At this point, I’ve spent about eight months of the last two years living in hostels and have definitely seen the good, the bad, and the ugly side of hostel life. If you’re planning your first trip, here’s what to look out for in order to pick a hostel and have a good experience:

Pay attention to the hostel’s ‘ambience’ and ‘safety’ ratings.

The vibe of the hostel is important, especially when you’re traveling on your own. Try to look for places with nice common areas or bars, so you have a space to meet other travelers. Hostels that organize group events or have community breakfasts or dinners are great because it’s a built-in way to meet other people and create a group of people to go out adventuring with.

If you can, try to avoid properties that are half hostel, half hotel. These places cater more to families and business travelers, and the vibe is much different than that of a property that caters specifically to the young, backpacker crowd. These places are typically much less social, which can make for a lonely stay if there aren’t any people around for you to mingle with.

Also, this is pretty self-explanatory, but check out the safety ratings. This will cover things like whether the property is located in a good part of town, whether there’s a secure place to lock your belongings inside your room, if the keys and locks work, or if the building and surrounding area well-lit, or whether there are people hanging around the property who aren’t guests of the hostel, etc.

Pick a hostel that is close to the attractions and has a 24-hour reception.

If you know you’re going to want to go out at night, look for a place closer to the city’s nightlife so you don’t have to travel as far in the dark in the event that you end up having to be out alone. You can minimize your time spent on public transit doing so, and you won’t have to take as many cabs (so you can avoid being ripped off) and you won’t have as far to walk if that’s something you’re concerned about. Obviously, use your judgement and take the same precautions you would at home, and you’ll be fine.

24-hour reception is important if you know you’ll be arriving late. You don’t want to show up after the reception has closed and not be able to check in. Also, if there’s an emergency and you need something in the middle of the night, the hostel reception is going to be your first point of contact because they know the area and how to get you the services that you need (like pointing you to the hospital where you’re more likely to find English-speaking doctors at 4am).

Female-only dorms (maybe).

I have mixed feelings about staying in female dorms because I’ve had good and bad experiences with both (big surprise: people suck regardless of gender). You never know who you’re going to get as roommates, and my good experiences have by far outweighed the bad. The only difference is that so far, I haven’t (yet, thankfully) been fearful for my safety in a female dorm. I have two big pieces of advice on this one:

1. Read the reviews carefully.

If the reviews give you a sense that the hostel only really cares about their bottom line and just wants to fill beds, it might not be somewhere you want to stay, for a variety of reasons, but if it’s the only option available, you may want to consider booking a female-only dorm. You might just end up in a 12-bed dorm with an 11-person stag party, who stumbled back in at 4am and didn’t realize that they do not actually have the room to themselves (first the obnoxious drunkenness, then the snoring, yikes). Needless to say, I dragged my blanket downstairs to sleep in the bar, checked out as soon as I could, and left the property a delightful review for 1. letting that happen to me in the first place, and 2. not informing me or giving me another choice of room.

2. Pay attention to whether or not you’ll be traveling in peak season.

If there’s an issue with your roommates, the hostel will likely let you change rooms if they have the space available, although they might charge you a fee (worth it for the peace of mind if you’re the only woman in the room with some creeper neighbors). If it’s fully booked, you might be out of luck (hopefully they’ll help sort you out but it’s possible they may not).

Read the reviews, but use your judgment.

You can generally get a good sense of the place from what previous guests have written, and how many people have left reviews. Keep in mind that the quality of reviews may vary from place to place, so always take them with a grain of salt. For example, a lot of people who don’t typically stay in hostels travel to places like Amsterdam to party, but then complain about things like the fact that a 200-year old building doesn’t have an elevator and you had to walk up four flights of stairs with a heavy suitcase.

If you’re traveling solo, I’d always advocate for staying in hostels, because they’re great for so many reasons. If it’s your first time and you’re nervous, just be careful and deliberate with when you pick a hostel and, above all, use your best judgment and you’ll be sure to end up having a wonderful trip (or at the very least come out with a lot of interesting stories).

Suggested next reading: Why I Travel Alone (And Why You Should Too)

The post How To Pick A Hostel Like A Solo Female Traveler Expert appeared first on Modern Trekker.

Flexible, alternative lifestyles are becoming more and more common in 2018, especially among millennials. Cities all over the world are becoming digital nomad hotspots, tempting remote workers with things like low costs of living, easy-to-obtain visas, and plentiful wifi.

Chiang Mai has become one of those cities.

A beautiful mountain town in northern Thailand, Chiang Mai has recently seen a surge in its population of digital nomads. It’s been a popular destination among English teachers for years, but it’s now becoming especially popular among remote workers.

 

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Why are there so many digital nomads in Chiang Mai? Here are seven reasons:

1. A Low Cost of Living

Southeast Asia in general is an incredibly inexpensive place to live, and Thailand is no exception. Basic studio apartments are available to rent for as low as $150 USD/month, with luxury units still only around $800 USD/month. Month-to-month leases are common and spaces often come furnished. Mobile phone packages with unlimited data can run around $18 USD/month (in case you need to hotspot your phone) and wifi is abundant at nearly every coffee shop and restaurant. Local transportation is easy with songthaews (local pickup trucks converted into taxis with two benches fixed along the inside) and Grab, an Uber-like app. And the best expense? Food! You can get a mouth-watering local dish from a street vendor for as little as $1 USD. If you’re making a western salary, digital nomads in Chiang Mai can live like kings, easily.

