Point me to some harbors from the storm
November 23, 2013 8:55 PM Subscribe
November 2013 has been brutal. It has featured the sudden collapse of my prosperous business of 17 years, and simultaneously of my romantic relationship of 3 years, and now it looks like I'll be losing my home. What I'm left with is an income of only about $1100 per month, a battered heart, 100,000 frequent flyer miles, and a passport. Where can I go to get my head together?
It feels like I'm falling and I don't know how far down it will be by the time I hit the bottom. I am desperately in need of a moratorium. Is there some place you know of on this planet where one can just show up, and have a simple, low key place to live, and something wholesome to eat, at a low cost, and be able to stay long enough to figure out one's life? I'm not so much interested in becoming a wanderer, but rather finding a place -- somewhere simple and straightforward where this tiny income can suffice and I can take time to breathe and begin to rebuild my life.
I'm a 40 year old male. I speak English, Spanish, and French. I'm not super communal-minded but not against that either; I wouldn't mind doing my share of work, as long as there's no "indoctrination". Or maybe you know about some peaceful, inexpensive town by the sea in Thailand or Ecuador or somewhere?
Some kind of internet access would be a plus, as I figure I'll want to educate myself about my options coming out the other side of this. Many thanks for any pointers and I'm sorry if the question seems unclear, I'm a bit of a mess right now.
It feels like I'm falling and I don't know how far down it will be by the time I hit the bottom. I am desperately in need of a moratorium. Is there some place you know of on this planet where one can just show up, and have a simple, low key place to live, and something wholesome to eat, at a low cost, and be able to stay long enough to figure out one's life? I'm not so much interested in becoming a wanderer, but rather finding a place -- somewhere simple and straightforward where this tiny income can suffice and I can take time to breathe and begin to rebuild my life.
I'm a 40 year old male. I speak English, Spanish, and French. I'm not super communal-minded but not against that either; I wouldn't mind doing my share of work, as long as there's no "indoctrination". Or maybe you know about some peaceful, inexpensive town by the sea in Thailand or Ecuador or somewhere?
Some kind of internet access would be a plus, as I figure I'll want to educate myself about my options coming out the other side of this. Many thanks for any pointers and I'm sorry if the question seems unclear, I'm a bit of a mess right now.
If you are religious, there are certain Christian (especially Catholic) and Buddhist monasteries that offer simple accommodation and meals, often cheaply. This site may help.
posted by minervous at 9:38 PM on November 23, 2013 [5 favorites]
posted by minervous at 9:38 PM on November 23, 2013 [5 favorites]
I'm also going to say look into Thailand. For $1100 US it's not hard to live like royalty there.
posted by miles1972 at 9:40 PM on November 23, 2013
posted by miles1972 at 9:40 PM on November 23, 2013
Look at the developing world. Thailand or Vietnam would be a good choice, as they have very expat-oriented subcultures and, as a result, you can find places where English is useful. $1100 a month would give you 23 million vietnamese đong per month. A beer is 7000 đong. A bowl of phơ is about 20000.
posted by sonic meat machine at 9:42 PM on November 23, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by sonic meat machine at 9:42 PM on November 23, 2013 [1 favorite]
Could you maybe stay with a friend or family member for a month or two, just to get over the worst of it, with a support network close by? I know the temptation to run off and reinvent everything is strong at a time like this but you should also consider yourself to be, well, pretty badly hurt, emotionally. I'd worry that you should give yourself a chance to 'scab over' a little bit, and then you may have a clearer idea of where you want to go and what you want to do.
posted by The otter lady at 10:12 PM on November 23, 2013 [10 favorites]
posted by The otter lady at 10:12 PM on November 23, 2013 [10 favorites]
Do a little research on Baja California. Last time I drove down to San Felipe it was full of American expats living in RVs; there seemed to be a friendly community of them, living cheaply and enjoying the beach. It would be nowhere as cheap as Vietnam, but your profile says you are in Portland, so you can literally get in your car and drive south for two or three days and you'll be there and you can see if it's for you.
posted by fingersandtoes at 10:19 PM on November 23, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by fingersandtoes at 10:19 PM on November 23, 2013 [3 favorites]
Search > world's most affordable places to retire
posted by artdrectr at 10:53 PM on November 23, 2013
posted by artdrectr at 10:53 PM on November 23, 2013
Seconding minervous on the idea of a monastery retreat. Not so far from Portland is the Great Vow Monastery. You can schedule a private retreat.
Running away from everything must be very tempting, but if you choose to stay closer to home for awhile, there are also options. Peace to you.
posted by ainsley at 11:14 PM on November 23, 2013 [1 favorite]
Running away from everything must be very tempting, but if you choose to stay closer to home for awhile, there are also options. Peace to you.
posted by ainsley at 11:14 PM on November 23, 2013 [1 favorite]
I have a friend who has been doing that right now in Antigua, Guatemala. It has helped her greatly.
posted by rednikki at 11:34 PM on November 23, 2013
posted by rednikki at 11:34 PM on November 23, 2013
Might look into WOOF'ing.
