I have lived and worked in Japan for a year, and come May 2012 when I get my teaching certificate my partner and I are heading overseas for 3 to 5 years. I’m planning teaching one year contracts in a few countries that are good hubs from which to travel to others during my long summers. International schools are hiring like crazy. I know far too many teachers here in the U.S. who have been unemployed for a year +, yet when I suggest this to them they say it’s too hard, too far, too too too…

I say, if you can make more than here, travel, get free health insurance and housing, and earn good money where you can usually sock away substantial amounts of cash- U.A.E./Saudi Arabia/China you can save 50-70% of your tax free salary- why not do it?

This couple appears to be living and traveling in several countries after retiring early.

Funny how the video game market takes advantage of this simple idea, and overprices new releases of Video Games in November to the targetted North Eastern USA and UK during winter months. They Postpone new releases to Australia til May.

Having a boat or boats among the “owners” of a private timeshare also mitigates costs and “conflicts” of bookings.

Took me awhile to remember the term “bump”

How will you make your life meaningful?

What about working politically? for a non-profit? volunteering for something? Less easy if you come and go all the time…

There is no income tax in Texas (and other states) no matter how high your income, but Texas does have pretty high property taxes. Actually, I know a subdivision with no property taxes because they get all their money from sales taxes; of course their property is quite expensive.

By forming a corporation one can live wherever they may please under the umbrella of international business

If you have a high income, go for a state with no income tax and the lowest sales tax.

1st thing – the taxes for US citizens can be sidestepped so to speak by choosing a foreign “home base” that you “live” in for more than 6 months. This is to take advantage of their cross taxes. Only *problem* is you need to obtan citizenship, which takes 5 years.

2nd thing – Several people have mentioned living in states with no income tax. That’s definitely true too. States still count you as a resident along with our fed system, and then the foreign system. One country I looked at had 15% across the board taxes, so, you would only be taxed 15% total, living in a state with 0% income tax.
3rd thing – With 1 and 2 settled, you can then fly to the US and “work” for 3 months maximizing income on a non-movable job, or many such options. With 15% taxes (capital gains, income, etc) it doesn’t matter. You could own a business and have it generate money and take your piece, etc etc.

4th thing – While living in foreign country home base, you would have access to other bases – you’re time at those bases would only be limited to the difference of 6 months + 1 day (to keep taxes @ 15%). So, you could move around Europe, or Asia, or Australia or Africa, etc. Also, having a *home base* in the US offers all the other advantages stated earlier, PLUS access to 2 neighboring countries and an entire continent (south america) that can technically be driven to (and where other bases could be located).

5th thing – You can mitigate the “oh ill be there this time, oh ill be swapping” by creating a booking system and also making sure each base has a “guest” house or shack or room always available.

There are so many variables that don’t matter, and a select few that do.

But of course the big issue is traveling, both as an environmental concern and cost. But I suppose the whole thing is mitigated if you find exactly the right locus of points like Jacob mentioned in his comment. Though even then I feel like that’s not an experience that’d be valuable. If you’ve ever visited the Four Corners in the US, it’s novel to hop between states for a few seconds, but really, one side of the imaginary line is as much the same as another. I think to really get a change of pace in environment and culture, large distances do need to be involved. Otherwise you might as well move your home 10 inches to the left and call it a new location.

Of course I think that the ‘explore your backyard’ idea needs to be repeated. I mean if your just going to live inside your house by yourself, why bother with the change of scenery. If you go to each location for the unique things they offer, if you’re sitting in front of your TV/computer it’s meaningless.

On the issue of taxes in the U.S., someone in California might do well to have a base in a state with no income tax. There are also states that are more favorable in terms of personal liability (depending on what your assets are). For example, in florida you pay no state income tax, and the proceeds of annuities are exempt from creditors, as is your residence.

Also, some people change their citizenship, and “visit” the us for less than the max. number of days (I think 6 months).

Transportation costs could be minimized by picking locations with advantageous transportation options (interstates, trains, ferry boats, competitive non-stop flights, etc…)

My job (CPA) could be ideal for that though – be here from Jan-Apr then move on. Most offseason work requires less face time so I could probably go location independent with some tweaking.

On the other hand, I have often thought it would be fun to move to a new city every year or two and take a million day trips from each one. I did this somewhat as a young adult going to college in Boston, grad school in Austin, and then living in Atlanta for a while.

Now I live in my favorite place, the best combination I could find of: university town, warm climate, open-mindedness, and small-city living with the added bonus of casual dress. Actually, I might like to leave every summer and live someplace else–my town gets crazy hot in the summer.