My favorite things about living abroad.

Things have been off to a bit of a bumpy start here so far, so I wanted to force myself to write a post about all the positive things about living in Germany. Everyone thinks living abroad is much more glamorous than it actually is; it’s currently cold and rainy most days here, and at the end of the day, I have to do the same things I would in the U.S. (grocery shopping, laundry, taking public transit), only with a language barrier and different norms. That being said, there are certainly some things I like better abroad.

1. Bakeries EVERYWHERE

   There is a backerei on every corner here, with fresh bread, pastries and cappuccinos for prices far lower than I’ve ever seen in the U.S. My favorite bakery near by has the BEST chocolate croissant I have ever had in my life. I have that and a large cappuccino almost every day for under 4 euros.

2. Inexpensive but delicious wine and cheese

   Known here as wein und käse, the selection of cheese and wine under five euros in the grocery store had me speechless the first time I went. Now I just need to accumulate some friends here to continue to make my over the top cheese boards, only at a much lower price than the ones I made back home.

3. The train system

   I find the train system here extremely easy to follow and efficient; you can get just about anywhere by train, something we definitely do not have back home.

4. The cost of rent

   Granted I was living in Boston before, one of the most expensive places to rent in America, I was still astonished by the price of apartments here. All the places we looked at had two bedrooms and were recently renovated, and the cost was about the same I used to pay to rent one bedroom in a shared apartment.

5. The ease of travel

   I’ve been here for only three weeks and have been to Bamberg, a gorgeous town which happens to be where my grandmother grew up, the Alps, Austria, the iconic Neuschwanstein Castle and have another trip planned to Heidelberg this weekend. On top of that, the architecture everywhere is so beautiful and charming, it puts even old cities like Boston to shame.

It’s funny because when I started my semester abroad in Dublin five years ago, I had all the same feelings of struggling to find my way, but by the end, I didn’t want to go home. I just have to remind myself that new beginnings often have their hardships, but the end result can be far better than I ever imagined.

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Travel More, Spend Less.

As someone who has traveled so much at such a young age, I'm always planning my next adventure. I love when people say "you have to have a lot of money to travel.” My response? It's all about what you prioritize. Do you want a manicure every week and a Starbucks coffee or the chance to explore the islands of Greece? I choose the latter.  And guess what? I do it all on a relatively average salary with no help from outside sources. 

Here are some tips on how to travel more while spending less:

1. Travel in off peak season if you can.

Think about where you want to go, and when it may be most popular. Warmer destinations tend to spike in winter, while Europe’s peak time is the summer. Traveling in the shoulder seasons of September through early May to Europe can save you a TON of money; we're talking hundred of dollars. Additionally, every popular place tends to be swarmed with tourists during the summer, so going earlier gives you more access to the main attractions.

2. Set up flight alerts.

If there's somewhere I want to go, I set up a flight alert on Hopper, Google Flights, or Kayak. Most of these platforms will also show you if they recommend you buy now or wait when setting up the alert. For all flight deals from your closest airport, I highly recommend Airfare Watchdog. They’ll tell you the best deals on where you can go and when from your closest airport.

3. Not set on a destination? Find the best itinerary and price with these sites.

Skyscanner- You can type 'everywhere' and your dates and it will give you the cheapest options from your home airport. Alternatively you can put in a destination and look at the cheapest month. The list goes on of how it helps you find the best flights; this is by far my favorite site.

Rome2Rio- This site gives you all of the different options between point A and point B. It's great for Europe as it shows flight, bus and train options as well as prices to get you the best deal possible between any two places.

Kayak- Everything and more in a travel site. Flights, hotels, cars and travel tips.

4. Find free things to do.

Originally I had this one as ‘stay in a hostel,’ but I know many are deterred away from them for various reasons. If you find a good one, they can be an excellent deal and give you both breakfast and often a free walking tour. Which brings me to the current point here, finding free things to do wherever you go. Most cities have a ‘free’ walking tour, where it is courtesy for you to tip based on how valuable you found the tour after. This is a great, inexpensive way to see a new place. For other ideas, search for “free things to do in x.”

5. Get breakfast included.

When you get a free breakfast you can usually do a light lunch and snacks and splurge on dinner. This can save a lot of money, as can having snacks on hand.

6. Visit people you know.

If you even slightly remember someone that lives in a place you are visiting, ask them for recommendations! Best case scenario you get a free place to stay, and at the very least, they know what places are fun and worth the money, which is even better than a guidebook.

7. Go local.

I'm sure there are plenty of amazing things a car ride or short flight away from wherever you may be, so there's no need to go abroad to explore when the next adventure could be waiting in your backyard! Search online for state parks or look at your state's website for ideas.

8. Pack light.

The only time I’ve checked bags in the past ten years of traveling have been when I studied abroad and recently moved abroad. Nowadays most airlines try to nickel and dime you for every add-on, and the bag is not the place you want to spend extra. Additionally, when traveling to multiple places or on planes and trains, having one small bags makes it much easier to get around. I always travel with a backpack and hard shell carry on bag. I’ve done this for weekend trips and a ten day trip through Europe. The key is layering and bringing pieces you can rewear or mix into other outfits. I think I could do a whole other blog post on this topic alone!

9. Find the hidden gems and unique experiences.

I always try to read a variety of blog posts in addition to looking at the top spots on TripAdvisor before going somewhere new. This is a great way to find hidden gems that may not be listed in the usual “top places” travel guides. Additionally, I love the website Viator for unique experiences; I did a cooking class in Tusany through them.

10. Just do it!

If you're thinking about traveling and know the funds are there but you could save for something, really think about that something your saving for. A few years ago I really wanted a new camera, but realized I could borrow my parents for my trip to Europe and enjoy myself more not worrying about getting the perfect photo in the first place. Traveling is the best way to improve your life and gain a new perspective of the world.

Bonus tip: Get a travel credit card. I have the CapitalOne Venture Card and splurged on a nice hotel recently for a weekend away, and then used my points to pay for the stay!

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