'I ditched the UK and now live my dream life in Asia for half the price'

A young woman has ditched the UK for a life in Asia and says she is living the dream for 'half the price'. Casey Pickup, 26, became so fed up with the UK's 'gloomy weather' that she left her role as a sales manager, boarded a one-way flight to Thailand and started a new life.

Feeling 'unfulfilled' by her routine lifestyle in Britain, Casey left for warmer climates in Thailand and Bali and has since not looked back.

In an adventurous move, Casey took to TikTok in March 2023 to announce her travel plans, extending an invitation to fellow solo travellers.

The response led to forming a travelling troupe of seven people who were eager to experience Thailand's rich culture together over six weeks.

It was during this journey that Casey met her boyfriend Taylor Barker, 26, who works in marketing, and the pair have since travelled to 15 countries together.

Casey now earns more than £5k a month and says that living abroad is 'better' thanks to Asia's more affordable living costs.

Casey says she is able to live her 'dream lifestyle' where for around £2,000 a month she lives in luxury accommodation, dines out for every meal, and has regular beauty and pampering sessions three to four times a week - all together which would cost at least double the price in the UK.

Casey says she has no intention of returning home and is now funding her travel and lifestyle through content creation - partnering with brands who pay her to visit and showcase breath-taking locations around the world.

Originally from Chorley, Lancashire, Casey 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