[personlurking]

I'm glad there are plenty of people here giving their positive views of making their own path. I left the US on and off for several years before I made it stick and realized I'd likely not be returning to the States (other than a quick visit here or there), no matter where I decide to live/move around. So far, so good.

I've lived tons of different situations, with extremely poor people, some who were rich, and others, middle class. I've lived in the countryside, the big city, the burbs, on the beach, in the mountains, and in the middle of nowhere. I've paid high prices, low prices and no price to live where I have. Once, I went through all of this within the same big city. Sure, during these years living abroad I've mostly done the '$500 thing' (and mostly, not by choice) but it's amazing what kind of experiences you can have on a shoestring and at this point I wouldn't trade it.