Pack in the job, rent out the house, get in the camper van, fuck off

Do it , life is short enjoy it while you can!

I know a couple that did this when they retired, DH and I often say it's something we would love to do

Substitute "narrow boat" for "camper van" and it's what my BIL did.
Same age as you OP.
No regrets.

And that’s why he wants to do what they hope to do!

Do it.

We had planned to do something similar on retirement. It won't happen as we have family care commitments. My super fit DH now has a debilitating condition. And I have RA.

So glad we took time out to travel when we were younger.

Our neighbours early 50s took to the road a couple of years ago. They had intended spending more time in Europe but Brexit and the lack of freedom of movement made it more difficult. They have been doing 3 months in Europe then back to UK.
They have decided to sell the house and are considering buying a croft in Scotland as their base.

DO IT!

This is a great idea!

One of the people I know who does it found they needed more money than expected so did tutoring via their starlink
it seems to work for them (other than giving money to Elon)

I'm massively risk averse, op but I'd say go for it while you can! Tbh it's something I've considered for me and dh in the future but there's a 10 year age gap between us and the kids are still at school, so by the time we're ready, dh may be too old. You have no real ties and will have sufficient money in the bank. Do it!

It’s OP who doesn’t like her job, not her DH.

Your responses are not very Peter Pan.

Yes do it

Most lenders will do a short-term ‘consent to let’ agreement. Some might change the interest rate but not all.

If you’re going for a year or 18 months, no need to change to a BTL or anything else. You might need to get a landlord licence depending on your local council - mine has a 5 year length so it’s expensive to do for short term.

So much misinformation on this thread!

OP - depending on the size of your van, consider buying a bell tent. If you’re at a proper site for a few days, it will make you feel like you have much more space. They aren’t expensive and are really easy and quick to erect - the downside is the weight which isn’t an issue with van camping!

God what an adventure. I’m jealous

I'd do it for 3 months. Maybe 4 off work. I've actually never enjoyed travelling for longer than this and have done it a few times. Then you could maybe air bnb instead of full house rental? Or better, just leave it empty for flexibility. I get a bit fed up travelling after a few months, no idea why and start longing for routine, friends, work, my bed etc.

OP isn't a teacher. Her H is.

They may not be able to rent their home under the mortgage agreement . It's not paid off yet.

IME (I'm older than OP) there are very few of my friends who have become full time carers to their elderly parents. When parents need a lot of care they usually employ carers, because they don't want family doing very personal care.

None of my Mum's friends in their mid 80s have 'care' from family or otherwise and some, when they needed a lot of care beyond the limits of family, had to go into a care home.

But there will always be supply teaching jobs to step into even if she can't return to a full-time teaching post. And as OP says, she may well end up having to become her father's carer anyway and leave work. There will be income from the home rental too.

There are a handful of things i want to do before I get too old and they will minorly inconvenience others but if I don't, it's like withering away in front of endless mediocre Netflix series.

many mortgage providers prohibit renting out your home when it's still being paid for on a mortgage. It may need to be considered as a business loan .

Sounds great! Just be realistic in costs of a rental.

We rented our old house when we moved instead of selling, for various reasons, and it took more than a year to break even. For reference mortgage was about 25% of the rent, and we’re 40% tax (presumably you wouldn’t be, especially if you timed it right re tax year), and that’s including costs of switching to a BTL mortgage. But also quite a lot of cost getting it fit for rental and compliant, and the letting agents are costly but vital.

So you might need to save like mad for a while before going.

Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it.

I think you should do it.

I didn't say that.

I said that someone who isn't enjoying teaching should reconsider as it's unfair on the students . Doesn't matter if he's 25 or 55.

I’m risk averse so I’d ask for work sabbaticals and do it for 6 months initially.

These responses are all very well, but ultimately no one wants to be poor in their old age and poor with ill health is even worse.

These 'romantic' ideas of swanning off in a camper van are all very well but need to be tempered with the cold reality of living a life scrimping and scraping in old age if the whole thing goes belly up.

If the sums add up and you're a risk taker fine- give it a whirl- but be realistic over the downsides.

Oh come on. If you're suggesting people in their 50s should step aside from the job market to benefit younger people, fortunately legislation makes ageism illegal.

My neighbour came over when he had been diagnosed with bone cancer and was going to die within about 6 months and said, 'Thingymajigii, do it all now while you can" He had planned to do Route 66 and go to Vegas and never got the chance. It's stayed with me and I always remind myself of his words when I thinking of putting something off.

In terms of selling up - I would be a bit cautious - I know people who did this and were travelling / living on a seasonal pitch - then Covid hit and the sites closed down so they were in a bit of a fix. Even if you sold up and bought a downsized house to rent out it might be better - or at least know you’ve a fall back.
im all for your idea and still want to do it myself despite what I’ve mentioned.
i also can’t imagine we’ll have another lockdown as don’t think the uk would stand for it after all the double standards with the govt.

Both of you need to sit down and do the sums.

You need to work on the best and the worst scenarios.

I guess you live on the east coast (Norfolk etc) or Sussex area.

The worst scenario would be renting and not being able to get rid of a tenant on your return. And no savings to speak of so you'd be unable to rent.

Or you'd have to come home early from the trip if one of you was ill-not able to access your own home.

And factor in coming home and being without work for some months.

Selling your home - it could take a year to sell and buy. How would you live then if your came back from a trip and your savings were almost gone? And no regular income.

Or- God forbid- your dad was ill so you had to come back early and there was a tenant in your house? And it was too soon to return to the jobs you'd put on hold?

These are all important things to talk through.

I know you felt I was 'snarky' mentioning savings, but there's a massive difference going road-tripping in your 50s with £10K ish in the bank, and putting your jobs on hold, compared to £100K+ as a buffer.

I'd say do it if you can tick all the boxes to ensure your finances are secure.