Nomadic living

[FUEGO]

Braggert.

Hey, I guess you get used to a certain look and fail to appreciate its novelty to others.

 

[simple girl]

My portfolio is telling me to live in a box...

 

[haha]

Hey, I guess you get used to a certain look and fail to appreciate its novelty to others.

With all due respect, I think this goes a little deeper than novelty. Don't forget, others may appreciate more fully what you take for granted. If your wife looks like Lea, I recommend you bring her flowers twice a week.

ha

 

[ls99]

If you find your current [-]home[/-] box. Here are instructions for low cost improvements.

This Ol` Box Video

 

[DangerMouse]

Very interesting look at costs. They also have posted their 2007 costs:
Good reading, but I wonder how much of the spending is apples to apples? Example - does the "living in UK" costs include 1 car, 2 cars or none? Obviously taking public transit and only occasionally renting a car is much cheaper than maintaining a fleet of 2 vehicles to drive to work. Inspirational stuff though.
[/URL]

Using the two vehicles as an example, something you have to remember is it is not always necessary to have the same of anything from country to country to maintain the same lifestyle. For example, here in the US for the first time in our lives we have had to get two cars, because urban sprawl and public transportation dictates it as being a necessity. When we lived in the UK we could manage without any vehicles and it was the same in Paris because we could rely on public transportation. If we wanted a car to visit some place out of the way we would hire one for the weekend. We believe that not owning a vehicle actually improves your life as it makes you more active and is less stressful.

So for me the apples to apples comparison needs to be based on overall standard of living rather than matching possessions.

 

[kcowan]

We believe that not owning a vehicle actually improves your life as it makes you more active and is less stressful.

So for me the apples to apples comparison needs to be based on overall standard of living rather than matching possessions.

So what is it that makes you stay?

 

[FUEGO]

So for me the apples to apples comparison needs to be based on overall standard of living rather than matching possessions.

That's right. I agree that the metric would be "standard of living" and not necessarily matching possessions.

Sure, some places you don't absolutely have to have a car to get around (let alone 2 cars for a family). But one reason for that is urban planning that results in cars being a less convenient manner of transportation (lack of parking or expensive parking, tolls, congestion pricing like downtown London, inadequate capacity on roads, long delays, etc). Many (most?) urban dwellers, if given the choice and it was convenient, would choose a car over transit. You go exactly where you want to go quickly and cheaply, and park immediately adjacent to your destination in a climate controlled vehicle essentially from door to door. Add two young kids to the equation (in my case) and cars are the much favored mode choice.

Having a car, even for short trips, in a physical environment that is car friendly is a great convenience. It is something that would be tough to give up with a nomadic lifestyle. But that is just one factor among many in the apples to apples comparison I suppose.

 

[haha]

We believe that not owning a vehicle actually improves your life as it makes you more active and is less stressful.

This is the way I feel. Yet I own a car. I can do almost everything I want to do witout one; but not having a car would make my social life harder. Unless one is a student with all his friends living in one small area of town, there are probably only 3 or maybe 4 US cities where your social life wouldn't be changed íf you had no car. Our local rapid transit only runs a few routes until late at night; and honestly in many areas it isn't all that appealing to be standing at a bus stop at 1:30 AM, for reasons too numerous to mention.

Ha

 

[W2R]

This is the way I feel. Yet I own a car. I can do almost everything I want to do witout one; but not having a car would make my social life harder. Unless one is a student with all his friends living in one small area of town, there are probably only 3 or maybe 4 US cities where your social life wouldn't be changed íf you had no car. Our local rapid transit only runs a few routes until late at night; and honestly in many areas it isn't all that appealing to be standing at a bus stop at 1:30 AM, for reasons too numerous to mention.

Ha

I think this is very true, especially for a guy. If a potential date does not even have access to a car, it can be hard for a financially independent woman not to wonder about his motives.

 

[DangerMouse]

So what is it that makes you stay?

Whilst we are in the accumulation phase there is no better location for us than our current position.

I don't believe it would be possible to exist in California without the convenience of a motor vehicle, that is simply the reality of the situation. However in a location like Paris it certainly is. We did not have a car in Paris, however metro is so easy and convenient to use that it is probably quicker than driving anywhere. We also used to walk miles every day as it was so interesting whereas if we are doing the same distance here we would probably get in the car even if we had the option of public transport outside our door. Also the use of public transportation for a date in Paris is not thought of as odd like it is in the US as it is common not to have a car there. It was great going out at night and not having to have a nominated driver, everyone could indulge in a vino or 2 and not have to worry about getting caught by the booze bus.

