I spent the summer in Australia this year. It seemed like an outrageous idea when I first allowed it to occur, but once I started to think about it, to really think about it, I realized it was not quite so far-fetched. I replaced my reflex concerns about money, work, security, and—well, money—with motivational mantras like “be the change you wish to see in the world,” “a change is as good as a holiday,” and, “vote for change,” and set about changing my summer scenery.
You can do it, too. First, you need to allow yourself to entertain the notion. Then you need to get busy. Dreaming won’t get you there, but planning will.
Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way
The idea of relocating somewhere else for a few months in the current economic climate is intimidating. People are going to call you crazy. (Oh, pity the begrudgers for they are waiting until retirement to live their lives!) It’s not crazy to explore your options; it’s crazy not to. Just open your mind to the possibility that you could live somewhere else next summer, and see what happens. If you really want to, you can make it happen.
Make a List, Then Check It Twice
Make a thoughtful master list of everyone you know who lives somewhere else. Don’t edit yourself. Include family, friends, friends of family, friends of family friends. Start with the furthest flung and then end with those closer to home. Now add the following factors to your list:
Reality Check:
Whom could you realistically imagine yourself crashing with for a summer? I had my husband’s second cousin Larry on my list; he has a house somewhere in Bali, which really appealed to me; but the thing is, he belongs in a padded cell. Crazy is fine—welcomed even—for me when traveling alone, but I needed a happy, well-adjusted parking spot for my two kids who were also traveling with me. Bali Larry got a big red “X” on my list. Be realistic about safety here, too: political unrest, travel alerts, or comfort issues about traveling solo or with kids should be taken into account.
Bed Bucks:
Free digs go a long way toward making your dream a reality, so first highlight potential freebie accommodations on your list. Then, note relatives or friends you could rent from, or those who could perhaps help you find a good deal on a rental for the summer. Finally, indicate where you would have to make your own arrangements for a roof over your head. You don’t have to crash with someone to get free digs. Arrange an apartment swap through Craigslist or through exchange services like Global Home Exchange, Home for Exchange, or Another-Home. Alternately, consider couchsurfing or bewelcome, social networking sites that allow users to stay with fellow members around the world.
Currency:
Knowing where you can get best bang for your American buck is key. It will help you prioritize, but don’t let it make you jump to rash conclusions and eliminate say, all of Europe, from your list. When you have all your ducks in a row, you may find that Europe is where you have free digs, lots of local contacts, no transportation costs, and cheap flights. Whittle down your options after you get a rough idea of whether the currency exchange rate is generally favorable or not.