2. Accessibility to Western Comforts

 

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While Chiang Mai is a city rich in Thai culture and history, it also boasts some familiar Western comforts to appease even the most reluctant of travelers. Thai malls are some of the best you’ll find (seriously, give one a visit and you’ll be pleasantly surprised) with amazing food courts, well-known clothing shops, and plenty of services like mobile phone retailers. Western-influenced neighborhoods attract plenty of foreigners, making them a bit more expensive but with many comforts of home, like American grocery stores, European restaurants, and trendy cafés. The Nimmanhaemin Road area is especially popular.

3. Good Infrastructure and WiFi

Chiang Mai is renowned for the ease it provides remote workers. Traveling within Thailand is easy, with major airport hubs in Chiang Mai and Bangkok. In fact, Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi international airport is the ninth busiest airport in Asia, offering cheaper tickets and more accessible flights. (And flights between Chiang Mai and Bangkok are dirt cheap.) Internet is plentiful in Chiang Mai, with most coffee shops and restaurants happily offering free wifi. Coworking spaces are common, offering affordable daily and monthly rates—some host fun informational talks and meetups so you can network and get to know other digital nomads in Chiang Mai. In general, Chiang Mai is an incredibly easy city to settle into and work from comfortably.

 

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4. Stunning Landscape and Temples

Chiang Mai is bordered to the west by Doi Suthep, one of the twin peaks of Doi Suthep-Pui National Park. You can grab beers from 7-Eleven and sit on a rooftop or balcony (both of which are common in apartment buildings in CM) to watch the sunset behind the mountain, which never gets old. Dotted throughout the city are over 300 ancient temples, anomalies amidst the modern shops and cafés. Strolling through the streets of Old Town, it’s impossible to avoid stumbling upon a majestic temple, and for a nominal fee you can enter and wander the grounds. (Usually the equivalent of $3 USD—but make sure you’re dressed appropriately.) And sitting at the top of Doi Suthep is Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, a Buddhist monastery from the 14^th Century offering incredible views of the city below. No matter where you look, there’s always so much beauty on offer for digital nomads in Chiang Mai.

 

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5. A Plethora of Outdoor Activities

There’s also no lack of things to do outside in Chiang Mai. Feel like climbing waterfalls? Swimming in a reservoir? Hiking up a mountain in a national park? All of these are possible in CM! Sticky Waterfalls, Huay Tung Tao, and Doi Inthanon National Park are all within a day’s drive. Jungle trekking, zip lining, and mountain biking are also available, proving you’ll never be bored in Chiang Mai. (Check out a full list of ideas here.)

6. The Kindness of the Thai People

Perhaps another reason why so many people stay in Chiang Mai long-term is the Thai people themselves. In general, they are welcoming, gracious, and kind. Even if they only speak a bit of English, they’ll go out of their way to try to talk to you and learn about you. Rather than seeing foreigners as an imposition, they’re usually eager to practice English and tell you about their country, which they take so much pride in. They certainly help you feel at home in Thailand, even if it’s a temporary home.

7. Incredible Food

Saved the best for last! Because not only do digital nomads in Chiang Mai live like kings, they eat like kings, too. Noodle soups, chicken and rice, fruit shakes, curries galore—it’s all so good. Ingredients are fresh and family recipes abound. Most food is served street-style, cooked up right in front of you on a cart on the curb. The popular dish local to northern Thailand is khao soi, a coconut and curry noodle soup usually served with chicken, pork, or beef. It’s topped with crunchy fried noodles, and spicy pickled mustard root, shallots, and lime wedges are served on the side. Food just doesn’t get any better than Thai food in Chiang Mai.

There you have it. Chiang Mai is a little spot of heaven amidst Southeast Asia. Is it really any wonder why there are so many digital nomads in Chiang Mai?

Suggested next reading: 7 Wonderful Things To Do In Chiang Mai

The post 7 Legit Reasons Why Digital Nomads Are Flocking To Chiang Mai appeared first on Modern Trekker.

Unfortunately, shiny new currencies don’t magically appear at baggage claim upon arrival. But don’t let that stop your long-term travel dreams. With proper planning, affording to move abroad or travel long-term is not out of reach.

Here are 9 tips on how to fund long term travel:

Hint: Traveling to non-western countries will drastically stretch your dollar so that you can live on a lot less for a lot longer.

1. Save FIRST

Don’t go abroad long-term without some emergency cash in your bank account. You don’t want to wind up on the streets of a foreign country begging for money. While you’re at home planning your adventure, save! Cut your daily spending costs and create a budget. Ever since living in Thailand, I have been using an app called “HomeBudget” to track every single ฿฿ I spend. This reassures me that I am making more than I spend and not slowly sinking into debt or running out of “travel money.” Before you jet off, make sure that you know what your travel budget is and stick to it.

Even in places such as southeast Asia where the cost of living is very low, it’s common to wonder what happened to all of your money. It’s really easy to buy more when things are cheaper. Tracking your spending will help you categorize where all of your money is going.

2. Teach English

Teaching abroad is a super easy way to fund long term travel. However, it’s not for everyone. For those looking to live abroad long term, teaching English is one of the easiest and most prevalent jobs you will find right off the bat. Research the qualifications before you head overseas. The majority of ESL jobs abroad require a degree and a TEFL certificate.

