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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:
Crikeyalmighty · 09/02/2025 21:28

@ShinyAppleDreamingOfTheSea I posted about this but think they should rent over55 as no service charge - and posted some links. The OP earns quite well so even if they didn't do it forever it would enable them to save and maybe then do a shared ownership and buy the share outright ( no mortgage needed) -not necessarily over 55 either - it also means if income was tight at any point you can claim towards rent on UC - itsall far more sensible and logical at this age than living in travel lodges etc - for around the same money .

Isinglass20 · 09/02/2025 22:17

Could your DH get work as a carer in a residential/nursing home as he has experience in that situation?
You said he hasn’t worked for 25 years. That’s unfair if he has been caring for your disabled DS. He will have transferable skills.

Its a different matter if he’s had enough though.
Could he find work doing odd jobs or gardening for elderly residents? Most need shelving put up, sinks unblocked, curtains re-attached to rails, etc. Lifts to and from hospital. Shopping, dog walking, help filling in forms, writing letters of complaint etc.

You need to think outside the box

usernamealreadytaken · 09/02/2025 22:37

lateatwork · 08/02/2025 19:28

Not a financial advisor, but I'd look at maximizing the use of your pension as a tax efficient vessel. On 50k, throw as much into your pension as possible to lower your tax bill, build your pension. Post 55 you can take 25% out tax free- there are rules around this, but if you think about using this as they way to save for your house deposit... Drop any savings in here too. I think if you do this, then they won't be counted against pension credit (youd need to check this....).... Also, for benefits, it's net income that counts... So if you are throwing large amounts into your pension , then would you be eligible for UC top ups?

Not a FA, @lateatwork? Doesn’t show at all… What an absolute crock! You think someone on a £50k salary can get UC just because they put their own money in to secure savings? Hey, perhaps I should put all my salary in my pension and just scrounge off others when I’m actually perfectly capable of paying my own way. Hey, why don’t we all do that? FFS 😡

OneBrightAmberDuck · 10/02/2025 02:31

We’ve been in a desperate situation before and got sorted by buying a tourer caravan and awning and siting it on a seasonal pitch. It was about £400 month plus electric . Some have laundry facilities, or use laundrette. It would get really expensive not being able to cook.

Icelollies2025 · 10/02/2025 04:16

Is there a link to the other thread (luxury hotels) please? 🙏

RareFatball · 10/02/2025 04:32

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?

Thats assuming average cost of room is around £30 per night. Then you would have food/toiletries and laundering of clothes. That 11K is an unrealistic forecast of costings of living in Travelodge for 1 year.

Lovelysummerdays · 10/02/2025 04:58

I feel like I saw a tv program where someone did this. The travelodge put a plaque on their door. It was an older couple. They did have a home though and went back to check on the place / pick up the post. I think you’d need to have a mailing address somewhere.

Lovelysummerdays · 10/02/2025 05:07

Not sure if this has been mentioned but have you looked at over 55s housing with the council. These are the only flats available without bidding / waitlist in my area. Rent is really low and although they tend to be small it’d save furniture s
storage and you’d have a kitchen.

skymagentatwo · 10/02/2025 05:19

I used to work away from home, living in travel lodge ect for a few months at a time. Fun at the begining after a couple of months its horrible and really gets you down.

Especially when you are unfortunate to have really bad guests the are visiting venues in the area and you will also get times where you get the inevitable drunk ect banging about in the corridor and it can feel quite intimidating with only a door between you.

These places also are in no hurry to fix issues, so leaky taps, smelly drains in rooms ect will not be quick fixes.

Yalta · 10/02/2025 05:51

Regarding when you want to buy. Could you go back into rented the. Apply for a mortgage

user1492757084 · 10/02/2025 06:05

Compile a list of Travel Lodges and the like that also have kitchenettes and laundries. Research widely and try living in some in beautiful places. You might be able to find a place to buy in your travels. You will not be spending more than you do now.

sashh · 10/02/2025 06:05

Have you considered applying for social housing?

A lot of properties are for over 50s or some are adults only.

I know they are not easy to get everywhere but you could get on the list.

Yes you would be renting but it would be your home for life.

I'm in a bungalow that you had to be over 50 or have a disability to rent. Because of that my rent includes a window cleaner and basic gardening.

