They move to Thailand to escape the UK's high cost of living crisis

A British family has moved to Thailand to escape the UK's worsening cost of living crisis. 

Jessica Ward , her partner Harry and two-year-old daughter Cece moved from Congleton, Cheshire, to Phuket , in southern Thailand, due to rising energy bills.

Jessica is a writer, and her name is actually a pseudonym inspired by the #1 New York Times bestselling author who writes under the name JR Ward.

The family had the opportunity to visit Thailand in January 2024 and did not want to leave, after realizing they could "have a much better life" here.

“The cost of living in the UK was just too high for us, especially the energy bills,” Jessica explained.

“It’s so stressful trying to make ends meet when you have a young family.”

In the UK, the trio rented a four-bedroom house and had to pay £326 (€380) a month just for gas and electricity bills.

“We had an old boiler and as we were renting, we couldn't change it, although our landlord told us she would install a new one if we agreed to stay longer in the accommodation.”

The family originally moved because they needed more space.

Although the move meant their rent increased, their energy bills are lower, and they decided they could bear the cost as long as their rent didn't increase.

Jessica explained:

“We always intended to travel when Cece was older, so we didn't want to be tied down by a mortgage.”

Electricity prices rise in the UK

Jessica Ward and her daughter Cece.

Since April 1, the price cap set by the energy regulator Ofgem has stood at 1,690 pounds (1,974 euros), which is lower than previous thresholds, but experts have warned that it is likely to rise.

As of January 2023, the price cap was £4,279 (€4,998) per year.

However, this increase was offset by the Energy Price Guarantee (EPG) introduced by the government.

This guarantee limited households to paying £2,500 (€2,920) per year if they had average energy consumption.

Before the energy bill crisis, Ofgem's price cap was £1,277 (€1,491) in January 2022.

In April 2022, the cap rose to £1,971 (€2,302) per year, marking the start of a period of consecutive increases by the regulator.

“The cost of energy has had a huge impact on us,” Jessica said.

“We also couldn't get a smart meter and I was worried about its inefficiency and what would happen if there was another big energy spike.

All the mothers were worried when we met.

It wasn't just the energy, it was everything that was increasing and it felt like you were constantly on the edge, which it shouldn't be.

Families need to know they can have a safe and warm home.”

Jessica explained that she knows many young mothers in the UK who are considering moving abroad.

“The standard of living is so much better and it means you don't have that constant anxiety that can really impact mental health, especially for women who carry the burden of managing domestic life.”

A recent study commissioned by the Warm This Winter collective for the Women's Institute has revealed that Britain's energy bill dilemma is fuelling a mental health crisis among women.

In the survey, 60% of women surveyed said 2023 had been a more difficult year than 2022, which the organization described as "depressing."

A new life in Phuket

Jessica Ward and her family at the Phuket Elephant Nature Reserve.

In Thailand, Jessica and her partner are now renting a "fabulous" villa on the island of Phuket and have managed to find a "great" nursery for Cece.

She added: "I have applied for a visa and I hope I can get it and work here, because now we can afford childcare."

It is unclear what type of visa Jessica applied for, although she is a writer and also runs an online sales website called Dear Cece , her daughter's name.

However, Jessica is truly worried about families who aren't as lucky.

She said:

“Having a warm and safe home should be a right for families and I am aware that this is not the case for many of them.”

See also:

The unexpected success of a French-Thai couple on social networks in Thailand

Thai-British couple move to Thailand and go off-grid

Why many expats are likely to leave Thailand in 2024?

Living in Thailand with a rural lifestyle is not an easy choice

Source: GB News