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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to buy a motorhome and travel the UK with DC

33 replies

Wheellygood · 29/10/2022 19:08

We're going to lose our home. I'm hoping we'll have some cash left over - enough to put some bits in storage and buy a motorhome, with some left to live on. Would it be mad to take DD(7) out of school for 6 months or so to travel the UK, maybe Europe before we come home to settle again? Has anyone done this?

I want to take a horrible situation and make it into something positive.

OP posts:
HoHoHowMuch · 29/10/2022 20:29

So sorry about your home. I'd love to do the motor home thing! Your child is of an age that taking out of school won't affect exams and they should be old enough to have lasting memories of it. Also young enough to not need the privacy an older child would. I hope that some good can come out of this.

AndyWarholsPiehole · 29/10/2022 20:32

Will it be positive for your daughter to be moved away from her friends? Will she be able to make new friends?

NancyJoan · 29/10/2022 20:34

What will you live on if you are travelling and not working? You don’t want to burn through any money you have left.

ivykaty44 · 29/10/2022 20:35

Motorhome and house sitting
home teaching/learning

youll be restricted to 90days in europe every 180 days and need an outward ticket when you enter

tbh europe is easier to travel with motorhome and Spain is cheaper than france

SpookyMcGhoul · 29/10/2022 20:36

Honestly I couldn't imagine anything worse than missing 6 months of school to travel the uk (even "maybe" Europe) as a child - especially with new border restrictions. Even if there's no exams for your DC how are you going to make up for the lost education? Lots friends? What will happen when you get back?

Is the money for the motor home (forgive me I have no clue how much they cost) able to be used for something else, like a deposit somewhere?

User0610134057 · 29/10/2022 20:39

If you’re losing your home due to financial issue (sorry I’m not sure of the circumstances ), is it wise to take a 6 month holiday? Not working - paying your living expenses, fuel for the motor home, campsite fees etc, will it be that fun for your dc if you can’t afford to go anywhere or do anything beyond your camper?

SeemingOKToday · 29/10/2022 20:39

Sorry op but yes, I think you'd be mad.

Travelling around with the kids for 6 months is something you do with plenty of planning, a solid base back home and money/time to burn.

Where would you go when you came home - but to nowhere to stay and money severely depleted?

User0610134057 · 29/10/2022 20:40

Where are you going to live at the end of it?

luxxlisbon · 29/10/2022 20:41

Why are you losing your home? Is it defaulting on payments?

If you can’t afford your home it seems crazy imo to quit your job and piss away the small amount of money you do have. What about when you need to settle down after and enrol her in school again?

AnOldCynic · 29/10/2022 20:43

I know people that have done that. With two kids. Do it, if your DD is also up for it.

clarepetal · 29/10/2022 20:44

Actually op I think it could be amazing. I'd love to do this.

2bazookas · 29/10/2022 20:48

If you have enough cash to buy and fuel a motorhome, then I'd use it to pay the deposit + rent on a small flat in a cheaper part of the country.

From there, DC can go to school and resume a normal life with other kids, you can look for work. Much more stable and secure for DC after such a disruption.

donttellmehesalive · 29/10/2022 20:54

I know someone who did this - made redundant and had to sell their home. They travelled Europe for a year but don't know if they worked or used savings/equity. They applied for jobs and came back to new jobs and a rental. DC went back to the same school. They're such a close family even now, and all of the children are now in secondary school or university and seem to be thriving.

Sometimeswinning · 29/10/2022 20:55

SpookyMcGhoul · 29/10/2022 20:36

Honestly I couldn't imagine anything worse than missing 6 months of school to travel the uk (even "maybe" Europe) as a child - especially with new border restrictions. Even if there's no exams for your DC how are you going to make up for the lost education? Lots friends? What will happen when you get back?

Is the money for the motor home (forgive me I have no clue how much they cost) able to be used for something else, like a deposit somewhere?

From my point of view school isn't the place it should be. As long as you can keep up with education. Can afford it go for it!

It's important to keep your dd socialised but I'm assuming you'll bring her back into school so I doubt 6 months will make a difference. I mean school was closed not so long ago!

coodawoodashooda · 29/10/2022 20:56

2bazookas · 29/10/2022 20:48

If you have enough cash to buy and fuel a motorhome, then I'd use it to pay the deposit + rent on a small flat in a cheaper part of the country.

From there, DC can go to school and resume a normal life with other kids, you can look for work. Much more stable and secure for DC after such a disruption.

I'd do this. Move somewhere entirely rural and affordable. How much capital will you have? You could have a wonderful adventure and secure your future.

CornishTiger · 29/10/2022 20:56

It really depends on the child. One of mine would love it. Another hate it. Another tolerate it.

MyMumSaysALot · 29/10/2022 21:11

I read a fascinating article about an American couple who bought a lovely motorhome and took their two pre-teens out of school. They traveled all over North America and homeschooled their kids (they might still be doing it).

I can’t think of a more enriching experience than exposing your children to the wonders of the U.K. and Europe and how people in the different regions actually live.

