We sold our family home to travel in a 23ft caravan – our kids only do 1 hour of school work every day and love it
AN ADVENTUROUS family-of-five who swapped their house for a 23ft caravan have revealed what life is really like on the road.
Jack and Amy Bell have been on a never-ending road trip with their three young children for five years now.
The couple have clocked up over 93,000 miles (150,000km), homeschool their kids and even manage to make an income.
But there are challenges to bidding farewell to ‘normal’ everyday living.
And they have advice for anyone thinking about breaking the mould.
“Our advice to families considering a travel adventure is simple – just go for it,” Amy, 30, told Luxury Travel Daily.
“The timing will never feel perfect to leave behind the normalcy of everyday life but the memories and experiences will be worth it.
“We had been managing a mortgage since we were 18, a full house renovation, working full-time, getting married and raising 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, share three children – Elsie, seven, Henry, five, and three-year-old Ralph.
The family, from Queensland, Australia sold their property which they had renovated on the Gold Coast to fund their journey.
Keeping an investment property in Brisbane as a “backup plan”, they purchased a £96,000 ($190,000 AUD) home on wheels and began travelling their home country.
The couple run their own shop fitting company which suits their lifestyle perfectly, as it requires a lot of moving around.
Amy, who once worked as a teaching aide, homeschools her kids and enjoys sharing snippets of her adventures online.
She said: “Living on the road has turned out to be more affordable for us than having a fixed home.
“Instead of Jack needing separate accommodation for work, we all travel together in our caravan, eliminating the need for a mortgage payment.
“As we work and travel, we pick up opportunities for work all 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 economical and flexible lifestyle choice 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
- Pitch Fees: £150 – £600 (varies by location and facilities)
- Utilities (Electricity, Gas, Water): £40 – £120
- Maintenance and Repairs: £20 – £80
- Internet and TV: £20 – £50
- Gas for Heating/Cooking: £15 – £40
Other Potential Costs
- Waste Disposal Fees: £8 – £25
- Transport Costs (if moving locations): Variable, depending on distance
- Optional Add-ons (Awning, Solar Panels, etc.): £400 – £1,600 (one-time)
Sample Monthly Budget
- Pitch Fees: £400
- Utilities: £80
- Maintenance and Repairs: £40
- Internet and TV: £40
- Gas for Heating/Cooking: £25
- Total: £585
Annual Estimated Cost
- Total Monthly Costs: £585 x 12 = £7,020
- Insurance: £500
- Maintenance and Repairs: £480
- Total Annual Cost: £8,000
Tips to Save
- Off-Peak Pitch Fees: Look for lower rates during off-peak seasons.
- DIY Maintenance: Handle minor repairs yourself.
- Energy Efficiency: Invest in solar panels to reduce utility costs.
While initial setup costs can be significant, ongoing expenses for living in a caravan can be relatively low, making it a viable option for those seeking an affordable and mobile lifestyle in the UK.
“We have explored every state in Australia multiple times.”
Amy and Jack found that downsizing to a caravan initially took some time to get used to.
After they completed their first lap of Australia, they decided to upgrade their space.
They now live inside their spacious 23ft Lotus caravan but they also own a £142,000 ($280,000 AUD) Isuzu Truck, which is divided into two sections.
One half is equipped with tools for Jack’s shop fitting jobs, and the other is complete with a fridge, drop-down kitchen and fun things to entertain the children.
There is also space on top of the truck where a boat sits, which the family loves to bring with them on their journeys.
The couple says they save a lot of money living in a caravan.
While they do have mortgages for their investment properties, they are covered by rental income.
They also don’t have to deal with bills such as water and electricity.
Amy said: “Fishing and exploring in the boat have become integral parts of our travel experience, and we couldn’t imagine travelling without it.
“A typical day for us, when we’re not stopped for work, starts with coffee for mum and dad.
“The kids like to help make breakfast, get dressed and then we spend an hour on homeschooling.
“After packing our bags, we head off in the truck or the boat to explore.
“When we stop for work, Jack leaves early, and the kids and I take the morning at a slower pace.
“We enjoy some TV, have breakfast and then dive into homeschooling.
The rise of tiny homes
By Jonathan Rolande
Property expert Jonathan Rolande told Fabulous: The reason we are seeing more creative ways of finding a home: super-high property prices and rents. Younger people are remaining in the family home later in life to avoid paying high prices and to save for a deposit. With increasingly busy lives, staying within a larger family group makes sense, chores such as gardening and housework can be shared.
Garages are rarely used for their intended purpose as cars are far more reliable and less prone to rust and so are perfectly happy outside. On the other hand, the amount of property space per person has been shrinking – converting a garage can make great sense.
Things to consider. (the boring stuff)
Usually easier than building from scratch but still a lot to do to turn a garage in to a habitable space.
You’ll need to check if you need planning (more likely to be required if the garage is detached).
Building Regulations stipulate many things to make homes safe and secure. Consider
Walls, are they cavity?
Roof height
Windows
How will you get plumbing, electrics and drainage connected
Insulation – it will be cold!
Fire safety
Damp proofing
Also consider if, 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 often play with friends or we all enjoy time at a swimming pool for the rest of the day.”
One of life the road’s biggest challenges involve missing family and managing appointments, Amy says.
But technology helps to keep the family connected to their loved ones.
Amy said: “Missing family is one challenge, but they often visit us, making those reunions extra special.
“Technology has also been a great help, allowing us to FaceTime and stay connected.
“Managing appointments can be a challenge, but with Telehealth, we have weekly Zoom appointments for our son.”
The entire family has completely fallen in love with their new life and hope to travel more of Western Australia in the future.
Amy said: “Five years have flown by, and we still have many more adventures ahead of us.
“We have no plans to stop travelling around Australia anytime soon, and we have a few remote places on our bucket list that we’re excited to visit.
“To family’s thinking about it, I’d say don’t overplan and instead enjoy wherever the open road takes you.
“Downsizing to a caravan has changed our perspective on life. We have realised how little we actually need.
“When we eventually settle down, we plan to opt for a smaller property that requires less cleaning and maintenance.”