I moved to Spain for better life…now I pay just €1.70 a pint and visit my local pub every night, says Dublin woman
Tori Clinton, who has spent the last two years living abroad, says the culture change has had a hugely positive impact on her life.
Advertisement
4
Tori moved to Spain for a better life
Credit: Jam Press/@thetoridiaries
4
She now soaks up the sun and enjoys cheap pints
Credit: Jam Press/@thetoridiaries
4
Tori said there isn't a binge drinking culture in Spain
Credit: Jam Press/@thetoridiaries
The 30-year-old even admitted Spaniards' relationship with alcohol has completely shifted her mindset.
Tori, originally from
The small beer only costs €1.70 in Tori's favourite spots, while a pint costs just €2.50.
In comparison, the average price of a pint in her hometown is now a whopping €7.39.
Advertisement
READ MORE IN TRAVEL
The freelancer believes having the odd tipple instead of binge drinking, and embracing a culture where work isn't the be-all and end-all, has allowed her to 'become the best version' of herself.
Tori told Luxury Travel Daily: 'I was miserable back home, I look back and wonder how I survived so long in my past life.
'It is so normal to do things on evenings after work, not just go home like back home and watch EastEnders.
'Going to my local is my favourite time of the day - it's time for me to catch up on some life admin and work, but also check in with myself and journal my thoughts.
Advertisement
Most read in News Travel
'I mean, who doesn't want to be sat out in the evening sun with a cheeky caña, thinking 'how is this my life?'
'In
'They sip their alcohol and pace themselves.
'Being Irish, our favourite thing to say is 'should we get another?' when in fact there is no need for that other drink.
Advertisement
'This is something you would never hear people here say, and it has taken time to shift to this mindset.
'Everything feels so much cheaper as the prices are so different in comparison to
'When I go back there to visit family it can be quite a shock - even when getting a coffee.'
Tori quit her job and travelled to Malaga, a place she often visited as a child with her family, in 2023.
Advertisement
'ALL ABOUT LIVING'
And after falling in love with her new life, she decided to settle down in the Spanish coastal city.
She added: 'Work and career are a lower priority here - it's all about living and enjoying, rather than chasing work pressures.
'There are, however, some cultural aspects that have been hard to grasp and still grind my gears.
'As everything is slower paced here, so too is paper work and getting things done without over complicating everything, but look - we can't have it all.
Advertisement
'It can also be like being on a rollercoaster with your emotions as you're trying to build a life and a home in a country where you're not fluent in their language.'
4
Tori loves living in Malaga as 'everything is at a slower pace'
Credit: Jam Press/@thetoridiaries
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
24 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
Irish parents rushing to Dunnes Stores as back-to-school range hits shelves – with prices from €5
Irish parents are set to rush to the tills in Dunnes Stores after school essentials landed back on their shelves at bargain prices. Back-to-school season is underway, and the 4 Dunnes Stores has released lots of back-to-school clothing items Credit: Dunnes Stores 4 And prices start at only €5 Credit: Dunnes Stores 4 The retailer has all your kids' needs for returning Credit: Dunnes Stores Dunnes Stores has taken to Firstly, the Girls Pure Cotton Piqué Polo is available in stores now for €10.00. These polos are made from 100 percent cotton and come in uniform-friendly colours like blue, white, red and yellow. Coming in sizes from 2–3 years up to 32–36 inches, they're cut to a regular fit with a knitted collar and they're machine washable and tumble dry safe. READ MORE IN FABULOUS More from the girls' range, the Cotton Rich It comes in five colours - blue, green, black, grey and red and is made from soft, stretchable cotton-rich yarn. Available in sizes from 4–5 years up to 33–34 inches, the fabric resists bobbling and fading - making it work well over polos or blouses. Another essential, the Boys' Long-Sleeved Easy Iron Shirt is priced at only €12.00. MOST READ IN FABULOUS These come in blue and grey and are made with easy-care fabric and expandable cuffs for kids aged up to 7–8, making them easier to dress. The regular fit includes a chest pocket and they're fully machine washable and tumble-dry friendly. Dunnes Stores fans go wild for new summer dresses Also available, the