‘I quit my job to travel Europe in a van’

A former teacher said she has never felt more stable after quitting her job and travelling around Europe in a van.

Since handing in her notice in July, Sophie Vallis, from Wood End, Coventry, has travelled to places such as the Netherlands and Germany and done voluntary work.

She said she took the decision after saving for a a two-bedroom house, on a teaching salary of £24,000 and then only being offered £50,000 from the banks towards a mortgage.

“I couldn’t afford to buy my own home so I decided to live in a van, I have never felt more stable in my life, the 27-year-old said.

Ms Vallis had been a teacher for three years, working in primary and secondary schools.

While she felt scared, she had “always been interested in unconventional living.”

She said: “One reason I wanted a house quite young is because I know that I want to foster.

“I applied for a mortgage, I had savings and I still couldn’t get much.

“I felt so disillusioned, I’ve saved up my whole life, I’ve had a job since 15 and I have no debt apart from student debt. I [thought] what’s the point of saving?”

So far, Ms Vallis has travelled to Rotterdam, in the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark where she ran a half-marathon and stayed to do some volunteer work.

From there she travelled to Copenhagen, Berlin, Poland, Prague and Austria.

“I thought I might be ready to head home, but I met a friend I’d met online in Vienna,” she said.

“I got to my next volunteering role, I met so many amazing people there, I was working in a horse sanctuary.

“Then I came back [to the UK] through Germany, Luxembourg and France. I’m not sure if I’m done yet. I’m letting life decide.”

She said she is spending Christmas in Coventry before deciding on her next destination, with future plans to teach abroad.

“I’m doing it all on savings so I need to be careful of my funds. I feel I’m young, now is the time!”

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