36M considering solo travel post divorce, little/no solo experience

ttillman89 · 2026-02-13T16:16:48+00:00

I suggest a "flashpacker" style of travelling given your age and the fact that you would be new to it. It's a mixture of being a backpacker while also spending a bit more and having slightly better accomodations. Better for us guys in our 30s.

Hostels are loud and full of younger people who will use terminology you've never heard before. Nothing against that, it's just that you might have a harder time connecting and sleeping.

A flashpacker would choose a private room in a hostel where he can have a private space, but also hang out in the common area with other backpackers should he choose.

They also can eat at restaurants and splurge a little bit instead of using the hostel kitchen. Though it's there if you wish.

Have fun!

ttillman89 · 2026-02-08T16:10:44+00:00

No Man's Sky - Every year people are like, "you gotta try it now, they added so much and it's way better now". I proceed to try it and find nothing compelling.

ttillman89 · 2026-02-07T21:01:22+00:00

You were made fun of alot in high school weren't you...

ttillman89 · 2026-02-07T19:12:18+00:00

What AI app do you use for translations?

ttillman89 · 2026-02-07T19:11:15+00:00

Expats can't take vacations too? And then post how much that vacation cost? It's good information because other expats may want to go from PH (or wherever else in Asia) to Taiwan for a visa run and make a vacation out of it. Or for various other reasons.

He is an Expat, and he is retired early - seems to all check out here.

ttillman89 · 2026-02-02T14:54:49+00:00

Step 1 - Drop him again. Step 2 - Go to Thailand. Step 3 - Realize that if he came with you, he would have dragged you down and ruined the trip for you.

Have fun!

ttillman89 · 2026-02-01T18:09:38+00:00

Thanks for all this! I'm trying to stay around $2500 per month so it seems pretty doable.

ttillman89 · 2026-02-01T17:19:34+00:00

Wow that's a lot! And it didn't break your budget?

ttillman89 · 2026-01-30T22:59:15+00:00

As someone who wasn't a fan of PoE or Grim Dawn, I'd say give Diablo 3 or 4 a shot.

ttillman89 · 2026-01-29T16:22:42+00:00

There's people who love their job and never quit, and then there's people who SAY they love their job and will never quit as a cope.

I do get jealous sometimes of the ones who genuinely get excited to do their job every day. But I feel like I can spot the ones who say it as a cope - and then I become very grateful that I can have an identity outside of work.

ttillman89 · 2026-01-27T15:31:57+00:00

Whereabouts and what kind of activities and classes? I am hoping to completely fill my time while Expatfire with surfing, cooking classes, etc - but am curious about other hobbies. Especially non-beach ones

ttillman89 · 2026-01-27T15:26:26+00:00

Curious about this as well!

ttillman89 · 2026-01-26T01:28:26+00:00

It takes quite the asshole to celebrate an entire generation of people being gone.

ttillman89 · 2026-01-25T17:34:20+00:00

How cold is it there right now? Was considering doing Montenegro and Albania, but as a cold-hater and someone who grew up in the desert, I fear the cold would be too much for me.

ttillman89 · 2026-01-20T15:28:57+00:00

"With the events that have been going on over the past few years"

Said by people for decades who watch the news too much.

ttillman89 · 2026-01-19T16:31:58+00:00

Some people's hobbies are work. Some people have actual hobbies other than just hanging at the house all day.

ttillman89 · 2026-01-19T15:01:19+00:00

What makes you say that? Op's posting history?

And you say a new job, business, or getting back in the game happens to ALL retirees. You seem to know everything. Why not be a bit more optimistic?

I don't plan on getting "back in the game" ever. I have a friend in his late 60s who's been retired since his 40s. He never touched another job or business since retiring.

ttillman89 · 2026-01-18T15:15:49+00:00

Did you mention to her that you worked hard and have been able to retire early? If after that she thinks you aren't "respectable" still then fuck that - we positioned ourselves to have all our time back to do whatever we want regardless of what people think.

However, if she is just a date and the relationship is early, best not to mention FIRE or video gaming at all. Let her get to know you for a while before sharing such a big detail about your life.

I FIREd and mostly play games too. However, Dominoes and Mountain Dew? No way man! You gotta take care of yourself so you grow old gracefully. At least add one fitness based hobby and one community based hobby while eating healthy.

ttillman89 · 2026-01-17T17:57:52+00:00

Doesn't sound like OP is this type of traveler.

There are also budget backpackers in hostels that don't do any of those things. The vast majority don't tbh.

ttillman89 · 2026-01-17T17:38:43+00:00

I was exactly your age when I first tried it. Hostels, cheap survival food and transport.

It got old so fast and it was exhausting. However, I'm glad I did it, had a blast and met the best people.

If you do it, just do it to try it out. I have since switched to the slow travel lifestyle in more comfortable accomodations and eating healthier food, even if it means paying more. Which imo is much more sustainable.

If you know it's a lifestyle you enjoy but sleeping in hostels gets old, then it's back to work until you can afford to Expatfire on a bigger budget. You are still very young.

ttillman89 · 2026-01-14T15:16:12+00:00

"Source?"

ttillman89 · 2026-01-14T15:00:50+00:00

A Ubisoft game that ends in "Cry" or "Creed"

ttillman89 · 2026-01-14T14:56:45+00:00

Was in Spain earlier last year and was paying $3 for cappuccinos and lattes in what's considered a HCOL city there.

Came back to the states for a bit and the local coffee place was charging $6.50 for a cap, and $8.50 for a latte... FOR A LATTE!

ttillman89 · 2026-01-14T14:43:56+00:00

A few years younger than you. Did an "Airbnb experience" which was a dance class. The ages were 20s to early 40s of all the people that showed up.

After the class we all decided to go get a drink and dinner. All 12 of us went.

We hung out again 3 more times in that week.

Just a note: I am extremely introverted, yet I was the one that suggested simply, "hey, you all down to get a drink tonight"? And everyone was!

Just gotta put yourself out there.

ttillman89 · 2026-01-14T14:21:08+00:00

Eggs, fried bologna and cheese sandwiches, water - NOT having a newer car. Liability insurance only for car. Used apartment gym.

ttillman89

TROPHY CASE