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I have a dream of being semi retired after our house sale goes through and put all our things in storage and get a round the world ticket and stay for one month in six different cities around the world. I would want to stay in a timeshare, condo or short term apartment and live like a local in each city and then visit attractions and bum around by day.
What, in your opinion would the best cities be for something like this? How much would you budget for a month long stay in each city?
(My fixed cost in Northern VA for mortgage, utilities and basic food is about $4000. (Which I would not be paying if I were homeless for a short while with no mortgage) If I assumed $350 to put everything I own in storage, could I do the lodging and food in each town in a two bedroom condo or apartment for $5000 a month at a nice but not fancy spot? (I am using frequent flyer miles for the round the world airline ticket.)
I think you'd have a hard time making ends meet in many place on that budget, but it's not impossible. Of course any third world country or developing nation would fit the budget, but might not be where you'd want to hang your hat for an entire month.
My choices would be Rome, London, Paris, San Francisco, New York, Boston, Dubrovnick, Prague, or Frankfurt based on both things to immediately in that city as well as potential day trips via public transportation to neighboring areas. Unfortunately I'm not sure that any of those areas would lend themselves to a $3500 monthly budget.
I think it's doable if by living like a "local" you mean eating in most of the time and when you do eat out you eat at modest places. I would go the short term apartment route and choose neighborhoods that have easy access to the historic districts. I'd also arrange my itineray if possible on the destination's low season to save on rent.
I think you'd have a hard time making ends meet in many place on that budget, but it's not impossible. Of course any third world country or developing nation would fit the budget, but might not be where you'd want to hang your hat for an entire month.
My choices would be Rome, London, Paris, San Francisco, New York, Boston, Dubrovnick, Prague, or Frankfurt based on both things to immediately in that city as well as potential day trips via public transportation to neighboring areas. Unfortunately I'm not sure that any of those areas would lend themselves to a $3500 monthly budget.
Third world countries are usually more expensive if one wants to live or spend time there as an expat unless one lives like a local while there (and then it would be cheaper than most Western countries).
As for cities in Western countries, your budget will probably be okay for attractions and food but might not cover your lodgings in those places.
If you want to be more budget concious and also want to live locally but with high standards on your budget you might consider destinations in low-cost destinations in Asia, South America and Eastern-Europe. I'm thinking of places like Quito Ecuador, Chiang Mia Thailand, Budapest Hungary, India, etc...
You might want to consider Sydney Australia. Wherever you decide be sure to google that city and check all the sites that interest you and then plan accordingly to get the maximum exposure.
You might want to consider Sydney Australia. Wherever you decide be sure to google that city and check all the sites that interest you and then plan accordingly to get the maximum exposure.
Great city but Sydney is one of the world's most expensive places to live. If there's any hope of sticking to at least a moderate budget Sydney would not be the place to go.
Florence might be an option. There are affordable self-catering flats available for short term lease (often you'd need transportation, buy a used bicycle) and day trips to Rome, Venice, Livorno, Milan, etc. by train are doable.
Another option might be Scotland in Edinbugh or Glasgow. Depending on the location of the flat you might need a bike to get around, but it's lovely and there are affordable furnished flats for let.
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