It is quite endearing that nine out of ten Americans when asked where is the perfect place to live? will immediately tell you the name of their home town, actively promoting it as though they are a member of the Chamber of Commerce. Have they really considered the question or is it just a point of pride or familiarity?
Here is an interesting conundrum. Imagine that your house has been sold and you have the cash in the bank (assuming you have a house and assuming you have no mortgage. Remember this is make believe) and you have no job. What you do have is an RV and sufficient income to travel the country for a year or two before you settle down again. (Some of us are already in this position!) Try to take family and friends out of the equation and think – where would you go? What places would you visit? Where would you like to end up?
Now make it a bit more interesting. Take yourself and your RV to a foreign country and give yourself residency there. What country would you choose and how would you go about looking for somewhere to live?
All I really need at this point is a real estate brochure advertising an affordable house with a swimming pool and a little ground for a garden and I’m there, settled, seeing out my sunset years.
“What I really, really want is a house in southern California, with a mountain view backdrop behind and an infinity pool in the front, beyond which I can watch Pacific sunsets.” An hysterical laugh burbled up out of Jimmy’s throat. “Okay. Okay. It’s a movie star’s house, but you never know, we might stumble on a bargain.”
Himself didn’t even comment.
Traveling east to west in northern Florida, I amused myself with the previously mentioned brochure instead of staring pointlessly at the road atlas for hours, losing concentration just when my assistance was needed. “Listen to this. Thirty acres in the country, all fenced, four beds, three and a half baths, two car garage, large family room with fireplace, eat-in kitchen/breakfast room overlooks stunning pool and deck, kitchen with granite countertops, marble back splash, two pantries, exquisite master suite, large bonus room.”
“Where is it?”
“Who cares where it is? Sounds perfect to me.”
I think any of those places you pictured would be great! I think I might just stay in the RV permanently. Stay for a while til I get sick of it and then move on. I don’t really want to stay anywhere permanent in the USA for sure, but I could see myself staying for a while in Bali. 🙂
Hard to get there in an RV tho.
LikeLike
And they probably don’t even have any RVs once you get to Bali. But who cares once you are there!
LikeLike
I admire you lifestyle, sense of adventure, and blogs! Thanks for commenting on my blog. I look forward to following your progress.
LikeLike
Thanks Ron. “See” you again soon. 😀
LikeLike
Simply lovely.
LikeLike
Thanks so much and thanks for commenting.
LikeLike
Thanks for liking a post. I like those homes the potted plants seems really cheerful .I would changed something with my house though .The back yard and front . Have a nice day.
LikeLike
😉
LikeLike
Seems we have had this conversation before. I don’t know if I have seen the place for us yet but am always on the lookout. It would have to be somewhere with a temperate climate, beautiful mountains and easy access to nature. The house itself would not need to be elaborate. It will be interesting to see where we RVer’s settle when our time on the road is over. Good luck with your quest. 🙂
LikeLike
I’m sure we’ve had this conversation before. It’s on our minds 24/7 but we’re still dithering!
LikeLike
In the summer I would like to live in Alaska and in the winter I would love to live on the Carolina Coast and in Europe I would have a home in Scotland and in Germany – I don’t want much do I??!! lol
LikeLike
Four homes! Two would do me. Actually just the one and an RV. Come to think of it, just a house would be lovely!
LikeLike
😉 Of coarse I would have maids and butlers in my 4 homes! – I don’t want much do I?
LikeLike
Now you’re talking! I’d like a masseuse too. 😀
LikeLike
a handsome masseuse of coarse!! 😀
LikeLike
Of course! 😆
LikeLike
Loving your captures – makes me want to escape to somewhere WARM:) Happy Week!
LikeLike
Hope you can get up and go! 😉
LikeLike
Hmmm… at this point I’d want the travel everywhere part. Then I’d think about settling. But it would be somewhere warm, for sure!
LikeLike
We haven’t traveled everywhere but enough for now. I’d like a home base from which to travel a little bit more. I hope you get to travel everywhere!
LikeLike
That all sounds eerily close to my state of mind. I’m in that position; no home, enough funds for a very small house but I just can’t decide ….where. I’ve been trying out the “home town” thing for the last three months and it’s not the answer – yet. I’m so glad I’m not the only one, thanks!
LikeLike
There are a few of us with the same dilemma. Good luck with your search and enjoy your travels while looking!
