Homeless Travel
Posted by ovid-in-exile@reddit | Shoestring | View on Reddit | 35 comments
Hello, I am a 48M. In May of this year, my divorce was finalized after 13 years. For full context, I should explain that, when we met, I had been living on SSI disability for most of my adult life due to an anxiety disorder, ADHD, and a possible autism diagnosis that is yet to be determined. I warned her that marriage could jeopardize that income, but for her, not getting married was unacceptable so I gave in. Thirteen years later here I am, eight years after I actually did lose it all.
Currently I'm homeless, and still a year away from attaining my bachelors online, so I receive periodic disbursements from that. I also receive $650 a month in spousal support, and should continue receiving it for the next four years. None of which, of course, is enough to rent an apartment and support myself.
Putting aside the fact that I cannot wait around the multiple years it would require to reapply and win it, there is an obvious housing shortage especially in low-income apartments. I doubt very much there is any career awaiting me with my degree (philosophy) and no real work history. With all that said:
How long might I survive backpacking in Europe? I will probably visit Eastern Europe at some point, and am aware of the price difference there, but Western Europe is where most what I would like to see resides.
darkmatterhunter@reddit
How are going you to afford a passport? Flights? Not to mention the limits on staying, which is 90 days in a 180 rolling window. Even just getting to/from the airport costs money. In all honesty, unless you’ve left something out, I don’t see how you can even get there.
ovid-in-exile@reddit (OP)
I have some money saved from loan disbursements. I already have my passport, thankfully. I could always leave temporarily when the 90 day window approached then go back.
LittlePicture21@reddit
You have to leave for 90 days before you can come back
Emotional_Type_2881@reddit
I don't get it with these people.
They're obviously well spoken enough to slap together a decent Reddit post.
It's coherent.. even well spoken.
They have the capacity to reflect upon themselves and their own situation.
But you ask them if they can even just do something basic like hold a minimum wage job or tie their own shoes, "Oh no, I have Tied Shoes Avoidance condition. I can't do that."
????
At some point you must realize you're just victimizing yourself
16Sparkler@reddit
Do you have any savings? How did you intend to get to Europe?
Its not that I don't think you could live in a tent and avoid being deported for 4 years while you explore, hell the US will probably fly you home for free, but I wouldn't want to do it. Being the bottom strata of society in any country is no fun.
Consider trying to get a night job doing sweet fa in a hotel near an airport in the US. Multiple languages is the only qualification you need and they sometimes provide accommodation.
Jordangander@reddit
Can you play a video game for an hour at a time?
More importantly, can you play a stand-up video game in an arcade for an hour?
If so, you may easily qualify for a job paying more than enough to afford a nice apartment.
Major-Cauliflower-76@reddit
I would suggest instead moving to Mexico. You can live well on 650 US in a second tier town. You could likely find a job teaching English online, or in person to supplement that income.
ovid-in-exile@reddit (OP)
That was a thought, the problem is I suspect I have Pathological Demand Avoidance. I find it incredibly difficult to do anything I don’t want to and I have no real interest or motivation in visiting Mexico, at least not now. I guess what I was trying to say above is that, in the long run I will probably run out of money and starve. I’m not really looking forward to the future.
RevolutionaryDisk450@reddit
Bruv what’s the point then, I mean looking in the long term sometimes is also bad but basic survival instincts? If you’re not even looking into the mid long term what’s the point in going to Europe at all. Just stay where you’re at and do your thing if you have no goals nor aspirations nor plans.
iChasedragons@reddit
As someone with neurodivergence, as well as many years working in the field, I’d like to encourage you by telling you that you have much more control over your life than you think. I hear a lot of excuses for your decisions, and for the consequences, and reasons why you cannot change some of these things. I would challenge you to raise the bar on what you believe yourself to be capable of.
the_fullsend@reddit
Im a canadian who lives in Mexico and this isn't exactly true. You could find a school that you could work for, but its difficult. You need temporary residence just to ooen a bank account, other than Intercam. I have a canadian bank account that has a presence in mexico, so i can withdraw and deposit $, but its the only brand here. Im not sure about other countries.
But youd still need a number to get paid and open the account to make deposit, unless you work online with a company from your home country. Also with online learning the days of "online english teaching" are kinda over. Tutoring is stick going, but the market is saturated. Best option is in person tutoring for cash.
I live here in a very non-tourist area and rents are still $6,000-$9,000 peso for a place (about $450-660). You might be able to find somewhere cheaper, but its going to be either very dangerous or have very little amenities. Beach places are $10,000-$14,000/month.
Mexico isn't south east Asia. People come here all the time thinking it's gonna be like Thailand or Vietnam, but the reality is that its actually kinda expensive and getting strict on entry/exit requirements and working. Its a top 15 economy now.
Major-Cauliflower-76@reddit
A few corrections. First, even tourists can open a bank account with Banco Azteca. Second, he doesn´t really need a Mexican bank account, if his income comes from outside of Mexico. Not sure where you live, but in Mexico City it is very easy to work for a school without papers. Or, he could work online from wherever he is. Again, not sure where you live, but I live in Zacatecas and rent is much lower than what you mentioned. Personally, I pay 4500 for an apartment in the Centro Historico, with all utilities and internet included. I have a balcony with an amazing view. It´s quite easy to find an apartment for 2500 and a house for 3500. I lived in Durango for a few years and also paid between 3000 and 3500 for rent, 3500 in the Centro Historico and 3000 in a very nice, safe area a little further out. If you are looking to live like you lived in the US or Canada, yeah, maybe Mexico seems expensive to you. But as a Mexican, who shops at the Mercado and not Walmart, knows how to get around on buses instead of Uber, etc., I know it doesn´t have to be like you outlined. If the person is willing to backpack, they are not looking to live a high income lifestyle. Personally, I earn around 35,000 a month, save 5000 or more and month and travel all the time. I mean like once a month. I could easily live on 15,000 a month.
