Nomadic Retirement Travel

We choose destinations based on our personal interests, cost of living, climate, cultural events / festivals, safety, lifestyle preferences and our desire for new adventures. Also, many retired nomads research countries or cities with affordable healthcare and good infrastructure. For example, some roving retirees might consider Thailand or Mexico for their lower costs and quality medical care. Safety is also a priority, so checking and staying on top of travel advisories is essential.

Another factor to consider when choosing a destination are countries that offer favourable visa policies such as Turkey’s 90 day visa or Thailand’s 60 day visa exempt. Some prefer to follow the sun, spending summers in cooler climates like Northern Europe, and winters in warmer regions like Southeast Asia.

How long we stay in a destination often depends on what we are planning to do in the destination, cost and visa regulations. For instance, we spend 1 – 3 months in European countries that are part of the Schengen Area as they allow a 90-day stay. For us, this typically involves spending 5 – 7 days in the more expensive European cities, balanced out by longer stays in Turkey or Sweden staying with family.

We stay longer in Asian countries offering extended stay visas such as Thailand (90 days), Vietnam (90 days) and the Philippines. We might stay a few weeks in a city if we are just passing through, or a few months in a place that offers a slower pace of life, like Quito in Ecuador, a high elevation town.

We also often stay longer in a place if we can organise a good deal on an apartment or a hotel room with a more comfortable living standard, such as good cooking facilities, a bigger fridge, a sofa, a desk, a big TV, a good quality bed and so on. 

In general, we book flights and accommodations several months ahead for popular destinations, especially during peak travel seasons. This helps secure better prices and accommodation options. For instance, when travelling to Europe in the summer, we book flights in January to get the best deals.

However, at times we also adopt a more spontaneous approach, especially if we are in a region with flexible travel options, like Southeast Asia, where flights between countries are affordable and frequent. We use tools like Google Flights and Kayak to track price fluctuations, while platforms like Skyscanner help compare budget airlines.

If we plan to stay for 1 month or more in a town or city, we book a couple of nights accommodation at a central hotel which allows us to get a feel for an area and decide on the neighbourhood we want to stay. We usually do this on Booking.com or Agoda. We then approach hotel managers, landlords on local rental websites or through expat Facebook groups to organise a time for viewing and negotiate monthly rates.

For more immersive experiences, we have stayed in homestays, like the time we stayed with a family in Vietnam, which provided the cultural interaction we were seeking at a lower cost.

Housesitting platforms like TrustedHousesitters are also popular among nomadic retirees, offering free accommodation in exchange for taking care of someone’s home and pets.

We travel with one checked-in bag each which weigh about 18kg, and one small backpack each. We know many other nomadic retirees opt for carry-on bags to avoid checked luggage fees and the hassle of waiting at baggage claim. However, we are very happy with our current baggage situation and have no immediate plans of switching to carry-on only.

We still pack light by choosing versatile, multi-use clothing, which can be washed easily, and clothes that will carry us through all 4 seasons. We also carry some luxury items such as a pillow, masks and snorkels, and extras of our favourite face wash and moisturiser.

We use our day packs primarily for our electronics such as laptops and camera gear. Each year we have minimised these items and no longer carry a drone, gimbal or additional camera lenses.

The cost of full-time travel depends heavily on destination, lifestyle, travel style and frequency of travel. In Southeast Asia, we can live comfortably on AUD$2,500 per month including rent, food, entertainment and transportation. In contrast, European countries like Spain or Italy might require AUD$4,000+ monthly. Airfare, travel insurance, and any hobbies or tours add to the overall cost.

We choose slow travel, staying longer in one place, which reduces accommodation and transport expenses. We also focus on off-season travel, geoarbitrage (balancing expensive countries with more inexpensive countries over the course of the year) and utilize budget airlines when practical to significantly cut down on airfare costs. For example, flying from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam to Brisbane, Australia on a budget airline like VietJet can cost as little as AUD$300 each.

Travelling can be safe if precautions are taken, such as researching destinations, avoiding risky areas, and staying informed of local conditions. We gravitate towards countries with stable political climates and well-established tourist infrastructures like Thailand, Turkey or Spain.

Our top safety tips include staying in secure accommodations, avoiding risky neighbourhoods, keeping your valuables secure, and remaining vigilant of common tourist scams. Joining expat communities or local forums can provide insights into safe areas and cultural norms.

We have found the biggest challenges include dealing with language barriers, especially in non-English speaking countries. Learning basic phrases or using translation apps like Google Translate can help ease communication. Healthcare can be another challenge, especially when you need emergency care such as dental and must learn to navigate different systems.

Another challenge is maintaining a sense of community. This can be overcome by joining local clubs, going to expat hangouts, attending social meetups, or volunteering. Managing finances while frequently moving, including currency exchange, managing banking in your home country, and taxes, can also be complicated.

Some other minor challenges include adjusting to new cultures, staying connected with loved ones, and balancing exploration with relaxation.

We easily manage to fill our days with a blend of leisure, exploration, and hobbies. Activities vary by destination. We often explore local culture, attend community events, enjoy nature, engage in hobbies, or simply relax. Flexibility allows for a mix of adventure and leisure.

In a place like Koh Samui in Thailand, we might spend the morning relaxing at a beach and snorkelling, the afternoon reading, working on our travel blogs or future travel planning, and the evening socializing with locals, other travellers or expat friends.

In Europe, we may visit museums, take a walking tour, or explore nearby towns. We, like many others living this lifestyle, continue to work part-time on our travel blogs and day trading. Others we have met volunteer with organizations like WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms) or teach English abroad.

Health insurance is a non-negotiable expense for us. We opt for an international travel and health insurance plan, which cover a wide range of countries and activities including cruising. Our plan includes emergency care, hospitalization, and routine check-ups.

In some cases, retirees maintain insurance in their home country while also purchasing short-term travel insurance for specific trips. Another option is using local healthcare systems, particularly in countries with affordable, high-quality care. For example, retirees in Mexico often pay out of pocket for medical services due to the relatively low cost, while in countries like Thailand, private hospitals are a popular choice for expats.

Technology makes it easier than ever to stay connected. We frequently use apps like Messenger and WhatsApp for calls / video calls with family and friends. Social media platforms such as our personal Facebook pages and our Nomadic Retirement Travel Facebook page allow us to share travel updates and photos.

We also plan regular visits back home to Australia and Sweden and encourage family and friends to visit us in exciting destinations.