There are some difficult things about living abroad. In fact, recently I have been in a sort of anti-fabulous funk. It might even be referred to as feeling…ordinary. Gross. The kryptonite of fabulous. I work, I cook dinner, I desperately try to make time to exercise….boring, Boring, BORING.
Deep in the wallows of self-pity and trying to consider things that may make me feel more fabulous, my mind wondered to living abroad. The question of the day:
Is living abroad really all that fabulous?
Travelling is fabulous. Exciting flights, new people, duty-free shopping important cultural experiences, etc. But in order for actually living abroad to be fabulous you need to live in a fabulous place. Obviously. So, what makes a city/town/place of habitation fabulous? Glad you asked!
Is where you live fabulous? A Checklist
1. Do you know at least 5 people who are jealous that you live there?
And if not, can you make them jealous when you talk about your life? Maybe not everyone knows how great Oklahoma City is. Probably they don’t. Okay, definitely–they don’t. But if you are passionate about it, people will want to come visit.
2. Is there proximity to OTHER places for travel?
Look at the map. You should have at least 5 places you want/like to visit within a 3-hour range of your front door (airplane travel is fine). Seriously, this is important. Sitting at home all weekend is NOT fabulous.
3. Is there something fun to do?
Yes, travel is important. But sitting on your ass in the car all the time because everything is 3 hours is not fabulous. Also, it gives you a fat ass–DOUBLE not-fabulous. In addition to some good travel destinations close by, there should be something enjoyable to do with 20 minutes of your front door. Maybe you like IMAX movies. Hey-no judgement! Where is the nearest theater? Dungeons and dragons in the park? Again–judgement-free zone! Where is the park? Figure it out.
4. Is it easy for you to get things you want/like/need?
This is a particular consideration of living abroad. Sometimes there is a huge learning curve associated with the grocery stores, way of shopping, availability of English language books, etc. You don’t need to want/like/need the SAME things everywhere you live, but you do need to have access to commercial, capitalistic things you enjoy.
5. Do you have good friends?
This can be done anywhere but might take some work. You NEED a social circle close by. If you don’t know many people where you live, get busy looking for meet-up groups, church socials, knitting clubs, whatever. Meet people!
Thanks to Dan Freeman for the banner photo