A woman, tired of the UK’s “gloomy weather”, abandoned it to travel the world full time and now lives her “dream” lifestyle in Asia – for ‘half the price’ of a “monotonous British life”. Casey Pickup, 26, left her job as a sales manager after feeling “unfulfilled” by life in Britain and booked a one-way flight to Thailand. She has no plans to return and says she was inspired to move after becoming “fed up” with the rain, cold and lifestyle in the UK.
In March 2023, she shared a video on TikTok about her plans to travel to Thailand and Bali, inviting any other solo travellers to join her. She formed a group chat of seven like-minded young people eager to explore the world and together they spent six weeks travelling around Thailand. During that time, Casey met her boyfriend, Taylor Barker, 26, who works in marketing, and the couple has been globetrotting together ever since – visiting 15 different countries.
Professional traveller Casey now earns over £5k a month and says living abroad is “better” because the cost-of-living in Asia is significantly less than in Britain. She claims she’s able to live a “dream lifestyle” – including staying in luxury apartments and villas, dining out for every meal and having massages and beauty treatments three to four times per week – for just £2,000 a month, which would be at least double the price in the UK.
Casey, a globetrotting content creator from Chorley, Lancashire, has sworn off returning to the UK, funding her enviable lifestyle by crafting content for brands that whisk her away to breathtaking spots across the globe.
The Lancashire native shared: “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.”
Before embarking on her Asian adventure, Casey lived with her mother, Helen, an artist, in Chorley, Lancashire, juggling multiple “random, boring jobs” such as waitressing, bar tending, and sales, before deciding to take the plunge and relocate to Asia. Having formerly been a holiday representative for Thomas Cook, she had a burning desire to “see the world”, but was unsure how she would finance her adventures.
She began creating promotional videos for brands such as Santander and My Protein, and quickly realised her earning potential had soared to over £5,000 a month. In March 2023, Casey jetted off to Thailand with a group of individuals she’d met online, embarking on her dream of touring Asia. While residing in Thailand, Casey shelled out £560 a month for a stunning two-story fully furnished flat, sharing the cost with her partner, Taylor. The apartment complex boasted an infinity pool and gym.
“Living in Asia is so much more affordable,” Casey remarked. “You could lodge in a really beautiful villa or hotel for £10 to £30 a night. Local cuisine is roughly £1 or £2 per meal, and Western food like pasta or pizza is £4 or £5. The sort of lifestyle that would set you back £4,000 or £5,000 a month in Europe is only £2,000 in Asia. And if you’re on a tighter budget, you could certainly manage on £1,200 a month.”
Over the past two years, Casey has travelled to approximately 15 countries – including Vietnam, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Morocco and Central America. She hopes her experiences will encourage others to “follow their dreams” of travelling and working abroad, and now shares tips and recommendations on social media to assist other budding digital nomads.
Casey advised: “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.” Follow Casey’s globetrotting adventures on Instagram @howtotravelfulltime. Casey’s top destinations include: the Philippines for its stunning beaches, Indonesia for the best surfing waves, and Thailand for its friendly and courteous locals.
Here’s a breakdown of her monthly expenses: Rent – £500 – £1000, split between two people; Bills – £0, as they’re included in the rent; Food – £10 per day; Experiences – free for Casey as she collaborates with GetYourGuide, but generally range from £10 – £60; Travel insurance – £60.
