The Love Island star has no plans to return to the UK (Image: JAMPRESSS)
A Love Island star said she is “100 times happier” after turning her back on the “miserable” UK. Diamanté Laiva, who featured in series 11 of the reality show, uprooted her life in Kent last year and made the move to Vietnam, which has had 26-degree temperatures in February.
Now residing in a luxurious flat in Da Nang, the 23-year-old claims she’s enjoying increased disposable income, a warmer climate and an improved quality of life.
Among the factors driving her departure was Britain’s cost of living crisis, with rising rent making everyday life increasingly difficult to afford.
The reality star privately rented a one-bedroom property in Gillingham, Kent – setting her back £950 excluding additional bills.
A mere fraction of that expense, her current residence costs just £500 monthly. “It was quite modern but there was only a gym and I was paying £950 a month, and had to pay my rent upfront,” she told Luxury Travel Daily.
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The Love Island star gives fans an insight into her new life on Instagram (Image: JAMPRESS)
“Plus £250 for parking my car, £116 for council tax per month and £200 approximately on bills. Kent was quite isolating.”
She continued: “I didn’t leave my house in the UK simply because it was too cold and you have to spend £100 just to have a simple ordinary day out It’s just not really liveable anymore.”
Diamanté successfully negotiated a six-month long-term arrangement for her flat with hotel management throughout the rainy season, when “prices were really low”.
Since relocating, she has immersed herself in the local culture and taken advantage of “amenities like the sauna, the swimming pool and the jacuzzi”.
The entrepreneur, who operates a body enhancement brand alongside a marketing agency for hospitality businesses, claimed Britain is also no longer suitable for her commercial ventures.
Diamanté Laiva says she is ‘100 times happier’ away from the UK (Image: JAMPRESS)
“So I decided to move to Vietnam simply because the UK is just not a place for entrepreneurs at the moment and it doesn’t look like things are getting better any time soon,” she added.
The Love Island star also disclosed how she cuts costs on food – despite dining out every day.
With a basic meal, such as burger and chips, priced at approximately £3, she explained “there’s absolutely no need to cook over here”.
“Healthy chicken and rice costs about £1.50-£2 to have it delivered. You can even get fruit drinks delivered,” she continued.
“They don’t charge delivery fees that are extortionate, unlike delivery and Uber Eats back home.”
Diamanté rose to fame on Love Island (Image: ITV)
Beyond the economic strain, Diamanté says being in a happier environment has improved her mental health.
“People are so happy in Vietnam that it actually rubs off on you,” she said.
“In the UK, the whole grey filter and rain and everybody being cheesed off can’t be good for anybody’s mental health.
“I can definitely see why people are leaving in waves because it’s not going to get better,” she concluded.
The Love Island star gives fans an insight into her life in Vietnam on social media (Image: Jam Press/@diamantelv)
Without any second thoughts about her choice, the businesswoman is welcoming the unpredictability of what lies ahead. She added: “Life is crazy right now. I feel like I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.
“Life is exciting right now because even I don’t know what’s happening next.
“The long-term plan is still very open. I like to just listen to my gut feeling and let it pull me to a country, so at the moment I’m getting a USA feeling.
“I’ve never been there before so feel like it’s somewhere where I would need a holiday first, because the country is so big I wouldn’t even know where to start.”