Taking a TEFL course qualifies you to teach English as a foreign language. It opens up doors to teach at language schools, bilingual schools, tutoring centers, and much more. It’s also just great job security to have in your back pocket if you are interested in heading that direction at some point in your travels.

I taught English in South Korea from 2012-2014 which helped me pay off ⅓ of my student loans, save enough to backpack SE Asia, and start my life back up in the States. I went abroad fresh out of college with no savings and $30,000 in student loans. I knew I needed to work if I wanted to live abroad, so teaching English was my number one choice straightaway to make it happen. This is, in my opinion, the best option for newbie travelers who don’t have a lot of money to start with.

Not only are there opportunities to teach English in person, but teaching a language online is becoming very popular with those who want the freedom to live anywhere. With an estimated billion people currently learning the English language, online teaching is a great way to fund long term travel whether you have found a “home” or are country-hopping.

Side-note: The majority of my current income comes from teaching online through VIPKID. It offers a very flexible schedule and pays me enough to save, travel, and live comfortably in Thailand.

3. Volunteer

Why not give back to a local community if you are going to spend a significant time overseas? While some volunteer abroad programs come with hefty fees, others are significantly affordable and will even offer you free room and board. Look into programs such as WWOOFing or Workaway to basically travel for free. These volunteer programs offer loads of opportunities and you can browse for something right up your alley. Want to clean up sheep poop in New Zealand? If that means hiking Mt. Cook on the weekends then yes please!

If you’re feeling a bit hesitant about committing to a volunteer opportunity, wait it out and check for opportunities in person. Once you land abroad, see what’s in the area and scope the local connections. You may find opportunities to swap your services at cafés, hostels, or bars in exchange for room and board. Meeting and chatting with real live people still exists! No harm in asking to scrub toilets for a free bed!

Join social media groups that are connected to your local community in search of temp jobs or work exchanges.

I’ve volunteered abroad three times. I had a local connection to work at a summer camp in Mexico, have volunteered for (almost) free at a non-profit in Ukraine, and paid for a program that offered meals and housing when I volunteered as a soccer coach in Cambodia. While all of these experiences were different, it really allowed me to get to know the area and appreciate my travels much more.

4. Get creative

What are you good at? Whether it be writing, drawing, painting, telling hilarious jokes, taking photos, playing music, or coding, there’s an income around that. Maybe you aspire to become a famous YouTube star. Go big or go home. Take inventory of your skills and generate income off of it. Do you like yoga? Become a yoga teacher abroad. Do you like to watercolor? Teach it! Can you speak another language? Start a translation services biz! The wonderful world of Google can tell you exactly how to start an online business if you find your niche.

5. Become a Brand Ambassador

Have a product you are passionate about? Promote it on social media or your blog. Being a brand ambassador is easy and fun! All you have to do is Google “how to become a brand ambassador” and then find something you would love to help sell. My personal favorite product to promote is Tuli. It’s a jewelry company that employs people in Uganda and Kenya while providing sustainable jobs. Brand Ambassadors make 20% commission with loads of other perks. If you can get the word out about these beautiful handmade products, then you’ll be making cash.

With Instagram and Facebook, it’s so easy to promote products. Make sure to be genuine and not too spammy about promoting every product you ever stumble upon. If you’re truly passionate about something, others will be more interested.

6. Get a working holiday visa

For those who are younger or just stepping into the waters of long-term travel, see about getting a working holiday visa. Typically, you need to be under a certain age and love to travel—obviously. Some popular countries that offer these are New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, South Korea, and Ireland.

You will generally need to apply for your visa before securing a job. Employers like for you to be located in the country so that they know you are committed. Popular jobs on a working holiday visa are au pair, farm work, cafés, and hostels. Prep your resume, put on that friendly smile,  and make those connections. You may not be making loads of money, but you’ll have enough to get by and have fun weekends away. Remember, it’s all about that smart budget you created before you went abroad.

7. Work in the travel industry

Take it a step further and make travel your career forever! Look up qualifications to work on a cruise ship, become a tour guide, get diving certified, or work at a ski resort. The possibilities are endless. Like flying? Then become a flight attendant! See how you can use your skills and passions to make it a seasonal job or a full-time career.

8. Rack up credit card miles

If you travel frequently and are responsible with your money, get a credit card that offers a flight rewards program. If you can put every dollar you spend on your credit card and always pay it off, you will find that you can travel to countries or cities very cheaply. Some great credit cards for globetrotters are Chase Sapphire Prefered, Capital One Venture, and American Express.

Aside from relying on credit card miles, use budget airlines! Book on a Tuesday morning for cheap flights and clear your cookies to get the best deals. I recently was booking a flight to Hong Kong from Chiang Mai and it was $300—not impressed. I searched the same flight for two weeks straight and it dropped down to $120 and I bought it immediately. Check Skyscanner and Scott’s Cheap Flights for discounted tickets.

9. Cut expenses when traveling

Couchsurf, cook, walk, hitchhike, pack minimally. There is no need to spend loads of money when you travel. Ditch the tours, rent a motorbike, and do things yourself. Become friends with locals and learn the language. Go hiking, play outside, make friends to split the cost of a car for a road trip. Don’t buy things! Souvenirs are a scam and taking photos is free! You won’t remember that keychain you bought 30 years from now. Make memories.

