Sussex family 'quits' UK due to cost of living crisis

Myer Rabbitts, 27, and her husband Matt, 31, spent the first few years of their relationship travelling South East Asia - including Thailand, Malaysia, Bali, Singapore and Vietnam.

The couple came back to the UK when the pandemic hit and, after staying longer than planned, now have two children – one-year-old Atlas and six-month-old Cove.

But now, keen to show their children different cultures, Myer and Matt sold everything they owned and booked a one-way ticket to Thailand in June.

Myer, a full-time mum, from Horsham, said: "Due to the cost of living in the UK we can achieve a far better quality of life abroad than at home.

"We have a lot more disposable income to spend on doing things as a family now and we get to spend a lot more time together as a family too.

"Instead of working a nine-to-five job, Matt isn't going to work until 4pm which allows him to spend his day with us.

Myer with Atlas, right, and Cove (Image: Myer Rabbitts / SWNS)

"My kids are thriving as there are two of us parenting - that is a big benefit of doing this."

Myer, Matt and their family are now in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and say they are loving being able to spend more time together.

Since leaving the UK, Myer says they have been able to do more as a family and go on days out five times a week - whereas in the UK they would go out once a week and find free activities.

While living in the UK they would spend £1,200 on rent and bills but they say they're now paying £800-a-month - saving £400.

Before having Atlas and Cove, Myer and Matt were avid travellers and settled down in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Myer with Atlas and Cove (Image: Myer Rabbitts / SWNS)

The couple travelled to dozens of countries before settling in the UK during the pandemic. They had been to places including Vietnam, Singapore, Lithuania and Croatia.

During the pandemic, Myer and Matt returned to the UK but did not intend to stay for long as they waited out the end of travel restrictions.

But, as the pandemic kept the couple home longer than they anticipated, they settled in Horsham and had their two children in 2022 and January of this year.

Myer said the couple did not want to put off having kids to travel but knew that one day they wanted to leave the UK.

She added: “Atlas was named Atlas as our plan was to go away travelling again and that is where we got the inspiration for his name.

“As we knew we wanted to go back travelling we decided to try again for another baby soon after Atlas was born.

“We always knew we would want to go travelling again and didn’t want to put having kids on hold.”

Myer said her family wasn't shocked by their decision to leave the UK but they were sad about the prospect of not seeing their grandchildren as often.

She said: “Our parents have been super supportive. They knew before I was pregnant that our plan was to take the babies travelling.

“They were a bit upset that we were taking the grandchildren, but they have been so supportive.

“We don’t own a single belonging in the UK – we sold everything.

Matt with Cove, left, and Atlas (Image: Myer Rabbitts / SWNS)

“I am a full-time mum and Matt owns his own business so is working remotely.

“Atlas and Cove have adapted incredibly well, a lot of people were saying we are brave travelling with toddlers but so far so good.”

The family headed out to Thailand on June 24 and sold their flat and car in the UK.

They stayed in Thailand for 30 days and are now spending three months in Malaysia.

Atlas, one, in Thailand (Image: Myer Rabbitts / SWNS)

So far Atlas has visited Croatia, Spain and France while Cove has also been to Thailand and Malaysia.

Myer said that travelling as a family was "slower" - but they are loving every minute of it.

Myer said: "I am from a small village and there is not a lot of diversity or cultural experiences there.

Read More: Three Sussex beaches among best dog-friendly places

"I just want my kids to grow up seeing different things."

"Atlas is thriving and obviously Cove is happy to be anywhere as he is a baby.

"It is just parenting in a different country - not a lot has changed for us apart from we get to spend more time together."