Owning A House Is My Worst Nightmare
Some people work like crazy with fierce blood, sweat and tears to save up enough money to buy a house. What is some peoples’ dream, is Teacake’s nightmare. Owning a house is my WORST nightmare. If I did bad stuff and the earth police told me I had to buy a house and live there forever, I would cry a river. I would be like one of The Prisoner’s buddies, desperately holding hands with him as we tried to escape from the island and THAT white ball.
Don’t get me wrong… I adore slow travel.
I love to get as deep into a culture as possible to fully live, breathe, smell, taste and see it. Give or take a year though and my feet are piping hot and gaining superhuman speed. I need to get out of there. Once I’ve learnt everything I can and achieved everything I want to, it’s time to go. If I was to buy a house, I’d feel extremely tied down and every morning would look like this:
For me, I need to keep shaking things up and keep myself on my toes.
A new place = a new challenge. I don’t like to get too comfortable and be at that point where I ride to work on autopilot, not remembering how I got there or saw along the way.
Since I’ve left home, I have lived in over 30 places.
I just can’t sit still and I love it. Every time I move, I find my new favourite restaurant, an unexplored park, a friendly drinking hole, locals who I’m gonna buy exotic fruits and plain old onions from. It’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland playing over and over again but there’s always a new chapter. Remember those Choose your own Adventure books? That’s my life and I thank the cosmos everyday for giving me such kick ass freedom to do that.
Some people may argue…
Some people may argue that I don’t know how to hold down a relationship, quit life too easily or once I meet the right one I won’t want to move. I beg to differ. If I meet Mr. Right, he’s not going to want a house or any mini Teacakes either and go vroom vroom off into the sunset with me *fingers crossed and more on Teacake’s love life here*.
I love every place I go to but with the world being so fantastic and me unfortunately not having eternal life, there’s only so much a slow traveller can get round to in one lifetime. You may be in paradise but there’s another paradise around the corner too! You gotta go!
If it came to the crunch
There’s only one house I would ever consider and that’s a tiny house. One I can move wherever I want to go! I found out about these about 5 years ago and they’ve steadily been bursting through into the public eye. For hippies like Teacake, I think they’re the perfect compromise. If you’re interested in learning more about them, have a lookie here.
Photo courtesy of www.tinyhouseblog.com
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I couldn’t agree more ! I tried to settle down, but every time I say something like “yeah this time I’m going to stay for a while”, well I move away the next year. So I stopped saying it. I’ve lived in a lot of cities in France, I tried Denmark and now USA.
I’ve been told I was inconsistent and that something must be wrong in my life, since I “flee” all the time.. uh, ok.. people try to convince me, telling me it’s good to stay, moving costs money blah blahh.
Though I’m not travelling completely solo anymore! I travel solo with a baby now :)
Hey Alice, I really like the article! I don’t regret not owning a house, but I would regret missing the travels! No American dream, just my dream!
Oh God, it’s such a complicated thing this matter of ‘a place to call home’.
I’ve been dealing with this kind of double-psychotic attitute of longing to have MY home and travelling the world since I was a child. I’ve always thought that a home to pay month by month would be a prison to die in. But on the other hand I was so attracted by ‘homes’ in general.
One year ago, I finally made my resolution and bought a house. Well, since I came in I’ve made 3 travels abroad and I’m still wondering how the hell can I afford it all since I’m a blogger and freelance translator.
My first trick was buying a home in South Italy, in Lecce. It’s a very cozy city very politically active and close to one of the best world seas where… homes are VERY cheap. And so I could even start saving to keep on travelling. You know, you gave me an idea and I think I’ll write an article about it ;-)
Very interesting to hear how you have managed to balance both ideals! I’ve learnt of quite a few bloggers who have bought a house and then rented it out using AirBNB to make some extra cash whilst they’re travelling. It might just be the answer!
Loved this! I totally agree and oddly not many people do! I’m 21 and there are people my age saving and buying their first house, and they’re so excited about it and don’t understand how I’m not! I just don’t get it, roll on November the 24th when I depart for Australia!
You’re going to Australia! Go Becca! Everyone has different goals and desires. Travel isn’t for everyone and if everyone did it, the world wouldn’t function I guess ><
Tiny homes! Yes! My home is a tiny camper, not one of those super cute trailer ones but still freedom amazing!
That’s true! I completely agree with you! I just bought a flat this year, but it didn’t make me feel happy. I would rather spend these money in my travels :)
Do you still have the flat? In some ways I guess it can be a good source of income renting it out whilst you’re travelling!
Ah so happy to hear I’m not alone! Mostly, when I turn up at places by myself, they ask me where my boyfriend/husband is. Locals can’t wrap their head around it when I say I’m travelling solo. It’s just a different culture but some of my western friends are just the same! Where’s the baby? Where’s the marriage? They’re going to be waiting a long time…
You’re right! How can you know you bought the house in the right place?! Fantastic point.
Love your comments, keep them coming <3
Oh how I wish I had the same courage and spirit for adventure as you!
I day dream about living and working abroad while making new friends and collecting experiences like you have. In the mean time I’ll just live vicariously through your eyes while I plot my escape. Or not? Who knows…..
Great read and I love the wildly different perspectives people have on life. The great thing is that nobody’s wrong!
I really want to encourage people to take that leap and live and work abroad ^^ You read my blog a lot which I truly appreciate and I hope I can encourage you to take that step :D If you decide to take the travel direction, be sure that I’m the first to know! At the end of the day, you are 100% right. Nobody is wrong, everyone has their individual needs and wants and travel certainly isn’t for everyone. For people who are interested however, hopefully I’m giving you all a friendly push!
Saving for a house is a great thing for some and people should be proud of that accomplishment but we feel the same way as you. A house is nice as a short-term rental when we need to stay in one spot at a time… SHORT TERM is the key word. Or as a couchsurfing spot…or Airbnb… you get the picture. Now, should we win the lottery…. then we’d have houses all over and we could come and go as we please.
Well said. I rent places when I stop and teach English to earn more travel money. Short term really is what it is though. Winning the lottery would be super! Let me know when you do >< I'll house sit for you :D
Youth is part of your freedom — and also being European. In the U.S., you’re on your own with your retirement plan and we are insecure about financial security. Homeownership is part of the American Dream, like a career path…except, it really shouldn’t be. That’s like someone else’s plan. I know I’ve felt tied to an area because of my home. At this point, it’s now part of my investment plan. I love how you are living boldly and all the options you have. But, who knows if your lifestyle will be lifelong?
I hear you. There is definitely a risk in what I’m doing. Many people tell me I should put money down for a house and rent it whilst travelling. That is one option but I’m still at the point where I’m not prepared to do that. I think a Tiny House is the way for me to go.