There’s no reason to drain your savings or rack up credit card debt to travel the world. Be aware of your expenses and find creative ways to make long-term travel work. In the world we live in today, there are endless possibilities to make this happen. Be flexible, be patient, but be persistent. If you want to travel the world as much as possible, only you can make that happen.

Suggested next reading: 12 Expenses You Need To Be Aware Of If You’re Moving Abroad

The post 9 Clever Ways To Actually Make Long Term Travel A Reality appeared first on Modern Trekker.

My friend Carmella and I were road tripping through the Southwest, starting in Los Angeles and making our way through Arizona and New Mexico, then looping back around to California. We were in our mid-twenties and had never felt more free, each of us taking our first real grown-up vacation.

We rented a tiny car, threw our bags in the back, stocked up on baby carrots and gallons of water, and struck out on our own. We were elated. We talked nonstop. We left the smog of L.A. behind us, headed east, and arrived in Joshua Tree by evening.

Our First Time Staying In Airbnbs

By the bright light of the moon in the massive desert sky, we managed to find our Airbnb—a tiny cabin at the edge of the national park with just one neighbor in sight. We pulled up at 11pm and tiptoed to the door, still unsure of what we were walking into. We were greeted by the kindest woman named Stella, who’d waited up for us.

There was a little bedroom with fluffy towels laid out for us and a wicker basket of toiletries. There was just enough room for the two of us, and we snuggled up in our shared bed, laughing hysterically under the covers until we drifted off to sleep.

I knew we’d made a good choice when I woke in the middle of the night to the sound of coyotes yipping outside our bedroom window. I fell back to sleep marveling at the magic of the desert and woke the next morning to fresh green juice served in wine goblets, alongside stories of Stella’s past life in San Francisco. We were the first names in her pristine guest book, and we left a raving review.

If I thought we’d made a good choice by booking a room with no reviews, I was yet to be surprised at what was in store.

Joshua Tree To Madrid, New Mexico

We left Joshua Tree and eventually made our way to Madrid, New Mexico, a tiny mining town just outside of Santa Fe. Carmella had booked this Airbnb, and I was excited to see what the “eco cabin” in the hills of New Mexico would be like. We arrived and were greeted by the Airbnb manager, Lucy, settling into our cozy cottage with its compost toilet and limited electricity. Colorful prayer flags were strung about and we immediately felt at home.

It wasn’t until later that night, over glasses of wine beside a glowing fire under the full moon, that Lucy and I realized we had a mutual friend.

On the other side of the country in a remote Southwest town with a population of 200 people, I’d found a connection. We stayed up late into the night talking about synchronicity and human connection. What were the odds?

That trip ended up being one of those vacations where everything just works out. We ended up staying in Airbnbs a total of four different times and left all but one feeling like we were good friends with the owners. They were complete strangers. Welcoming other complete strangers into their homes. Literally opening their doors and hearts to the belief that people can be kind.

A Life Of Travel

As I continued a life of travel following that trip, I learned that this would be more common than not in all of my experiences of staying in Airbnbs. I’ve stayed in Airbnbs all over the world—rambling farmhouses in Maine, cozy cottages in rugged Tasmania, mountain suburbs in Ojai. Sometimes solo, sometimes not—but always with the faith that people are good at heart. (And of course, most of these were private rooms in a home, rather than an entire home independent from the owners—I always find that I like it better when hosts are around.)

Four years after my initial Airbnb stay in Joshua Tree, I found myself in a 1900s clapboard house in the Blue Mountains of Australia, a fantastic region filled with eucalyptus forests and stunning cliffs and roaring waterfalls. I was with a friend who’d never stayed in Airbnbs before, a friend who was a bit reluctant to reserve a room in a stranger’s house with nothing but hope, faith, and a few reviews.

The owner, a sweet woman in her fifties, invited us in and explained how she found herself there—escaping city life in Sydney at the discovery of a troubling illness, settling into the mountains for fresh air, art therapy, and recovery. I spotted my favorite artist’s work on her fridge, and she’d left us hot water bottles at the end of our beds for the chilly autumn night. In her kitchen hung a giant chalkboard upon which she’d jotted affirmations and quotes, and we got lost exploring her bookshelves filled with tomes on lucid dreaming and homesteading.

She was out of the house the next morning when we checked out with our backpacks in tow, and when we realized we’d accidentally left a cell phone behind, she was suddenly pulling up alongside us in her car, encouraging us to get in so she could give us a lift back to get it.

Complete strangers from countries other than her own. Trusting us in her home without her. We could have been the ax murderers.

My friend was shocked at how Airbnb worked. “She doesn’t mind that we’re here without her?” she said incredulously. “Are all hosts this nice? Is this always how it goes?”

(Of course, it doesn’t always go exactly like this. Not every single Airbnb host is kind and welcoming and goes out of their way to make you feel at home. But with a little awareness and intuition when you’re booking, you can find gold. And more often than not, it’s worth it.)

Conclusion

Now, I always prefer to peruse Airbnb before turning to a hotel or hostel. I love not knowing what I’ll find or who I’ll meet. When you can be open to it, there are stories to be heard, kindnesses to be gifted, meals to be shared, neighborhoods to be explored, friends to be made. I’m still in touch with some of my past hosts, and even just a connection over Instagram feels incredibly heartwarming to me.

Because in a world that feels increasingly scary and unsafe, there’s this: the unfailing hope and belief that people are intrinsically good — and that we have more in common than we think.

