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#21
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Frustrations about the backpacker scene
None wrote:
(Miguel Cruz) wrote: Hallvard Tangeraas wrote: I'm REALLY frustrated this morning. I'm moving on and need the sleep, but did I get any? Hardly. Snotnosed kids turning the place into a children's summercamp helped wake me up again and again, so I got 4 hours or something of sleep. Mature young adults? haha!!! Depends on the town, neighborhood, and hostel you're in. Usually there's somewhere with a slightly older/quieter crowd around. Look for vegetarian menus, prices a couple $$ more than the rest, and so on. curious as to the "and so on." Flowerpots, hand-painted signs, funky buildings... and so on. miguel -- Hundreds of travel photos from around the world: http://travel.u.nu/ |
#22
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Frustrations about the backpacker scene
maldoror wrote:
I also have same interest.. travelling and actually travelling ie exploring things for myself even if some packaged tour might it easier for me. I have not travelled a lot but I am hoping to go for it. You can think of me as a starter. Can you give me some advice about low cost travelling.. I am a student (under 25, not old ) and I dont have huge sums to spend on it. I am located in southern usa and for starting I will confine myself to us only.. although your expertise is in asia and australia (as you mentioned) but still you must be having general tips and advices. The US is one of the world's most difficult countries for low-cost travel. Infrastructure (hostels, public transport) is very poor and the number of budget travelers is very low, so there's not enough critical mass to support the development of more. I've found that it's cheaper to go to Southeast Asia than to stay home. What you spend on the plane ticket you'll make up in food and accommodation costs in a matter of days or weeks. So don't let your budget keep you here. If you can scrape up $600 for a ticket, count on spending about $5/night for a place to stay plus $5/day for food. Compare that to $15/night for rent in the USA (assuming $450/month) and $10/day, and you break even pretty quickly. If your normal rent or food expenses are higher, you break even faster. miguel -- Hundreds of travel photos from around the world: http://travel.u.nu/ |
#23
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Frustrations about the backpacker scene
I've found that it's cheaper to go to Southeast Asia than to stay home. What you spend on the plane ticket you'll make up in food and accommodation costs in a matter of days or weeks. So don't let your budget keep you here. If you can scrape up $600 for a ticket, count on spending about $5/night for a place to stay plus $5/day for food. Compare that to $15/night for rent in the USA (assuming $450/month) and $10/day, and you break even pretty quickly. If your normal rent or food expenses are higher, you break even faster. Assuming you're not paying home rent while you're away - ie are traveling after you break without penalty, get out of, terminate, or reach the end of your lease. If most of your costs are fixed (rent, car payment, insurance....) your point still stands but make sure to differentiate between fixed and variable costs..... |
#24
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Frustrations about the backpacker scene
Miguel Cruz wrote:
The US is one of the world's most difficult countries for low-cost travel. Infrastructure (hostels, public transport) is very poor and the number of budget travelers is very low, so there's not enough critical mass to support the development of more. That said, there are some places you can go, if you are willing to do some hostelling. There is a youth hostel, for example, in Philadelphia right near Independence Hall. There is a youth hostel in Taos, New Mexico (although the geography out there almost requires a car; you can get in and out of Taos with bikes if you are willing to do some long bike trips, but getting to the major southwest sites is really tough or impossible with public transport) There is a youth hostel in San Francisco. So it's possible to a limited extent. Julie I've found that it's cheaper to go to Southeast Asia than to stay home. What you spend on the plane ticket you'll make up in food and accommodation costs in a matter of days or weeks. So don't let your budget keep you here. If you can scrape up $600 for a ticket, count on spending about $5/night for a place to stay plus $5/day for food. Compare that to $15/night for rent in the USA (assuming $450/month) and $10/day, and you break even pretty quickly. If your normal rent or food expenses are higher, you break even faster. miguel -- Hundreds of travel photos from around the world: http://travel.u.nu/ -- Julie ********** Check out my Travel Pages (non-commercial) at http://www.dragonsholm.org/travel.htm |
#25
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Frustrations about the backpacker scene
Raffi Balmanoukian a wrote:
I've found that it's cheaper to go to Southeast Asia than to stay home. What you spend on the plane ticket you'll make up in food and accommodation costs in a matter of days or weeks. So don't let your budget keep you here. If you can scrape up $600 for a ticket, count on spending about $5/night for a place to stay plus $5/day for food. Compare that to $15/night for rent in the USA (assuming $450/month) and $10/day, and you break even pretty quickly. If your normal rent or food expenses are higher, you break even faster. Assuming you're not paying home rent while you're away - ie are traveling after you break without penalty, get out of, terminate, or reach the end of your lease. I usually sublet, or if I'm taking a long trip (multi-month), move out and put stuff in storage. If most of your costs are fixed (rent, car payment, insurance....) your point still stands but make sure to differentiate between fixed and variable costs..... Yup, in that case it can be harder to break even. I don't have a car, so that's one thing not to worry about (and a few thousand extra a year to spend on traveling). miguel -- Hundreds of travel photos from around the world: http://travel.u.nu/ |
#26
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Frustrations about the backpacker scene
Miguel,where do you live for $450/mo.!?A one bed here is 1000/mo.
