Ryan and Jess Blackley, both in their early 30s, have left their life in the UK to travel the world with their two young sons, Noah, six, and Bodhi, four. The couple relocated to Chiang Mai, Thailand, in February, funding their travels by renting out properties back home. They report living on an average of £1,800 a month, or approximately £60 a day for the family of four, which is less than their previous monthly expenses of around £2,296 in Britain.
Previously, the couple had visited 27 countries before having children and stated they always envisioned their future outside of the UK. Their initial plan was to move to Portugal and explore Europe, but they ultimately chose Asia for its warmer climate.
Financial Independence Through Property
Ryan, 35, explained that their strategy for financial freedom involved property investment. "We had a plan basically of how to get out of the UK and that was through property," he said. The couple began investing in their early 20s, with Jess purchasing her first flat at age 20. They later sold a second property for a profit and eventually bought their four-bedroom family home in 2021. These properties are now rented out, generating approximately £2,500 per month.
Ryan considers themselves retired as the property management requires minimal effort. "We both class ourselves as retired because the property work requires minimal upkeep and effort," he stated.
Alternative Education and Lifestyle
Beyond financial considerations, the Blackleys also opted to remove their children from the traditional education system. They are now "world-schooling" their sons, a choice Ryan attributes to his view of the UK's education system as outdated. "For us the whole concept of life is backwards because you've got to go to school, work, and then enjoy life when you're 68-years-old," he commented. Instead, they are teaching their children essential skills and life experiences.
Jess expressed frustration with the routine of school runs and what she perceived as a focus on classroom management over learning. "I feel like a lot of the school day is spent controlling the class and troublesome kids. How much is actually spent learning?" she questioned.
Travel and Future Plans
The family, who packed only two suitcases and a backpack each for their move, arrived in Thailand on February 24. Since their arrival, they have visited several locations, including Chiang Rai, Bangkok, Udon Thani, and Kanchanaburi, and are currently in Koh Samui. Their future travel plans include visiting Malaysia and Singapore.
After their initial 60-day tourist visa expired, they obtained a five-year Destination Thailand Visa. While they admit leaving family and friends was challenging, the couple has no immediate plans to permanently return to Britain. Ryan noted, "We've done nearly six months already and I don't see us every returning, not in a living capacity but literally just to visit the family." They maintain that their primary plan remains to travel the world, with their Asian base offering greater flexibility.
The couple documents their journey on social media platforms, including Instagram and YouTube under the handle @blackleysabroad, and on TikTok as @travelwiththeblackleys.