Note: I want to acknowledge that as a white American female, I carry a certain privilege that not everyone is granted, and others’ experiences of strangers’ kindness may not be the same as mine.

Suggested next reading: Why I Travel Alone (And Why You Should Too)

The post How Staying In Airbnbs Renews My Faith In Humanity appeared first on Modern Trekker.

With all of the anticipation of moving abroad, you have to take into consideration the cost of your move overseas. Of course, costs vary from country to country, but you need to have an idea of your new country’s cost of living beforehand so you don’t go into this new chapter unprepared. Your financial prep list should not only be based on where you are going, but also be based on what you are doing. Whether you are volunteering, studying, backpacking, working, or just winging it, you will need to be aware of your financial to-dos so that your move abroad can be done as smoothly and affordable as possible. Don’t have surprise bills or costs get in the way of your adventure upon arrival. Preparation is key!

Here are 12 expenses we had to consider when my partner and I moved to Thailand.

1. Storage

Where are you planning to put all of your stuff once you move abroad? You may not be getting rid of everything before you head overseas and you’ll likely have at least a few pictures, books, and memorabilia from past excursions that you want to keep. Storage prices can add up. If you can, see if family members or a close friend can help out in this department. If you’re planning to move abroad long-term, sell as much as you can! Selling things you don’t need beforehand can help finance your initial moving costs and keep your storage unit prices low. Sell furniture, clothing, random house supplies you’ve forgotten about, and your car to add some money to your move abroad fund.

Before we moved, we made about $2,000 from selling everything we owned. Important books, pictures, and outdoor gear were stored for free in my grandma’s attic.

2. Rent

This will likely be your biggest expense right off the bat. It’s normal to pay a deposit on top of first month’s rent on move-in day. Before you move abroad, you need to have an idea of what your monthly rent budget is and have at least twice as much saved for that category. Some people move abroad and live at an AIRBNB, guest house, or hostel immediately while searching for something long term. This makes it more convenient so you can scope out your ideal neighborhoods, but it may increase the cost in the end if you have to pay nightly fees while apartment hunting.

We had a friend to stay with for free for a week in Chiang Mai while apartment hunting. In two days we viewed about 20 apartments to decide on the perfect place to live. We paid one month’s deposit on top of rent on day one. Our rent is much cheaper because we don’t live in the expat part of town.

3. Home Furnishings and Supplies

Although some apartments abroad come fully furnished, that’s not always the case. You may need to take into account basic home furnishings, cleaning supplies, and cooking utensils. These are likely things that will not really be noticed until after you secure that rental lease and walk into an empty studio. Luckily, you can usually find discounted items from other expats leaving the country or find used goods online to cut the costs. Don’t end up sleeping on the floor just because you forgot to budget a mattress into your moving abroad costs.

Our place came “mostly” furnished, but we did buy a desk, chair, and lots of dishes. It still cost more than we intended. We wanted to “decorate” a bit so it doesn’t look like we live in a prison cell.

4. Bank Fees

Why give your money to the banks if you don’t have to? Before you head abroad, do some research on the best banks for living abroad. For Americans, you’ll likely want to sign up for Charles Schwab as there are no ATM fees worldwide. Regardless of your home-bank, make sure that they are aware of your move and that you have access at all times. This might mean you want to have an emergency backup credit and debit card. If you are planning to stay abroad long term, consider opening a bank account in your country of residence. You won’t have to stress about ATM fees and will have the correct currency easily accessible at all times. Each person’s situation and source of income is different, so you need to consider what is best for you.

I messed up with my bank. Every time I withdraw from my American account it charges me about $8 in Thailand and $25 in the U.S. My partner has no bank fees, so I transfer all of my paychecks to him (for free) and he does the withdrawing at ATMs. Luckily, he gets paid cash at his job and we try to live off of that.

5. Phone Plan

The easiest way to go about getting a working phone abroad is to grab an unlocked phone from your home country before you depart. You can then pop in a sim card upon arrival in your new home. You can easily get a travel sim card in the airport when you hop off of the plane. Then once you are settled, see if you can get a phone plan that is a bit more long-term from a local shop in town. It will likely save you money if you sign up for a long-term plan. If you’re the type who doesn’t need to scroll through TripAdvisor, Instagram, or Google Maps, go for a cheap burner phone at a local shop once you are abroad. These pay-as-you-go plans can be very affordable and will keep your social media addiction low. If you need internet, you can always use an iPad or smartphone without a data package wherever WI-FI exists.

I bought my unlocked phone from the US and use a Thai sim card. For unlimited data, it costs me about $10 per month.

6. Transportation

You have to think beyond that initial taxi ride from the airport that is likely already overpriced but inevitable. Once you arrive at your new home-base, transportation will be key. Does your city have a good and affordable subway or bus system? Are taxis a common way of getting around? Can you walk to and from where you need to be on a daily basis? If you are staying somewhere long-term, consider purchasing a motorbike or bicycle. Although this cost is much more up front, these purchases can end up saving you money in the long run. Having your own mode of transportation if your city doesn’t have an efficient public transit option is likely on your to-do list. If you end up buying a car or motorbike, you will need to research the licensing laws and make sure you are doing it correctly. If this is the route you intend to take, get an international driver’s license in your home country before you trek abroad.