I’m so sorry you’re losing your home, @Wheellygood — this idea sounds like turning a negative into a wonderful positive that your daughter will cherish the rest of her life.

I wish you the very best of luck. ❤️

willstarttomorrow · 29/10/2022 21:14

OP I totally understand why this seems attractive- I have often thought that this would be an amazing thing to do with DC (only 2 of us) and I would have loved to head off around Europe but the reality is;

-Camper vans are bloody expensive to buy and also will cost a lot in fuel. I suspect they also cost a lot to maintain.

-They are also bloody massive and I would hate to drive one. Also, you cannot park them up somewhere and then drive into town, you have to drive your home to the supermarket to get the shopping.

-You have to park them up somewhere. Have you seen the cost of an electric hook-up site? We have a large tent (bought v cheaply for DC off a friend) and we use it rarely because it costs bloody loads to go anywhere decent and you needs LOADS of stuff. You also need to walk to the loo in the night.

-Some one I know very well has had this dream for a while. They are outdoors people, camp a lot, happily head off every weekend to the outdoors and have always spoken about buying a camper, particularly to take their 2 children (twins) across Europe before they head off to Uni. Partner hired one for her birthday and without children SHE HATED IT. The space is tiny. They could afford to buy one but she realised very quickly ot would be hell.

  • As amazing as DC is and we have a lovely relationship, this is because they have routine and friendships where we live, including other adults who are very important in the intensity of our relationship. They are a teen now and they were really happy because I had to cancel out planned abroad holiday this week because they have just got a job which they love and had a party to go to! Also the older your child gets- the more uncomfortable they are making 'random friends on holiday'. However sociable they are- for most kids, ongoing friendships are incredibly important, even if they change as they grow.This is also how they learn to navigate many of life's situations.
DuesToTheDirt · 29/10/2022 21:17

Would this be in winter? If so, no way. In summer, possibly.

Original poster
Wheellygood · 29/10/2022 21:27

Thank you for your thoughts. I'm not worried about DD missing education. She has autism, hates school and I was a teacher. She would learn on the move and we'd come back here afterwards. Learning isn't only done in the classroom and she'd meet people in different places. It is unlikely that she could not get a place at her current school when we returned.

There's no default on our payments, it's a complex situation - If we did this, I'd ensure we had enough money to live off. Ideally, I'd buy a little flat here first as a base/ investment if funds allow but we have family & other options who would help us with somewhere to stay if needed. I have a job that I can come back to or could transfer elsewhere, so I'm not worried about that.

It's been a shitty few years and we want to get away. I'd have loved this as a child - time with people who loved me, exploring our little part of the world. I just don't know the practicalities of living in a motorhome. We're not going to do it yet - but sometime in the next 18 months perhaps.

OP posts:
MacarenaMacarena · 29/10/2022 21:32

We had 6 months away in a camper when my son was 6/7, winter was good in the Algarve. Lots to see and enjoy, and doesn't have to be expensive - lots of places to park overnight for free.
Plenty of facebook groups to get more info, and great apps for finding parking and town facilities for launderettes, toilet emptying and fresh water.
But as people have said, the finances situation is quite serious, be careful not to burn your bridges with a bricks and mortar home xx

coodawoodashooda · 29/10/2022 21:54

Wheellygood · 29/10/2022 21:27

Thank you for your thoughts. I'm not worried about DD missing education. She has autism, hates school and I was a teacher. She would learn on the move and we'd come back here afterwards. Learning isn't only done in the classroom and she'd meet people in different places. It is unlikely that she could not get a place at her current school when we returned.

There's no default on our payments, it's a complex situation - If we did this, I'd ensure we had enough money to live off. Ideally, I'd buy a little flat here first as a base/ investment if funds allow but we have family & other options who would help us with somewhere to stay if needed. I have a job that I can come back to or could transfer elsewhere, so I'm not worried about that.

It's been a shitty few years and we want to get away. I'd have loved this as a child - time with people who loved me, exploring our little part of the world. I just don't know the practicalities of living in a motorhome. We're not going to do it yet - but sometime in the next 18 months perhaps.

It sounds like you have your head screwed on and your adventure certainly has the potential to be wonderful. Money quickly disappears though and I know from personal experience that I wish I had been more thoughtful about banking cash and being less adventurous in my youth. Where, roughly, are you based? If you bought further afield I bet you'd be shocked at how much further your money would go.

Addicted2LoveIsland · 29/10/2022 21:55

Just home school on the road. I don't think legally you can just pull them out for 6 months

Baconandcabbage1 · 29/10/2022 22:08

If you intend to use overnight sites with electric hook ups and toilet/showers facilities you’ll need to budget on average £25 a night site fees. Bear in mind many UK sites close for a few months over winter. If you join Motor Home and Caravan Club you’ll have access to discounted rates on their approved sites. Typical stay £16-20 per night.

I use my son’s VW camper van sometimes for a few days. I swear to God the fuel gauge needle drops as I look at it. It guzzles diesel at an alarming rate.

wishing you good luck and safe travels.

TabithaTittlemouse · 29/10/2022 22:10

We did this when I was younger (from age 7 to 10). I loved it.