I have done my fair share of traveling (with and without kids) and I am so glad I’ve gotten to see other countries and cultures, but I’m getting increasingly skeptical of travel culture. There’s this constant pressure to always be going somewhere else at every available break.
What used to be a rare and special experience is now commonplace. Suddenly it’s not enough that I’ve been to Europe 4 times (I live in the US and all my family is here, so this is purely as a tourist). Wouldn’t I like to go again? How about multiple times a year? I want to explore my own city a little more!
Additionally, it’s hard to build community right where you live when people are constantly gone. It diminishes opportunities for spontaneous get-togethers and building those local relationships that are feeling more and more important as I get older.
I do think it’s important to get out and see the world, or at least other places in your state/country. It’s more the sheer volume and expectation - at least where I live.
Btw I lived in Cambridge, MA, for many years and it’s my absolute favorite city. But it’s not only expensive, it’s very hard to find available housing especially if you want to buy a place. We moved in part because of this but I miss it every day. I would say its proximity to Boston makes it more than just a fancy college town though.
Interesting post, something that people who simply need a change of scenery and/or lifestyle should really consider.I'll offer two more options here. Madison Wisconsin - home of the flagship University of Wisconsin campus, the state capitol, and a biotech powerhouse. And Duluth Minnesota, a lovely city on Lake Superior - a university town with a lovely downtown and potential for all sorts of outdoors activities. If you like that sort of thing...
To your original point, most people that I've heard talk seriously about moving out of the US are doing it for political reasons, They are disgusted with, or have reason to fear, the current administration, and don't see the situation improving for at least the next 3 years.
I have done my fair share of traveling (with and without kids) and I am so glad I’ve gotten to see other countries and cultures, but I’m getting increasingly skeptical of travel culture. There’s this constant pressure to always be going somewhere else at every available break.
What used to be a rare and special experience is now commonplace. Suddenly it’s not enough that I’ve been to Europe 4 times (I live in the US and all my family is here, so this is purely as a tourist). Wouldn’t I like to go again? How about multiple times a year? I want to explore my own city a little more!
Additionally, it’s hard to build community right where you live when people are constantly gone. It diminishes opportunities for spontaneous get-togethers and building those local relationships that are feeling more and more important as I get older.
I do think it’s important to get out and see the world, or at least other places in your state/country. It’s more the sheer volume and expectation - at least where I live.
Btw I lived in Cambridge, MA, for many years and it’s my absolute favorite city. But it’s not only expensive, it’s very hard to find available housing especially if you want to buy a place. We moved in part because of this but I miss it every day. I would say its proximity to Boston makes it more than just a fancy college town though.
Interesting post, something that people who simply need a change of scenery and/or lifestyle should really consider.I'll offer two more options here. Madison Wisconsin - home of the flagship University of Wisconsin campus, the state capitol, and a biotech powerhouse. And Duluth Minnesota, a lovely city on Lake Superior - a university town with a lovely downtown and potential for all sorts of outdoors activities. If you like that sort of thing...
To your original point, most people that I've heard talk seriously about moving out of the US are doing it for political reasons, They are disgusted with, or have reason to fear, the current administration, and don't see the situation improving for at least the next 3 years.