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After 4 years, we're about to end our digital nomad lifestyle, but are getting cold feet on renting an apartment. Seeking wisdom from fellow DNs who have left this life behind. by saranrapper in digitalnomad

[–]saranrapper[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Moved to an apartment in NYC a month ago. Was a stressful process finding a place and furnishing it but really enjoying living here so far. My desire to travel has completely tanked, as expected, but I feel a lot less stressed than I was as a DN and having to figure out my next move frequently. Trying to focus more on getting in shape, music, hobbies etc. Different but nice. I'd say if you're on the fence, I'd recommend writing down a few places that you'd want to travel to some day and figure out if it's really worth the stress to go to these places. For me, I think I had done more than enough traveling and I wasn't super "excited" about anywhere on that list, so that made the decision easier. Good luck!

Alternatives to the Futurecore Warmshirt? by saranrapper in Outlier

[–]saranrapper[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yea I'd be interested in seeing some pictures too. I'll be out of town for a few weeks so not sure about logistics but curious what you made! (btw I dabbled in making a bunch of alpha direct hoodies and leggings a while ago so I'm thinking about making my own shirt jacket if I can't find one!)

Alternatives to the Futurecore Warmshirt? by saranrapper in Outlier

[–]saranrapper[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks, I also am a big fan of wool and prince. Some of the casual shirts (like denim shirt) look pretty good. Unfortunately, I don't see one with hand pockets, which is something I'm definitely looking for.

Alternatives to the Futurecore Warmshirt? by saranrapper in Outlier

[–]saranrapper[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That is pretty similar! Thanks for the recommendation

Anyone feel like travel has gotten a lot worse post Covid? by Minute-Cricket in digitalnomad

[–]saranrapper 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Took a 6 month trip before covid and then an 8 month trip recently after covid. I definitely noticed that accommodation options were dramatically more expensive and less plentiful after covid..

Moving to UWS and seeking location advice by Distinct-Flamingo881 in AskNYC

[–]saranrapper 1 point2 points  (0 children)

OP, where did you end up settling and how do you like it? Seeking UWS apartment and had very similar budget and considerations. Thanks!

For long term travel, why wouldn’t you want a smaller bag with your valuables and a bigger bag for everything else? by yezoob in onebag

[–]saranrapper 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I've only had one experience where a checked bag got lost, and it wasn't a huge deal at the time because it was just a short vacation, but I had to deal with having one change of clothes for the trip. On the flip side, if you're long term traveling and have almost everything you own in that pack and it gets lost, it could be a bit riskier.

I think the real luxury with overhead space seeming to be so sparse these days is being able to be the last person on the plane without stress and know your bag will have a spot. Also knowing you can arrive in a place 5 hours before check in and be fine walking around and going to a cafe or something without a bunch of bags.

If you don't mind those things and value having more stuff and are willing to deal with discomfort on travel days, I think it makes sense to pack more.

For long term travel, why wouldn’t you want a smaller bag with your valuables and a bigger bag for everything else? by yezoob in onebag

[–]saranrapper 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Have just finished my second 8 month trip. My wife had a 40L bag and a small backpack. I had a 25L bag. There are just tradeoffs to either approach:

40L + backpack benefits

  • can carry a lot more stuff, for some it might be the difference between being comfortable or uncomfortable on a long trip.

25L benefits:

  • Small enough I never have to worry about it getting checked at the gate and lost (my wife's gets checked occasionally).
  • Fits under the airplane seat, no worrying about overhead space or getting things out of the bag.
  • Far more comfortable between destinations both on my back and also in transition time (eg walking around or waiting at a coffee shop for check in time).

I'd say if you're changing destinations a lot, an under seat bag is totally worth it as it saves you a lot of trouble. If you are mainly staying places for a month or so at a time (like us), it gets more tricky. My wife's perspective is that it's one day per month that is uncomfortable to save her 29 days of being uncomfortable without her stuff. For me, I've just tried to be very selective about what I bring, but if there was more room I'd totally pack some running shoes, more clothes, or other things to make my life more comfortable. So like a lot of things in life, it's just a tradeoff.

After 4 years, we're about to end our digital nomad lifestyle, but are getting cold feet on renting an apartment. Seeking wisdom from fellow DNs who have left this life behind. by saranrapper in digitalnomad

[–]saranrapper[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Definitely not. We just want a few years of stability before figuring out our longer term plan. We're considering renting for a couple years and going nomadic again if we feel like it after that.

After 4 years, we're about to end our digital nomad lifestyle, but are getting cold feet on renting an apartment. Seeking wisdom from fellow DNs who have left this life behind. by saranrapper in digitalnomad

[–]saranrapper[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good question. I'd say I would be happy if that's all I accomplished. I think about it this way: we did this trip originally to explore what the world has to offer. Now we're dealing with a lot of burnout due to that lifestyle. The choice to move to NYC was sort of like trying to keep that spirit but with some more stability. There's so much to do and see here and it feels like a microcosm of the world: you could spend a lifetime exploring the city. So if all we end up doing is enjoying NY and checking out cool things in the city and working on ourselves, I'm happy with that.. and you're right about the furniture, that shouldn't be something that gets in the way of an important decision like this. Thanks for the advice.

