With so many posts on this topic, I will apologise now if this is already covered , but here goes. My wife finishes her Nursing degree next year, and then has a year to work for the health trust that sponsored her, I am just about hanging on to my sanity in order I stay in my job that supports her and our two boys (20 & 19), in 2015 we have decided that a gap year is going to happen, and by the look of the forum, people do start thinking about this quite a long time in advance.
We will finance it by selling the house, yes folks, there is no way I want the agro of tenants, I know of so many nightmare stories from friends, so its not worth it to me. I have worked in Africa and Asia, and we are both experienced tourers on the bike, although mainly europe, east and west.
The idea is not just rely on the set aside from the house sale, but to find work in the places we decide to stay in, so for instance, western europe, has anyone any experience of obtaining casual work, we are both mature, but fit, well, and have practical skills. I am considering taking a teaching English as a foreign language qualification.
We will camp and hostel wherever we can, and due to my wife being Slovakian, we intend to leave some clobber in Slovakia on one of our visits by car prior to going.
This may seem like a burning of bridges plan, but when we return we aim to start all over again anyway.
Any comments

Not sure what you're asking there mate ???


It sounds like a great plan though. Just get out there and see what happens.

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

Yeah - why are you supporting 20 and 19 year olds?

I ask myself the same thing every day when I look at our two.

Good point re supporting the boys!!! they are both still at college, but do earn their keep, i've managed to instil that ethic at least, they will both be in uni by the time we go, and like with my two older ones, will learn true survival.
as for the point of the message, I should have been more direct, it's mainly to do with work, has anyone on the forum any experience of this in he countries they have visited?

Not sure for all countries but you will have to consider-
Surely if you intend to work in any country then you are going to need the following
1. A registered local home address(in the visiting country) To enable you to get a job and pay all local taxes
2. A job which you cannot get without a local home address
3. Some countries will require that you get a local work permit which you cannot get without Items 1 and 2 so catch 22 situation
4. You will have to make sure all your local taxes are fully paid before leaving that country.
5. You cannot get a local bank account without item 1 and no credit cards without item 2.
6: You will also have to pay local health insurance or arrange for private insurance in the UK

I live in CZ and some of my friends have been out of work for 12 months here as local companies find it cheaper and less hassle to employ locals who have all the language skills anyway, including TFL. So you might find it takes longer to get a job.
Renting accommodation can be a pain as sometimes the landlord will want references and deposits so be warned
Even though you are visiting EU countries there are still restrictions on how long you can stay and if you can work.

I would strongly recommend that you do your research into the countries you want to stay in to fully understand the restrictions and costs involved there are always some hidden details that will catch you out. Its one thing just to visit but totally different when living somewhere.

PS. If you sell your house then you will have to tell your bank, change your passport with new UK address, Change your driving licence address, change the bike insurance for extended stay outside of the UK, arrange health and life insurance.

Good luck:confused1: