Many have asked us, “When are you coming back (to the US)?” and the answer is, “We don’t know if we will.”

That theme is explored in much greater detail in my book, “Nomadic Life for All Ages.”

As born Americans, and raised to think that America was the center of the world, we find that living outside the US is challenging, healthy, and affordable.

Challenging because not everyone speaks or understands the Universal Language of English. Gestures, half-assed attempts at the language of our new residency– and Google Translate– make this a new adventure in its own way!

Healthy because we walk a lot more. Not just for leisure, but for practicality. Walk to the coffee shop, walk to the gym. Walk to the grocery store and the metro. As a Southern California automobile driver for 40 years, and living in a place where mass transit was a joke, having access to buses and subways and trains is refreshing. And walking down to the local produce market or fish stand makes you truly appreciate how much healthier life can be without a car!

Affordable because things are cheap in many, many countries. Rent is a fraction of what I paid in California, and would be regardless of where you lived in the US. Coffee in the morning, maybe a beer or snack later in the day, and dinner out will usually not tax your budget, and you can do it without the guilt of thinking, “you spent too much!”

And what about travel costs themselves? Truthfully, that is generally our biggest expense, but we normally go places ONE WAY! As we travel from lodging to lodging, it becomes much more affordable.

Another big money saver is health care, which is a question we get from a LOT of our followers. We have found that almost everywhere these costs are significantly less than America. We have gotten several pairs of eyeglasses, had numerous dental exams, plus a few health screenings, and each time was shocked at how little it was. We even had two medical emergencies which required a paramedic transport to an emergency ward, along with a battery of tests and prescriptions. One was just over $100 USD, and the other about $250.

Let’s dig in and find out how this all began, shall we?