AN adventurous family of five who swapped their home for a 23ft caravan have revealed what life on the road is really like.
Jack and Amy Bell have been on a never-ending road trip with their three young children for five years.
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The couple has traveled more than 93,000 miles (150,000 km), homeschools their children and even manages to earn an income.
But there are challenges to saying goodbye to “normal” everyday life.
And they have advice for anyone thinking about breaking the mold.
“Our advice for families considering a travel adventure is simple – just go for it,” said Amy, 30, Daily luxury travel.
“The timing will never be perfect to leave behind the normalcy of everyday life, but the memories and experiences will be worth it.
“We have managed a mortgage since we were 18, a complete home renovation, worked full time, got married and raised two children.
“It was time for us to enjoy some quality family time after years of hard work.
“We decided to hit the road and travel because we needed a break from our busy lives.”
Amy and Jack, 31, have three children: Elsie, seven, Henry, five, and Ralph, three.
The family, from Queensland, Australia, sold their renovated property on the Gold Coast to finance their trip.
Keeping an investment property in Brisbane as a “backup plan”, they bought a £96,000 home on wheels ($190,000 AUD) and began traveling around their home country.
The couple runs their own store fitting company which fits perfectly into their lifestyle as it requires a lot of movement.
Amy, who previously worked as a teacher, homeschools her children and enjoys sharing snippets of her adventures online.
She said: “Living on the road turned out to be more affordable for us than having a permanent home.
“Instead of Jack needing separate accommodation to work, we all travel together in our caravan, eliminating the need for mortgage payments.
“As we work and travel, we take advantage of job opportunities across Australia.
“This new way of life has opened up incredible possibilities for our family.
How much does it cost to live in a caravan?
LIVING in a caravan can be an affordable and flexible lifestyle option in the UK. Here’s a breakdown of potential costs:
Initial Costs
- Caravan purchase: £8,000 – £40,000 (depending on size, age and condition)
- Caravan insurance: £200 – £800 per year
Ongoing monthly costs
- Presentation fees: £150 – £600 (varies depending on location and facilities)
- Utilities (Electricity, Gas, Water): £40 – £120
- Maintenance and repairs: £20 – £80
- Internet and television: £20 – £50
- Gas for heating/cooking: £15 – £40
Other potential costs
- Waste disposal fees: £8 – £25
- Transport costs (if moving location): Variable depending on distance
- Optional add-ons (awning, solar panels, etc.): £400 – £1,600 (one-off)
Monthly budget example
- Presentation fees: £400
- Public utility services: £80
- Maintenance and repairs: £40
- Internet and television: £40
- Gas for heating/cooking: £25
- Total: £585
Estimated Annual Cost
- Total monthly costs: £585 x 12 = £7,020
- Safe: £500
- Maintenance and repairs: £480
- Total Annual Cost: £8,000
Tips for saving
- Off-peak pitch rates: Look for lower rates during the off-season.
- DIY maintenance: Make small repairs yourself.
- Energy efficiency: Invest in solar panels to reduce utility costs.
Although the initial set-up costs can be significant, the ongoing expenses of living in a caravan can be relatively low, making it a viable option for those looking for an affordable and mobile lifestyle in the UK.
“We explored every state in Australia several times.”
Amy and Jack found that downsizing to a caravan initially took some getting used to.
After completing their first tour of Australia, they decided to update their space.
They now live inside their spacious 23ft Lotus caravan, but also own a £142,000 ($280,000 AUD) Isuzu truck, which is split into two sections.
One half is equipped with tools for Jack’s shop assembly work and the other is complete with a refrigerator, suspended kitchen and fun things to keep the kids entertained.
There is also space on top of the truck where there is a boat, which the family loves to take on trips.
The couple say they save a lot of money by living in a caravan.
Although they have mortgages for their investment properties, they are covered by rental income.
They also don’t have to deal with bills like water and electricity.
Amy said: “Fishing and exploring on the boat have become an integral part of our travel experience and we couldn’t imagine traveling without it.
“A typical day for us, when we’re not down for work, starts with coffee for mom and dad.
“The children like to help prepare breakfast, get dressed and then we spend an hour studying at home.
“After packing, we head out in the truck or boat to explore.
“When we stop for work, Jack leaves early and the kids and I spend the morning at a slower pace.
“We watched some TV, ate breakfast, and then dove into homeschooling.
The rise of tiny homes
By Jonathan Rolande
Property Specialist Jonathan Rolande said fabulous: The reason we’re seeing more creative ways to find a home: extremely high home prices and rents. Younger people stay in the family home later in life to avoid paying high prices and to save for a deposit. With increasingly busy lives, it makes sense to stay within a larger family group, tasks such as gardening and housework can be shared.
Garages are rarely used for their intended purpose as cars are much more reliable and less prone to rust and are therefore perfectly happy outdoors. On the other hand, the amount of real estate space per person has been decreasing – converting a garage can make a lot of sense.
Things to consider. (the boring things)
Generally easier than building from scratch, but there is still a lot to do to transform a garage into a livable space.
You will need to check whether you need planning (it is more likely to be necessary if the garage is detached).
Building Regulations stipulate many things to make homes safe and secure. Consider
Are walls cavities?
Roof height
windows
How will you connect plumbing, electricity and drainage
Insulation – it will be cold!
Fire safety
Waterproofing
Also consider whether, by converting, you are adding or deducting value from the main home. Garages can add value in busy urban areas where parking is limited.
“The kids usually play with their friends or we all spend the rest of the day in the pool.”
One of the biggest challenges of life on the road involves missing family and managing commitments, says Amy.
But technology helps keep families connected to their loved ones.
Amy said: “Missing family is a challenge, but they visit us often, making these get-togethers even more special.
“Technology has also been a huge help, allowing us to FaceTime and stay connected.
“Managing appointments can be challenging, but with Telehealth, we have weekly Zoom appointments for our son.”
The whole family has completely fallen in love with their new life and hope to travel more around Western Australia in the future.
Amy said: “Five years have passed and we still have lots of adventures ahead of us.
“We have no plans to stop traveling around Australia anytime soon and we have some remote places on our bucket list that we are looking forward to visiting.
“For the family thinking about this, I would say not to over-plan and instead enjoy wherever the open road takes you.
“Downsizing to a caravan changed our outlook on life. We realize how little we really need.
“When we finally settle down, we plan to opt for a smaller property that requires less cleaning and maintenance.”
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
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