "There are 365 days of sunshine, you can't go wrong," Shelley added. The family even purchased a second property—a studio flat for £24,000—which they plan to rent out for additional income.
Navigating the Cultural Shift
While embracing their new life, the Quijadas have encountered some cultural adjustments, including less stringent road safety and vendors in local markets sometimes hiking prices for perceived tourists. "It does take a bit of being used to, but it's all a fun experience," Shelley noted.
With both parents working online—Shelley runs her business remotely and they use social media to book local excursions—their income of around £2,600 now affords a significantly higher quality of life. Their daughter is currently home-schooled but may attend a British school in Sharm El Sheikh next year.
The move, while difficult for leaving friends and family, has provided them with an exciting new chapter. "Our lives have completely changed for the better," Shelley stated. "Egypt has got everything you could possibly want, the heat, the cheaper prices, the more relaxed way of life. I can't see myself moving anywhere else now."