Girls' Easy Care Short-Sleeved Blouses are in stores for only €10.00. These are made with crease-resistant fabric, boned collars and double-stitched seams for durability. They're machine washable and sizes go from 4–5 years up to 15–16 years, making them a good pick for both primary and secondary What's more, the Unisex Fleece Crew Neck Sweatshirt is on sale for €6.50. It's available in red, green, blue, and black, with sizes ranging from 3–4 years up to 35–36 inches, they feature moisture management and anti-bobble tech. Also available, the Girls' Easy Care Short-Sleeved Washing machine and tumble dry friendly, these are made with crease-resistant fabric, boned collars and double-stitched seams for durability. Sizes go from 4–5 years up to 15–16 years, making them a good pick for both primary and secondary school students. SPORTSWEAR RANGE For These joggers are made from soft fleece and come in sizes from 3–4 years up to 15–16 years. What's more, the Girls' Pleated Skirt is one of the It's available in black and grey and comes in sizes from 4–5 years up to 11–12 years. It includes stain and water resistance, along with an adjustable waistband and crease-resistant fabric to ensure that it is easy to care for. Finally, the Boys' Stretch Slim Leg Trousers are priced at only €12.50. They come in black, blue, and grey, and feature added stretch for everyday comfort. Crease-resistant fabric helps them stay sharp throughout the school day and the slim leg cut gives them a modern fit. 4 Dunnes features a whole range of items in stores now Credit: Dunnes Stores
The Irish Sun
3 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Major US flagship clothing store to open in Irish city in just weeks as fans say ‘can't wait'
A MAJOR US flagship clothing store is set to open in an Irish city in just weeks - and fans say they "can't wait." Urban Outfitters is officially opening a new shop on Patrick Street in 2 It will be located among a range of other retailers on Patrick Street Credit: Savills 2 Urban outfitters is coming to Cork City Credit: Getty Images The trendy American fashion and lifestyle chain is moving into 101 Patrick Street, the former home of Dorothy Perkins. This will be Urban Outfitters' second store in Ireland, following its long-running location in Dublin's Temple Bar. The new Cork shop comes after a full high-end refurbishment of the four-storey building since it was closed in 2019 - making the move hugely anticipated. Only two of the floors will be open to customers, with retail space expected on the ground and first levels. READ MORE IN MONEY Earlier this year, planning permission for shop front changes and internal upgrades was submitted to Cork City Council ahead of the new store announcement. Drawings show plans for new signage, fitting rooms, stair balustrades and merchandising units. Now operating over 177 stores in the US and 33 in the UK, it first launched in 1970 and originally targeted students with a mix of clothing, music and homeware. MOST READ IN MONEY Its first Irish store opened in Dublin in 2000, and Cork will mark its return to retail expansion in Ireland. Cork's new location will sell a mix of men's and women's Wendy's hilarious dig And shoppers can expect to find brands like Nike, Fila, Adidas and Champion sitting alongside their own-label designs. Urban Outfitters joins a wave of new arrivals on Patrick Street in the past two years - including Mango, Flannels, Dune, Sea Salt Cornwall and The North Face. And the retailer has already started hiring staff for the Cork branch - which you can apply to here. People have taken to One person wrote: 'That is wonderful news. It's great to see the city centre coming back to life after it was badly hit by Covid.' Another said: 'Can't wait, we're gonna have to queue.' FAST FOOD CHAIN Meanwhile, American fast food chain Taco Bell is a hugely popular Mexican style fast-food chain, featuring items like tacos, burritos and the Crunchwrap Supreme. This launch is part of a new partnership between Applegreen and Taco Bell, marking a major move in the chains expansion in Applegreen's Managing Director for the Republic of Ireland, Seamus Stapleton, said the company is delighted to introduce Taco Bell to Irish consumers. He said: 'We are really excited to announce this partnership to launch the iconic Taco Bell brand in Ireland. "This partnership underscores our commitment to bringing world-class roadside hospitality to our customers, offering them greater choice and quality while they travel. "We are constantly investing in our locations, and I'm sure Irish consumers will be very excited at the arrival of Taco Bell.'
