Can we have a drum roll, please?
We’ve made our final decision on where to settle down for the winter, and it is…
Wait! Let’s do a quick recap first.
You remember we first talked about settling down for 6 months this winter to work on our business to help fund our trip indefinitely. We have savings to last another 3-4 years, but we don’t want to wait until we’re close to the red before we start earning a livable income.
We came up with 3 options for the long-term stay for various reasons:
- Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Edinburgh, Scotland
Each has its pros and cons, and we spend the last couple of weeks mulling it over and reading your excellent comments and advice.
Then, at the last minute another option came up: Housesitting all winter on the Isle of Wight in a 1940s bungalow with a cute little dog for company. Did you know that Dickens wrote David Copperfield on the Isle of Wight? It seemed like a great option for a winter of writing and work.
You guys gave us some great feedback on the options. Here are just a few:
- Rob called us out on wanting to stay in the UK because it was “safe” in terms of not having to speak another language or fit into another culture. Man, that was an accurate assessment! It is easy to want to stay where things are easy all the time, even if it is more expensive.
- Michelle and Paz and Joanne rightly stated that Buenos Aires will go up in price in a few years. Best to see it now while it is lower in price and our Spanish is fresh. We could become fluent!
- Peggy and Sandra advised us to go where we’ve never been to continue the excitement while we stay put. Fair point.
- Moonwaves sent us a link to a blog post about frangipani blossoms in Chiang Mai kept us daydreaming for days.
- Karen sent us a link to a great video about Thailand that made us want to move there tomorrow. Travel porn!
- Jody told us about a great yoga practice available in Thailand and gave us the idea to explore a series of classes on yoga or martial arts while we are settled down.
- Alison, Jody, Tranque, Kristin, Jen, Paz, Brenda, and Denise all gave excellent advice on living as an expat and digital nomad.
Really, we were blown away by all the comments and suggestions. And those of you who told us to go somewhere else - we’ve kept your advice in our trip planner and will use it in the future.
If you were a Scot you’d tell me to stop blethering now and get to it.
Our destination this fall and winter will be…
(Click here if you don’t see the video above.)
Stay tuned for more details on our trip-to-lifestyle transition as well as a very fun (and slightly scary) opportunity next week for you to issue us a challenge and possibly get one in return.
Thank you for your help in mapping out this next stage of our life. Stay tuned as we head back to England, then over to Belgium and Amsterdam this summer before embarking to…(sorry, you have to watch the video to find out!)
If you are looking to travel to Thailand as we have done, then you’ll want to find cheap Phuket flights from your departure point. There are a number of airlines offering great deals from major international airports worldwide, so it’s a great place to visit for a cheap holiday! This is a great place to start your new adventurous life, it’s time to turn dreams into reality.
About Betsy
Betsy & Warren!
After watching the video, I am starting to wonder if you should pen season finale cliffhangers for the TV networks or start working on a reality show for the segments right before “the vote-off”… It’s a big decision, it rightly deserves a suspenseful buildup…
Congrats on the new destination. Wishing you great adventure on the next leg, and am hoping for tons of information on Chiang Mai as it may be on our itinerary in the future!
Darin, it is so funny because we didn’t actually plan to do the cliffhanger type thing. It just sort of worked when the camera started rolling. We are looking forward to a completely new way of life and the challenges of a new language. Our friend Nathalie tells us bilingual people are smarter because they stretch their brains in different ways for communication than single language people. If we play our cards right this move just might make us smarter!
We just talked at dinner tonight about keeping better tabs on great restaurants/activities/lodging as we travel. We’re not a true travel blog and won’t become one, but there is no reason we can’t take note and pop that info into our brand-new Where to Stay page (under Resources). Give us some time to get up to speed on this one and you’ll have every bit of good info we know by the time you come to Chiang Mai.
Fine. Be that way then. LEAVE just as we are about to get there!!
(Kidding! Congrats! But if you can swing a visit to Ireland before you go, you should.) We have a bed in a castle waiting for you!
Man, we would love to come! But we have housesitting duties of our own to tend to.
First Yorkshire, then Brussels, then Amsterdam. We are SO GLAD you guys gave us the 411 on housesitting!
Enjoy your castle, m’lady.
Fantastic! Love how you kept us waiting…. in the video! I bet you will love it in Thailand!
About the heat, well, we’re from the cold climates of Canada. As I mentioned before we live in the Middle East and the temp was up around +48C today so all I can say is, … you’ll get used to it!
Congrats - that is so exciting!
Jody, I think we will adjust, but you can see from our pasty skin and the fact that we spent almost the entire six months in South America in the mountains that we are really cool weather people. It will be something different, but that’s part of the fun of it all, isn’t it?