There is indoctinization, but a relatively innocuous variety: "In return for volunteer help, WWOOF hosts offer food, accommodation and opportunities to learn about organic lifestyles."
posted by at at 11:56 PM on November 23, 2013 [1 favorite]
There is indoctinization, but a relatively innocuous variety: "In return for volunteer help, WWOOF hosts offer food, accommodation and opportunities to learn about organic lifestyles."
posted by at at 11:56 PM on November 23, 2013 [1 favorite]
Antigua is stunningly gorgeous. No shortage of peaceful things to do.
posted by Mr. Yuck at 1:43 AM on November 24, 2013
posted by Mr. Yuck at 1:43 AM on November 24, 2013
A recent similar posting included a recommendation for Portugal. For a Spanish speaker, Portuguese would be easy to pick up.
posted by yclipse at 4:10 AM on November 24, 2013
posted by yclipse at 4:10 AM on November 24, 2013
Best answer: If I am ever in your position, I think I will go to Lago Atitlan in Guatemala. It is the most beautiful place I've ever been and has a spiritual ... quality that is hard to put your finger on but very calming. Also, it's only a few hours from the Guatemala City airport, but you have to take water taxis to get to the villages around the lake (and you'd want to stay in one of the villages) so it ends up feeling very remote.
If you're looking for alone time, you could probably rent a small house or room or something in San Marcos, which is lovely and wooded and peaceful. If you're looking for more of a community feel, La Iguana Perdida is pretty amazing - a communal-style hostel (with private rooms in addition to dorms) right on a dock overlooking the lake. You can even work there a few hours a day (mostly checking guests in) in exchange for room and board. It attracts some really interesting guests from around the world and would be a great place to get away.
posted by lunasol at 2:14 PM on November 24, 2013 [1 favorite]
If you're looking for alone time, you could probably rent a small house or room or something in San Marcos, which is lovely and wooded and peaceful. If you're looking for more of a community feel, La Iguana Perdida is pretty amazing - a communal-style hostel (with private rooms in addition to dorms) right on a dock overlooking the lake. You can even work there a few hours a day (mostly checking guests in) in exchange for room and board. It attracts some really interesting guests from around the world and would be a great place to get away.
posted by lunasol at 2:14 PM on November 24, 2013 [1 favorite]
Air BNB/VRBO/find to rent an apartment in a small southern Spanish town, ideally one with a Mercado in it. $10 EU/day if fancy, or less if OK with left overs will cover your fresh seafood, fruits and vegetables, and fancy 3eu Spanish wine. Beach is free. Read books. Enjoy sun. Spanish economy and off peak season could make this a prolonged adventure.
posted by olya at 9:49 PM on November 24, 2013
posted by olya at 9:49 PM on November 24, 2013
Response by poster: Thank you everyone for taking the time to read my question and for your answers. Some good stuff to research. Lunasol's answer in particular is just what I needed -- I feel better already just knowing about that place, that it's out there, that it's an option. And thank you to everyone for all the kind words, as well.
posted by dacoit at 10:45 PM on November 24, 2013
posted by dacoit at 10:45 PM on November 24, 2013
Best answer: You could be living the (my) dream.
It's easy enough to bum around somewhere like Koh Phangan in Thailand. Say on the opposite side of the island to the (do not go) full moon party, and all around the yoga school ( say http://www.agamayoga.com/ but there are others - that one is like, 200 a month for two yoga classes a day?) there is cheap accommodation, and vegetarian/whole/raw food options at the cafe's nearby.
You're talking like, $5 a night for a super-basic bungalow (basic, but still with free wifi), and a couple dollars for meals. Amazing snorkling, and dive courses if you want (which you can fit into your budget if it is your splurge for the month). Less than $10 for an amazing hour long thai massage. Scooter rentals for a few dollars a day to zoom around. All sorts of weird stuff like an archery place on the island.
There's a meditation center on the mainland if you want to do that for 10 days
http://www.suanmokkh-idh.org/
Just... chill out.
posted by Elysum at 4:22 AM on November 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
It's easy enough to bum around somewhere like Koh Phangan in Thailand. Say on the opposite side of the island to the (do not go) full moon party, and all around the yoga school ( say http://www.agamayoga.com/ but there are others - that one is like, 200 a month for two yoga classes a day?) there is cheap accommodation, and vegetarian/whole/raw food options at the cafe's nearby.
You're talking like, $5 a night for a super-basic bungalow (basic, but still with free wifi), and a couple dollars for meals. Amazing snorkling, and dive courses if you want (which you can fit into your budget if it is your splurge for the month). Less than $10 for an amazing hour long thai massage. Scooter rentals for a few dollars a day to zoom around. All sorts of weird stuff like an archery place on the island.
There's a meditation center on the mainland if you want to do that for 10 days
http://www.suanmokkh-idh.org/
Just... chill out.
posted by Elysum at 4:22 AM on November 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
Lunasol's answer in particular is just what I needed -- I feel better already just knowing about that place, that it's out there, that it's an option.
That's how I feel about it too. :) But Thailand is amazing as well.
posted by lunasol at 6:44 PM on November 26, 2013
That's how I feel about it too. :) But Thailand is amazing as well.
posted by lunasol at 6:44 PM on November 26, 2013
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by St. Alia of the Bunnies at 9:35 PM on November 23, 2013