RTÉ News
4 hours ago
- RTÉ News
The new 3 fitness studios bringing elevated wellness to Dublin
Saunas, sea swims, padel and pilates: health and wellness has boomed in popularity in Ireland and there's an activity to suit anyone at any price point. As our hobbies become more specific and tightly woven to our lives, the more some are willing to invest in their health - from wearable health monitors and matching workout sets, to investing in top quality equipment - making the area a thriving business. So it's not surprising that a number of Irish entrepreneurs have created some of Dublin's most premium workout studios, all of which have opened in recent months. While spaces like spin studio Echelon, Yoga Hub and Perpetua Pilates have been attracting visitors with their specialised classes, these new openings have tunnelled even more into the luxury and bespoke sphere. Here, we speak to the founders behind three of the city's newest wellness hotspots. What is your background, and how did you become interested in barre? I'm originally from Cape Town, South Africa, where my love for barre first began. When I moved to Dublin six years ago, I was surprised to find that there wasn't a single dedicated barre studio, just one place offering the occasional class. Years passed, and while reformer and Pilates studios seemed to appear everywhere, the barre community remained underserved. So when I discovered what felt like the perfect space, I turned to my husband, Justin, who's also my business partner, and said, "It's now or never." That moment marked the beginning of our barre studio journey. What was your vision for the space? My vision is to build a vibrant community where clients can enjoy an uplifting workout in a fun, welcoming environment that embraces the social side of fitness. Being located next to one of Dublin's best coffee shops [The Cosy Bean] was no coincidence, it was a must for me. I want clients to feel encouraged to stick around, grab a coffee or matcha, and connect before or after class. I also plan to host regular collaborative events to bring people together and strengthen the sense of community around the studio. What separates barre from other forms of exercise like Pilates? Barre builds on the fundamentals of Pilates while incorporating key principles of ballet, but don't let that intimidate you. No prior dance experience is needed. The blend of Pilates precision and ballet-inspired movement is a powerful combination that delivers visible results. Within just a few weeks, you'll notice your body becoming more sculpted, toned and aligned. Our classes are open to everyone, and you'll see steady improvements in your form, strength and overall body confidence week after week. Dublin is home to a number of studios dedicated to just one form of exercise or pastime, how has the fitness scene in Ireland changed in recent years? Reformer Pilates may be dominating the Dublin fitness scene, but that only fueled my motivation to introduce something different, an exclusive barre studio. Incorporating barre into your weekly routine brings a fresh layer of variety, complementing other workouts while challenging your body in new and effective ways. Drop in class passes are €18, while a 5-class pass costs €80 and a 10-class pass costs €150. SAINT Studios, South William St, Dublin 2 - Alana Murrin and Ryan Baronet, co-founders What is the background of the founders of Saint Studios? Partners in life and business, Alana and Ryan bring a wealth of experience, passion, and purpose to SAINT. Alana, a Dublin-born former professional dancer, spent nearly two decades in London where she became a leading force at Psycle London - Europe's top boutique studio, rising to Head of Ride and shaping both culture and community with her signature blend of musicality, empathy, and soul-led coaching. Ryan, originally from South Africa and raised in London, is a seasoned fitness professional with over 15 years in the industry. With a background in sport and exercise science, Ryan has led teams, developed standout training concepts, and consulted across Europe, always with a sharp eye on innovation and client experience. Together, they've poured their expertise and heart into building SAINT - an elevated, immersive fitness space designed to move people from the inside out. What inspired you to open a space like this? Fitness and wellness is now no longer about just your physical health but also your mental and emotional wellbeing. In a digital age, people crave human connection and genuine community. Our mission is to provide an urban sanctuary where individuals can come to sweat, find community, and enhance their mental, physical, and social well-being in the heart of the creative quarter on South William Street. What was your vision for the space, were there any inspirations you drew from? The vision for SAINT was to bring a premium, boutique facility to the Dublin market that seamlessly blends luxury with fitness innovation, cutting-edge equipment, expert-led classes and exclusive amenities. We intentionally combined four unique but complimentary workouts: Ride, Train, Recover and Reformer to ensure that we had something for everyone regardless of age, fitness levels and personal goals. We drew inspiration from a variety of hospitality spaces, live music venues, high end retail as well as of course, boutique style fitness and wellness spaces across the globe to ensure that we were bringing something innovative and exciting to the Dublin market. What can visitors expect from a visit there? Apart from a warm friendly