Woo Hoo! How very exciting!!!! Enjoy Europe! I cannot believe it has almost been a year since you left!
I know, can you believe it? I keep thinking back to our original plan of only traveling for one year. Do you realize if we quit at the end of September we would have visited less than 10 countries in a year? Ha! We’ve been called much worse than “slow” so I guess that’s okay.
Congrats on the big decision! I’m so excited for you guys
Word of warning… expat life can be pretty addictive. We came here for 2 years and we just had our 6 year anniversary! I can’t wait to hear more about your plans. See you in a month!
Alison, you know we’re going to stalk you with a video camera and take secret notes of everything you say when we meet you so we can write an expose on the glamorous expat life, right?
Seriously, we can’t wait to hear the details from you of how you have been doing it for so long - and so well! - and continue to travel to fantastic places.
We have a few late nights of conversation and laughter in our future, I just know it.
Mwahahahaha…
So, it looks like I’ll see you guys in October. So exciting. OMG that city is gonna be hopping this winter. LOL
SpunkyGirl, we’re going to have to make a pact not to make Thailand combust with awesomeness with all three of us there at the same time. Though we should probably call ahead to make sure they have enough beer. See you soon!
You guys are so cute. Congrats on the decision - with any of the choices you will have a great experience. Cheers to you!
Isn’t that the great thing, Michaela? There are no bad decisions in this kind of life. There are just places you stay longer and places you leave sooner.
So exciting!! I’ve been to Chiang Mai four times now and the city continues to draw me back. It’s all the best of Thailand (well, except the beaches…but they’re a short flight away!). Lovely people, fantastic food, amazing climate, lots of wonderful outdoor activities, rich culture and, did I mention…. $5 massages to die for!? Can’t wait to hear all about it. I’m sure you’ll have an amazing, amazing time (and, may not want to leave)
cheers
Rhonda
p.s. in regards to Jody’s comment above, yes, it is hot…but you will be there in the cooler season and believe me, it’s always much cooler than Bangkok!
Rhonda, we love hearing this feedback! I’m grinning from ear to ear over the $5 massages, though I can’t believe I’ll ever have one as good as Chad Kelderman in Seattle. I still miss his sessions more than any other thing I left behind in Seattle (http://somabodywork.net/). But I’m willing to lower my standards for a $5 price tag in Thailand!
Yes, I agree with Leslie, that was a lot of work first thing in the morning! Congratulations on your decision! I look forward to hearing all about the excitements of Chiang Mai. Thailand is on our list as well so I’ll be following along and taking notes!
Hehehe. Believe it or not, we didn’t actually plan that. It just happened that way, and the longer we went the more fun we had with it. We’ll keep good notes on the Chiang Mai experience both on the blog and (logistically) on the new Where to Stay on our site (under Resources).
Maybe you can speed up your trip to Thailand to visit while we’re there? Or are you still recovering from the big trip to Spain and beyond this spring?
If you’re coming to Belgium, be sure to visit Gent. I ould be happy to show you around and hear your stories!
Els, I just mapped it and Gent looks like a great distance for a day trip from Brussels, so you have just made yourself a date. Thank you for your kind offer!
(PS - we do not hold a candle to the stylish images on your blog, so be warned)
I can attest to Buenos Aires being expensive, depending on your budget Chiang Mai may be a better bet.
Ayngelina, this is what really surprised us in our research. BsAs is getting more and more expensive, and rightly so. It is a cosmopolitan city and in my opinion worth every bit. But not if you’re putting your nose to the grindstone to work. That would be no fun.
Dying to hear about your cross-country Canadian road trip!
Ha! I’m in my home office with my husband sleeping next door, so had to look through the comments to find out the answer. Look forward to watching the video later at work.
Big congrats! It sounds amazing.
Thanks, Angela. I’m sure your husband is glad you let him sleep instead of waking up to our loud laughs on video! We are really excited about this new chapter, both for the exotic location and the new adventure with becoming digital nomads.
Haha that was awesome! And yay for Thailand. You still look a bit nervous - which is great! And thank you for more opportunities to boss you around! Love it.
Margit, we are nervous because we downloaded our first Thai language podcasts/lessons. YIKES. This is going to be a challenge, but in a very good way.
And you are going to LOVE the challenge next week, Margit. I’m looking forward to your entry (and you’d better have one!)
