To live in a Travelodge

[oakkiln]

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?

I think it would take its toll on your mental health . The noise. The moving from one to another . Not being able to cook . Or wash clothing .
What's wrong with renting longterm? I know its not perfect but it's got to be better then a hotel room

You need basic cooking facilities if you're going to make it financially viable long-term. You could by a portable electric stove, but I'm pretty sure the Travelodge would frown on this!

True.
But worked out less well for the Corby trouser press.

You might be able to find homesit opportunities.

Would you have to stay in the area you are in now, for work or family commitments etc. Or can you live anywhere in Europe, Brexit rules nothwithstanding (unless you have EU passports)?

On the basis of this answer, there are either more, or fewer options available.

It’s certainly been done😁

https://www.travelodge.co.uk/press-centre/press-releases/22-YEARS-TRAVELODGE#:~:text=For%20David%20and%20Jean%20Davidson,who%20was%20in%20poor%20health.

I think the thing to take from this though is it was 18 years ago, and back then hotels weren’t being used to house the homeless and refugees. Nowadays you could end up with a gang of people trying to break in, set fire to such places.

You would need a lot of money to stay in a luxury hotel (other thread) and I would suggest a minimal living mindset would be better. A canny person might be able to negotiate a good rate for long term stays, and maybe even discounting on meals with local food suppliers. I am sure there is a 28-30 day limit on length of stay in UK, something to do with becoming a “tenant” if this period is exceeded, but I could be wrong, haven’t checked. But most places are likely to just simply rebook you in if they have a spare room.

No rents, no council tax, no energy bills, one meal a day included. Might suit a single person, or a happy couple, but wouldn’t be a choice if you have children, although sadly some have no option.

We're coming to the end of a major kitchen renovation, and launderettes have cost a fortune, and I miss being and to cook properly and the limitations it puts on what you can eat and that's with a microwave, toaster, slow cooker and George foreman, which I'm pretty sure a travel lodge wouldn't allow you to have set up

I think Alan was happier when he moved into that caravan. The Travelodge was a particularly low point in his life. I loved his little beat-the-system wins though😆 - bringing his own oversized plate to the buffet

I can see some plus points but you would have no control whatsoever over who sleeps in the next room(s).
The Travelodges in my area have lots of hen and stag do groups at weekends. Fine if you are a sound sleeper but you might end up with sleepless nights if not.

I suspect this would probably be against the T&Cs of the room, which would be more of a concern if you were living there…

You can't book more than a set number of consecutive nights AFAIK. I needed a stop gap when I was moving and I couldn't book more than 28 I think it was. In any of the lodge type places.

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

Park home/static caravan?

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

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.

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.

Are extra part time jobs an option?

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.

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

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

Yes, I would look in to this.

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

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

£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.

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