Exploring different parts of the world is a dream for many. There are a lot of bucket list destinations that people have and they want to see them all. Others would rather just not live in their home country and find another place that is suitable for them. There is a difference between being an expat and traveling slowly to see the world.

Each path offers unique experiences and challenges. An expat’s life revolves around settling in one place and becoming part of the local community. On the other hand, slow travel is about taking time to deeply explore each destination. It’s the difference between being a tourist and a temporary local. In this article, we will go over the essentials to know so you can decide which lifestyle is best for you.

Financial considerations

It can be quite expensive whether you decide to become an expat or a slow traveler. However, there are some expenses that expats take on that slow travelers don’t. For instance, there is a high cost to relocate to another country. International moving services do not come cheap. Shipping all of your belongings and even possibly a car is going to cost many thousands of dollars.

Expats are also likely to earn far less in their new country than if they had stayed in their home country. This salary has to include things like healthcare, daycare for children, accommodations, and so many other expenses that come with a typical modern life.

On the other hand, slow travelers might not have such high initial expenses. Starting out usually involves the money needed for the initial plane ticket, annual travel insurance, visas, and hotel or short-term rental accommodations. Slow travelers often use strategies like staying in budget-friendly accommodations, using local transportation, and cooking their own meals to manage costs.

In either scenario, managing finances is extremely important. Slow travelers are often not working and draw from savings or passive income. It’s important to make sure that the travel costs are reasonable.

Expats make money but have to be careful about not living beyond their means. It’s important to have a realistic budget created and then stick to it.

Motivations and goals

People choose to become expats for various reasons. Often, families move for a change in lifestyle. They see some foreign countries that are more aligned with their values and pace of life and move there to take advantage. These expats are usually looking for stability and a long-term base in their new country.

Others are motivated by a change in careers. Certain fields require living and working in a foreign country. For instance, somebody who is an expert in art restoration might want to live in Europe to have access to a lot of work.

Slow travelers are driven by a different set of motivations. Their primary goal is cultural immersion and a learning experience. They want to live like locals, eat local food, and participate in local customs. This deep dive into different cultures offers a more authentic experience than typical tourism.

The sense of adventure, exploring unknown places, meeting new people, and experiencing life outside their comfort zone, also draws people to slow travel. Unlike expats, slow travelers are not looking for permanence but rather a series of diverse, immersive experiences.

Cultural considerations

One of the attractions of moving to a new country is learning about a new culture. However, one of the biggest barriers to successfully moving to a new country is the cultural difference. Integrating into the local community is a difficult aspect of the expat experience. Making things even more difficult is the trend of expats frequently gravitating towards communities of fellow expats. It’s them taking the path of least resistance and complicating their efforts to integrate into the new culture.

For slow travelers, social life takes on a different dynamic. Their connections are often temporary, as they move from one location to another. There’s less need to integrate so the approach is much different. They’re looking to connect with others, but they don’t have to invest as much time since they are not there to stay. An expat needs to integrate to be able to live a normal life as a local. A slow traveler is looking to learn and then move on.

In both cases, there is a certain sense of loneliness that sets in at some point. For expats, it’s because they don’t feel like a part of the community. For slow travelers, the problem lies in the transient nature of their lifestyle that prevents meaningful connections.

Conclusion

Both of these lifestyles offer enriching experiences that can only come from getting out of your comfort zone. The one that works best for you depends on the factors listed in this article since everybody is going to have a different approach.

Disclaimer: This is a contributor’s post.