As you probably know, we’ve been working on finding home for a while. Well, our long-term base. We aren’t done traveling, we’re just changing how we do it.
It’s been a tough search. We’ve been to 6 continents and almost 30 countries, and we’ve enjoyed almost all of them. That makes it more of a challenge when you’re trying to find the place where you may set down some roots. There is also the difference, which can be quite big, between liking a place to visit and wanting to live there.
I really enjoyed Ayutthaya in Thailand, but I would not want to live there for more than say a month. Then there’s that problem of there being two of us. Tigger would love to live in Australia. Me not so much. I thoroughly enjoyed visiting and would love to go back to explore more of that wonderful country, but I wouldn’t want to live there.
We had a lot of items on our list for candidates:
- Near the ocean
- Near woods
- Near mountains
- Near nature
- Good, solid internet
- Doesn’t get too hot or too cold
- LGBT friendly (marriage equality is a bonus)
- Lots of opportunities for Tigger to make English-speaking friends
- Fairly close to an international airport.
Yeah, that’s quite a list. And so far the only place that has really come up for us is in the Pacific Northwest (PNW) region of the US.
When we left, and even until a few months ago, I never dreamed that the USA would be back on our list of possibilities for a long-term base. Not only does the PNW tick all of our boxes, but it’s also more chill and has the extra-bonus feature of not requiring a visa to live and work there.
The other week my friend living in Prague spent 10 hours over 2 days dealing with their visa renewal, and they’ve lived there for 3 years now. Yeah, I’m over dealing with visas for a while.
We’ve set our eyes toward Washington state since I’m from there and currently have close friends and family living there. I took Tigger there many years ago, and he loved it as well and has fond memories of our time there.
As we’ve looked around, I have felt pulled to Bellingham, a medium-sized city close to the Canadian border. As part of my research, I’ve joined some Facebook groups for the region, and I’ve met some seemingly wonderful people who already have been quite helpful and welcoming. I’ve also had dreams about us living there, which is something that is pretty rare.
Right now we are proceeding as if Bellingham will be home. We’ll make a visit prior to our house sit just so we can compare it with a couple of other areas to confirm, but I really think it will be the place. And rather than feel terrified, I feel excited to be there. When I see photos, read the news, etc., of the region, I immediately think “That’s our home.”
Even though I’m a bit nervous about this next phase, especially because it’s life in the US again, I’m also really looking forward to it. I’m looking forward to being able to visit Canada more easily and to explore more of the PNW, which is such a beautiful place.
I’m even looking forward to the rain.
I guess finding home isn’t so bad after all. Now I just have to hope the feeling of actually being there matches the prearrival excitement.
October 6, 2014
Good luck with finding your home! I really enjoyed reading about your house sits in Thailand and Morocco so would love to hear about where exactly you chose to temperarily settle.
October 7, 2014
Thanks! Right now we have our eyes on Bellingham, Washington, in the US. Yeah, that surprised us, too. LOL
September 16, 2014
I laughed out loud when I read the Twilight comment, followed by the Team Jacob shout out! BAHAHA! We are in the same place, we are still traveling at the moment, but we think about where we settle down every day. We are back in the states for a short visit after 7 months of continuous travel and personally, I love the USA. So it will be an option for us too! 🙂
September 16, 2014
We’re a fun crowd. 😉
Part of the challenge comes when you love a place to visit for a while, but to live there long term? Sometimes that just wouldn’t work out. But then there are SO many places I’d love to live. Coming up with our “absolutes” was really helpful.
September 15, 2014
Bellingham is a wonderful city! We’ve visited quite a few times – there is a great fall fair in nearby Lynden I used to visit as a kid. With so much of the world to explore this is makes me think twice about taking our little part of the world, and the check boxes it ticks, for granted.
September 16, 2014
The PNW sure is a wonderful place. Really hard to top it.
September 15, 2014
I am drawn to that part of the world as well but to Vancouver rather than the US. Looking forward to hearing how you go once you guys are there, sounds like you have found your place!
September 15, 2014
I still need to visit Vancouver, but I think I would love it there. Would probably target it if I had (a) more of an income, and (b) didn’t have to deal with pesky visa issues to live there.
September 12, 2014
I can’t believe you’re pretending that there’s all those great reasons to move to the PNW. You know the only reason you’re keen is so you can pretend you’re in Twilight 🙂 I’m on to you buddy!
September 14, 2014
Team Jacob!!
September 11, 2014
Really happy for you! Best wishes as you move in this direction.
September 11, 2014
Thank you! I’m looking forward to it all.
September 10, 2014
I am so thrilled for you guys as us too since we plan to be somewhat nearby! Funny that Tigger would want OZ, maybe he and Colin could live there for a bit when they get older, he loved it there so much as well!
PNW here we all come!!
September 10, 2014
I think he just liked it because he didn’t care for SE Asia, and we finally had some decent WiFi. LOL
Would be cool if you guys weren’t far away!
September 10, 2014
Sounds like a great plan. The fact that you’ve been dreaming about it say a lot IMO!
September 10, 2014
Yes! I totally agree.
