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Ask HN: Those who quit their jobs to travel the world, how did it go?

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Re: Ask HN: Those who quit their jobs to travel the world, how did it go?

#101

Post by elyobo »

anm89 wrote: post #64
hayst4ck wrote: post #47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Try to stay in one place for a few months, minimum. I second this. 2 months is the minimum amount of time per country, and 2 weeks per city if you expect to get anything more than a handful of good meals and a couple adventures out of a place. My better memories were all from places I stayed for over 2 months, and all have more to do with people I met than the place itself.

As someone who was on the road for three years, this was my biggest take away. If anything I'd treat one month as an absolute minimum. I'd prefer not to be anywhere less than 3 months. It ends up taking a week just to get truly unpacked. From that base, you can still do day trips and weekend trips.

The amount of time maybe varies by the location and the visitor, but... how much do you carry that it takes a week to unpack?

Until I started travelling with my wife (and now a child too), one main lesson I learned was "you aren't going to need it" - every time I went travelling it was lighter than the trip before!

Re: Ask HN: Those who quit their jobs to travel the world, how did it go?

#103

Post by anonytrary »

dejv wrote: post #29

I traveled for five years or so. I was having great time, but I've probably overdid it for year or two. What worked well for me was quiting mixing backpacker circus with less known destination. It was fun to sleep at hostels, party with fellow travelers and have fun, but it gets old after while. I split my trips into 3 to 6 months chunks after which I just come back to one of my bases, recharge for a bit and then wen…

> Now, almost, 10 years later it just feel like it never happen, memories are fading fast as I went with settled life.

Dang. As a nerd in his late 20s thinking the same, you make it sound pretty bleak, tbh. I guess it's just time for me to settle down, then go explore the world with my partner because that's what matters EOD.

Re: Ask HN: Those who quit their jobs to travel the world, how did it go?

#104

Post by hayst4ck »

devoutsalsa wrote: post #96
superbcarrot wrote: post #93

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> My better memories were all from places I stayed for over 2 months, and all have more to do with people I met than the place itself. How did you go about meeting people in the first place?

Dating apps, couch surfing, and getting out of the house & going where the people are. Expat groups on Facebook and WhatsApp, too.

Yep, dating apps didn't work great for me at all because I have the misfortune of being both unattractive and picky, but couch surfing hangouts work fantastically, especially for meeting local people. Walking around at least puts you in places where people can talk to you, occasionally they do. Wearing unique or attention grabbing things gives people an excuse to talk to you. I always choose trains and buses to travel, conversations are more common there. Hostels are a very easy way meet other travelers and get your social fix when you need it. Often times the staff are friendly enough and if you stay in one hostel long enough or visit with them, the staff might integrate you into their social life. Most hostel staff like to travel, too. Becoming a regular at any kind of place will almost certainly get you conversations with staff. A lot of people you meet in hostels are traveling from the same country or ones you are going to visit, so you meet those people there.

Re: Ask HN: Those who quit their jobs to travel the world, how did it go?

#105

Post by Elegia »

keiferski wrote: post #85
noname123 wrote: post #71

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So far in some of the comments. I've gotten the same answer, "it changed my life!"; "I heard some new stories from the countries I stayed and it changed my perspective!"; "and I'm different from people back home now!"; and a subtle swipe that OP is dismissive and maybe "small-minded"; and I love it and appreciate your guys feedback! Allow me to share my experience of being immersed in American culture for 25 years as…

I have lived abroad for about 7 years now. It has dramatically changed how I think about the world, what my values are, and what I want in my own future. It is miles beyond "I heard some new stories from the countries I stayed and it changed my perspective!"

I wouldn't consider living abroad for 7 years travelling (unless you change location often?), although I absolutely agree that actually living in some different country for years might deeply change you as a person.

However, I agree with OP that most travel stories (staying a few days to a month in the same place) sound very superficial and I also struggle to figure out why I should be travelling more often.

Re: Ask HN: Those who quit their jobs to travel the world, how did it go?

#106

Post by herbst »

Think about what you really want is something i suggest. Next to staying at least a month at a place i prefer rooms with table and balcony instead of cheaper options. I doubt i would have been that productive in the time would i have opted for hostels or something uncomfortable.

Re: Ask HN: Those who quit their jobs to travel the world, how did it go?

#107

Post by vatican_banker »

keiferski wrote: post #12

Absolutely worth it, however I'd offer a few short tips: 1. Try to stay in one place for a few months, minimum. If you can stay a year or two, do that. Jumping from city to city every week seems exciting at first, but it quickly makes everywhere feel the same. 2. To quote Lao Tzu, when your work is done, forget it. If you work remotely, actively disconnect at the end of the day. It's too easy to be constantly plugged…

How do you manage to stay long-term on a foreign country, immigration-wise?

Re: Ask HN: Those who quit their jobs to travel the world, how did it go?

#108

Post by arwhatever »

anm89 wrote: post #64
hayst4ck wrote: post #47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Try to stay in one place for a few months, minimum. I second this. 2 months is the minimum amount of time per country, and 2 weeks per city if you expect to get anything more than a handful of good meals and a couple adventures out of a place. My better memories were all from places I stayed for over 2 months, and all have more to do with people I met than the place itself.

As someone who was on the road for three years, this was my biggest take away. If anything I'd treat one month as an absolute minimum. I'd prefer not to be anywhere less than 3 months. It ends up taking a week just to get truly unpacked. From that base, you can still do day trips and weekend trips.

Agreed - 3 months minimum, esp if working while traveling.

This allows to alternate between excursion weekends and relaxing weekends.

I also agree with the "1-2 years" content above - I'd really like to see the seasons cycle through in any particular place I stop.

Re: Ask HN: Those who quit their jobs to travel the world, how did it go?

#110

Post by bawolff »

devoutsalsa wrote: post #96
superbcarrot wrote: post #93

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> My better memories were all from places I stayed for over 2 months, and all have more to do with people I met than the place itself. How did you go about meeting people in the first place?

Dating apps, couch surfing, and getting out of the house & going where the people are. Expat groups on Facebook and WhatsApp, too.

As someone with mild social anxiety, the thought of doing something like that is utterly alien, even in my own country let alone somewhere else. I don't mean in a "i wouldn't do that" sort of way, but in an "i cannot even imagine/does not compute" sort of way.

Anyhow, good on you for living life :)

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