LikeLike
Loved the geranium houses. To be honest, I’m actually very happy here in North Cyprus, it’s a dream come true for me. Not to say there aren’t a few challenges but I happen to think that’s life and it keeps us on our toes. We have a 3-bedroom apartment with communal pool, 5 mins to Mediterranean, very laid-back living here, no rush, no hurry or haste, if shopkeepers haven’t got customers they sit outside and gossip, no malls, little bit of paradise.
LikeLike
Wow! That sounds heavenly. And no pool maintenance!
LikeLike
I don’t think I could be any more content than where I am. Beach nearby, moderate climate and affordable. Mountains and lakes to explore not too far. That ‘cottage’ would have to include several maids or house staff to add to the price. 🙂
LikeLike
I seem to remember your sentiment from a previous comment. Good for you! Your beautiful photos reflect your love of home.
LikeLike
Then again I realize it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. Some find it a bit cool, but I tend to get upset the few days when it gets close to or above 80º.
LikeLike
I prefer it not to go below 80, at least during the day!
LikeLike
Ok here’s the deal… you and Ingrid get together and share that place… ship your RV’s out to me and I’ll keep traveling South Africa, Namibia and Botswana till I pass on and then some one can bury me in the RV where ever I end… I don’t want a permanent place I want to travel… here I am following along on your two’s journeys, getting totally jealous of your wonderful life style, and you want to buy a house..??? Buy a satnav then you wont have to concentrate on road maps and look at the world passing by , your where millions of people want to be but can’t afford it…
LikeLike
You wouldn’t want our RV. See if you can do a deal with Ingrid!
LikeLike
If you can do yoga in your RV it’s good enough for me… yours looks fine, with Ingrid’s I need there tow truck as well…
LikeLike
How are your negotiating skills?
LikeLike
Damn good…
LikeLike
Go to it!
LikeLike
Appreciate what each has to offer, uniquely. The first reminded me of “…and they’re all made out of ticky-tacky…” 🙂 Can I try each?
LikeLike
Brilliant! I’ve Googled it for those (like me) who don’t know:
Little boxes on the hillside,
Little boxes made of ticky tacky,
Little boxes on the hillside,
Little boxes all the same.
There’s a green one and a pink one
And a blue one and a yellow one,
And they’re all made out of ticky tacky
And they all look just the same.
I reckon you can try each one. They looked like vacation rentals. I don’t know the address other than Outer Banks NC. Thanks for that!
LikeLike
I like the SoCal mountain/ocean/infinity pool option. 🙂
LikeLike
Do you like me enough to buy it for me? (no easy answer to that one!)
LikeLike
😉
LikeLike
The one with the geraniums!
LikeLike
Isn’t it a beauty? Taken in Cordoba during the Festival of the Patios. You’re a world traveler. Have you been?
LikeLike
Yes I have been there but I didn’t recognise it! Actually the day I went there was cold and overcast so it could really have done with some flowers like those in the picture!
LikeLike
The Festival opens private patios to the public so it might look like any patio in Spain!
LikeLike
I finally found me dream home, but, of course, its on the other side of the world.
LikeLike
I see you are in Turkey. Is that home now? Where exactly is the other side of the world from that?
LikeLike
I am from Sydney. Husband from Mersin, Turkey. He’s done his time in Sydney so now its my turn! I’m loving it!
LikeLike
Sounds fair!
LikeLike
Love it, love the colors, and the duplicity 🙂
LikeLike
I only saw the one pic when I replied….I like the one with all the flower pots!! Yes I have a green thumb and I am all thumbs!!! 🙂
LikeLike
I took the photo in Cordoba, Spain during the Festival of the Patios. The public is allowed access to dozens of private courtyards over a weekend. It was stunning. I chose the one pic that didn’t have a load of heads in it!
LikeLike
Hahaha! Couldn’t figure out your comment so Goggled the definition of duplicity in case it had a meaning I wasn’t aware of. Read your second comment and then your third. Now I understand! Colors! Duplicity! Thank you. 😉
LikeLike
I recognized three of your pictures and no I won’t be living there. Hmm maybe back home in the Philippines….oh no can’t do, too hot and humid!
Maybe somewhere…is home.
