We quit UK life to live in an abandoned home abroad for £8,000 – we now live mortgage-free
A FAMILY has traded life in the UK for an abandoned home abroad so they can live “mortgage-free”.
Maxwell, 38, and Leah Jones, 29, bought the deserted house in Bulgaria in January for just £8,000 – and they didn’t even view it in person.
The couple said they had always dreamed of living self-sufficiently and didn’t want to spend the next 25 years paying off a mortgage in the UK.
So they decided to take the plunge and buy the three-bed home in Popovo, Bulgaria.
Maxwell and Leah said they started looking at properties just before Christmas last year after seeing others do the same on social media.
Maxwell said: “We were due to buy a house in the UK but it became hard to put all this money out and still be paying it off for 25 years.
“We looked at the price in Bulgaria and it became a no brainer.”
And it sounds like they struck gold, bagging the spacious family home for just £8,000.
Which is a bargain when compared with property prices in their home town in Wales where a three-bed house sells for around £300,000.
While the abandoned home needs a lot of work done, the couple aren’t in any rush.
Leah said: “We want to try and get away from this idea that it has to be an aesthetically pleasing home.”
Maxwell added: “If the kids help out with painting and there are a few brush strokes on the skirting board – that’s OK.
“It will be an ongoing project – it might take years.”
The couple will also transform their garden so they can grow their own fruit and vegetables and have their own animals.
They estimate that it will cost between £15,000 to £20,000.
They added that the cost of living in Bulgaria is a “lot cheaper” than in the UK.
One neighbour told Maxwell that he pays £15 to £20 a month for electrics, compared to the £3,000 a year the couple is currently paying for electric and gas in the UK.
And council tax is only £25 a year.
The couple have estimated they can get by on about £300 to £400 a month in Bulgaria – on a stringent budget.
Which is half the price of the current cost of their UK rent – £680.
Moving house hacks
1. Declutter Before You Pack
Sort through your belongings and get rid of anything you no longer need. Donate, sell, or recycle items to lighten your load.
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Make a list of all your items. This helps keep track of everything and ensures nothing gets lost in the move.
3. Use Quality Packing Materials
Invest in sturdy boxes, bubble wrap, and packing tape. This will protect your belongings during the move.
4. Label Everything
Clearly label each box with its contents and the room it belongs to. This makes unpacking much easier and more organized.
5. Pack a ‘First Day’ Box
Include essentials like toiletries, a change of clothes, snacks, and important documents. This will keep you from rummaging through boxes on your first day.
6. Take Photos of Electronics Setup
Before unplugging your electronics, take photos of the wiring setup. This will make it easier to reconnect everything at your new place.
7. Use Suitcases for Heavy Items
Pack books and other heavy items in rolling suitcases. This makes them easier to transport and reduces the risk of injury.
8. Colour-Code Your Boxes
Use different coloured stickers or markers for each room. This will help movers quickly identify where each box should go in your new home.
Maxwell and Leah flew out to the house in May with the plan being for the whole family to live there at the end of they year.
Maxwell from Prestatyn, Wales, said: “It was exactly like it looked online.
“Now we’re mortgage-free.
“There is a lot to do – it’s a shell.
“We’re up for a challenge.”
The couple pride themselves on their “alternative” lifestyle and already home school their two kids – Lorenzo, two, and Indy, nine.
They also make sure to eat organically and even make their own toothpaste.
Maxwell said: “Breaking from the norm – as scary as it is it can be rewarding.
“In Bulgaria the kids are playing out all day.
“In this country kids are striving for that next toy or app – it’s constant dopamine hits.
“We want to keep a creative space in our children.”