Mom moves to Spain with her family because Britain has ‘gone downhill’ and she didn’t want her son ‘wandering the streets in a tracksuit’ and staring at a screen all day

A British mortgage broker claims Britain has ‘gone so downhill’ that she has moved her family to Spain – to avoid sitting on the sofa with a son ‘wandering the streets in a tracksuit’.

Megan Hall and partner Chris Cousins ​​moved to Sotogrande, Spain, in August, believing they would become more social and encourage their three children to live a “play-based lifestyle.”

The 32-year-old has caused a stir on TikTok by labeling Britain as ‘going downhill’ and has since been told that she is dependent on screens and feels less safe, meaning she will not return.

Megan says she thought adults in Britain would rather sit at home watching TV rather than socializing, while visiting a park or eating out in Spain.

She claims son Archie Hall, 11, wanted to ‘wander the streets in a Nike tracksuit’ while in their hometown of Skipton, North Yorkshire, and because they were focusing too much on the screen in Spain.

But since the move, the ‘previously isolated’ mum said she and the family are much more social and Arthur doesn’t have to rely on technology to have fun.

Megan also feared for her children’s safety due to the increase in knife crime in Britain this year, but says she does not have the same fears in Spain.

The mother-of-three, who helps house hunters in Britain find a home, insists people should live abroad for a few months because ‘the idea is scarier than the reality’.

Megan, from Skipton, North Yorkshire, said: ‘My son wanted to walk around the streets with his friends in black Nike tracksuits but I wanted to avoid that. That was the most important thing.

‘The UK is all about screens and social media, so we decided we wanted to find an environment where parents had the same morals and values ​​as us.

‘People didn’t seem to want to socialize as much (in Britain). They came home from work and just turned on the TV, but in Spain people want to go to the park or have dinner together.

“I can’t speak for everyone, but that was just our experience with people. We felt quite isolated.

‘We wanted the children to have limited screen time, no social media until hopefully the age of 16 and a healthy outdoor lifestyle in a play-based childhood.

‘I think people would be more social if they were in a different environment. The weather doesn’t allow them to be so social.

‘There is also the cost of living, because everything seems cheaper in Spain.

‘Arthur didn’t want to leave, but when he looked around the schools in Spain he understood why we wanted to do that for him.

“He realized that the things that were important to his friends here, like wearing Nike clothes, aren’t important there and it’s less materialistic. He loves it.

‘As a child in England you are shunned if you don’t have a phone, but in Spain you are shunned if you do have a phone.

‘For the past five years I’ve seen six-year-olds playing Fortnite and I thought: I can’t do this.

‘I think the children in Britain would also be less safe because when we moved in the summer it seemed like everyone in London was getting stabbed.’

Megan, who lives with Chris, 40, and children Seth Cousins, six, and Pearl Cousins, four, decided Spain was their new dream home when they visited and met friends who had emigrated pre-Covid.

Megan said: ‘When we went to Spain we spent a whole day with friends who lived there and they showed us around. At that moment we were sold.

‘There’s a huge community here where everyone likes to eat out and have coffee mornings. It seems to be much more social.

‘Spain is scorching hot, so when the kids finish school you can go to the park and chat with a friend until six o’clock.

“They go to an international school and it’s 75 percent outdoors.”

The couple bought a house there in 2019 but returned to Britain in 2020 to care for relatives before rekindling their dream in August.

Mum-of-three Megan, who is taking Spanish lessons, says her parents have decided to retire in Spain but her sisters are still happy in Britain.

She encouraged residents of Britain to live abroad for a few months and ignore the fear of the unknown.

Megan said: ‘People say you can’t get anything in Spain that you can’t get in Britain, but that’s not the experience I’ve had.

‘I would say to anyone thinking about moving that the idea is scarier than the reality of it.

“Just try it out in an AirBnb for a few months to see if it’s something you’d like to do, because some people scare themselves at the thought of it.

‘Having lived somewhere other than England I don’t think I would ever come back.

‘I’m sure you can be happy anywhere as it’s a mindset rather than a location, but life just seems easier and more fun when it’s a bit warmer.’

Megan’s TikTok post, which has been viewed more than 8,000 times, said: ‘You see Britain going downhill so you try to change your children’s childhoods.’

Users said they shared their dream of escaping Britain too and even asked for advice on how to do so.

One user said: ‘Wow, incredible. I’d love to do this someday!’

A second agreed, saying: ‘This is the best thing you can do for young children.’

A third said: ‘My dream. I hope it’s everything you hoped for. Your children will be so grateful.”