We sold our home to travel the world – for cheaper than renting in the UK

‘We sold our home to travel the world – for cheaper than renting in the UK’

Selling their home in just three days, 'You don't need material things', Starting with southeast Asia, Activities from waterfall visits to cooking classes, World schooling, 'Why not do it now?'

A Brit family are travelling the world as nomads after they discovered it was cheaper than paying rent in the UK. Chloe and Connor Ellis, 27 and 29, planned to travel before having children but unexpectedly fell pregnant at 18 and 20. They decided to settle and had son Harley, now eight, and later Hector, four, and bought a house in their hometown of Barnsley, South Yorkshire, and got comfortable jobs. But as their sons grew up they decided last year that an international move would be great, and planned a move to Australia. (Photo: The Ellis Family/SWNS)

Selling their home in just three days

Selling their home in just three days, 'You don't need material things', Starting with southeast Asia, Activities from waterfall visits to cooking classes, World schooling, 'Why not do it now?'

They put their home on the market in February this year after applying for their visas in December 2024, anticipating it would take months to sell. But when it sold in just three days, the couple learned it was cheaper to go travelling around the world rather than hire a rolling-monthly Airbnb in Barnsley £3-4k a month - until their Aussie visas were approved. The family sold all their possessions including their car, saving just two backpacks' worth of clothes and toiletries, and flew out to Thailand on November 7, and say they only spent around £2k in their first month. They are "just winging it" - booking as they go - with a plan of exploring Southeast Asia for as long as it takes to get their visas approved. (Photo: The Ellis Family/SWNS)

'You don't need material things'

Selling their home in just three days, 'You don't need material things', Starting with southeast Asia, Activities from waterfall visits to cooking classes, World schooling, 'Why not do it now?'

The family - who are documenting their travels on socials @ellisfamily_adventures - are currently in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand. Chloe, who worked in HR, said: "We always had the travel itch. We're jumping in at the deep end as we have no timeframe for when we'll get our visa. We've gone from a four-bed house to two backpacks and everyone is loving it - it's just shown us that you don't need material things. The kids are loving trying new foods, visiting attractions, and touring the country." (Photo: The Ellis Family/SWNS)

Starting with southeast Asia

Selling their home in just three days, 'You don't need material things', Starting with southeast Asia, Activities from waterfall visits to cooking classes, World schooling, 'Why not do it now?'

Chloe and Connor, a telecommunications engineer, decided when their youngest son turned four, that they'd do some travelling to make their children well-rounded individuals. They decided to start with Southeast Asia, and after some planning, booked flights and began their journey in Thailand, in Bangkok. Chloe said: "We're not going to need anywhere near £50k in Southeast Asia. Here, you don't need much to travel - we went out to the market for tea and it cost £5 for all four of us!" (Photo: The Ellis Family/SWNS)

Activities from waterfall visits to cooking classes

Selling their home in just three days, 'You don't need material things', Starting with southeast Asia, Activities from waterfall visits to cooking classes, World schooling, 'Why not do it now?'

The couple plan to visit Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia and Cambodia - but are taking each day as it comes, in a laid-back way. Connor said: "We booked our flight from Bangkok to Chiang Mai on the day we flew." They have submerged themselves and their sons in as many enriching experiences as possible. They have done cooking classes, arts and crafts, the Mahanakhon SkyWalk, visited an elephant sanctuary, climbed waterfalls, visited temples and toured the areas on scooters. And they have been able to do so without dipping much into their budget thanks to the low costs in Thailand. Chloe said: "When we got to Chiang Mai, we paid £1,000 for a two-bed condo, with an infinity pool and gym, for five weeks. We're budgeting, but not like crazy, we've still been going to nice hotels, because you can at these prices. In the UK you'd probably pay £200 for one night in a place like where we've been staying." (Photo: The Ellis Family/SWNS)

World schooling

Selling their home in just three days, 'You don't need material things', Starting with southeast Asia, Activities from waterfall visits to cooking classes, World schooling, 'Why not do it now?'

They plan to 'world school' their children and visit homeschooling hubs while they're travelling, and before they re-enrol their sons in formal education when they move and settle in Perth, Australia. Reflecting on the journey, the parents are surprised at how natural the travelling has come for them, as well as their sons. (Photo: The Ellis Family/SWNS)

'Why not do it now?'

Selling their home in just three days, 'You don't need material things', Starting with southeast Asia, Activities from waterfall visits to cooking classes, World schooling, 'Why not do it now?'

Chloe said: "Right now, we're in a position where we have no jobs, or house, so we may as well do as much as we can while we're flexible. We were working full-time in the UK, so it's nice to be fully present. We were going to travel when our kids were older, as we'd only be early 40s then, but we thought - why not do it now? Covid was an eye-opener for us, we decided we want to do it now, while we can - and we want the kids to see it too, to open their eyes to what's going on in the world." (Photo: The Ellis Family/SWNS)

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