what does everyone think?

[kazza]

ive mentioned in a couple of posts that i want to travel Europe for a yr... im giving up everything that i have made for myself to do this.. my job/house/pretty much all my belongings....ive had mixed advice from many ppl about my house... dont sell! sell! rent out your house while you travel... i considered renting it out but i dont want to be o/s and having probs with rental.. i want to just get away from everything for awhile.. except my family.. im going to miss them soooooooooo much! my niece is like my daughter

So just wondered what everyone thought... has anyone else sold everything they own to travel?

[JiveTurkey]

I have a house I rent out. I have the renters deposit the rent money right in my bank account then I just send a check, or call the company and take it right out of my account. I don't think you should sell, it is something you can have to fall back on. Thats just my .02

[glorious_day]

do you have someone who could take care of your affairs (the rented house), who you trust, while you are gone? if the whole idea is to take off for a year and be free of as many earthly worries as possible, then having to wonder whats going on with your renters back home might put a damper on that. of course, at some point in our lives we all have to make permanant commitments. hmmm....

[pinion]

I'd rent the house out and have someone you trust look after the house for you. Someone you know so you wouldn't have to pay them too much a month.

If something goes wrong with the house and the tenants can't get ahold of you...could be big trouble.

[ChasinJason1313]

I'd have to say rent, and like everyone else has said, have someone you trust take care of things for you.
If you're gonna be over there for that long, you should make the investment in a world-capable prepaid cell phone thing. That way, other than using it for whatever you might use it for there, you can have it in case of emergency back home.

You didn't mention anything about it but you should look into something called the schengen agreement. It's a deal that most EU nations have going that prevent U.S. citizens from staying on the continent too long (I'm assuming here that you're a U.S. citizen, I don't know though). Anyway, as it stands, you're only allowed to be in all the EU countries combined (with the exception of Switz, UK, and Ireland) for 3 months out of every 6. You can break the rules but if you get caught you can get deported (not a big deal) and not allowed back for years (big deal).

If you want any more info about it look it up or send me a message. Lonely Planet's Thorntree message forum has some good info, just search the word schengen.

Other than that, I'm jealous as hell and have a good time.

Jason

[kazza]

Hey thxs all for your replies...

* if the whole idea is to take off for a year and be free of as many earthly worries as possible, then having to wonder whats going on with your renters back home might put a damper on that. of course

This is how im feeling too glorious_day, do i want to be worring about my houise while im away? Having to put the responsibility onto someone else while im a away i feel is a bit to much to ask...

thxs for info jw1313, im actually from Oz and applying for dual citizenship...

I am going to try and make my decision by next week... the other factor to consider is that with buying the house and doing renovations i havent been able to save any money to go away with/not even the plane ticket! so id have to start saving now... i would also like to still feel secure and have money if i dont find work... ive been thinking of travelling beyond Europe too with the extra money... when i return home i will be going to uni so if i sell, any money left over will go into fees as i wont be able to apply for government assistance.

So thats pretty much my story