As a disabled person I can't escape my disability but often think it would be nice to live in a city where paratransit runs 24/7 and there is a metro or bus when there isn't a working car. It's infrastructure and the systems we live in that keep people poor. I watch YouTube videos and dream of going to distant places until I realize those places are full of stairs and wheelchairs need different wheels to function on nice beaches. It'd be nice to get back to Tokyo though. Unless the next major earthquake and tsunami arrive sooner than expected. Despite poverty and transit problems, we kinda have some climate and weather privilege right here relatively for now. Just the right amount of water in Kentucky!
I definitely noticed that, at least in Italy, much of it does not seem to be handicap accessible. I'm guessing they don't have a version of the ADA. London, I think, probably does.
There’s a phrase that I got to experience first hand. “Great place, wouldn’t want to live there.” Sometimes we romanticize a place so much that when reality of every day life sets in, it’s a crushing blow.
A friend of mine just ditched the States for an abandoned castle-like structure with a mature but overgrown olive grove overlooking the Duomo. It doesn’t even sound real.
It doesn’t have plumbing or electricity but she will absolutely whip that shit into shape within a year. She didn’t want to raise her daughter here and she helpfully has more money than god. I can’t wait to visit!
We had every intention of buying a second home somewhere sunny and warm. We ended up with a log cabin in the woods an hour from our house. Pros: it's gorgeous, it's close, we have a great neighbor, some of our stress does go away in the new environment, it's peaceful. Cons: maintaining another household even one hour away is stressful in various ways. We can bring our dogs, but not the cats. It's hard to find time to go there, we get busy, even as close as it is (we aren't retired). The weather is still crap. So, after living the partial dream, I am pretty cured of wanting to live in two places that aren't close to one another, especially if it takes a plane ride to get there. Vacations are great (and MUCH cheaper)!
We have also imagined living Southern Italy and have looked at houses in that area but, it too is a dream. We are now too old (80’s) to make that jump.
However, in 1996 we did make a move to Grand Cayman because of a job offer there. There are of course drawbacks! Because of my job, we couldn’t leave the island from Thanksgiving till Easter and missed those holidays with our family. Our only family visits were with our 2 youngest daughters (2nd marriage). Katie’s daughter twice and mine 3 times because they were not married and no children and could afford the flights. After 4 years we decided to return to the US but it was the experience of a lifetime!! Do consider the family that will be far away and may not be able to visit and the expense of return trips to visit them.
Yes, don't we all sometimes dream of a beautiful escape to foreign shores. We say "if only" and then we go on with our day. We are very concerned if Trump ( dare I even say his name) gets back the White House (God forbid)...I so enjoy your musings.
As a disabled person I can't escape my disability but often think it would be nice to live in a city where paratransit runs 24/7 and there is a metro or bus when there isn't a working car. It's infrastructure and the systems we live in that keep people poor. I watch YouTube videos and dream of going to distant places until I realize those places are full of stairs and wheelchairs need different wheels to function on nice beaches. It'd be nice to get back to Tokyo though. Unless the next major earthquake and tsunami arrive sooner than expected. Despite poverty and transit problems, we kinda have some climate and weather privilege right here relatively for now. Just the right amount of water in Kentucky!
I definitely noticed that, at least in Italy, much of it does not seem to be handicap accessible. I'm guessing they don't have a version of the ADA. London, I think, probably does.
I'll bet that place is drafty which will become a major concern for you in the coming years.
Italy has a far right government now… but pretty cities/villages and delicious food 👍 🍝 🍷
There’s a phrase that I got to experience first hand. “Great place, wouldn’t want to live there.” Sometimes we romanticize a place so much that when reality of every day life sets in, it’s a crushing blow.
A friend of mine just ditched the States for an abandoned castle-like structure with a mature but overgrown olive grove overlooking the Duomo. It doesn’t even sound real.
It doesn’t have plumbing or electricity but she will absolutely whip that shit into shape within a year. She didn’t want to raise her daughter here and she helpfully has more money than god. I can’t wait to visit!
“Why can’t I even have a fantasy that doesn’t involve guilt?”
Sometimes I long for the days of being young, dumb and selfish, when my own happiness was the only thing that mattered.
“Life is a foggy journey with a bad map”. Brilliant. 👍🏼
“Instead, I suspect we trundle our joy with us from place to place, just as we do with our burdens.”
The eloquence of statement moved me (no pun intended). It’s both poignant and heartening.
We had every intention of buying a second home somewhere sunny and warm. We ended up with a log cabin in the woods an hour from our house. Pros: it's gorgeous, it's close, we have a great neighbor, some of our stress does go away in the new environment, it's peaceful. Cons: maintaining another household even one hour away is stressful in various ways. We can bring our dogs, but not the cats. It's hard to find time to go there, we get busy, even as close as it is (we aren't retired). The weather is still crap. So, after living the partial dream, I am pretty cured of wanting to live in two places that aren't close to one another, especially if it takes a plane ride to get there. Vacations are great (and MUCH cheaper)!
Excellent advice
We have also imagined living Southern Italy and have looked at houses in that area but, it too is a dream. We are now too old (80’s) to make that jump.
However, in 1996 we did make a move to Grand Cayman because of a job offer there. There are of course drawbacks! Because of my job, we couldn’t leave the island from Thanksgiving till Easter and missed those holidays with our family. Our only family visits were with our 2 youngest daughters (2nd marriage). Katie’s daughter twice and mine 3 times because they were not married and no children and could afford the flights. After 4 years we decided to return to the US but it was the experience of a lifetime!! Do consider the family that will be far away and may not be able to visit and the expense of return trips to visit them.
Would we do it again, IN A HEARTBEAT
Yes, don't we all sometimes dream of a beautiful escape to foreign shores. We say "if only" and then we go on with our day. We are very concerned if Trump ( dare I even say his name) gets back the White House (God forbid)...I so enjoy your musings.
I would post the link to the house I have my eye on at Lake Como, but I’m trying to keep it a secret until we can buy it ourselves. 🤞🏼 🤩
Everything involves guilt in some form or fashion
“Ugh. Why can’t I even have a fantasy that doesn’t involve guilt?”
I feel seen.
We have done exactly this, buying an apartment in Montpellier and splitting our time between France and Austin. This is a summary of the steps: https://escapehatchfrance.substack.com/p/1-year-ago-we-found-an-apartment.
We live in Austin and dream of splitting time in Italy!
Looks incredible. How fun!
Careful Michael!
“You can change your setting, but you can’t change who you are”
That statement can get you in hot water in some places! 🙃
I would suggest it can be interpreted a couple different ways.