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UK travel

Welcome to our UK travel forum where you can get advice on everything from holidays to exotic destinations, to tips on London travel.

Selling the lot to go travelling!

39 replies

4yearsandcounting · 23/04/2024 10:33

My husband and I decided at the end of last year that we are going to sell our farm, house everything apart from a few bits and pieces, buy a motorhome and go travelling from Autumn 2028, we'll start in the UK for the first 6 months of so then we're going overseas. We worked hard and are mortgage free on the farm and the house so we can't see why we shouldn't do it. I CANNOT wait and neither can he. We are waiting until our first son graduates then starting to work our way around the UK. We will be roughly 60, me, and 56, husband, and figure we have a good few years whilst we are young and fit enough to see more of the world. Our boys are all for it and we were surprised to find a number of friends and family are thinking of the same thing. It is going to take some planning but that's my bag, but a step at a time and we will be ready to go. If you can do it, do it. Me and mine are the most important things in the world so we are doing what we need to do so we can all have the life we want while we can. Go for it!

OP posts:
Craicbaby · 23/04/2024 10:36

I’m assuming your children have no interest in inheriting the farm to work it? What will you do for money once you’ve stopped travelling?

FurQuenelle · 23/04/2024 10:38

we'll start in the UK for the first 6 months of so then we're going overseas.

You haven't specified where "overseas" is. Are you UK citizens? Do you have EU passports?

mrsrobin · 23/04/2024 10:40

Go for it! Something to look forward to over the next few years! We have been on extended trips over the years and love the adventure of it. Will be permanently going in a couple of years.

TakeOnFlea · 23/04/2024 10:44

Your plan is already flawed OP. I know you say planning is your "bag" but starting a "van life 🤢" trip in autumn for 6 months in the UK will soon take the shine off things.

It's pitch black at 4pm, freezing, rainy, stormy, wet leaves all over your nice new van every morning and just bloody miserable. You'll have wet muddy boots and coats that you can't get dry and if you have a dog then god help you with the smell in such a small space.

Nope. If you're starting in autumn then you need to be heading south and then further south. Will you plan to have an address, somewhere to call home? Are you an EU citizen?

KnittedCardi · 23/04/2024 11:07

Are you planning to buy a small pied a terre here? Your kids may need it as a home, and you will when you need a break from travelling, the van bursts into flames, or something else goes amiss with health for example.

I know too many people who have cut ties with home and kids, and then regretted it and had no way back.

Allthegoodnamesarechosen · 23/04/2024 11:09

You need to put a comma after ‘house’ or it implies you are putting everything into storage for your return.
Which might not be a bad idea, tbh.

MalcolmTuckersSwearBox · 23/04/2024 11:12

Doesn't seem like that great a plan tbh. Travelling sounds exciting but I wouldn't sell my security to do it.

Peonies12 · 23/04/2024 11:16

I would not spend 6 months in a campervan in the UK during the winter... you need to start in spring. have you ever been away in a campervan? I'd be doing some trial runs first. And make sure it's very reliable if you're taking it overseas. I'd be cautious about selling your property - what if things go wrong and you need to move back? Can you let it out? Or sell and buy a smaller place to let out? It's much more secure to have a property than cash in the bank. What if your son wants or needs to move home after uni? If you're going to be in the EU, have you looked at the limits for Brits to be in the EU? have you looked at long term travel insurance?

TakeOnFlea · 23/04/2024 11:17

"If you can do it, do it. Me and mine are the most important things in the world so we are doing what we need to do so we can all have the life we want while we can. Go for it!"

This all sounds a bit away with the fairies and romantic. You need some grounding if "me and mine" are the most important things. Maybe buy a small flat or bungalow somewhere as well as the camper.

Geebray · 23/04/2024 11:19

What are you going to come back to? Where are you going to live in your late seventies?

IamII · 23/04/2024 11:19

Jesus you lot of miseries 😂

idontlikealdi · 23/04/2024 11:20

A lot could happen between now and 2028! Plus I'd be heading south as others have said not doing winter in the UK in a campervan.