Hey there . . . have never commented on your posts but have to tell you how much I enjoy your blog, and how inspiring you both have been to someone who is similarly ‘redesigning’ her own life (albeit not quite so dramatically). Congrats on decision to try Thailand (I think I’d have chosen the same!) . . . and Betsy, travel-for-life really agrees with you; you look amazing! (Secrets for the rest of us welcome
Susan, thank you! There are no secrets other than fresh air, exercise, and lack of makeup. I really do think not wearing makeup has helped my skin, but probably not in the way you think. By not having to scrub all the good oils and moisture off my face every day while getting the makeup off, my skin is always a little dewy. I wash it once a day only with a mild cleanser and just rinse off with water otherwise. No rough treatment of my face at all. It started out of necessity in some remote locales and just stayed out of habit.
Enough skincare advice, though. We’re excited to hear more about your lifestyle redesign. We never grow tired of the subject and love knowing what other people are up to. Drop us an email sometime if you don’t want to leave it in the comments.
Awesome.
I definitely think Thailand is a good choice. And if not - well, it’s not like you have to stay!
Rob, you took the words right out of my mouth! Worst-case scenario we hate it and find another nearby low-cost locale. Thank you for your push on the “staying safe” thing with the UK. You were spot on, and we needed to hear it. Good catch.
I had to go back and look at what I said. I definitely observed the “staying safe and easy” phenomenon. But I’d like to think my description of the winter weather that had influence too. I’ve been using the phrase “wrist-slittingly depressing” about the winter weather at that latitude since I left Stockholm in 1988!
Rob, I don’t think any high-latitude country will be hiring you anytime soon to write the marketing material for their tourism sites. hehehe
No, indeed. Unless they want me to write the summertime bits. I’m a warm-weather and sunshine seeker,and the northern latitudes have nice long summers. Not warm enough, but sunny. My ideal world would involve a biannual migration between the northern and summer hemispheres. NZ or Australia (perhaps someplace closer to the equator) in the northern winter, and the northern hemisphere in the summer.
I’ll be intrigued to watch your travels over the next year. All things being equal I need to go *somewhere* and if you’re somewhere I want to be - all the better..
Hey, Rob. That would be terrific! On our radar (but not necessarily on the agenda) are Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, China, and the Trans-Mongolian Railway. But we might just end up in Canada cause you know how we roll.
It would be awesome to meet you on the road. We’ve had the pleasure of meeting a few readers since we’ve been in the UK (more coming up soon on the blog), and it is absolutely fantastic to meet you guys in person.
I’ll keep watching and pull the trigger when you’re heading somewhere I want to go
Canada’s easy, of course, that being my original country all those years ago.
COngrats on the decision, guys! Sounds exciting….and yes, MUCH better weather than Scotland in winter. PS, sent you a note about when Paul and I will be in Scotland/UK/Spain….
A few observations from the video:
1. You guys are good at cliffhangers
2. Your on-camera presence just keeps getting better and better. You are both so relaxed and effortless, it’s a joy to watch
3. Betsy, you look STUNNING with what appears to be no make-up on and your skin just glows. How do you do it?!
4. Betsy, was that a manicure splurge I saw on your purple fingertips?! Good for you!
Love you guys….!
Maria, thank you so much for your feedback. From an actress and media whiz, that means a lot. Would you believe it if I told you that was a one-take video? Ha! The guys at the pub thought we were weird, but we’re getting used to that.
Thank you for the compliments on my skin. It really has been good for my pores to be on this trip - plenty of fresh air and exercise and no makeup will do wonders!
Last, I do have purple fingernails for the first time ever. I did it for a very special project that you will see next week…(man, talk about cliffhangers). Stay tuned!
Do have fun in Brussels. Check out the Manneqin Pis, but DO NOT stand in front of it in the morning when they turn it on. Icy-cold draft Heinekin (Dark!) in a cafe in the sunshine in Amsterdam is an awesome way to spend an afternoon. In 1-liter mugs. Ah… the memories (foggy though they are)…
Rob, we are excited to meet up with some readers in Brussels and a few friends from our travels in Amsterdam (including Andrea, the woman who ran into the Southern Ocean with me in Antarctica while Warren was off skinny dipping for the crowds). Maybe we can talk them into a dark beer in the sunshine one afternoon when we all should be doing something more productive. Great suggestion - thanks!
I’m a bit surprised but pleased you chose Thailand. I will send you a link to my friend Rheta’s son’s diving school. It will be one of my long stops when I get around to that side of the world too. Have a blast for the rest of your time in Europe! I’m so jealous of your trip, but mine is just around the corner. You are an inspiration so THANKS!!
No need to be jealous of us when you have big things on the horizon yourself. There is plenty of good stuff out there in the world for all of us.
I hope we meet up sometime…somewhere!
You knuckleheads! You made me WORK to find out the answer! LOL! A couple of thoughts.
1) You guys are so cute I’m barfin’ rainbows over here.
2) Warren’s saying “Edinburgh” with a Scottish burr makes my brain hiccup.