My partner bought a bicycle which will be cost effective within two months of living here. I rent the local rideshare bikes on a daily basis which costs me about $3 per month.

7. Visas

Whether you are on a tourist, work, or education visa, the move abroad will likely require a few renewals, a new type of visa, entry fees, exit fees, extra fees, and hidden fees. Research your visa requirements and inquire at a consulate in your home country before your departure date. Visas everywhere are different and you don’t want to be deported just because you accidentally overstayed by a day on the wrong visa. Some countries make it a breeze to obtain a visa while other places are more tricky. However, regardless of where you go, there will be additional costs and you need to plan accordingly.

I came on a tourist visa, extended my visa, obtained an education visa, left the country, have gotten re-entry permits, have gotten confused, and have paid much more on all things visa related since arriving in Thailand. My visa now is an education visa (I am taking Thai classes and can stay for a year) and it cost me about $800 up front.

8. Healthcare

If you are working for a company abroad, hopefully, they are taking care of your healthcare. But with many people freelancing or working remotely, you need to be cautious of what kind of insurance plan you will use. Some people use travel insurance, but that can end up being very costly. In your new hometown, search for expat insurance options. Plans can be either monthly or bought in bulk for a year. This means that your upfront cost for health insurance could be a chunk of change upon arrival, but you can rest assured that you will be taken care of while abroad.

Since I work fully online, I don’t have health insurance. I found a good deal on expat insurance, but the upfront cost which saves me the most money cost me $600 immediately. The price overall is great, but another fee once again.

9. Day to Day Needs

Groceries, clothing, and hygiene supplies will be an ongoing cost. For women specifically, research tampon costs and accessibility beforehand (especially if you’re moving anywhere in Asia). If you have a special diet such as gluten intolerance or are vegan, you may end up having higher costs when it comes to daily food items.

10. Booze Budget

It’s exciting to move somewhere brand new and you’ll always find the excuse to celebrate here, celebrate there, make new friends, go out and be social. It’s easy to say, “just one more drink since I am celebrating my new life abroad.” But you have to keep your head on straight and know that you have plenty of time to explore while enjoying brand new happy hour venues. Try to keep an initial alcohol budget upon arrival so that you don’t get too carried away with the excitement of moving abroad.

11. Fun

Moving abroad means saying yes to loads of new adventures. If you are making new friends, you will want to hop on to any invite and do as much as possible, especially while you are settling in and trying to throw yourself out there. Splurging on fun events will seem like a good idea all of the time. You’ll have easier access to brand new cities, be booking trips right and left, and want to take in all of the newness and, as a result, may go a little crazy on your budget. With the constant desire to go on new adventures, plan an adventure fund before you realized you already spent too much.

12. Emergency Fund

Have an emergency fund for those hidden costs that pop up once you settle in abroad. What if you get sick? What if you need a new interview outfit? What if you get your bag stolen? Additionally, make sure you have enough saved in case you needed to get out of the country last minute. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.

There are certain costs that’ll be in the back of your mind when you move abroad. Make sure that you have enough for upfront costs upon arrival with some additional cushion. You don’t have to be “rich” to move abroad, but you do need to be financially responsible. Regardless of where you’re heading, there are always expenses with moving. Planning will just make the move all the easier. Money’s just money. Take the plunge and go for the move, but make your move abroad a smooth transition.

Suggested next reading: The Ultimate Guide On How To Plan Your Travel Outfit (For Women)

The post 12 Expenses You Need To Be Aware Of If You’re Moving Abroad appeared first on Modern Trekker.

By my calculations, in order to hit everything on my bucket list, I’d have to move every 2-3 days, and even then I might not be able to hit everything. That’s just simply not sustainable for a year, and while moving quickly and checking off boxes might be some people’s preferred way to travel, it’s definitely not for me.

So, the alternative was to figure out how to make it work long-term. If I was going to take the plunge and travel full time, it was going to be a permanent lifestyle change. It took a lot of deliberate planning and hard decisions to get to this point where I am permanently and intentionally homeless.

I’m not saying that everyone should quit their jobs and travel long-term instead of enjoying those short trips when you get the chance, because short-term travel can also be wonderful and I’d always advocate for any type of travel over staying in one place. The long-term travel lifestyle is not for everyone, by any means. But if you are considering making the leap, here are the tidbits of wisdom I’ve learned so far.

Pros of Long-Term Travel:

You can go anywhere at a moment’s notice, and that’s incredibly liberating. My entire life fits into a 45L backpack. I can be at the airport in under an hour, and go anywhere in the world. Because I work online, my job will come with me. For the gap year-ers and the non-digital nomads, the process is the same. When you can carry everything you own with you on your back, the possibilities are endless. While on some days the sheer number of options will seem overwhelming, there’s so much joy in going with the flow and seeing where life takes you.

Your perspective will change along the way, and you will grow as a person so much faster than if you’d stay at home. You have to adapt and evolve with each new place you visit. The exposure to new people and fresh perspectives will constantly challenge you to reevaluate who you are, what you believe in, and what’s truly important.

Every person crosses your path for a reason, and being in an unfamiliar place opens up your heart and your mind to those lessons. On my first round of traveling after finishing school, I learned more about people, life, love, humanity, and the way the world works in three months on the road than I did in four years of college. It took one eight-hour hike with a stranger to completely change my entire worldview.