However,I've been to S/E asia,in fact I spent 3 months there.Although it is pretty cheap, for me it was intolerably hot {Bangkok} and a miserable experience overall.The filth,abject poverty,corruption,unchecked pollution,ubiquitous crime,intolerable all-night loud-speakers ,deadly snakes,spiders and rampant disease ,made me quite glad on my return to the U.S. to be paying $1000/mo once again. |
#27
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Frustrations about the backpacker scene
Brian Orion wrote:
Miguel,where do you live for $450/mo.!?A one bed here is 1000/mo. I was figuring a student sharing an apartment. The more rent you pay the better off you are elsewhere, though. However,I've been to S/E asia,in fact I spent 3 months there.Although it is pretty cheap, for me it was intolerably hot {Bangkok} and a miserable experience overall.The filth,abject poverty,corruption,unchecked pollution,ubiquitous crime,intolerable all-night loud-speakers ,deadly snakes,spiders and rampant disease ,made me quite glad on my return to the U.S. to be paying $1000/mo once again. Really? I love the heat, the crime is miniscule compared to any city in the USA, corruption doesn't affect you if you're not running a business, and disease is as easy to avoid as anywhere. How you managed to find deadly snakes and spiders in Bangkok (except maybe at the zoo) is well beyond me. I'll give you the pollution. Pretty disgusting. Anyway, if you're not a city person, find a quiet beach island. Cheap too, and you can opt out of all those things you complained about (other than the delicious heat). miguel -- Hundreds of travel photos from around the world: http://travel.u.nu/ |
#28
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Frustrations about the backpacker scene
I've met plenty of backpackers over 25. I myself was over that age when
I was in Australia... right now it is summer there and school's out! Backpacking is all about living it rough and exploring... if you are adventurous, try camping, etc.. Yes, I think they still have dorms there. At least in Malaysia they did, but with prices so low for a single room, there's just no need to share. But here in Australia it's a different matter -single rooms are too expensive. At least for one person. If I'd be travelling with a friend or spouse I'd get a double room which would be fine costwise, but just me -no chance if I want my money to last! I'm REALLY frustrated this morning. I'm moving on and need the sleep, but did I get any? Hardly. Snotnosed kids turning the place into a children's summercamp helped wake me up again and again, so I got 4 hours or something of sleep. Mature young adults? haha!!! And is there such a thing as a backpacker over age 25? I haven't come across any so far. Just had to get that out of the system..... Now I'm off to yet another place here on the east coast of Australia. Hopefully with a hostel housing some more considerate and mature people. One can always hope.... Hallvard |
#29
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Frustrations about the backpacker scene
On 2004-02-12 09:25:32 -0500, Juliana L Holm said:
Miguel Cruz wrote: The US is one of the world's most difficult countries for low-cost travel. Infrastructure (hostels, public transport) is very poor and the number of budget travelers is very low, so there's not enough critical mass to support the development of more. That said, there are some places you can go, if you are willing to do some hostelling. There is a youth hostel, for example, in Philadelphia right near Independence Hall. There is a youth hostel in Taos, New Mexico (although the geography out there almost requires a car; you can get in and out of Taos with bikes if you are willing to do some long bike trips, but getting to the major southwest sites is really tough or impossible with public transport) There is a youth hostel in San Francisco. So it's possible to a limited extent. The word is" limited". I've stayed in the hostel in SF. I've been in hostels all over Australia, UK and Europe and the one in SF is pretty bad. The infrastructure isn't there. I've heard of ones in LA and NYC, but considering my experience in staying at a YMCA in NYC I don't hold high hopes... |
#30
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Frustrations about the backpacker scene
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