My husband and I are planning on quitting our jobs or a should say mine. He has his own business as a contractor and I work for a local hospital. We are in our late 40's met in Greece 24 years ago. He is British and I am American. We travel extensively mostly in Europe, Mexico and the states but we love Europe and are going to sell our house and take off for two years and travel. We have family in England and Greece fortunately but would like to stay away for as long as possible and perhaps work a bit where we can. We have wanted to do this for ages and have just recently decided that its time. Any thoughts on this, anybody who has done this would love to hear from them. We figure life is too short and if we don't do this we will regret it, plus we have no kids!

I just want to say...if this is your dream, then don't lose the chance to make it come true Good Luck !!!

I think yours is one of the best ideas I've seen posted here. Go for it. I envy you.

My only thought is, I'd consider renting out the home if possible on a two year lease and let it appreciate while you travel. Hopefully you aren't depending on the sale of the house for the money to travel on?

That's the problem we can't do without selling the house, the only thing that has held us back so far. We figure though we should have enough money to travel for two years and still have a nice lump to buy something when we get back, of course by that time we might be priced out of the market, thanks for your thoughts.

I think it's a great idea which almost everyone would do if they could aford it. Good luck and I hope accumulate wonderful memories.

One word of caution, check out restrictions regarding the length of time you can legally stay in each country you visit and which ones will allow you to work without a permit. Many countries forbid non-citizens from working without Work Permits that are often difficult to get - you don't want to run afoul of foreign governments - it's often the quickest way to get deported back home.

Again, have a great time if you decide to pursue your dream.

Another vote to go for it! I'd do it in a heartbeat! I've quit several jobs to travel in the Caribbean!

Juyd

I say GO FOR IT!!!

I'd say go to a financial planner and see if you can make the numbers crunch well for you, considering retirement, possible disability, etc. The thought of spending capital (i.e. the house) on a sabbatical is a little nerve-wracking to me.

I think it's a fantastic idea, but I'd probably try to hang on to the house. If you rented it out, they could deposit money monthly which you could withdraw for expenses on your trip.

As mentioned above, of course you need to check time limits you are permitted to stay in each country, and which ones will allow you a work permit (unless you plan to work illegally).

My husband's oldest friend and his wife did just what you are planning about 40 years ago. They were in their early 30's with no bambini. Did the travel.. then produced the bambini. Have never heard them regret one single thing!

As excited as I was for you in the beginning, your mention that you need to sell the house and apparently use up some of that money to travel makes me have considerable second thoughts about it. You are probably right that in two years, you will be shut out of the housing market as you will have even less to buy something than you got two years before.

In 2 years you will be 50 or close. You will have 15 years to pay off a new house, save enough for retirement.

Travel: hotels, food, transport, health insurance will eat up most, if not all what you'll get for this house. Are you sure you want to start your life from zero?

What if one of you gets sick? What if the worst happens, one of you left with nothing?

Hi

I love your dream. It's what I plan on doing with my wife in the near future. However your idea of selling your house spooks me! I say don't get off the "real estate carousel" - it's very difficult to get back on.

"..still have a nice lump to buy something when we get back". If that's the case why not sell your house before you leave and "downgrade" to something cheaper. Then you will have the cash which you can get interest on plus rental income. And judging from your occupations there is a strong chance you will find employment there. That way you will always have a roof over your head when you return or at least a sizeable deposit for something else when you return.

Just a thought.

It sounds like a grand idea. You didn't say whether your house was paid off or not. I agree with worldinabag, perhaps you should look into downgrading and then rent out your downgraded home. You can always have a place to return too. But that's just me. As much as I love to travel and am excited for you, the thought of giving up the security frightens me.
I did listen to an audio-book not long ago about a couple who gave up all and biked around the world. I wish I could remember the name of it, (it was just a so-so book). I've also seen books on this subject at the bookstores.
When it comes right down to the brass tacks this is a question of faith. If you've got enough of it, go for it!

May you be blessed.

You said you have family in England and Greece but that you are American. After the two years of travel where do you plan to return to live?

I think you should try and hold on to your house and perhaps the income from rent would allow you to travel as you desire for two years.

Sandy

The essential thing is for you to obtain British citizenship.

With it you'll be able to live and work virtually everywhere west of Minsk on exactly the same terms as citizens of the country you're in. Without it, your life will be a constant stream of restrictions, especially in mainland Europe where you'll be limited to 90 days' stay in any 180, and will have to apply separately for work permits in each country (which you'll likely be refused).

British citizenship doesn't come automatically to spouses of Britons. You need to sort this out before doing anything else. Phone the nearest consulate this morning.

Flanneruk, so Minsk made the cut... this is where I'm from, and sadly I understand why you said that. Well, technically it's west of Brest, right

Lesfaye....I actually began to look into doing a similar jaunt.My first stop was to my FC.The first thing he advised was that if you sell your home, according to the IRS guidelines he was looking at, you have 18 months to reinvest in to another "primary residence".Otherwise, the profit from the sale of the property would be taxed at a rather heavy rate.I bailed out and decided to wait.

The capital gains 18 month thing all changed drastically back in 1997. It's not as bad as it used to be.

http://doityourself.com/houseselling...algainstax.htm

Thanks so much for the responses. I really don't want to have to sell the house but we won't have the money to go otherise. I will not have to work in Europe as my husband can. If I do work it will be in England where I can legally do so as a spouse of a Brit. I think someone said do I really want to start from zero when we get back? A valid question which does bother me especially at our age. We do not know where we will come back to, we may go back to England after our travels and work in the winter to make money to travel Europe during the summer. I may take the advise and speak to a financial planner. By selling the house we are free to do as we wish come back or not but of course have to take into consideration that we will basically be selling our retirement fund.. Arrrgh! Have a lot of thinking to do...