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Original poster

To live in a Travelodge

286 replies

oakkiln · 08/02/2025 11:14

Inspired by the other poster who started a threads about liquidating their assets and living in luxury hotels in their old age (but, for us, sadly without the assets!)

My husband and I are in a desperate situation. We are both late middle age and still rent. We are doing everything we can to save for a deposit for a house and live very frugally.

Rent, rates and all house costs etc come to £21k a year. But we could live in a Travelodge for £11k. Storage for furniture etc would be £2k

Are we crazy to consider it for just a year or two?

OP posts:
barstar · 08/02/2025 12:37

Yes, if you're staying weeks at a time. With breakfast included too.

Not a chance you can secure a travelodge averaging £30 a night for a year; less so with breakfast.

RatedDoingMagic · 08/02/2025 12:35

You aren't comparing like with like.

It costs £21k to have a house with multiple rooms including cooking facilities. If you lived in a travel lodge you would have just the one room and would have no kitchen.

Rather than moving into a travel lodge if you moved into a room in an HMO you would have the same amount of private space as a travel lodge but would still have cooking facilities, and that would cost about £6000 pa. Then you can put £15k per year more into savings.

Wouldn't be pleasant but the travel lodge idea would be less pleasant and more expensive.

ShoesAddict · 08/02/2025 12:34

Crazy idea

EvenMoreFuriousVexation · 08/02/2025 12:31

I think you'd be better off looking to rent a studio or a double room in a house share. I live in hotels a significant proportion of the week as I travel for work and it gets old really quickly. Laundrette and eating out adds to the cost. There's only so many times you can eat a Tesco meal deal for breakfast dinner and tea before you soul starts to die.

Plus as pointed out any mortgage provider is not going to be happy with a period of "no fixed address" on your records.

DrinkFeckArseBrick · 08/02/2025 12:29

How would you cook, wash clothes, wash up, get some space from each other etc

I have heard of people that do this. Eg taking an air fryer into rooms

MrsWinkly · 08/02/2025 12:27

Lilactimes · 08/02/2025 12:16

I reckon a really lovely static caravan could be better instead. At least you could cook and they often are in nice locations. My froend’s dad does this and loves it.

I know someone who lives in a static in a lovely location.
At least life would feel more normal OP, with cooking, washing, access to outside etc. I think I'd soon go nuts shut in a room 😬

There's a list on this website of residential parks in the uk.
www.parkhome.org.uk/residential-parks-uk/

reesiespieces · 08/02/2025 12:26

There are better ways to save money on housing short term.

biscuitsandbooks · 08/02/2025 12:26

What about meals? Laundry?

Ginisatonic · 08/02/2025 12:25

A room in a shared house might be a better option. Cooking facilities and washing machine would be available. Look at spare room.

Waterweight · 08/02/2025 12:25

Maurepas · 08/02/2025 12:19

What about your mail? You will need some sort of permanent address for many things.

You can redirect your mail & collect at a post office + you'd have no outside bills so not going to fall behind if you don't get your electric/water/tax ect.

Canonlythinkofthisone · 08/02/2025 12:24

We ended up technically homeless for a few months, we "lived" in a travel lodge on occasions we couldn't get an air bnb or a caravan somewhere, it was awful. We also spent a fortune eating out because there's only so many sandwiches you can handle 🤣
Caravan/converter campervan. Go for it. Budget hotel, no way

orangesandlemonssaythebellsofstclements · 08/02/2025 12:24

Gingerkittykat · 08/02/2025 12:22

£11000 is only £30 a night. Can you really get a Travelodge that cheaply?

Yes, if you're staying weeks at a time. With breakfast included too.

SpringBunnyHopHop · 08/02/2025 12:24

£30 nights are likely to be rare these days.

My friend offen uses premier inn when visiting and it’s always over £100. I was looking at booking one for a night away and it was £189 for one night.

Waterweight · 08/02/2025 12:23

I would .... A year or 2 is nothing just check the maximum amount of time you can stay in one or be prepared to move around a bit

I really wouldn't be bothered by alot of what's been brought up here but do think about parking ect. If you have cars & do a big clean out before book storage

Gingerkittykat · 08/02/2025 12:22

£11000 is only £30 a night. Can you really get a Travelodge that cheaply?

pensionsums · 08/02/2025 12:21

claudiaswinklemen · 08/02/2025 11:46

I think you might be better in a “holiday home” lodge/caravan.

Yes, I would look in to this.

Maurepas · 08/02/2025 12:19

What about your mail? You will need some sort of permanent address for many things.

MonickerMonica · 08/02/2025 12:18

scorpiogirly · 08/02/2025 11:48

They could get a mini electric hob. One of those camping ones with two plates.

Show quote history

I very much doubt the hotel would allow that. Fire hazard etc. also no laundry facilities for clothes.

barstar · 08/02/2025 12:17

I think you would struggle to find rooms for £30 a night for a whole year - you have considered storage but not the added cost of food due to lack of facilities; or washing your clothes.

SpringBunnyHopHop · 08/02/2025 12:16

Are extra part time jobs an option?

Lilactimes · 08/02/2025 12:16

I reckon a really lovely static caravan could be better instead. At least you could cook and they often are in nice locations. My froend’s dad does this and loves it.

orangesandlemonssaythebellsofstclements · 08/02/2025 12:16

Do it, seriously.

Yes, you'd have to move about to different travelodges but there's bloody loads of them, just take treasured possessions and clothes, you don't need anything else. A big suitcase each should do it. Easy peasy.

If I didn't have kids, I'd do it. Sick to the back teeth of renting.

SpringBunnyHopHop · 08/02/2025 12:15

scorpiogirly · 08/02/2025 11:48

They could get a mini electric hob. One of those camping ones with two plates.

Show quote history

These won’t be allowed in hotels. Neither will an air fryer.

NotMeNoNo · 08/02/2025 12:14

Park home/static caravan?

MrsMitford3 · 08/02/2025 12:11

I have def seen articles about ppl who live on cruise ships for that reason.

It would be like a living death to me but to each their own

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