I got so fed up with Britain's gloomy weather I left the UK - now I live a life of luxury abroad for half the price back home
Casey Pickup quit her job as a sales manager in the UK and booked a one-way flight to Thailand where she has lived a life of luxury- for 'half the price' it would be in Britain.
The 26-year-old said she was inspired to move after getting 'fed up' of the rain and cold and asked if any other solo travellers would like to join her.
The content creator, who insists she has no plans of returning to the UK, is now making over £5,000-a-month and says living abroad is 'better' because the cost-of-living is less.
In March 2023, Ms Pickup posted a video on TikTok about her plans to travel to Thailand and Bali.
She created a group chat of seven like-minded young people looking to explore the world and together they spent six weeks travelling around Thailand.
During that time, Ms Pickup met her boyfriend, Taylor Barker, 26, who works in marketing, and the couple have travelled the world together ever since - visiting 15 different countries.
She claims she's able to live a 'dream lifestyle' - including staying in luxury apartments and villas, eating out for every meal and having massages and beauty treatments three to four times per week.
The content creator, who insists she has no plans of returning to the UK, is now making over £5k a month and says living abroad is 'better' because the cost-of-living is less
Ms Pickup says this amounts to just £2,000-a-month, which would be at least double the price in the UK.
She has no plans to ever return to the UK and funds her travel and lifestyle by creating content for brands - who pay her to visit locations around the world.
The content creator, from Chorley, Lancashire, said: 'I've always loved to travel and whenever I'd come home to rainy England after a holiday, I always felt a bit depressed.
'The main reasons I left the UK is because every day feels the same, it's dark and it's gloomy.
'I used to hate going to work in the dark, and coming home in the dark.
'The lifestyle in the UK just wasn't very fulfilling.
'Life in England felt a lot more routine and rushed - like I was always in a cycle of work, grey weather, and waiting for the weekend.
'My lifestyle in Asia is so much more fulfilling. I've built a life that allows me to wake up by the beach, work on creative projects I care about, and explore beautiful places.
'I feel a sense of freedom that I never felt in the UK.
'Travelling Asia is a no brainer considering the difference in cost of living - and it's beautiful!
'I finally made move to Asia in March 2023 and I've never looked back.
'There is no down side, it's all just been amazing.
'I love the lifestyle and the sun, I'd never move back.'
Ms Pickup was living at home with her mother, Helen, an artist, in Chorley, Lancashire, and working multiple 'random, boring jobs' - including waitressing, bar tending, and sales - when she decided to make the move to Asia.
Having previously worked as a holiday rep for Thomas Cook, she knew she wanted to 'see the world' but didn't know how she'd fund her travels.
She started making promotional videos for brands such as Santander and My Protein, and soon realised her earning potential had jumped to over £5k a month.
Ms Pickup flew to Thailand in March 2023 with a group of people she'd met online, and began living out her dream of travelling round Asia.
While living in Thailand, Ms Pickup paid £560 a month for a stunning two-story fully furnished apartment, and split the cost with her partner, Mr Barker.
The apartment building included an infinity pool and gym.
'It's so much more affordable to live in Asia,' Ms Pickup said.
'You could stay in a really beautiful villa or hotel for £10 to £30 a night.
'Local food is roughly £1 or £2 per meal, and Western food like pasta or pizza is £4 or £5.
'The sort of lifestyle that would cost £4k or £5k a month in Europe is only £2k in Asia.
'And if you're on more of a budget, you could definitely get by on £1,200 a month.'
Ms Pickup has visited roughly 15 countries in the last two years - including Vietnam, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Morocco and Central America.
She hopes her experience will inspire others to 'follow their dreams' of traveling and working abroad, and now posts tips and recommendations on social media to help other aspiring digital nomads.
Ms Pickup said: 'If you're not happy in your job, go after your dreams.
'Moving back to the UK is never going to happen.
'If I have children in the future, I'd move to Australia to raise a family.
'I never thought it would be possible to travel the world full time, but here I am now.
'I am so grateful every day for staying consistent and going after what I really wanted in life.
'I'm the happiest I've ever been.'
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The Sun
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The Guardian
an hour ago
- The Guardian
The ultimate holiday capsule wardrobe: Jess Cartner-Morley's 11 suitcase essentials
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Textured wide-leg trousers £25.99 at Zara I have written recently about the brilliance of trousers that are comfy enough to travel in, but also elegant enough for dinner, and this pair is a great option. A concealed elasticated waistband feels chill but looks sleek, the wide leg looks more modern than a track pant, and the textured neutral fabric elevates. You can wear these with a vest and sweatshirt to travel in, and then with a linen shirt and chunky jewellery for holiday nights. Black cashmeran and tonka fragrance paintbrush £42 at Jo Loves£42 at Space NK Hot car seats, sun cream, pine-scented walks, figs on a tree, strong morning coffee. Scent is one of the sensory pleasures of holidays, so fragrance is a must-pack for me. If I'm flying, I don't check in luggage, so liquid space is at a premium. So I'm obsessed with the brilliant marker-pen delivery system of Jo Malone's Jo Loves fragrance paintbrush. At £42 for a 7ml paintbrush with a refill, this is a good price for a classy scent. I am devoted to the vanilla-coded black cashmeran and tonka scent, which dispels all traces of Jungle Formula Maximum mosquito repellent spray (also a must, the little buggers love my ankles.) Genesis Sandal £45 at XeroFrom £53.62 at Amazon Listen, I haven't actually had a chance to try these out, but I've heard so many good reports (they were even in Vogue) that I wanted to share with you pronto. These sandals are designed for a barefoot feel, with a slim sole and minimal strapping that you adjust to fit. They weigh almost nothing, take up no space, and look really chic with a wide-leg trouser, like the Zara ones above. They come in black or stone, but I'm quite into the raspberry for a pop of colour. Pippa dress £125 at Sézane Sézane is such a smart brand. That French-girl effortless chic thing, but properly well thought out. 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Wolf & Badger is a great hub for small independent brands, and my go-to for finding unusual jewellery pieces that have real personality. Pomegranates are good luck in many cultures, and to me, they speak of holidays: the red jade seeds inside these little gold pomegranates will sparkle in golden hour light. Sign up to The Filter Get the best shopping advice from the Filter team straight to your inbox. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. after newsletter promotion Black floral embroidered blouse £49 at Asos£63.75 at Nobody's Child That whole dreamy-creamy-cheesecloth pale summer blouse vibe is very seductive but those pieces have a limited shelf life: come September, they lose their allure. Nobody's Child is such a great brand – sustainable, affordable, British – and I love this dark blouse for a cooler twist on boho and the intricate floral embroidery. Vinchi Cálido tulle dress £304 at Celia B You are going to think I've gone mad, including this in a capsule wardrobe. It is, after all, a trapeze-shaped dress with trumpet sleeves, with neon ruffles in pink, red and orange on a transparent tulle base, and also £304. Basic, it is not. But! Unbuttoned, this piece by Spanish slow-fashion designer Celia Bernardo is the best cover-up on any beach, anywhere, by a country mile. Buttoned up over a nude slip, it is a sensational evening gown. And shoulder robed over a plain bright dress, it is an outfit-maker that will have your back at weddings and parties for summers to come. Look, what I'm trying to say is, I've fallen in love with it, and the heart wants what it wants. Cotton-rich textured hardware detail top £25 at M&S It's 'just' a black top, so you can wear it with anything. 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We want to know all your best tips: what saves your clothes from getting crumpled, how do you pack light but take everything you want, and what are your best ever holiday buys? Share all your advice by emailing us at thefilter@
