The concept sounds great, right? And it is. We’ve loved it. But like everything, there’s sacrifices and decisions that have to be made to adopt this lifestyle.

The first thing to ponder is what truly makes you happy. Nesting Abroad is an experience-based lifestyle, versus a material-based lifestyle. No judgement here. Some people are happiest in their homes, and get joy out of being around what they have collected over the years. We were there for a while in our life, with the comfy house and all the stuff to fill it. If that’s where you are comfortable and happiest, then you are probably at the wrong website.

But it didn’t really work for us. Maybe it’s because a military lifestyle caused us to move many times over the years, but we’ve found that experiences are what make us happy.  Actually, research has shown that although buying things makes people happy for a while, over the long term, collecting experiences rather than things tends to increase long-term happiness. You’re creating memories, which shape your individual identity. Shared experiences also strengthen relationships. Common memories create bonds far greater than common possessions. Our marriage has become stronger and we really enjoy each other’s company even more after adopting this lifestyle.

It’s scary, though, to make big changes in your life. It really is. We both quit our jobs and put our big house up for sale, but these were really hard decisions and we asked ourselves over and over if we were doing the right thing. It’s hard to move out of your comfort zone, but really, that’s the only way to realize your dreams. There are big unknowns, and it’s a bold move that others will both criticize and envy. But you’ve only got one chance at life, so we believe you might as well live as close to your dreams as you can.

So what questions should you ask yourself in considering this lifestyle? Here are some we thought were important.

1. How adaptable are you? Will figuring out foreign language labels on the foodstuffs in grocery stores freak you or challenge you? Will you both get a good laugh when you find out you just inadvertently bought tripe? And would you try to cook it?
2. Are you in the right stage of your life for this? If you have children, are they independent enough for you to leave them for three month periods of time? Do you have elderly parents you’re responsible for?
3. How is your health? While there are insurance policies and provisions that can be made for emergencies, having a serious chronic health issue could make this lifestyle difficult.
4. How do you feel about leaving your base home for long time periods?  Would social media and Skype be enough contact with home during that time for you? Will your family and friends be okay with long separations? Would they be excited about coming to visit you during your nesting?

5. 

   Do you truly enjoy spending time together if you are a couple? Nesting Abroad throws you into challenging situations at times, and you are with each other a lot more than if you just stay at home. You need to genuinely like being with one another and want to share experiences with each other.

6. Can you afford this? What are you willing to give up materially to do this? (we examine this question in more detail under “How we do This“)
7. Do you have pets you’ll have to leave? Believe it or not, this is the biggest reason we hear for not wanting to Nest Abroad. We have a dog, but it’s evolved into a shared ownership for us – he lives with a friend while we are gone, and comes back to us when we come back home. This gives us both an element of freedom, but we all really enjoy our time with him, too. If this arrangement isn’t possible for you, think about your priorities: will you regret passing up on this lifestyle in ten years because of a pet? The answer will be different for different people and both are legitimate.
8. Finally, what are the reasons that are making YOU hesitate? List them, and really examine them. Are there solutions? Do you want to work through these roadblocks or are they legitimate reasons not to do it ?

Really, the biggest question is this: How much are you willing to give up for adventure? Quite honestly, we look at each other and ask if we really want to leave Virginia each time we start to pack. But once we arrive at our destination, we’re so glad we took the plunge. So if it’s experience and adventure you’re after, welcome to our world.