If you’re traveling long-term, you’ll want to get the most out of your experience. Many people make the error of thinking they should visit as many countries or cities as possible. They want to visit 10 countries in 10 days, or pack every minute with activity. This is a rookie mistake.
The people doing this spend most of their time shuffling between airports and hotels. They see very little on their trip, and the whole excursion becomes needlessly stressful.
Don’t make this mistake.
Establish a “Home Base” instead.
What does this mean?
Simple, pick one city or county and spend most of your time there. It’s a great way to explore your surroundings, get a better feel for the culture, and actually enjoy yourself.
In this article you’ll discover the keys to establishing the perfect home base for your adventures.
1. Rent A Serviced Apartment If You’re Staying More Than A Month
If you’re moving to Asia, get a serviced apartment. They’re awesome and provide way more value than a hotel or Airbnb.
What is a serviced apartment?
It’s like living in a big hotel room, minus the high cost.
These apartments come fully furnished, equipped with cutlery (including glasses and plates), and have complimentary housekeeping. Plus, many of them provide utilities (like power and Internet) “on the house.”
Factoring in all your freebies, these are often cheaper than renting a standard apartment.
You’ll find these accomplishments all over Asia, from Vietnam and Thailand to South Korea and China. They’re perfect for anyway who’s traveling long-term, or who wants the comforts of an apartment without all the hidden fees.
Agoda has tons of great serviced apartments. I recommend the Sunny Tropical for Vietnam, or the Solitaire Bangkok for Thailand. Both are great places, in centralized locations, with excellent amenities.
Be sure to check them out.
2. Make Sure Your Home Base Has A Gym Or Pool
A lot of people let themselves go while they travel.
They eat trash, stay up late, don’t exercise. And, as a result, many of them end up getting sick or suffering mood swings (many people get depressed if they stop exercising regularly).
Avoid this issue by renting a place with either a pool or gym.
Either one will get your body moving and keep you active. Plus, swimming pools are great social magnets. It’s super easy to invite girls over, and you’ll often bump into other cool travelers (case in point, someone threw a 4th of July cookout at my apartment last year and I ended up meeting some random guys from Roosh V Forum).
Of all the “luxury amenities,” this is the most practical.
Working out and staying social is going to do wonders for your health while you’re living abroad.
3. Put Yourself In A Walkable Location
This is incredibly important.
When it comes to travel, logistics are everything. Staying too far from the city center will really damper your experience.
Plus, cab fares add up. As does wasted time while commuting back and forth. This is a mistake I’m guilty of making in the past, and it’s something I want you to avoid.
This way you’re getting the most from your adventure.
My suggestion is to set yourself up in the best location possible. If you want to hit up bars, get a place within walking distance of all the popular clubs. Or if you want to go swimming, find a place that’s right on the beach.
A good, walkable venue keeps you right in the center of whatever activity you love doing.
Closing Thoughts
Most people try cramming too much into their vacations. They want to see every landmark and visit 100 different countries in the span of two weeks.
This is a rookie mistake.
Instead, you’re going to have a better time establishing a home base and then doing a couple trips from there.
Getting a serviced apartment, staying fit, and living in a walkable area will all improve your travels greatly. You’ll feel happier, do more, and (ironically) see more than the people rushing about with their overblown travel itineraries.
P.S. If you’re looking for a good website for finding serviced apartments or long-term rentals, check out Agoda. They’ve got thousands of properties to meet any taste.