I think not owing a car is a real mindset and believe it would be more of a struggle for an American than for a European. It is wonderfully freeing to not have a car at your convenience, it really does encourage you to use your legs for what they were put there for. I know since moving to the US and becoming more car bound I have gained weight.

 

[CuppaJoe]

I remember a guy saying that women who live on top of hills, and get around without cars, have the most beautiful legs.

 

[kcowan]

I think this is very true, especially for a guy. If a potential date does not even have access to a car, it can be hard for a financially independent woman not to wonder about his motives.

I think if the guy has a driver available, that problem disappears. We found a semi-retired chauffeur and would go places in his limo cheaper than a taxi. Everyone thought we were rich because we always had "our driver" Len drop us off and pick us up.

It was cool.

And it was cheaper than a car by far. I know this might not be practical in that hell-hole known as SoCal but then that is the price they must pay for sunshine.

 

[Moemg]

r. Our local rapid transit only runs a few routes until late at night; and honestly in many areas it isn't all that appealing to be standing at a bus stop at 1:30 AM, for reasons too numerous to mention.

Ha

Good reason to spend the night !

 

[FIREd]

Whilst we are in the accumulation phase there is no better location for us than our current position.

I don't believe it would be possible to exist in California without the convenience of a motor vehicle, that is simply the reality of the situation. However in a location like Paris it certainly is. We did not have a car in Paris, however metro is so easy and convenient to use that it is probably quicker than driving anywhere. We also used to walk miles every day as it was so interesting whereas if we are doing the same distance here we would probably get in the car even if we had the option of public transport outside our door. Also the use of public transportation for a date in Paris is not thought of as odd like it is in the US as it is common not to have a car there. It was great going out at night and not having to have a nominated driver, everyone could indulge in a vino or 2 and not have to worry about getting caught by the booze bus.

I think not owing a car is a real mindset and believe it would be more of a struggle for an American than for a European. It is wonderfully freeing to not have a car at your convenience, it really does encourage you to use your legs for what they were put there for. I know since moving to the US and becoming more car bound I have gained weight.

I lived in Lyon, a large city in central France, for 5 years and I can say without hesitation that I would consider having a car there a liability. Public transportation is super convenient (fast, cheap, efficient, clean, safe and frequent). I used to walk to work on nice days (about 40 minutes through a beautifully landscaped park) and I really miss that. I used public transportation to go everywhere I needed to, i.e. buses, metros, funiculars and trams for transporation within the city and trains to get out of town. The only problem was coming home from a party in the middle of the night. I sometimes had to walk a few miles through the city at 3-4 a.m. to get home (I never felt unsafe though) or get a ride from a friend. If I ever live in a large European city again, I'll ditch the car for sure.

Walking or using public transportation was such a relaxing time for me. I used to love taking a seat on the bus or the train, look out the window and just let my mind wander. No stress. No worries about traffic. No need to hunt down a parking space. I loved it.

Of course, walking or using public transportation is not really an option in suburbia, where I live now. The nearest bus stop is about 2 miles away. Buses come only once per hour and it takes about 2 hours to go across town (mid-size). I sometimes walk to the nearest shopping center but it takes about 1 hour one way when walking briskly.
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[NW-Bound]

I remember a guy saying that women who live on top of hills, and get around without cars, have the most beautiful legs.

Only the legs?

 

[unclemick]

Hmmm - somehow life without a gas sucking V8, rubber burning in all four gears American car/truck is mentally inconceivable.

I graduated high school the early 60's - think Happy Days the movie.

Public transport has a negative picture in my mind. Even though I know it's a predjice that doesn't fit reality in many many cases.

heh heh heh -

 

[Gone4Good]

I think not owing a car is a real mindset and believe it would be more of a struggle for an American than for a European.

It all depends on where you live. Major cities (Paris, London, etc.) tend to be more "walkable" and have the critical mass to support a good public transportation system. The correct comparison to these European cities would be similarly sized U.S. cities, like NY. I didn't get my first car until I was 32. I bought it as a complete luxury, and it still is.

As it turns out, I'm just now leaving for a walk down to the book store to browse some travel guides (thinking Scotland) and will pick up some Harp & Guiness for Black & Tans, vegetables for dinner, and some supplies at the Hardware store on my way back.

 

[BunsGettingFirm]

I think this is very true, especially for a guy. If a potential date does not even have access to a car, it can be hard for a financially independent woman not to wonder about his motives.

