I spent £2.5k buying a grotty caravan in Benidorm – it needs some TLC but comes with FREE pool access & other perks
EXPAT ESCAPE I spent £2.5k buying a grotty caravan in Benidorm – it needs some TLC but comes with FREE pool access & other perks
A COUPLE have revealed they have ditched the UK to live in a grotty caravan in Benidorm,
Gemma and Nicky took to social media to share their journey moving to sunny Spain and transforming the rundown home on wheels.
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Gemma and Nicky decided to give up the UK to live in Benidorm
Credit: @villamar.gemmanicky
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The pair spent £2.5k buying a rundown caravan to turn into their dream home
Credit: @villamar.gemmanicky
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While the caravan may not look like much, the couple gets access to pools on the site
Credit: www.campingvillamar.com
The pair bought the caravan for just £2,500 and it's clear why the price was so cheap.
From the look of the caravan, it appeared it hadn't been cleaned in years as it was covered in dirt and algae on the outside.
Inside, the couple's new home wasn't much better, and the previous tenants had left many of their belongings inside.
The inside hadn't been decorated in years as Gemma joked, 'Inside was like a time capsule.'
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But despite the initial look of the caravan, the pair were prepared to invest and transform it into a dream home at the Villamar camping site.
Currently, the pair plans to use the caravan as a vacation home and hopes to come out at least once a month.
But Gemma revealed they were currently applying for Spanish residency so they could stay in the caravan full time.
Currently, you can travel to Benidorm for up to 90 days in any 180 days without a visa.
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If you want to stay for longer or work, you will need to apply for a visa or residency, the latter of which Gemma and ~Nicky are in the process of doing.
The pair is paying an additional £5,000 a year for site fees to use the amenities.
I ditched my 'depressing' concrete council house to live on a permanent caravan pitch and now rent is just £90 a week
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The site boasts an indoor and outdoor pool, bar and restaurant
Credit: www.campingvillamar.com
While the grubby caravan may not be to everyone's taste, the camping site's amenities are.
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The Villamar site the pair have purchased their caravan includes an indoor pool as well as an outside heated pool.
And for those wanting to get out of the site you can make your way to Levante beach in just a quick walk.
The site also boasts a bar and lounge area around the pool, a restaurant and lots of kid activities to keep the whole family entertained.
Moving house hacks
1. Declutter Before You Pack
Sort through your belongings and get rid of anything you no longer need. Donate, sell, or recycle items to lighten your load.
2. Create an Inventory
Make a list of all your items. This helps keep track of everything and ensures nothing gets lost in the move.
3. Use Quality Packing Materials
Invest in sturdy boxes, bubble wrap, and packing tape. This will protect your belongings during the move.
4. Label Everything
Clearly label each box with its contents and the room it belongs to. This makes unpacking much easier and more organized.
5. Pack a 'First Day' Box
Include essentials like toiletries, a change of clothes, snacks, and important documents. This will keep you from rummaging through boxes on your first day.
6. Take Photos of Electronics Setup
Before unplugging your electronics, take photos of the wiring setup. This will make it easier to reconnect everything at your new place.
7. Use Suitcases for Heavy Items
Pack books and other heavy items in rolling suitcases. This makes them easier to transport and reduces the risk of injury.
8. Colour-Code Your Boxes
Use different coloured stickers or markers for each room. This will help movers quickly identify where each box should go in your new home.
The clip has since gone viral on their joint TikTok account @villamar.gemmanicky with over 306k views and 3,600 likes.
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People were quick to take to the comments
One person wrote: "£3k is nothing, looks like there's plenty of space. Soon get it looking nice."
Another commented: 'I'd buy it! You're buying the lifestyle as well, bit of elbow grease and you'll have it how you want it, you're living the life a lot of us want, enjoy!"
"I did the same, I live here on the site over the road from Villamar," penned a third.
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Meanwhile a fourth said: "Very nice, sure it will be lovely. Enjoy."
Someone else added: '100% would buy one and do it up as and when I had spare cash."
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