LikeLike
Outer Banks, Charleston, somewhere in NC, Rochechouart France, Outer Banks, Cordoba Spain, Sete France? I’m guessing Outer Banks and Charleston. Which is the third?
LikeLike
Correct on OBX and Charleston, the first photo seems to be taken in Northern CA somewhere in Central Valley but I could be wrong.
LikeLike
The cute colorful cottages are on OBX as well. Do you want to go back and have another look? I do!
LikeLike
Really? How did we miss it? Ha ha , who knows we just might after covering the map like yours but with NE covered 🙂
LikeLike
Post a picture when you get there. I know you will. They were too cute!
LikeLike
A quaint cottage in the south of France, or Italy, or Spain, or anywhere warm but definitely quaint.
Ruth from At Home on the Road
LikeLike
That sounds delightful. Do you fancy learning French, Spanish or Italian? Or maybe you already speak all three!
LikeLike
I have no home town, having lived in NY, then CA,then South Dakota, then Minnesota, then Nevada, then back to CA. However, my dream home is on a lake in a mild climate with an infinity pool, a garden, and neighbors with horses.
All I have to do is find it and be able to afford it!
LikeLike
sounds like you need to move to Texas…
LikeLike
It’s already on a very long list!
LikeLike
That sounds lovely. I’d like to live next door but I don’t have a horse!
LikeLike
I’ll take that 4 level ‘cottage’ by the sea. Hey, with 4 levels, why don’t we split it…..plenty of room for all? I found one of those here in Rockport – slightly out of budget 😉
LikeLike
The one you took a shine to is on the Outer Banks. I imagine it was well out of budget with both house funds combined! Perhaps four of us homeless people could get together and buy it! lol
LikeLike
Definitely a place where there are lots of things to discover, but also lots of places to hide. I was told by a friend who was homeless that a beach town is always the best!
LikeLike
That sounds a bit curious. Who are you hiding from?
LikeLike
Robbers lurking at night. She was a homeless teen.
LikeLike
Ah.
LikeLike
I am in the city I have wanted to live in for several years. I would like to travel again…back to Ireland, and around Italy. If money were no object, I would like a lovely cottage type house here, and a place in Ireland or Italy 🙂 I have big dreams!!! Ok so this is off specific topic, but I would also love to take a trip on the Orient Express.
LikeLike
Ireland, Italy, cottage – all sounds great! The Orient Express is exquisite. We did a short trip from the south coast of England to London. The food, the service, even the bathrooms were delightful. Good luck with your dreams.
LikeLike
How exciting you took the trip on The Orient Express. Once while in London I got to go on the train as it was sitting in the station with the dining cars all ready to take on passengers for the first part of their journey. What a beautiful train. I got some good photos. Some day 🙂
LikeLike
Our trip was far too short. I’ve love to travel from London to Venice on it. There’s something very romantic about sleeping on a train (as long as you are not sharing a compartment with a load of snoring, gas filled fellow passengers! 😉
LikeLike
Guess I hadn’t thought of other passengers being noisy during the night 🙂 Of course, I am now apartment living and can hear the people upstairs…mostly just when they walk. Only last night he had a couple friends over and I could hear them talking. Wasn’t “listening” so didn’t hear what they were saying, plus when the heat when on or while watching a show online it didn’t disturb me.
As for the Orient Express, I think I would just be thrilled to be on it 🙂
LikeLike
I’m sure the Orient Express private compartments would be more luxurious and quieter than a standard sleeper carriage – the kind where you have a little bunk to yourself with a curtain! 🙂
LikeLike
Probably true. Like you, I would love the London to Venice trip. I have been to Venice. It was only one day and night, but really interesting. I think I would have enjoyed it even more if I had been with the “right” person 🙂
LikeLike
I’ve never been to Venice. I’d love to do the trip on the Orient Express. Just checked the price and I won’t be going any time soon!
LikeLike
I often get frustrated when I don’t even have enough $s to make use of good sales for things I could really use, let alone go on a trip to anywhere beyond a 2 hour drive 🙂
LikeLike
We can dream.
LikeLike
Yes, and dreams can come true.
LikeLike
😀
LikeLike
well, you know where I wound up, LOL!
LikeLike
I certainly do! You found a great spot. Hope the lovely Florida winter aides your recovery. 🙂
LikeLike
Warm…somewhere warm 🙂
LikeLike
Top of the list!!!
LikeLike