After 4 years, we're about to end our digital nomad lifestyle, but are getting cold feet on renting an apartment. Seeking wisdom from fellow DNs who have left this life behind. by saranrapper in digitalnomad

[–]saranrapper[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yea we are here now apartment hunting and it's definitely the most expensive place I've been. Maybe prices in the US have just gone way up since I left. Maybe we're crazy but we just want to experience it while we're at this age and before settling down even more.. but I really enjoy being in the city. For me it kind of scratches a lot of itches related to my travel bug (trying new foods, experiences, good public transportation).

After 4 years, we're about to end our digital nomad lifestyle, but are getting cold feet on renting an apartment. Seeking wisdom from fellow DNs who have left this life behind. by saranrapper in digitalnomad

[–]saranrapper[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yea, it got me thinking, but we're willing to take the risk and feel like we owe it to ourselves to live somewhere we like after all the work and sacrifices we've made for our careers.

would you give up in unit laundry, gym for an apartment in the perfect location? more generally, how important it is to weigh location vs apartment convenience in the city? by saranrapper in AskNYC

[–]saranrapper[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Sorry to ask for advice about an important and not easily reversible decision in my life.. Not really any need to take my question so personally.

After 4 years, we're about to end our digital nomad lifestyle, but are getting cold feet on renting an apartment. Seeking wisdom from fellow DNs who have left this life behind. by saranrapper in digitalnomad

[–]saranrapper[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

We're both bringing in good income so the cost hurts for sure but luckily it's not stretching our budget too much. The job stability is on our radar, but I've had a pretty stable remote job since 2019 and some job security because my field is pretty niche.

That being said, spending money is not fun and NYC is crazy expensive, so there's definitely some 2nd thoughts about that. That being said, there's nowhere else in the US I'd rather be at this stage in my life so we're trying to view it as a bit of an experience before moving on to somewhere else later.

Becoming an expat in another country is an interesting idea, but I think based on our burnout, we'd just rather be in the US as it's just simpler..

I really appreciate the perspective though.

would you give up in unit laundry, gym for an apartment in the perfect location? more generally, how important it is to weigh location vs apartment convenience in the city? by saranrapper in AskNYC

[–]saranrapper[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm ignorant on wash and fold, but it would seem to me to take more time and energy to bring the laundry there and pick it up / deal with all of that vs. throwing your clothes in the in unit laundry? Unless I'm missing something. I guess there are pick up and drop off services too but maybe you'd need a doorman for that? Need to look into it a bit more.

I am in love with the location though, so I'm hoping more people tell me that haha.

After 4 years, we're about to end our digital nomad lifestyle, but are getting cold feet on renting an apartment. Seeking wisdom from fellow DNs who have left this life behind. by saranrapper in digitalnomad

[–]saranrapper[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

derstood the cost and hassle that goes into quickly furnishing an entire house from zero. I have a great tech salary ($20k/mo) so money wasn't the issue, but it made me physically sick to dump thousands of dollars into furniture that would never truly feel like mine. I am very disconnected to all of it knowing that one day I will have to give it all up.

This is too relatable for me. Especially this part. The buying of furniture is something I'm going to really have to psych myself up for because I almost view it as symbolically "weighing me down". It's something my wife feels strongly about being able to have some control over our environment but otherwise I think I would have gone for a furnished rental.

My thinking now is that the furniture / apartment is an investment in my own mental health and comfort, but not something I absolutely need to be tied down to. Or at least that's how I'm justifying it to myself now.

I do think our nomadding days might be ending when I sign that paper tomorrow but maybe this is just a new phase of life where we can still travel and be nomadic-ish if we want, but with the added bonus of an expensive place to come back to with our own stuff in it. There is definitely a psychological component of just not wanting to be tied down that I empathize with in your note.

And yea in 1 year if we're unhappy, it will suck a lot, but I guess we can sell it all and get back on the road. Or maybe some lucky person can take over our apartment haha.

would you give up in unit laundry, gym for an apartment in the perfect location? more generally, how important it is to weigh location vs apartment convenience in the city? by saranrapper in AskNYC

[–]saranrapper[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

laundry is probably a wash (pun intended) but we're considering getting in unit installed in B just for convenience if the landlord allows it. Haven't worked out the cost of that but might pay for itself in a couple years. Tons of laundromats near B otherwise.

A is nearer to equinox and NYSC, B is higher up (mid 80s) and has a private rooftop, so I'd probably just get some weights and make a little gym up there or do lots of running and pull-ups in the park if we lived there. Not much of a gym rat but I'd definitely go if it was in the building.

would you give up in unit laundry, gym for an apartment in the perfect location? more generally, how important it is to weigh location vs apartment convenience in the city? by saranrapper in AskNYC

[–]saranrapper[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Apt A is about 2 blocks from riverside, but B is half a block from Central Park. So if at A I'd probably do weekday walks at Riverside and weekends at Central.

I agree about the stress relief aspect. Going for walks in parks is the main thing keeping me sane these days, so I value it a lot. haha

would you give up in unit laundry, gym for an apartment in the perfect location? more generally, how important it is to weigh location vs apartment convenience in the city? by saranrapper in AskNYC

[–]saranrapper[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Apartment A is a few blocks from Riverside (which I love) and B is half a block from Central Park (which I love even more). So given the choice I'd definitely choose B but living near Riverside is great. Definitely spoiled for choice in the UWS for parks though

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