AFTER escaping the UK to live and travel in a campervan, a family-of-three shared that they save £9,600 a year.
Bex Elliott, 31, and Henry Gayler, 29, had always talked about living in a van and decided to go for it after falling pregnant.
The pair explained that they didn’t want to retire in 20 years time with “nothing to show for it” so in 2021, they decided to buy a van for £11,000 and spent £15,000 renovating it.
They finally set off in September 2023 and spent the first three months travelling around the UK but said it was “horrific.”
“It was just so wet. Everything was expensive,” Bex said.
The family left for Europe in January 2024 and went skiing in France before travelling around Spain, Morocco, Italy, Albania, and now Montenegro.
They believe they save around £800-a-month and £9,600 a year on rent and bills.
The couple were previously spending £1,300 to rent a two bed house with a “tiny” garden in the UK.
“I think it is a cheaper lifestyle,” Bex said.
Another benefit for the couple is the freedom to raise their son in nature.
They explained that Ronnie is thriving in the environment and he even decides his bed times and what he wants to learn.
“He’s learning without me forcing knowledge,” said Bex, a former university lecturer, originally from High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire.
“When he wants to read and write he will, he shouldn’t be in four walls playing with plastic toys.
“We live in a world where everything is designed to make you consume everything.
“It’s bright colours – I don’t think it’s been designed for children.”
Bex and Henry had “always talked about living in a van”and said they “didn’t feel like society was accepting” of their desired lifestyle.
“We didn’t want to have to work full time to then retire in 20 years with nothing to show for it,” Bex explained.
IF you are looking to live in a van to save money or travel, you'll be pleased to know that there are no UK laws stopping you.
However, you must ensure your vehicle has passed its MOT and is fully road legal.
There could also be restrictions on where you can park up to sleep in your van.
For example, local authorities place restrictions on certain streets or lay-bys, and you could be fined if you spend the night there.
It could also be unsafe to stop in certain locations, particularly at night-time.
Check the The Highway Code guide for guidance.
“We realised how much society puts these limitations on you.
“You have to get a job, mortgage, get married, we wanted an alternative lifestyle.”
Bex’s pregnancy and a family bereavement pushed the couple to live out their dream.
“If we didn’t do it now we were never going to do it,” Bex explained.
“We’re quite free souls, my biggest thing is being in nature.
“I have got over-stimulated with society. Life is a lot slower.”
Bex also highlighted the benefit to raising Ronnie outside of societal norms.
“The biggest turn off in UK nursery is they don’t teach risk,” she explained.
“He’s now learning in a real environment, it’s allowing him to learn about the world in the world.
“He can risk assess – he knows what he can and can’t do”.
She added that Ronnie’s “physical abilities are off the charts.”
“In the UK it’s [all about] if you can read and write – and maths,” Bex said.
“It should be about emotional needs, physical control, and communication.
“He talks to absolutely everybody, he’s very polite.”
Henry works remotely as a consultant three days a week and then the family get a full four days of quality time.
They’ll often find a spot to go on lots of walks and get outside.
“Me and Henry used to be quite hot-headed,” Bex recalled.
“As parents, we’ve got to control our emotions a lot more, we’re a lot calmer as people – a lot more rational.”
The family hope to buy land in a few years time in Portugal and create an eco- community.
“There are sacrifices but you don’t get anywhere if you don’t take the plunge,” Bex said.
“Kids are the reason you should be living, everyone is so overworked.
“When I go home I just feel immediately stressed.”
