fitri-handayani
An English family of five has swapped suburban life in northeast England for a rented villa on a Thai island — after selling nearly all of their possessions, including the house they once thought would be their forever home.
Jasmine Scarr, 34, and her husband Ross, 38, left their hometown of Darlington in May with their three children, two dogs and only five suitcases between them. The couple's children — Jayden, 7, Johnson, 5, and Mali, 2 — are now being educated at home in their new surroundings.
Before departing, the Scarrs put their house on the market. According to People, which covered the family's story, the property was worth roughly $475,000. Jasmine had originally imagined raising her children there long-term, but the couple decided a dramatic change was needed.
Their new life centers on a four-bedroom villa that costs about $950 a month with utilities included. The home comes with a private swimming pool, a garden and a veranda with views over the surrounding jungle.
The decision to leave was driven largely by work. Ross, a welding engineer, used to commute roughly two hours each way for shift work, a routine that squeezed the family's time together and, his wife says, gradually took a toll on his mental health.
These days, the household rhythm looks very different. Jasmine, who continues to work in business payroll remotely, fits her job in after the children have gone to bed. Because Thailand runs six hours ahead of the United Kingdom, she is free to spend her days focused entirely on the kids.
Education now happens at the kitchen table rather than in a classroom. Jasmine withdrew Jayden and Johnson from their school in March ahead of the move, and the boys settle into at least two hours of lessons after breakfast each day, covering math, English and other subjects. Two-year-old Mali is picking up basic numbers and colors.
Learning also extends well beyond the books. Family outings to local temples double as lessons in Thai culture, both boys have signed up with a soccer team, and Jasmine hopes that, in time, they will begin picking up the Thai language itself.
Jasmine first fell for Thailand as a teenager and had long dreamed of returning. She admits that letting go of the family home and so many belongings felt daunting at first, but she is now convinced it was the right call.
For now, the couple has committed to staying at least a year and has made no firm plans beyond that. Still, Jasmine says the family would like to remain in Thailand longer term — and may one day even launch a business there.
Comments (0)