welcome, all of the necessary amenities, best in class equipment, an incredible workout with an amazing team of charismatic and highly skilled instructors. The SAINT team will ensure that we leave you feeling better than we found you! Dublin is home to a number of studios dedicated to just one form of exercise or pastime, how has the fitness and wellness scene in Ireland changed in recent years? In recent years, Ireland's fitness and wellness scene has evolved significantly. People have become much more invested in their overall health and wellbeing. Places like SAINT are the antidote to the fast paced, over digitalised and sometimes lonely way of working that was perpetuated by COVID. With a class based model like SAINT not only will you have an incredible workout, but there is a strong emphasis on community and human connection, with the added benefit of accountability. When people come together for a class, there is a shared energy and motivation that can make the experience more engaging and enjoyable, therefore encouraging more consistent participation leading to happier, healthier ways of living. A single class credit costs €28 and class bundles starting at €125 for five credits. SAINT is offering a limited time package of four class credits and four recovery sessions for €84. Segotia, Rathmines, Dublin 6 - Karen and Derek Noonan, cofounders. What is your background, and how did you become interested in yoga? Karen: My background is that I was a solicitor. I started doing yoga as a way to manage the stress and overwhelm of the corporate world, my interest grew along with a desire to share the modalities that have helped me so much in my life. I saw the need for spaces where people feel safe and offered a sense of belonging. Derek: My background was in running events and gigs. I was involved with the creative community in Dublin and saw the need for creative spaces, as many of our favourite places shut in the last 10 years. It felt like the city was losing its vibrancy and communities that had become established, losing its soul. My family owned a building in Rathmines, and we decided to take the opportunity to create a space. What inspired you to open a space that combines wellness and creativity? It began from a place of wanting to hold both of our passions under one roof. Then, as we began to develop Segotia, we realised how naturally these worlds support each other and it evolved into a broader vision: a holistic home for creatives — and for anyone, really. We believe everyone is creative, whether or not they identify as such, if you're designing your life, you are creative. There are three elements to the business: A place to make your art - There are creative studios to rent. We have nine studios filled with a great spread of creative disciplines - painter, photographer, sculptor, illustrator, musicians, writers, and filmmakers. We also offer creative classes, courses and workshops, including life drawing, the artist's way, watercolours and ceramics. A place to share your work - We have our gallery space for exhibitions and events, and a space for film screenings and listening parties/DJ sets. A place that supports the artist through the process - We have a yoga and restorative space to nurture and replenish. We run classes and workshops, and we also have a treatment room for holistic therapies such as massage, reiki, etc. What was your vision for the space? Were there any inspirations you drew from? Our vision was as above - a holistic space that offers real community. We spoke to a lot of creatives in the development of Segotia, and what we heard over and over again was that, first and foremost, having basic needs of heat, light, security of tenure, and real community was often lacking in spaces. Culturally, we value the finished product of the arts so much, we spend our precious spare time going to gigs, the cinema, plays and exhibitions and we use the arts as currency on the world stage, but often the creative process is not supported and therefore cannot be sustained, so we felt that if we could offer a consistent and caring holistic environment for the process of creating, then the creativity itself can flourish. What can visitors expect from a visit there? We want people to feel considered and to feel seen. We want people to feel their most creative when they are here. When developing the programme we looked at the elements we felt were important to creativity and we developed our Segotia pillars. All of our classes fall under one of these pillars: Embodiment - to feel safe in your body with a settled nervous system. Presence - to feel present, to be able to be in the moment and see and feel what is happening to you in that moment. Connection - to connect with the source of your inspiration; and Flow - to tap into the flow state. The flow state is what links the creative and restorative aspect of Segotia together, that place where you are totally present and you are totally yourself. Dublin is home to a number of studios dedicated to just one form of exercise or pastime, how has the fitness and wellness scene in Ireland changed in recent years? In recent years, people are more and more engaging in self-discovery and self-development, they are more curious, more open to trying new things and want to be challenged and excited. As so much of life has moved online, there's been a strong shift back toward in-person connection. More and more, people are seeking third spaces — places beyond home and work where they can truly belong, engage with others, and feel part of a community.
