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

A woman fed up with ‘gloomy weather’ who fled Britain to live her dream lifestyle has boasted she now gets to stay in luxury apartments and eat out for every meal.

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.

Casey Pickup, 26, quit her job as a sales manager in the UK and booked a one-way flight to Thailand where she is travelling the world – for ‘half the price’ of a British lifestyle

Casey Pickup had ‘always dreamt’ of travelling the world, and was left feeling ‘unfulfilled’ by life in the UK

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.

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’

She added: ‘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’

Ms Pickup insists there is ‘no downside’ to her move and ‘it’s all just been amazing’

‘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 had been living at home with her mother, Helen, an artist, in Chorley, Lancashire, and working multiple ‘random, boring jobs’

Ms Pickup has visited roughly 15 countries in the last two years – including Vietnam, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Morocco and Central America

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.’

She said: ‘I never thought it would be possible to travel the world full time, but here I am now’

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.’