A Place in the Sun Couple Sell Spanish Home After Show Derails Travel Dreams
Expats Neil and Sarah have revealed how their appearance on Channel 4's A Place in the Sun in November 2023 unexpectedly disrupted their long-held ambition of global travel, leading them to sell their Spanish property and reassess their lifestyle priorities.
From Nomadic Life to Unexpected Homeownership
Neil and Sarah, who run the YouTube channel 2GoRoam Travels, had sold all their possessions five years earlier to retire early and embrace a full-time nomadic existence. For half a decade, they traversed multiple continents, enjoying what Neil described as a "fantastic time" exploring diverse countries. Their journey onto the popular television programme began almost by chance when Neil spotted production teams conducting screen tests at an event.
"I said to Sarah, 'Hey, do you want to go on A Place in the Sun?'" Neil recalled. Sarah's immediate response was cautious: "'No, because we don't want to buy a house.'" However, Neil persuaded her that participating would be an intriguing experience into television production, despite their firm intention not to purchase property.
The Temptation of a Perfect Property in Rojales
Before filming commenced, Neil was explicit about their strategy: "I said to Sarah, 'Do not under any circumstances look too interested in any of the properties.'" This plan involved appearing deliberately disinterested during viewings. Yet, everything changed when they encountered the third property in Rojales, Spain.
Neil admitted: "When you see that opening moment on TV, I am having kittens. I'm thinking, 'If this is on budget, how can you say you don't like it? It's perfect.'" Contradicting their initial resolve, the couple submitted an offer and successfully secured the Spanish home, a decision that would soon clash with their cherished travelling lifestyle.
Practical Realities Clash with Wanderlust
The practicalities of overseas homeownership quickly became apparent. "Buying a house in Spain kind of ruined our dreams," Neil confessed. "It ruined everything for us, because Sarah and I love travel." With a UK passport, Neil faced Schengen travel limitations, and the couple still owned a motorhome intended for extensive European adventures alongside trips to Asia and the Americas.
Upon paying the reservation deposit, reality struck. "We ordered a bottle of cava and I said to Sarah, 'We've got a problem.' We owned a house we could only spend six months in and a motorhome we bought to travel Europe," Neil explained. They decided to focus on their Spanish residence, selling the motorhome, while Neil obtained an Irish passport through his grandmother's lineage to allow longer European stays.
The Decision to Sell and Return to Travel
Despite these adjustments, the fundamental challenge of settling in one place persisted. Months later, while watching travel videos online, Sarah expressed a longing: "'I wish we were in Vietnam,'" Neil remembered. The financial impracticality of maintaining a property, a motorhome, and funding global travel simultaneously became clear. "It's not economically wise," Neil stated. "When we venture further abroad, they're just sitting there collecting dust."
Consequently, the couple made the decisive move to sell their Spanish property. "We've sold our house in Spain," Neil confirmed. They have now resumed full-time travelling, with plans for a five-month Asian tour encompassing Vietnam, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, and potentially China.
Reflections and Future Plans
Reflecting on the experience, Neil expressed gratitude: "We are so thankful for A Place in the Sun, because actually we've realised it saved us from ourselves." Looking ahead, their commitment is evident: "We've reset the clock. We're travelling the world for the next 10 years. We won't buy another property for at least a decade." Neil concluded with a poignant lesson: "You can have a lot of things in life, but you can't have everything."
This story highlights the complex interplay between television opportunities, property investment, and personal aspirations, serving as a cautionary tale for those balancing wanderlust with homeownership dreams.
