Can you help me find a cheap, happy place to escape to for August?
July 12, 2015 3:08 PM Subscribe
I currently live in Brooklyn, but I'm headed to Vancouver for grad school in the fall. I have a few part-time freelance writing gigs that I can take with me, so I thought I could leave my higher-paying job in NYC, satisfy my wanderlust, and get out of the city for August. I could go anywhere, with relatively cheap flights/rent and wifi-access. But where should I go?
I've been thinking of traveling somewhere in Latin America, like Mexico, Guatemala or Colombia...but since I am trying to escape the heat (at least a little), those places don't necessarily seem like the best idea.
I'm also considering going to some smaller towns in America? I'd like a place where I could do yoga and climbing, preferably as cheaply as possible. Preferably with some good coffee shops. I don't have a car and I actually can't ride a bike (I know! I never learned!!) so it'd be great if it has decent public transport/is walkable.
I have no furniture and I travel light, so also some place where it's easy to find a minimally furnished sublet or other place to stay. I'd like to be someplace where it costs $2000 or less for a month (including everything), but I'm willing to spend more on a flight for instance to go some place really wonderful. For reference, I've already traveled around South America and Northern parts of Asia and Nepal, so I'd like to go someplace new.
Then again: is the smartest thing just to stay where I am, make more and save more and prep for grad school? (Luckily, it's a Canadian program so the tuition is super reasonable, and I don't think I'll be going into heavy debt.)
Please give me ideas!
I've been thinking of traveling somewhere in Latin America, like Mexico, Guatemala or Colombia...but since I am trying to escape the heat (at least a little), those places don't necessarily seem like the best idea.
I'm also considering going to some smaller towns in America? I'd like a place where I could do yoga and climbing, preferably as cheaply as possible. Preferably with some good coffee shops. I don't have a car and I actually can't ride a bike (I know! I never learned!!) so it'd be great if it has decent public transport/is walkable.
I have no furniture and I travel light, so also some place where it's easy to find a minimally furnished sublet or other place to stay. I'd like to be someplace where it costs $2000 or less for a month (including everything), but I'm willing to spend more on a flight for instance to go some place really wonderful. For reference, I've already traveled around South America and Northern parts of Asia and Nepal, so I'd like to go someplace new.
Then again: is the smartest thing just to stay where I am, make more and save more and prep for grad school? (Luckily, it's a Canadian program so the tuition is super reasonable, and I don't think I'll be going into heavy debt.)
Please give me ideas!
you could probably find a little cabin by a state park somewhere for around $2000 for a month. It probably won't have internet...
posted by bbqturtle at 3:25 PM on July 12, 2015
posted by bbqturtle at 3:25 PM on July 12, 2015
Best answer: Why don't you go to British Columbia a month early and stay in Squamish. Squamish is an hour north of Vancouver with world class climbing and plenty of yoga. You could take side trips to other places, such as Banff or Jasper.
posted by crazycanuck at 3:33 PM on July 12, 2015 [6 favorites]
posted by crazycanuck at 3:33 PM on July 12, 2015 [6 favorites]
1) Would Croatia be too far? I lived in Split, Croatia for a month and it was fantastic. Might still be a bit toasty in August, but it has great access to the Croatian islands (just take a ferry), good countryside escapes (just rent a car), and is generally chill and relatively inexpensive. Here's the Wikivoyage page for Split.
3) Dublin, Ireland? A bit rainy, so not sure how happy it is, but another option if you want something a bit on the cooler side. Alternatively, Berlin?
4) Some quiet island in Greece? A bit far away, but potentially a good option for quiet and happy.
posted by markbao at 3:39 PM on July 12, 2015
I'd like a place where I could do yoga and climbing, preferably as cheaply as possible. Preferably with some good coffee shops.2) Boulder, Colorado? Also pretty toasty this time of year, but it's got all of that and it's super chill. Also Portland, but you'll be living near Portland in Vancouver.
