There are times when I think that a nomadic lifestyle would be great. I know a lot of people who enjoy nomadic or semi-nomadic lifestyles. Sometimes I think that, because I love travel, a nomadic lifestyle might be just the thing for me.
However, the more I think about it, the more I realize that, in a lot of ways, I might not be suited to a nomadic lifestyle — especially as a parent. Here are some of the downsides I see to being a nomad (at least at my current situation in life):
No Place to Call Home
One of the things I realized is that I like to have a “home base.” While I enjoy traveling, I also like the feeling of “coming home” to something familiar. A stable place that I can count on. Once you become a nomad, you might have to give that up. Sure, I could make my parents’ home my “base” but that doesn’t appeal to me either. Because it’s not really “mine.”
While I’m not a huge “things” person, I nevertheless have a few items that I am quite attached to, and that I like to have around me. However, I can’t haul these things around. Some of them are too valuable or too delicate to be traveling around the world. Others are too bulky. Having a “home” to keep them in is important to me right now, even though I am whittling down my possessions.
Education for My Son
I have a 10-year-old. If I’m traveling the world, what will my son do for his education? I know that there are nomadic families that don’t have this issue. They tutor their kids while they travel, and their kids get a “real world” education on culture, life, customs, and more just by being exposed to new experiences.
However, I’m not that patient of a person. There’s a reason I don’t homeschool, and it has to do with the fact that, even though I love my son, I don’t have the temperment for teaching. I’m a good swimmer, but he takes his lessons from someone else. I could teach him the piano, but past attempts have been disastrous.
My son would get nothing like regular instruction if I were in charge of his education in a foreign country. When you have kids, making sure they learn what they need to is a big disadvantage of being a nomad.
Other Downsides
There are other things to take into consideration when it comes to living a nomadic lifestyle. Some of these include:
- Loneliness and isolation
- Difficulty in learning your way around a new place
- Trouble communicating if you don’t know the language
- Hard to make money if you don’t have access to reliable Internet and other work requirements
- It can be expensive when it’s time to move on, especially if you plan to fly
I can see myself considering a nomadic lifestyle later on. Or, perhaps, I would be better suited to a semi-nomadic lifestyle or long-term vacation arrangements. I picture living in one place for two or three months before heading back “home,” or taking a month-long backpacking trip through a specific area.
What do you think? Is a nomadic lifestyle your thing?
Image: Nomads Hostels
We’ve been on the road the last week and I’ve found it all rather tedious. I’m looking forward to being in my own bed again, so I’m definitely not cut out to be a nomad.
I’m a horrible teacher as well because I have no patience. I think the nomadic lifestyle would be a lot easier without a child.
I think I’d adore a nomadic lifestyle… but as you mentioned, it’s a bit different when you have a child to consider. Trying to figure out how I’d manage financially and how to make sure my 9-year-old son’s requirements are met are always the stumbling blocks.
I’ve set the goal to dedicate my “after” kiddo years to trying out the nomadic lifestyle, even if temporary.