Channellingsophistication · 10/02/2025 06:19

I think a house share or housesitting would be a much better idea than a travelodge as I think it will affect your ability to get a mortgage. I would certainly check out that aspect before you decide anything.

Love51 · 10/02/2025 07:09

I've skimmed the thread so may have missed it, but what would be the problem with a Park Home? Is it the cost? They're more substantial than a caravan and you can either buy outright (don't, it's a deprecating asset) or rent long term. You could use the Travelodge plan to save then buy somewhere to own but you'd be in comfort in the meantime. I'd worry about living in one room with someone with PTSD tbh, does he never need to be alone? Most of them are situated in the countryside and they even allow dogs which you indicated you might want. Your budget doesn't permit a dog but you (plural) could look after some during the summer months to supplement your income. Good luck whatever you decide!

NeedToChangeName · 10/02/2025 07:16

Static caravan would be a cheaper way to buy a house. Some are long term ie not just on holiday parks

Airbrhdhdh · 10/02/2025 07:20

Narrow boat or motor cruiser? Check moorings, wintering and get a survey if considering buying.

Which part of the country are you in?

Always make an offer. Many will have been on the market for a while.
8k. www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/boat/1980-fairline-holiday-9599027/
35k. www.norfolkboatsales.co.uk/boats-for-sale/alphacraft-35-2/

Jaichangecentfoisdenom · 10/02/2025 07:53

alwaysMakingItsofar · 08/02/2025 17:01

with 50 000 a year you can buy a very decent maisonette or a flat in the SE also. Some weirdo brainwashing happened to the lady

But given the lady's age, she's not going to be able to get a long term mortgage, is she?
Oh - @DesperatelySeekingDan puts it much more logically than I am able to, I see.

PoorLion · 10/02/2025 07:57

Can your DH work in a supermarket? The local one to us is always hiring home shoppers, looks like a fairly easy job.

Stash into your pension, take lump out at 55.

Porkyporkchop · 10/02/2025 08:07

Campervan ? I always loved the idea of moving about and living cheaply like this

Porkyporkchop · 10/02/2025 08:13

Also…..You should get some financial advice and talk with someone about mortgages. Your dh is nearing retirement , so getting mortgage offers could be limited . It would be good to sit down and discussing saving and future options .

DesperatelySeekingDan · 10/02/2025 08:26

@oakkiln I was hoping you might come back with some figures.

You've not said how much a house would cost in your area.

(There are houses for £50K in some northern town, whereas in the south east you can't buy a 1 bed flat for under £200k.)

Have you done the maths?
How much equity do you need? How much have you got?
What would your monthly mortgage payments be?
Have you talked to a broker or a building society about your plans?

If you've never ever had a mortgage, you might not be aware of the figures and how a decision for a loan is made.

The very first step is would you get a mortgage at your age, over 10 years?

You need to discuss this with a loan provider first.

You may find the door is closed even now.

Yes, people on pensions/retired/older can get a mortgage (we were told that when we considered buying a 2nd home) but you need the income to do it,

DesperatelySeekingDan · 10/02/2025 08:29

PoorLion · 10/02/2025 07:57

Can your DH work in a supermarket? The local one to us is always hiring home shoppers, looks like a fairly easy job.

Stash into your pension, take lump out at 55.

Not sure that's a good idea - taking the lump sum early.

YourAzureEagle · 10/02/2025 09:18

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?

It worked for Alan Partridge...

angela1952 · 10/02/2025 10:28

DesperatelySeekingDan · 10/02/2025 08:26

@oakkiln I was hoping you might come back with some figures.

You've not said how much a house would cost in your area.

(There are houses for £50K in some northern town, whereas in the south east you can't buy a 1 bed flat for under £200k.)

Have you done the maths?
How much equity do you need? How much have you got?
What would your monthly mortgage payments be?
Have you talked to a broker or a building society about your plans?

If you've never ever had a mortgage, you might not be aware of the figures and how a decision for a loan is made.

The very first step is would you get a mortgage at your age, over 10 years?

You need to discuss this with a loan provider first.

You may find the door is closed even now.

Yes, people on pensions/retired/older can get a mortgage (we were told that when we considered buying a 2nd home) but you need the income to do it,

Edited

Yes, finding out just what level of mortgage is possible has to be your first step, and the length of mortage they would offer. Obviously a very short term means a much higher repayment. Most companies insist on a guaranteed income for this, and once you've retired this means a guaranteed level of private pension or an annuity.