3) Dublin, Ireland? A bit rainy, so not sure how happy it is, but another option if you want something a bit on the cooler side. Alternatively, Berlin?
4) Some quiet island in Greece? A bit far away, but potentially a good option for quiet and happy.
Then again: is the smartest thing just to stay where I am, make more and save more and prep for grad school? (Luckily, it's a Canadian program so the tuition is super reasonable, and I don't think I'll be going into heavy debt.)Sounds like you have some wanderlust. I think you absolutely won't regret recognizing it and taking action on it. The extra $x thousand won't make a big difference, I'd reckon!
posted by markbao at 3:39 PM on July 12, 2015
Cartagena, Colombia. Cheap JetBlue flights straight from JFK. Absolutely corgeous old town; lot to see in and around the city; easy to go up and down the coast by busses and/ or taxis; super friendly people; cheap.
posted by zeikka at 3:55 PM on July 12, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by zeikka at 3:55 PM on July 12, 2015 [1 favorite]
(Public) University towns! They will have all of the things you are looking for and many will have students who are subletting.
posted by CMcG at 3:59 PM on July 12, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by CMcG at 3:59 PM on July 12, 2015 [1 favorite]
Have you ever been to Portland, Oregon? Very nice this time of year, good coffee, plenty of yoga and climbing, and walkable/public transit-friendly if you're in the central area. Also cheap.
I also just recommended Berkeley (my home) to someone else for another question...North Berkeley is lovely. Today it's 72 and sunny, and that's on the warm side, so I don't think you'd feel too hot. There are a few donation yoga places. Rock climbing in the U.S. was born on a rock in a Berkeley neighborhood, if I'm not mistaken, with views of the entire bay. So you can climb outside (free) or at a great gym called Ironworks. Plenty of great things to explore around here, and it's also a quiet place to relax. If you do happen to choose Berkeley, let me know, and maybe I can steer you to the best sublet.
posted by three_red_balloons at 5:34 PM on July 12, 2015
I also just recommended Berkeley (my home) to someone else for another question...North Berkeley is lovely. Today it's 72 and sunny, and that's on the warm side, so I don't think you'd feel too hot. There are a few donation yoga places. Rock climbing in the U.S. was born on a rock in a Berkeley neighborhood, if I'm not mistaken, with views of the entire bay. So you can climb outside (free) or at a great gym called Ironworks. Plenty of great things to explore around here, and it's also a quiet place to relax. If you do happen to choose Berkeley, let me know, and maybe I can steer you to the best sublet.
posted by three_red_balloons at 5:34 PM on July 12, 2015
I live in Cartagena. It's a great place to visit for a week or three, but it's hot and humid as hell, and I would not describe it as easy to find a furnished place here on a $2000 a month budget. There isn't really a month's worth of stuff to do here, anyway, unless you go and do something like marry a local...
But I'd still recommend Colombia. Flights are cheap, and the dollar is strong. There are no seasons here. If you want a different climate, all you have to do is pick a higher elevation. The weather in Bogotá is very Vancouvery. They call MedellĂn the "city of eternal spring" and they aren't messing around. Both cities are dramatically less expensive than Cartagena.
posted by zjacreman at 6:49 PM on July 12, 2015
But I'd still recommend Colombia. Flights are cheap, and the dollar is strong. There are no seasons here. If you want a different climate, all you have to do is pick a higher elevation. The weather in Bogotá is very Vancouvery. They call MedellĂn the "city of eternal spring" and they aren't messing around. Both cities are dramatically less expensive than Cartagena.
posted by zjacreman at 6:49 PM on July 12, 2015
Best answer: Honestly, go to Vancouver a month early! August and September are GLORIOUS in Vancouver. Make a point of going over to Vancouver Island for a few days, or one of the other islands on the Sunshine Coast. Go up to Whistler for a few days, and stop in Squamish for a few days on the way there or the way back. All of these places are accessible via buses and ferries. There's amazing hiking on the North Shore mountains. Get your place sorted out with furniture and decor, check out some bars, get to know the transit system, maybe take some trips with MEC or other outdoor groups. Grad school is stressful and having a few extra days to get to know the area, your local routine and see that city before the rain descends will be time well spent.
