Leaving Nomad Life

May 20, 2026

About four years ago, I sold my house and most of my possessions to live a nomadic life. I was a burned-out teacher, and I knew it wasn’t doing anyone any good for me to stay in the classroom. I took the leap and have no regrets.

From the moment I let go and made the change, I knew nomad life would be a temporary thing. I have always loved traveling. Seeing new places, walking through historic sites, and experiencing new cultures have, and I imagine will always, excite me.

I fell in love with the Greek Islands during my nomad days!

But there are pros and cons in every situation. After about three years, I became weary of some of the “less-fun” parts of nomad life. Recently, I have been fortunate to find a new, and still somewhat alternative, lifestyle.

I have never liked living alone. Most of my travels were solo, and when I was back in the US, I spent most days house sitting and pet sitting. I know people love their pets, but for me, canine and feline company are not the same as having people around. I’m a social being, and I need human company. (Don’t get me wrong—I did enjoy most of my house sits. It became quite lonely though, and I felt like my life was on hold.)

Little Squalicum Pier in Bellingham, Washington, one of my new favorite places

Last month, I moved into a housing situation in a desirable location that truly suits me. I live in a large, five-bedroom house with two other women, one of whom is the homeowner. For me, this is ideal. I have other people to talk to, but I have my own space, too. I can cook as much as I want in the spacious kitchen, have guests over, and enjoy the beautiful four-acre property. And it’s a short drive downtown, to the waterfront, and to various hiking and walking trails.

Whatcom Falls

After living nomadically, I now have a greater appreciation for some things that might be taken for granted by many. For example, do you truly appreciate your library card? I mean, really, so many books to borrow at no cost! Having my clothes in a closet, instead of a suitcase and storage unit, feels absolutely luxurious. (I really missed having a bathrobe, too! Not something you would cram into a suitcase.) I was delighted to take out a few pieces of beloved art that I hadn’t seen in four years. Buying little things like a wall calendar and a houseplant also brought me joy.

The best part of having a consistent home base is the people in my life. I spent quite a bit of time in Bellingham over the years, visiting and house sitting, so I got to know a few people. I also have family members here. My Seattle-area friends and family aren’t too far away, either. Even though I am relatively young, I have joined the local senior activity center where I take classes, enjoy educational presentations, and attend social functions. I’m making new friends and have connected with a group of people to play weekly trivia, too.

Peace Arch Park. The US-Canadian border is only 20 miles from my place.

Now I am looking at travel differently. I have the freedom to go where I want when I want, just not for three or four months at a time. (Well, I could leave for longer periods but have no plans to do so this year.) It’s more fun to plan upcoming adventures, and the pressure to continually figure out where I will sleep is gone.

My perspective on house sitting has changed, too. I’m now using the house-sitting app to find specific destinations with cool properties. This afternoon, I’m off to Orcas Island (one of the San Juan Islands) for a week at a beautiful home with waterfront access and a sauna. A week alone with a cute pup feels like a fun getaway now.

I think it’s funny that some people feel like there is a “right” way to live a nomadic life or to “FIRE.” Ever since I made the decision to retire early, I have enjoyed meeting people who love to travel and see the World. There are many ways to make it happen, but there are also compromises that go along with your decisions. The comforting thing for me was realizing that there are no guarantees and change is inevitable. There is always another way.

And this change feels pretty darn good.