3) Though I’ve never been to Chang Mai, I have many friends who have, and they all LOVED it. You’re going to have a wonderful time.
1) That might be the nicest (and weirdest) thing anyone has ever said about us. Thank you! I’m seriously going to try to find a way to use this in our marketing plan.
2) It makes his brain hiccup to remember the burr (and people really stomp on you here for not saying it right)
3) Oh, we love the friend-of-friend recommendation. Can’t wait to verify their opinions for you!
Congratulations on your choice! I’m so excited for you both. You seem so happy in the video and yes, definitely a ‘hot’ couple. Cheers back at ya!
Thanks, Karen! I crack up at that “hot” comment.
Congratulations on your decision to go to Thailand! You will love it. I got to spend a week in Thailand a few years ago, including a few days in Chiang Mai. I hate the heat and I was there at the very hottest time of year (in April for their New Year, not intentionally) and I survived it. So I think you’ll be fine. I recommend riding an elephant at some point while you’re there. It’s kind of touristy but fun and totally worth it. I’m jealous of all your great adventures but love following along. Your videos are great and I look forward to lots more.
How exciting! You guys look absolutely great - the road really does agree with you! Can’t wait to hear about the Thailand adventures!
Thanks, Reema. We are just as excited about our upcoming adventures in Brussels and Amsterdam, so lots of good stuff on the horizon. We can’t wait to share it with you!
We were in both those cities last summer on our vacation and loved them! (As you can seemaybe tell we love most places we’ve been) Will have to think of some of the highlights and maybe send them on to you. Like one of the best places in Amsterdam we bought cheese, ham and bread to make lunch that was recommended to us by the little corner wine store…ahhh….as we headed back to the houseboat! So much fun.
Jody, we would love to hear your tips on where to buy great food and wine in Amsterdam. The nice thing about housesitting - and on a houseboat no less! - is that we have a bigger budget for the little luxuries in life, like stinky cheese and fresh bread every day.
Wow what a great decision…I love the video (very funny) and how you both weighed up the decision.
I want to come with you!!
See you next week
We are really looking forward to meeting you in person next week, Laura. Readers, if you haven’t checked her out yet, Laura runs a blog called Move to Portugal about her family’s plan to sell everything and move there from England. Good stuff!
Congrats on the decision! I think you’re going to love Chiang Mai - it’s a fantastic city and a great place to hole up for a while. By the way, how long are you going to be in England? We’re going to be heading there in early August and would love to meet up.
Hi, Akila. We are heading to Brussels to housesit at the end of July, so we’ll be gone before you get here. But we’d be happy to fill you in on all our favorite activities (and food) before you arrive. We’ve had a great time here and have the waistlines to prove it.
Great decision! I’ve been missing Thailand so much since I lived there in 05-06! I can’t wait to follow your stories of Chiang Mai. One of the first things to do is find a motorcycle or scooter - it will open up all kinds of adventures!
Ha! We can’t wait to become members of a scooter gang! Do we get a cool tattoo or jacket with that?
wow - congrats on the decision - sounds like so much fun. It made me look twice at a Living Social “daily deal” that expires tomorrow - http://escapes.livingsocial.com/deals/67795-thailand-beach-resort - almost booked but then logically talked my way out of it -
Shoulda booked it, Lori! We would love to see you in Thailand.
Cool. The decision anyway. Everything else will be HOT!
Speaking of “hot”; I just have to say that I think Warren is simply glowing these days as well . . . he looks better than ever without makeup.
Hmmmmmm. We’re going to have to start making plans to visit Chiang Mai in a few months . . . he he he.
Even in Thailand you gotta . . .
Be Present. Expect Success. Live with Passion!
T
You know, Warren has started using a special conditioner on his beard that really makes it sparkle, don’t you think?
How cool would it be if we got to meet in person? I’m sure everyone else would want us to take a video of that interaction!
Ewwwwwwww . . . “thspecial conditioner”? Thsounds kinda kinky, girl!
Uh . . . video us meeting face-to-face? Unlike you two, both Yumi and I tend to fall apart once the video camera is on! lol!!! Doh . . . What’s my name again?
We’ll just fire that camera up after a few “adult beverages” and see how things go from there. 
Yippee! Can’t wait to see YOUR travel porn pics and hear all about your gastronomic and other adventures! Alisa
awwww! very disappointed not to have you on our shores, but can’t wait to hear, and see, all about it!
I know I’m late but hopefully better late than never. I’m so psyched for you both!! And can’t wait to read about what you do next, wherever it is. xxoo
Thanks, Kristin! We are very excited, though I have to admit our Thai lessons are coming along very slowly.
There will be plenty of challenges living there even if we don’t travel!