I am single and 40.

[RosesandMoonshine]

I am 40, I have 30K saved, am an artist with a middle-ish income. Can I start again? I am open to anything! Not sure what to do, but currently living with sister, with, of course, a view to move after helping her through covid (she has health issues).

I love hill walking, art, meditation and yoga.
Where should I go and what would you do in my position?
No kids, parent sadly gone, open to anything!

30K isn't much at all but it is if you have nothing! I understand and appreciate perspective. I don't wish to own a home or have a corporate job. Perhaps I am mad? What next?

In your position I would buy a mobile home and go travelling, it's my dream

Move to Todmorden.

House sit around the country!

Or- this time of year, do some seasonal work in a nice place

Do you want to continue being an artist and will you make a living from it, do you need to be based in a certain place? Are you basically just wondering where to live? Or more fundamental?

I would live on one of the Scottish Islands - probably Harris or Lewis. The scenery is amazing and the pace of life is so different. it wouldn’t have to be a permenant arrangement but I would love to have that experience for at least a year to see the changing seasons
Depend how much you would miss company/ shops/ restaurants/ theatre though. And whether you can cope with wild wet weather.

Do you plan to keep earning a living?
Do you need money to retire?

You could easily burn through £30k in a year just travelling around Europe.

Sorry, not helpful maybe, but I'd understand the context of the question.

If it was me, I'd buy a camper van/motor home and just take off! If you're into art, go visit art communities across Europe. For income, you could house-sit across the UK or continue as you are. Go and see the UK and Europe and have a mad adventure 😊

Need more info. Do you make your living from your art work? Can you produce art anywhere - or do you need a studio / large equipment? Do you want to stay reasonably near your sister? Do you want to see friends regularly? Do you want to achieve anything work-wise? What do you care about? What gives your life meaning? Maybe make a list of goals you want to achieve in the next 5 years and 10 years.

I like this idea. If not for mum, I'd pack in the rat race and try to house sit my way round some nice places.

Gosh it's never that simple though is it?
I am fine with leaving people, they care and have busy lives, and we will always connect, but it still seems I would burn through money easily. I am thinking of maybe renting for a few years somewhere, not sure.

I think in this position, where you have no responsibilities outside of yourself, what would other people do. I think none of us are the same, which is interesting!
Thank you for your ideas!

when you close your eyes and imagine your perfect life, what is it?

the £30k is a nice cushion, but you need a steady income.

how about working at a country retreat? Can you teach art or yoga? If not could you do some qualifications?

£30k would only sustain your for a year or maybe two without income so you need a plan in place - but for something you would enjoy.

I want your life !!

If I had to stay relatively close to home: I'd move Scotland! I'd move there today if I could!
Hidden dream I've never shared: moving to Spain or Italy and renovating a house by myself.
Really crazy and never going to happen for me dream: move to Japan!

Move to a island country with a tourist population and teach yoga. I know a couple of people who do that here. Its a nice lifestyle. Most tourist visas give you 3 months of right. But if you get a job then a working visa usually follows.

Go up to Findhorn in Scotland and run art classes, retrain as an art therapist, do a Trinity Tesol or CELTA and travel (having the teaching cert means you'll be able to get work).

Go to Hastings it has an increasingly bohemian artistic vibe and is a lot cheaper than Brighton .

The old town is lovely and you'll find your people

OP I'm in a similar position but a bit younger and not self-employed, and this is a really boring answer but if you have no interest in buying a home or getting regular employment with a pension scheme I'd start thinking about how you're going to manage when you're older and may no longer be able to work. £30k is a lot when you also have an income but will be swallowed up quickly if you're having to use it to cover rent, so I'd be looking at ways to increase your savings if possible. I'm currently considering becoming an English teacher overseas for this reason - if I can move to a country with a much lower cost of living I'll be able to save a lot more than I can in my current job. Or you could teach something like yoga, as a PP suggested.