e.g., broader perspectives on life, empathy, ability to adapt…etc
If you could go back in time, would you chosen to live in multiple countries and/or cities vs staying in one place your whole life?
The friendships that last to this day, and the realization that every country has positives and negatives - just pick the one that fits you best.
I am in my 60s, I have lived in six countries, and I’m still not settled. I had an interview yesterday for a job in Central Asia and will be moving again in the first quarter of 2024.
Living in different places has made life fresher, more invigorating, more worth living. Perhaps if I had stayed put, I would have found something comparable but I chose to leave.
Living in different places has made life fresher, more invigorating, more worth living. Perhaps if I had stayed put, I would have found something comparable b
do you move with a partner?
- Not feeling limited or trapped.
- Greater lifestyle and experiences.
- A broader perspective of my options
My brother lives a good life in a small town. Has a wife and kids, a low-cost mortgage that he can afford very easily given how much money he makes. But even though he makes significantly more money than me, I would not trade places with him. When we talk and I mention he should travel, he says it would be fun but he can’t because he needs to take time off work, schedule things with his family, etc… He also feels it would be more expensive than it actually is.
I do not feel that when it comes to travel because I work remotely, do not have a family, and if I go somewhere else, I can just leave my Airbnb for another Airbnb. My “rent” is monthly or bi-weekly. I’m not locked into a contract that forces me to pay for a specific location. This grants me an amount of psychological freedom that’s hard for people who don’t live this life to even imagine without thinking they need to be rich to do it.
I’m able to stay in a mansion, penthouse, or just a nice condo with a view in South America, SEA, etc… Eat at fancy restaurants, have a maid, and driver for a MUCH lower cost than in the states. My lifestyle is dramatically better because of this.
The way I think about money has totally changed. When I lived in San Francisco, I was make about $5,000/month. I felt like it was peanuts. Barely enough to get by. I dreamed of doubling it and I could feel comfortable. Now I know that $5,000/month gets me a radically greater lifestyle in various parts of the world and I would even be able to save money.
With that said, the way I think about money has changed completely. I’m not as obsessed just “making more” as much as I’m thinking how can I make more remotely and where can I go to maximize my lifestyle with what I have now.
I can adapt and feel good anywhere. Loved in New York, Florida, many cities in Chile, and now Paris France.
I’m a special boy. If you like that kind of thing.
Experiencing how people live in different cultures made me more accepting and open minded, and I can now see beyond the tribalist nonsense that many of us grew up with. Being fluent in several world languages also helps.