A man sold his life on eBay and used the profit to buy a deserted Caribbean island for a fresh start after a dark point in his life.
Man sells his entire life on eBay for $200K to buy deserted island after a dark point in life
Ian Usher, a 60-year-old from Perth, Australia, made headlines by selling his entire life on eBay for a fresh start.
After experiencing a painful divorce and reaching a low point in his life, Usher took the drastic step of leaving everything behind.
His journey began 15 years ago, and it has led him to an extraordinary new chapter.
In a bold move, Usher listed his three-bedroom home on eBay, along with all his possessions, including his car, motorbike, and jet ski.
Faced with the realization that he was unhappy with his job and the life he had built, he accepted a final bid of $265,980.
Although he had hoped for higher offers, he expressed no regrets about his decision to sell everything.
A new adventure in the Caribbean
Usher had always dreamed of traveling, and after selling his life, he moved to a deserted island in the Caribbean.
Six years later, documentarian Ben Fogle revisited Usher, who had settled on Bocas del Toro, an island off the coast of Panama.
In “Ben Fogle: New Lives in the Wild,” Usher expressed happiness in his new environment, enjoying climbing, canoeing, and diving.
“I’ve always been a bit of an adventurer and so have always spent a lot of time pursuing outdoor activities such as climbing, canoeing, and diving.”
Living on the island came with its challenges, including a lack of running water and electricity.
Despite this, Usher found fulfillment in his outdoor pursuits.
He mentioned, “We’re not completely self-sufficient here on the island.
We grow coconuts, pineapples, yukka, sugar cane, and almonds, but we haven’t yet perfected the art of growing other vegetables.”
Usher and his partner, Vanessa Anderson, keep chickens for eggs and occasionally buy fish from local fishermen.
However, they still rely on the supermarket in town for most of their food.
The man transformed the island into his new home
Usher bought the island in 2011 for just $27,500 when it was overgrown and neglected.
Over the next four years, he dedicated his time to improving and revamping the property.
His simple lifestyle allowed him to snorkel on the reefs, read, and swim, enjoying the freedom to do what he pleased.
Every ten days, Usher and Vanessa would venture into town for supplies.
Their relationship blossomed after they met during a visit to London, and Vanessa’s presence made a significant impact on Usher’s life.
Usher admitted that he sometimes misses his previous life in Australia
Despite his new life, Usher misses jet-skiing and socializing with friends at English pubs.
He joked about Vanessa’s longing for a proper London-style cappuccino, saying, “I think she’ll get over that soon.”
Reflecting on his journey, Usher stated, “I wouldn’t change anything.”
“I really enjoyed building an off-grid home and living on the island. I’ve always thought life is supposed to be an adventure.”
The man sold his island to start a new adventure around the world.
In 2015, Usher sold the revamped island, marking another significant transition in his life.
He shared on his official website that he was now debt-free and eager for new adventures.
Following the sale, Usher and Vanessa embarked on a globe-trotting journey that lasted seven years, visiting countries like Thailand and Nicaragua.
Eventually, they decided to settle down in Burgundy, France, where they were based as of their last update in 2021.