What will you do when you come back? Will you be buying a property to live in too?

Geebray · 23/04/2024 11:21

IamII · 23/04/2024 11:19

Jesus you lot of miseries 😂

Yeah, because relying on social housing when you're getting older and infirm is super fun!

RainbowZebraWarrior · 23/04/2024 11:21

I see you've posted this twice,OP.

Similar replies on both threads, tbf.

Lochroy · 23/04/2024 11:24

Wonderful plan! You should absolutely go for it.

The only thing I would do though is buy a small home to have as a base, and so that you average somewhere if you want a breather from the motorhome, or, more boringly for when you get older or if you need medical treatment. It will just be one hell of a lot easier than if you step off the property ladder entirely.

TakeOnFlea · 23/04/2024 11:24

"Jesus you lot of miseries 😂"

Nah, just responsible. I travel a lot, monthly, all different kinds of travel. But you don't give up even the most basic level of security after working your whole life to achieve it!

It will be an amazing experience but some days it wont, life happens and the regret and realisation that you have no home is no fun. I've seen it happen more than once

flippingflips · 23/04/2024 11:26

Is it not possible to rent out your home rather than sell? You don't know how you will enjoy life on the road.

We've met several couples of varying ages that have done this. Some working and some retired. They mostly had much bigger campervans than ours so they were living in "small flats".

We go away several times a year (maybe 3/4 months in Europe) in our small campervan and absolutely love the freedom. DH works, I don't. We always love coming home to our house though.

whatsappdoc · 23/04/2024 11:28

What a load of depressing posters on here! There are many FB groups etc consisting of full-time vanners for tips and ideas etc. Op will have money in the bank from the sale of the property and if they wfh then will still have an income. Having an address is useful. DC will hopefully be resilient and independent and proud their parents have a dream. If it all goes tits up at least they will have tried. Good luck!

TakeOnFlea · 23/04/2024 11:32

"Having an address is useful."

So you agree then? "depressing" 😂 nope, just realistic.

whatsappdoc · 23/04/2024 11:34

Btw op said motorhome not campervan. So a home on wheels with heating, full cooking facilities, electric and toilet and shower room as opposed to a campervan with basic seating area, 2 ring gas stove and porta potti stored under the bed. UK winters will be warm and cosy!

whatsappdoc · 23/04/2024 11:36

TakeOnFlea · 23/04/2024 11:32

"Having an address is useful."

So you agree then? "depressing" 😂 nope, just realistic.

Useful not compulsory or mandatory.

flippingflips · 23/04/2024 11:37

whatsappdoc · 23/04/2024 11:34

Btw op said motorhome not campervan. So a home on wheels with heating, full cooking facilities, electric and toilet and shower room as opposed to a campervan with basic seating area, 2 ring gas stove and porta potti stored under the bed. UK winters will be warm and cosy!

Campervans also have that - ours was built for that and we have all mod cons (and more). Motorhomes are larger and not as easy to park off grid or drive along windy narrow roads.

user1492757084 · 23/04/2024 11:40

Have you considered leasing out the farm instead of selling it?
Then it is still making an income for you and is an asset retained for your older years..

TakeOnFlea · 23/04/2024 11:41

"Btw op said motorhome not campervan. So a home on wheels with heating, full cooking facilities, electric and toilet and shower room as opposed to a campervan with basic seating area, 2 ring gas stove and porta potti stored under the bed. UK winters will be warm and cosy!"

Ours had a fucking bathroom with shower not a bloody porta potty.

Trust me, UK winters are utterly painful after a couple of weeks. 6 months would see you scrolling rightmove night after night thinking, wtf have we done?

Cosy my arse. You've been looking at Pinterest too much 🤣

whatsappdoc · 23/04/2024 11:49

Lived in our 6m van full-time for 5 years in the UK. Moved back into a house at 67. So fuck off with your Pinterest put downs.

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