I haven’t posted about any logistics for travelling, so I thought I would sporadically cover some subjects in the next few months. Currently, I am in the process of deciding where I want to be roughly six months from now. So I have been looking for places to stay. Deciding how to choose travel accommodation can be a daunting task. There are so many variables.
Resources
My two biggest resources for accommodation are Airbnb and VRBO. Depending on the destination, there are usually local rental agencies that can be investigated as well. Generally I do not stay in hotels unless the trip is only a day or two long.
Caveats
I will preface this post by saying that price or cost is always a given. I am living on a very skinny budget, so I will always be on the lookout to get the best bang for my buck. Or the cheapest place that best includes the following 5 top priorities that I look for in any space.
Second caveat is cleanliness. That is a given. The space must have only good reviews for cleanliness. No exception.
#1 Location
Safety is my number one priority that I will not compromise on under any circumstances. My first step is to research the safe neighbourhoods at a prospective destination. Once I have a list of these, I then look for the area that will best suit me. Because I am a big walker, this will usually be an area that is visually appealing and has attractions within a relatively close proximity. The area should have lots of amenities, like grocery stores and laundry facilities.
#2 Outdoor Seating
One of my most favourite parts of the day, is to have a beverage and snacks on the patio. This might be in the morning where coffee, a good book and breakfast fit the bill. Or conversely it could be afternoon or evening, when a glass of wine and a small plate of cheese is just perfect. Either way, I absolutely love my little outdoor oasis’s.
#3 Kitchen
A kitchen of some shape or size is a must. It doesn’t have to be fancy or have every appliance under the sun. But a way to cook eggs, make a bowl of pasta or a pot of soup is a necessity. Especially travelling as I do where I am staying in places for extended periods of time. I must be able to make coffee and be self sufficient. I never want to be in a situation where I have to leave my place to get food or drink.
#4 Upper Floor
Being on an upper floor unit, off the main drag is important for sure. This is both a safety issue and also a general comfort issue. I have stayed in plenty of places where I had to compromise on this, and it always ends up being one of the things I liked the least about that space. Being on street level, you get added noise, day and night. You have vehicle exhaust and dust.
I always feel weird having my windows opened on the ground level. Who is looking in? Who is monitoring your comings and goings? There are so many reasons why being above ground level is beneficial.
#5 Space
Oh I love my space. I abhor crowds and having a spacious unit to come home to at the end of each adventure is sooooo lovely. Having a separate living area, kitchen, and bedroom feels luxurious. The more rooms, the more windows, the brighter the place is. It all ties in.
Now, stating these 5 priorities, besides location, all of these are flexible. And that is only because of money. Being on such a strict budget, I usually have to forgo at least one of these essentials.
In future posts I will give examples of where I have stayed and what priority I had to budge on. Many times this has come back to bite me, so I’m going to talk about this. It’s all a learning experience, somethings you can live with and others you just can’t.
