The Costs Of The Nomad Life

"No really, where do you live?"

This question is very common, and there is a general presumption that it has a simple, clear answer. It's fascinating how much difficulty people have with the possibility that this isn't clear cut. An answer of "I am homeless" or "I don't have anywhere that I live" is often followed with "Yes, but where is your home?" or "Yes, but where do you spend most of your time?" (neither of which has an answer in my case though I used to answer "my cat")

No shipping address

Purchasing things online can be very difficult as you have to find a place you can receive shipments and you have to make sure you receive them in time. As I write this I am on a trip that I extended in Europe and I need new shoes that I can only get in the states. I currently have a pair sitting in Madrid that Spanish customs is refusing to release to me for unknown reasons.

No address in general

Most of (civilized?) society has an address, so there is an assumption of this address built into many of our systems. For example, it's very difficult to get many government services without an address. Most states in the US require an address to receive a driver's license and they require that this address is not a P.O. Box. (Fortunately it's currently difficult for them to actually determine whether an address is a box or not). Even getting low-income services such as health care, for example, surprisingly often requires a mailing address. Furthermore, try explaining to a police officer that you don't have a "home address" and watch how your treatment instantly changes (I've experienced this many times, thanks to living in a bus).

"Just Come Into The Office"

There is an assumption of availability with most businesses and services. Whether it's your insurance or mobile phone company that won't update your account unless you come into the office, or places that need you to mail things or call 800 numbers that can't easily be reached internationally or credit card companies that will block your "surprise" international charges no matter how often you inform them of your travels, you can often find yourself in intractable situations with some companies. Also consider "leave your number and we'll call you back". I've often had to switch companies simply because of this problem.

"Where Are The Things?"

Unless you get rid of all your possessions except those that you bring on your travels, you will have 'things' in storage in various locations, and managing your access to these things can create interesting pragmatic puzzles.

No 'local knowledge'

This is one of the things that is also exciting about travel, but it has a cost. Not knowing where to simply buy food or even where to find the staples you need for regular life, or even what the general hours are for business (are businesses closed on Sundays? Is there a daytime siesta? etc..) has a cost associated with it. That cost is also the excitement of learning something new.

Know Your Rights!

Or more likely you don't. With foreign travel you are living under a set of laws that are likely foreign. With good luck you won't find yourself needing to worry about this, but the longer you travel the chances are that eventually you will. Whether it's something as simple as trying to deal with local police to report a theft or actually finding yourself surprised to be in violation of local laws, it's a learning experience that most people don't go through until it's too late.

Relationships and Connection

Also a positive and negative, and probably the most significant issue. Maintaining and enjoying your close relationships is difficult when you are regularly gone, though the positive side is having such a diverse set of relationships strewn throughout the world.

Expanding Your Mind

Actually, that's not a problem. That's awesome.