Most of my life I’ve chosen to live in more desirable locations prioritizing the beach, safety, and proximity to downtown/CBD for an easier work commute.
Whether that was living close to the beach in Santa Monica, California or surf towns in Australia, residing in a funky yoga suburb in Vancouver, living close to both the beach and city in Sydney, and wanting to be in safe happening areas close to central London.
Each of these choices also meant the rent prices were more than any other location in that city or town. My attitude towards paying a ridiculous amount of rent has always been likened to either being ‘silly or naïve’ or walking out your door and pouring all the money out of your pockets each time you leave your house (a common saying about living in London). It could also be the stingy Jew engrained deep into my DNA. So I’ve always danced my way around it by living in places that were a little smaller or older in prime locations.
Being in Tulum has really brought this life pattern up to the surface where I’m paying more here for food than any city I’ve lived in. Between $14 and $25 per meal (in Australian dollars) and between $5 – $10 for juices in cheaper places. Lets not mention the ridiculous taxi prices just to get into town one way. With a priority to be staying right on the beach, hence the expensive food prices, I’m staying across the road from the beach in a more simple cabana accommodation with a shared bathroom and toilet to avoid paying over $100US per night for an almost similar situation right on the beach. With no kitchen, I’m forced to pay a ridiculous amount per meal.
This also brings up a similar struggle in LA of sacrificing where I lived just to be within a 5 – 10 minute walk to the beach in Santa Monica. For 4 years I paid more rent than I ever had in my life to live in a tiny studio no bigger than a hotel room then a larger studio with balcony but run down with rotting wooden cupboards and bare concrete floors.
This now brings to the surface where my priority lies. Am I ready to live in a more comfortable place (meaning at least a 1 bedroom if I live alone) without having to sell my soul? Or can I live with not being in the most convenient and coolest area? Or is there a happy medium where I can do what I love and live where I live without feeling like a student? Question’s I will continue to ponder on my travels.
After 13 years of immense travel, I am no longer big on having too much stuff, ultimately the main thing I look for in accommodation is the freedom and flexibility to create a balanced and healthy life. This includes a well-equipped kitchen to prepare healthy food, a quiet space to meditate, lightness and good air circulation, and close proximity to a natural food store.
After 3 weeks in Tulum on Wednesday I’m moving up to Playa Del Carmen for a week to rent a 1-bedroom apartment on the beach with my own kitchen and ocean view for the same price as where I am now. Then I’ll go to Nicaragua and enjoy the beach and jungle with freedom to stay somewhere comfortable and eat at restaurants with prices that are much cheaper than home.
