A thirty-year-old British woman named Gabrielle and her husband left the United Kingdom last year for Mexico after facing severe financial pressure at home. She openly describes the move as one born from pure necessity rather than a long-planned adventure. Today she enjoys a higher quality of life at a fraction of the previous cost and shares her journey on social media to encourage others in similar situations. Her story has resonated widely with people struggling with the high expenses of living in Britain.
Gabrielle previously worked at Google while her husband suddenly became unemployed leaving the couple reliant on a single income. The situation felt overwhelming and pushed them to rethink their future entirely. “It was pure despair. My husband lost his job at that time, and we had to survive on a single salary,” she explained in one of her posts. That challenging period led her to launch her own marketing consulting business which quickly gained momentum and brought in growing revenue.
The success of her new venture gave the couple financial flexibility to travel and eventually make the permanent move to Mexico. They now live in a modern studio apartment with a rooftop pool located just an eight-minute walk from the beach. Monthly rent for this comfortable space comes to around $750 which Gabrielle notes is far from the cheapest option available. Many similar accommodations can be found for even less less depending on location and preferences.
@gabz.lyons Why I left my 9-5 to start my own business and live in Mexico and why you should start too. #digitalnomad #expat ♬ original sound – Gabrielle Lyons 🌴💻
Living expenses in Mexico have proven remarkably low compared to Britain. Electricity bills run about $45 every two months while private health insurance costs roughly $55 per month. The couple spends approximately $250 monthly on groceries and dining out including daily coffees and frequent restaurant meals. Gabrielle points out that food prices feel comparable to the UK yet everything else stretches their budget much further.
One area where savings stand out dramatically involves personal care services. In London a single manicure could easily cost $65 or more. Here in Mexico Gabrielle budgets around $100 per month for nails hair eyebrows and other treatments combined. “People often forget about these ‘small’ additional costs. As a woman, I allocate about 90 euros per month for nails, hair, eyebrows, and similar things. Here, these treatments are incomparably cheaper than in Europe,” she shared.
Gabrielle posts regularly on her TikTok account @gabz.lyons where one video detailing her experience has already surpassed 147,000 views. She emphasizes that the lifestyle she always wanted remained out of reach in the United Kingdom despite hard work. In Mexico however she has achieved the comfort freedom and enjoyment that once seemed impossible. Followers frequently express agreement and many credit her openness with giving them courage to consider similar changes.
@gabz.lyons How much it costs to live COMFORTABLY in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico #playadelcarmen #mexico🇲🇽 ♬ original sound – Gabrielle Lyons 🌴💻
Comments on her videos reveal a growing trend among British residents feeling squeezed by rising costs at home. Several people wrote that they have booked one-way tickets or are finalizing plans to leave soon. “I’ve already booked a one-way ticket. I’m leaving next week,” one person shared excitedly. Others who relocated to places like southern Spain or have lived in Mexico for years chimed in to confirm they have no intention of returning.
Mexico has emerged as a top destination for expatriates seeking affordable living alongside pleasant weather and welcoming communities. Popular coastal areas and vibrant cities attract remote workers retirees and young professionals alike. The country provides visa options for those demonstrating steady income allowing longer stays for qualified applicants. Many find that everyday expenses from housing to healthcare remain substantially lower than in most European nations or the United States.
Have you ever thought about relocating abroad to improve your quality of life or cut costs dramatically? Share your thoughts in the comments.