You don’t necessarily need to travel long-term to experience this—it could be as much as taking a weekend trip to somewhere an hour away from your hometown, as long as you can go somewhere new and open your eyes to the people and cultures around you. While all our cultures, languages, and traditions vary wildly across the globe, we are all the same at a basic, fundamental human level, and kindness knows no language barrier.

Cons of Constantly Being on the Move:

It’s a lifestyle, and it’s going to be just as scary jumping out as it was jumping in. As scared as I was when I finally walked into my boss’s office after months of planning and told them I’d be leaving at the end of the month to travel the world, I’m committed now. It took a lot of deliberate, calculated steps to get to this point, and I’m sure it will take just as much work to stop. After all, a body in motion stays in motion. As hard as it is to adjust to the culture shock of being in a new place, reverse culture shock when you return home is so much worse. 

But it is a lonely lifestyle. Even if you’re moving slowly and staying in the same place for months at a time, you’re ultimately still saying goodbye to those friends you make in each new place, and you can forget about having a real long-term relationship. The pool of people who share the same nomadic or semi-nomadic mindset is small and scattered, and so far, I’ve had a hard time identifying people who are even able to relate to what I’m doing, or why.

Long-term travel is a beautiful thing, and an experience I wouldn’t give up for the world (pun unintended), but ultimately it’s not sustainable. As you get older, your interests and pace will inevitably change, leading you to put down roots and move more slowly. That doesn’t necessarily mean stop traveling, but it could mean setting up a home base somewhere and spending a smaller percentage of the year on the road.

Anyone who has taken the plunge into long-term travel knows that even once you’ve stopped, travel is not something you’d ever willingly give up altogether. It becomes a series of trade-offs. Yes, see the world while you have the ability to do so, and don’t look back. But know that it’s not all gorgeous, instagrammable sunsets and coconuts. It’s a lifestyle that comes with pros and cons, just like any other.

Suggested next reading: Backpacker Culture: The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly

The post The Pros & Cons Of Long-Term Travel No One Ever Tells You About appeared first on Modern Trekker.

I’ve traveled in a variety of contexts—with friends, with family, with a large group, with a small group, and by myself. Each of these trips has been a wonderful experience for different reasons. It’s nice to have someone there to share the journey and I definitely wouldn’t complain if someone wanted to tag along, but to me, there’s no better feeling than arriving in a brand new place and being surrounded by strangers just waiting to be turned into friends.

Here’s why I love to travel alone so much:

I can do whatever I want: no limits, no judgment.

Want to wake up at 4 am to catch the sunrise on the beach? Do it.

Want to skip all the main (read: overrated) tourist attractions in the city and instead sit outside a cafe all day and people-watch like a local? Do it.

Want to stay out all night dancing with a group of people you just met? Do it.

Want to nap in the middle of the day because it’s hot and you’re exhausted? Do it.

You travel along for yourself and yourself alone. You don’t have to operate around someone else’s schedule or accommodate anyone else’s interests. It’s your trip, your life, and your chance to make the most of it.

The downside of this is that no one will be there to tell you that eating exclusively German sausage and drinking alcohol for a week is a terrible idea, but you’ll figure that one out on your own pretty quickly.

To get out of my comfort zone.

I’m an “ambivert”, or as I like to describe it, a shy extrovert. I’m also a creature of habit (one of those weird people who eats the same thing every day, don’t @ me). When I travel with a group of people that I already know, it’s easy to fall into a pattern. They expect me to behave in a certain way, so therefore I will. To travel alone is to constantly step out of your comfort zone, but it’s much harder to do that when you have a safety net of familiarity with you. When you’re constantly on the move, you have to talk to new people and try new things—it’s just unavoidable. And I love that.

To become a more confident version of myself.

When you are alone in a brand new place, if you don’t get over yourself and talk to strangers, you won’t be able to talk to anyone at all. I was never super outgoing, but the easiest way to get more comfortable striking up conversations with strangers (in any setting) is just to get out there and do it, over and over again.

Plus, there’s nothing better than the feeling of looking back at your adventures and knowing that you successfully navigated through the obstacles that come along with keeping yourself alive and thriving in a place where you don’t speak the language and don’t have a network of friends and family to fall back on. You planned the trip, you saved up for it, and then you went and came back full of new experiences and memories. If you can do that, you can do anything.

To become more self-reliant, and learn when to lean on others for help.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve always been stubborn and wanted to do everything by myself. But when you travel alone, no one is going to tell you what to do, how to get there, what you should or shouldn’t eat, or how long you should stay. You have unlimited choices in what you can do, and that’s awesome.

However, sometimes you need to lean on other people. You can struggle to figure out how to navigate the Budapest subway system or Google Translate all the food labels at the Croatian supermarket and spend two hours getting lost and looking for something you can actually eat, or you can ask a friendly stranger for help and they can point you in the right direction. A smile and a little politeness go a long way, and you may even end up with a new friend.

To meet new people from around the world.

People who travel alone a lot will know it’s not always easy. Especially if you’re on the road long-term, it can be really tough to make new friends in each new place you visit, only to have to say goodbye a few short days later (repeat * infinity). If you’re working and traveling, you can easily go a whole day without talking to anyone else, despite being surrounded by people.

Eating dinner by yourself can get old after a while, and there are definitely times that you will feel lonely on the road. But you’re never truly alone unless you choose to be. One of my favorite things about traveling is staying in hostels and other spaces that cater to travelers because there you can meet people from all over the world. More often than not, you’ll meet other solo travelers who are in the same situation and you can find an instant group of people to explore with, create memories with, and to start friendships that will last a lifetime.