If you can't get into your apartment a month early, just get a sublet or housesitting gig if you can. There are usually university listservs and Facebook groups where such things will be advertised.
posted by barnone at 6:51 PM on July 12, 2015 [2 favorites]
If you can't get into your apartment a month early, just get a sublet or housesitting gig if you can. There are usually university listservs and Facebook groups where such things will be advertised.
posted by barnone at 6:51 PM on July 12, 2015 [2 favorites]
I spent two months in Germany doing the hostel thing. It's really easy to travel in Germany, almost everyone you meet will speak pretty good English, and Germans are extremely kind to travelers. If I were in your position I'd be back there in a heartbeat.
posted by deathpanels at 8:17 PM on July 12, 2015
posted by deathpanels at 8:17 PM on July 12, 2015
Best answer: I saw cheap, coffee, and climbing.
What I would do is this: I would go to Portland, then Seattle, and then land in Vancouver early. Portland is a quirky, weird, hipster walkable city with great natural surroundings with great coffee and breweries. Then pop up to Seattle, which is a little like Portland, but bigger, nicer and more "normal" city with more nature to explore. And then get to Vancouver early and give yourself time to explore there -- it's a beautiful city with even more nature. All of these cities are walkable if you stay close to the city center, and they have great public transportation. It's a little warmer than usual (yay global warming) but not bad at all.
What's cool is all told, the drive from Portland to Vancouver is 5 hours by car, and Seattle is right in between. You could rent a car, take a bus, or take a train (with wifi!). Doing a little Pacific Northwest road trip would be super easy.
posted by AppleTurnover at 11:02 PM on July 12, 2015 [1 favorite]
What I would do is this: I would go to Portland, then Seattle, and then land in Vancouver early. Portland is a quirky, weird, hipster walkable city with great natural surroundings with great coffee and breweries. Then pop up to Seattle, which is a little like Portland, but bigger, nicer and more "normal" city with more nature to explore. And then get to Vancouver early and give yourself time to explore there -- it's a beautiful city with even more nature. All of these cities are walkable if you stay close to the city center, and they have great public transportation. It's a little warmer than usual (yay global warming) but not bad at all.
What's cool is all told, the drive from Portland to Vancouver is 5 hours by car, and Seattle is right in between. You could rent a car, take a bus, or take a train (with wifi!). Doing a little Pacific Northwest road trip would be super easy.
posted by AppleTurnover at 11:02 PM on July 12, 2015 [1 favorite]
Oh, and if you want recommendations for areas to stay in, places to eat/drink, things to see, outdoorsy activities, etc. in Portland and Seattle, you should definitely make a thread for it and I'm sure AskMeFi will hook you up. (I do think the Travel Portland website was helpful when I was playing my own trip.)
posted by AppleTurnover at 11:10 PM on July 12, 2015
posted by AppleTurnover at 11:10 PM on July 12, 2015
Response by poster: Thank you for all your wonderful ideas! I think the best thing for me may be to do a trip up the West Coast (my family's in California so that'd be the easy place to start), visit friends, and explore British Columbia a bit before I settle down. Sounds like there's a lot to see (and I should probably see it before the big earthquake destroys everything...)
posted by lightgray at 4:14 PM on July 13, 2015
posted by lightgray at 4:14 PM on July 13, 2015
This thread is closed to new comments.
buenos aires is a bit more cosmopolitan. better coffee shops. not as stable, but not crazy unstable. cheaper than here if you have dollars, i would guess.
posted by andrewcooke at 3:21 PM on July 12, 2015