Why is this particular financially independent woman so lacking in imagination? If the money is not in the car, then it's in the bank.

Like I said before, there is no getting away from the social norms. You can try, but people are fundamentally lazy, so unless all your queues trigger the right responses, you'll strike out, if not on the first pitch, then maybe on pitch 2 or 3.

 

[Andy R]

I lived on the road for nearly 4 years. I was able to keep my cost of living VERY low and live VERY well. Buenos Aires was where I started my journey (after doing research and determining it was the best quality of life for the money IMO at that time). After that I headed to Brazil then Australia, SE Asia, Europe and Africa. You have to be crafty and spend a lot of time looking for affordable accomodations but it's definately possible to live well on the cheap from all over the globe. In Europe I went to places like Brest, France (in Brittany) where I could afford an apart-hotel since it was affordable. I also found nicely priced places in other off the beaten track smaller cities like Malmo, Sweden (instead of Stockholm or Copenhagen), Laiden, Holland (instead of Amsterdam), etc. A great way to get values is to enjoy a touristy town in the "shoulder season". This is like going out to Cape Code, MA or Destin, FL in the fall when the weather can be decent but the hoards or tourists have left. The abundance of accomodations and reduced demand make for a great way to find bargains. I'd highly recommend nomadic living for anyone adventurous enough to give it a shot...

 

[CathD]

Apples & Apples?

I liked this comment, listed after the article:

To me, the nomadic lifestyle makes fire and brimstone look really good in comparison, and I think the article is an illustration that "You get what you pay for". But for those to whom this lifestyle is attractive, apparently it could indeed bring with it substantial savings.

I can't speak for the other locations listed in the article, but I can speak for the South African references - they certainly weren't slumming it in South Africa. Newlands is a very nice, desirable area to live in, in Cape Town, which is one of the most beautiful parts of South Africa. Going on their SA budget, they were living a good life in SA!

 

[mountaintosea]

Nomadic lifestyle can be exciting. Life is never dull. I did it for one year from 1992 to 1993. I started in London and finished up the year in China. I thought I would travel some once I retired but I have an elderly cat and dog! It was inexpensive and a great experience. But for now my pets need me (which has become very expensive).

 

[SecondCor521]

This whole idea of nomadism is very interesting to me. At this point the idea is not interesting so much from a travel point of view (although there are places I'd like to go) as it is from a asceticism point of view. I am more and more finding appealing the idea of ditching a lot of my stuff, up to and including my house and car.

The thing I wonder about is exit strategy...once I've gotten my fill of travel and the nomadic lifestyle, I'm not sure I could make myself lay out the several hundred K it would take to buy back into the typical US lifestyle of a home and car. I would also wonder about "locking myself out" of that same US lifestyle if I somehow decided to spend my home and car equity on travel and experiences.

How have others handled this?

2Cor521

 

[BunsGettingFirm]

If by locking out you mean mentally not being able to bring yourself to spending the money again, then I don't see a problem. You may find that you don't miss the car and the house anyways.

I have downsized a couple of times already. I don't find myself miss not having two cars. One decent car is more than enough. A house with a guest room, a computer room, and a workout room is certainly nicer than a condo, but realistically, the guest room is used maybe 15 days a year, and does my computer really need a room by itself? As for the home gym, I can work out at the local gym, go for a run, or use the company gym. Even when I had the home gym, I did most of my best workouts at the TKD gym.

I don't know if I would want to move from hotel to hotel for years on end, but a fifth wheel or a sailboat could be nice.

 

[Zoocat]

I've been seriously pondering this idea and the main stumbling block is my dog. I'd have to find a temporary home for him. Other than that, I'd be willing to rent out my townhome so I'd have a place to return to. And I'd store my car somewhere (where?). The details appear difficult but are probably not overwhelming.

One thing I wouldn't do at my age is to sell my home and use equity for a year of living nomading. No way.

Here's a woman who became a "female nomad"
http://www.ritagoldengelman.com/

 

[DangerMouse]

I think even if one chooses the nomadic lifestyle it must be nice to have your home base to come back to as Billy and Akaisha do. I think the key would be not to have your home base cost too much money.

We are thinking about buying a home base in Sydney - we are actually tossing up the idea of something overlooking Sydney Harbour as we figure we would be able to house swap with a lot of people if we got the right location. Alternatively we would rent it fully furnished when we were away, just taking out anything too valuable.

Oldbabe, I have to agree, I think it would be risky to sell your home for a lifestyle that you may not enjoy. Nomadic living is not for everyone I am sure.