Every journey has its ups and downs. There will be times when you would love to have someone there with you, whether to gush about how incredible the thing you just did was, or to go out and get you some food if you get sick on the road. But, you learn so much about the world and about yourself along the way. It’s an experience I strongly believe everyone should do at least once in their lives, at the very least just to get out of your comfort zone and do something different. It doesn’t need to be some wild, overseas trip—it could be something as simple as driving to that place you’ve always wanted to visit an hour away from home.

Do something new. Get out of your comfort zone. The world is a big, beautiful, and kind place. Get out there and explore it.

Suggested next reading: Backpacker Culture: The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly

The post Why I Travel Alone (And Why You Should Too) appeared first on Modern Trekker.

To be fair, hosteling is definitely not for everyone. For some, it’s doable for a long weekend or a vacation with friends, whereas for others, hostels form the perfect home base in each new city for extended solo trips due to the social scene. It’s these clusters of like-minded travelers you find in hostel lounges and bars throughout the world that makes up the backpacker counterculture.

The stereotypical backpacker is young, scruffy, crunchy-looking, possibly weed-smoking, earth-loving hippie dressed in baggy elephant pants, carrying a tattered backpack and wandering around train stations or urban centers looking for their next ‘experience’. While all stereotypes at some point originate in truth, there’s far more behind the appeal of the vagabond, backpacker lifestyle than simply avoiding responsibilities back at home.

The Good

The Backpacker Bubble is an attractive, welcoming niche for many who reject the ‘traditional’ life arc: you go to school, study hard so you can get into a good university, do well in university so you can get a good job, and then work until you can settle down, buy a house, start a family, and do the same thing every single day until you die.

They’re mixed in with the vacationers and the gap year-ers, creating the vibe of being permanently on vacation. Regardless of whether or not these long-term backpackers are working remotely, just living off savings, or some combination of the two, the laid-back, go-with-the-flow mindset is what draws many people in, to begin with.

When you’re on the move long-term, you’re far removed from the day-to-day stresses of ‘normal’, everyday life. It’s easy to make friends with like-minded people from around the world because many people travel alone or in small groups, ready to mingle with others and make new friends.

Even further, everyone is transitory—only in town for a few days before moving on and following their own path. You know you don’t have much time together, and you never have to see these people again unless you actively make an effort to do so, so people are far more open and authentic. The shared bonding experience of being in an unfamiliar place creates instant camaraderie between travelers, along with lasting memories of the people and the places you visit.

When you’re ‘at home’, people have a tendency to fall into specific patterns of behavior around their family and friends, setting the expectation that you’ll continue to behave the same way in the future. When you’re on the road, constantly surrounded by strangers, there’s no pattern for you to follow. You can just go with the flow, exist, and enjoy the world around you.

The Bad

Maintaining a semi-nomadic lifestyle in the long term is not sustainable for most people. For most, as you age, your interests naturally shift from wanting to get out and explore as much of the world as possible towards wanting to settle down (or at least move slower).

It is easy to burn out both physically and mentally after being on the road for long periods of time. Moving around constantly, sleeping in unfamiliar locations, and eating unfamiliar foods can wreak havoc on your body. In addition to being physically exhausting, it’s difficult to maintain ideal levels of health and fitness while on the move without some impressive discipline and dedication, which can take a toll on your body over time.

In addition, being constantly surrounded by strangers and having to meet and befriend new people in each location only to leave them again in a few days or weeks is emotionally draining. Even if you love to travel, meeting new people, and finding your next adventure, there are only so many times you can have the “Oh, cool, where are you from? Where else have you traveled?” conversation with everyone you meet. Especially as an introvert, it can be difficult to continue being open to meeting new people after going months without seeing a familiar face.

After months of living in the world’s greatest destinations, what do you do when living the ideal vacation lifestyle sought after by millions becomes your everyday life? As wonderful as it is to travel the world indefinitely, where do you go when you need a vacation from your vacation?

The Ugly

When you’re alone in a foreign country, it’s easy to bond with those who speak your language or share a similar cultural background. However, it also creates a Backpacker Bubble, which, especially for Westerners, encompasses the globe and allows you to travel anywhere in the world without having to have a meaningful interaction with someone outside your own culture if you so desire.

We travel the world to escape our own lives, cultures, and communities, but yet can easily find more of the same in a warmer locale with (usually) a lower cost of living than our home countries. This brings along a whole host of social issues—do you, as a traveler, have the responsibility to have a positive impact on the places you travel beyond stimulating the local tourism economy?

When you’re living among backpackers constantly (or permanently), you have no choice but to deal with the negative stereotypes and social consequences of the backpacker lifestyle. Will you be one of the notorious Western tourists partying on the beaches of Southeast Asia with no intention of learning about the culture of each place? Are you contributing to over-tourism in some of the world’s most beautiful places, such as Venice or Boracay?

This is by no means to discourage you from joining the thousands who reject the sedentary lifestyle in favor of traveling the world, but to encourage anyone considering long-term travel to be conscious of your position, privilege, and perception as you do so.

Suggested next reading: Questions You Need To Ask Yourself Before Traveling

The post Backpacker Culture: The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly appeared first on Modern Trekker.