Nohlrabi@reddit
Yes. And a bachelors degree is a plus. Especially philosophy.
Artimusjones88@reddit
If you have years to go before you get your degree, and you think it will be useless, why? It can't be too late to switch to another program with more prospects. Or look for programs that train you for a trade.
ovid-in-exile@reddit (OP)
My neurodivergence makes any employment, but especially that pays well enough to live, unlikely I think. I began pursuing the degree while I was still married and felt that I could find some low paying job online. Not enough to live on my own, but still enough to contribute.
WalletFullOfSausage@reddit
You saying this makes me think you don’t actually want to improve any of your situation, because it’s so wholly untrue that only a person drowning in their own delusion would believe it.
Alternative_Salt_788@reddit
As a neurodivergent person, you "should" likely have hyperfixations. Are there any skills you have? Many trades are FULL of ND persons. If you are like all the ND people I know, including myself, there are things you do daily that you do as an obsession, perfectly. First thing that comes to mind is "stacking dimes" aka, welding. Welding pays SO WELL! Can you travel well with it? Absolutely. And usually a job, especially if you go for the underwater aspect of it, youre set, not only for housing and money, but the ability to travel to amazing places. Metal work (aka- Tool and Die maker), again a trade school talent certificate/certification. Pays HUGE with the right companies, travel may not be as big as of an option, but income and stability is the bigger benefit. I still say welding is key. Pipelines are EVERYWHERE and in places most dont want to go are the ones that pay the best. Yeah, there's some "bro" shit and "good old boy" shit involved in those career paths, which us ND folks hate, but we don't have to socially involve ourselves, and thankfully most work cultures have evolved enough that if there IS an issue, HR is actually on your side.
EkaL25@reddit
Wait.. you went back to school at age 48 to get a bachelors degree in philosophy? 😫
The_boundless84@reddit
Why the degree in philosophy? I’m one to talk as I have one in English literature, but philosophy is even a worse option than that. Obviously there’s other reasons to learn than to get a job, but I’m assuming your plan was to get work at some point to do to your SSI? So, philosophy seems like the worst choice you could have made.
Also, how did you manage to get on SSI for anxiety? I’ve lived with chronic depression and anxiety/ADHD since I was 10 and have been turned down for disability.
Really sorry you’re in this spot. You just never know with people.
MayaPapayaLA@reddit
OP states that their condition makes it unlikely for them to ever earn a living income (or even a full time minimum wage gig, I would assume), which suggests a quite serious condition.
The_boundless84@reddit
I see. Yeah, that’s a tough one. Im in a similar boat, sort of. It’s unlikely that I’ll ever have a “career” that pays me enough to survive, for some of the same reasons and other different ones. I feel for OP, especially having gone through a similar divorce that made things difficult for me financially. I hope they’re able to figure something out. Maybe Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam? But what about after those four years?
snackhappynappy@reddit
Unless you intend to wild camp I don't think this is achievable Central Europe is a lot more expensive now than 5 or 6 years ago Your income might just about cover a bad quality hostel in a smaller city Surviving on cheap carbs you prepare in the hostel
Forward-Higher@reddit
650 usd a month is no where near enough for Europe.
First off congrats on finding someone willing to marry you at that age with that baggage. That gives us all hope.
Second if your plan is to live only on 650 then go somewhere you will do more then barely survive. Cambodia, Laos or Vietnam come to mind.
ovid-in-exile@reddit (OP)
Southeast Asia often comes up, but I fear that with no knowledge of the languages or, interest in learning them, I would just find myself isolated.
Anagram404@reddit
Hate to tell you but not all of Europe speaks English.
ovid-in-exile@reddit (OP)
Thank you, I’m aware. I have a good grasp of several Western European languages.
Extreme-Rub-1379@reddit
Je Suis Bon.
Josey_whalez@reddit
Especially the places you’re going to have to frequent to survive on a shoestring budget. The tourist areas of most of the world have plenty of English speakers working there, but those also tend to be the more expensive places. The further you get off the beaten/tourist path, the less you’re going to find that.
MayaPapayaLA@reddit
Have you thought of your plans after these 4 years are up? It seems like it might be valubale to be prepping for that instead of travel.
HavanaBanana_@reddit
You could try to move to macedonia
Exciting_Tomato_2877@reddit
Look into trusted house sitters. You pet sit for free in exchange for free housing
MayaPapayaLA@reddit
This is actually not a bad idea for OP, so long as their disability allows for them to be in various home situations (think about stairs and accessibility, but also kitchens set up in various ways and cleanliness of different levels), *and* they have the capacity to put effort into getting those 5 stars for each sit, which is vital to being able to continue with it.
weindl@reddit
Europe will not work on that budget, not even eastern Europe. 90 day stay limit. 10 euro min on food. Camping out in the wild is mostly forbidden.30-40 euro min on accomodations. And you have to get around. It all adds up. I've done tones in Europe on a shoestring, however 600 sounds more like a week or at max 2 week budget.
Asleep_Might_6834@reddit
Can you work in hostels in Europe in exchange for housing? I know this is a thing in the US!
Additional_Noise47@reddit
Not legally, unless he has dual citizenship or some other kind of work authorization.