Inexpensive Travel After 60: Why Slower Is Better (and Cheaper)

I’m getting older, and I see the value in staying 2–3 months in one place instead of living out of a suitcase like I once dreamed. Now, I want comfort, routine, and deeper experiences—not constant motion. A space that supports slow, inexpensive travel and lets me come and go with ease. It lets me hold on to the life I’ve grown used to abroad while still staying grounded in the lives of the people who matter most at home.
Our military service has offered its share of adventures; now, slower exploration will align with our goals. Recent data from the 2023 World Travel & Tourism Council will underscore the financial wisdom of this choice. Slow travelers, on average, will spend 23% less per day than conventional tourists. This approach will promise both global discovery and a steadfast connection to what truly matters.

Table of Contents

• Inexpensive Slow Travel
• Early Retirement Goals and Realization
• Slow Long-Term Travel and Local Immersion
• Home Base and Low-Maintenance Living
• Side Note
• Planned Communities
• Logistical Management and Healthcare Benefits
• Flexible Travel Plans and Balance

Inexpensive Slow Travel

I know I’m all over the place. But I know for sure, Steven and I plan to retire early to travel, spend more time with family and friends, and work on things we enjoy instead of the things that pay us to live. We want to dig deeper in different cultures, savor local foods, and make new friends— like us We think, full-time travel would make it difficult to maintain strong family ties and build a lasting community at home—something we haven’t experienced long-term before. It’s in our blood after 30 years of constant travel, and we still crave those periodic adventures. Knowing we’ll be in one place for more than 2-3 years brings a sense of stability and dread, lol. We’ll get our fix, slow traveling to see if we can balance our love for the unknown abroad and the familiar at home.

Slow Long-Term Travel and Local Immersion

Instead, I wanna try slow, long-term travel. Most countries allow stays for 30, 60, or 90 days or more. This approach lets us live in new places like expats without the hassle of permanently moving, dealing with lengthy visa processes, and figuring out what to do with all our stuff. We’ll spend a month or more in each location, truly experiencing the local lifestyle. We can immerse ourselves in the local culture by renting furnished apartments, getting to know neighborhood cafes, seeking out local friends, taking language classes, and maintaining our routines. This way, we will live like locals and not just tourists.

Home Base and Low-Maintenance Living

I still want a nice home, but I want the freedom to leave it behind when we travel. I’m not sure Steven and I picture the same kind of house. Since we’re still in the military for three more years, our plan is to move to Virginia and buy a home. The hard part will be deciding how much space we really need. We want something comfortable when we come back but easy to manage while we’re away.

Some people go for condos and hire someone to check in and water the plants. I don’t want the expense or the shared walls. I can do that on the road. I’d rather have a single-family home that’s not so suburban cookie-cutter and room for a large garden, where I can finally watch things grow and age like me. Steven wants more space, but I’ve changed. Living overseas showed me I don’t need as much stuff as I once thought I did. I don’t want to live for the Jones’s, I am content downsizing into less space and more character. No one has ever put me into a box, so I have no desire to live in one.

Side Note:

According to a study by the Los Angeles Times, the average American home has over 300,000 items. The United States has more storage facilities than any other country, with 2.3 billion square feet of rentable storage space. Despite this abundance, research suggests that having more possessions doesn’t equate to greater happiness. A Princeton University study found that clutter can increase stress and negatively impact mental well-being. In contrast, living simply and having fewer belongings can lead to a more content and stress-free life.

Planned Communities

I’ve been looking for a planned community where I don’t need a car every day. I want to walk to the store, sit in a café, and spend time in places that don’t require a purchase just to exist. But in the U.S.—especially outside major cities—daily life without a car is almost impossible.

Suburbs aren’t built for people. They’re built for vehicles. Sidewalks are scattered, if they exist at all. They crisscross empty lots, industrial parks, and parking decks. They don’t lead to parks or bakeries or public plazas. They lead to more concrete. More fences. More traffic lights. If you want groceries, a shaded bench, or a real sense of community, you have to drive.

Third places—the public spots where people gather, linger, and talk—are rare here. And the few that exist often close early, require a purchase, or sit inside strip malls. I’m not asking for luxury. I just want a life designed for living. A place where community shows up in small, everyday ways. But most days, all I see are parking lots—and the life I want feels farther away than ever.

Logistical Management and Healthcare Benefits

We’ll have to figure out things like mail, taxes, and banking while traveling regardless of where we live. We’ll need to make sure we can log into our bank and other accounts. Since we aren’t moving permanently, we can still keep our regular health insurance while abroad. But I’m pretty sure we’ll have to get supplemental travel insurance, too. Thankfully, there are inexpensive plans and most of the places we’ll slow travel to should also have great medical facilities.

Flexible Travel Plans and Balance

By spending part of the year traveling and the rest at home, we get the best of both worlds. We’ll focus on comfort, rent affordable places with what we need, and sometimes buy things like a good frying pan or small decor to make each space feel like home. Coming back to Virginia after time away will refresh our routine and help us appreciate home again. This rhythm keeps life interesting and helps quiet the urge to always be on the move.

Switching to slow travel won’t be easy, but it should be inexpensive. We’ll need to get used to new places, watch our spending, and stay in touch with family and friends. Planning ahead, setting a clear budget, and using technology to stay connected will help. But there’s a big upside. We’ll learn more about how people live around the world. Whether it’s slurping noodles in South Korea or shopping at markets in Mexico, every day brings a new chance to grow and enjoy something different.

Like it! Pin it!

This post contains sponsored and/or affiliate links, and I earn a commission at no extra cost to you. I appreciate your support and stand by my views. Thank you for reading this post. Don't forget to subscribe!