September 10, 2014
A fabulous choice! I’d love to live abroad, but the PNW has a firm hold on my heart and soul. Wishing you all the best from a devoted PNWer and long-time (but silent) follower!
September 10, 2014
It is very hard leaving the PNW, that’s for darn sure. It took several years of winters in Colorado before I would stop complaining about how ugly all the brown was. LOL
September 10, 2014
I’m glad to hear how excited you are, sometimes finding a permanent home isn’t always an exciting process for nomads like us. I’ve never been to Canada and Bellingham, but from your description sounds a nice little city, fingers crossed exactly what you are looking for.
September 10, 2014
It can sure be a pain in the neck of a process. It’s nice to know in a few months we have a base.
September 10, 2014
Bellingham is one of my favorite places. 🙂
September 10, 2014
I’m happy to hear that!
September 10, 2014
Some of our fellow US citizens make me insane, but that’s because they’re like misguided members of the family. They bother me more than misguided people in other countries. Same with the government. When you’re in the US and you’re from there, you own a little of the whole which raises the stakes.You know that saying, “Not my circus. Not my monkeys.” When you’re living back in the USA—it IS your #÷%^# circus. Welcome home
🙂
September 10, 2014
HA! That is so true. And scary at the same time.
September 10, 2014
Congrats on finding a place that ticks most of the boxes. We are trying to find that place as we travel the world, and I too don’t think it will be the USA but then you never know. I have never been to Washington but it is on my USA bucket list.
September 10, 2014
You should definitely check it out before you decide on a base.
September 10, 2014
Congrats on your choice. Goes along with something my dad always told me: never say never. A return to the States and specifically Washington state sounds like a good move for this point in your lives. Good luck on this next phase in your lives.
September 10, 2014
I say the exact same thing to my son, and now he’ll quote it. Still is quite interesting how things have shifted.
September 10, 2014
Oh sure! Just when we’re leaving the PNW, you’re coming back. Timing. 🙂
September 10, 2014
Seriously! No fair!
September 10, 2014
What a lovely choice! In 1992, my (now) husband and I took our first roadtrip north – Sacramento to Vancouver B.C. Going through Bellingham, we both said we’d live there someday. We haven’t yet, although we did spend the last 7.5 years in the Seattle area after moving from California.
Bummed that we have left the area when you guys will be settling! I hope we meet someday!
September 10, 2014
Sounds like it’s time to make good on that 1992 decision! 😉
September 10, 2014
Hi Talon,
We are from B’ham and excited for you to visit. If you need any info, let me know. We left for our travels and won’t be back in B’ham until late January. Hope you find what you’re looking for there!
September 10, 2014
Very cool! We’ll be there in mid January so not too far ahead of your return. Know of anyone wanting to rent to a nice dad and his son? lol
September 10, 2014
Bellingham is a great little town… without being too little. We looked there briefly when we were exploring other places to live – Olympia is another good option.. I remember the LGBT community being strong there about 15 years ago and they have Evergreen State College, a fairly progressive thinking place. But you probably know that being from Washington. I like the idea of Bellingham being closer to Canada, you can get your travel fix hopping up to Vancouver or Victoria, etc…. Anyhow, great choice! Look forward to following your adventures north.
Anne
September 10, 2014
I like Olympia, and our main temple is there. Bellingham has more of a draw for me, though.
September 10, 2014
The work and visa issue is huge. And you speak the language! You can always get back on the road if the spirits calls you. What a wonderful opportunity you gave Tigger to see the world- and you got to see it, too.
September 10, 2014
Yep! Like I said, we aren’t stopping traveling, we’re just changing how we do it. But if we find that isn’t working for us, well we already know we like life on the road, too.
September 10, 2014
You will love it here in the PNW. I love Bellingham!!! We live about 40 minutes from Bellingham and go up their frequently. As I was reading your list I guessed Washington before I read further.
There is so much to do and explore here and the people are fabulous and friendly.
September 10, 2014
It was so hard going from friendly Washington to Denver, Colorado, where people are more standoffish. And so much natural beauty up there!
September 10, 2014
Good luck Talon! Wishing you well on this next move. I just spent a week in Oregon and I really enjoy the Pacific Northwest. I’ve loved visiting Seattle and Vancouver in the past and would love to spend more time in the area. I look forward to seeing where your adventures take you.
September 10, 2014
While the Northwest is spectacular, close to the ocean, close to an international airport, LGBT friendly, it does rain and rain and rain there —- that’s what makes it so beautiful I lived a great deal of my life in Portland. Finally I escaped, to retire, in the desert south west. Palm Springs. I have dear friends you might enjoy meeting. They live in Bellingham. John and Dayl Philip. John is a wonderful character. Dayl breeds and shows Corgis.
September 10, 2014
The rain never bothered me when I lived in Washington, and Ocean Shores got a lot more rain than Bellingham gets. I used to live in the High Desert, up in 29 Palms and Joshua Tree. It’s a great area, too, but I prefer the PNW.
September 10, 2014
Thank you! I’m looking forward to the next phase even if it does make me a bit nervous.