"A ship is always safe at shore, but that's not what it was built for."

Take a risk, you can always go home.

i started moving ..out of college,1st for a job. then i realized im a gypsy... im living this summer in GREECE... these people are nice, but so were the JAPANESE.
and like the other person said, YOU CAN ALWAYS GO HOME. id advise you to push yourself... CONFORT IS OVER-RATED...... Adventure is my drug of choice R

It doesn't seem like an either / or question. I have a comfortable, paid-for home in a town I love, but if I were single and unattached / unencumbered I might very well mothball it for a few weeks or even months at a time and see what it feels like to live in Oslo or Christchurch or Wherever for awhile. So long as I have good Internet access and a willingness to be available during my client's business hours, I could work anywhere in the world and they wouldn't even know it.

If you're a locally employed work commuter then you couldn't have that much flexibility but you still have vacation time and it's still possible to negotiate unpaid time off beyond that if you have two weeks of vacation and want to take a week or two more.

Even if you were contemplating shaking things up it would be prudent to dip your toes in first.

GO!!! Explore!!!
Learn to be uncomfortable!!!!!
Have some new experiences!
If I could still drive, I'd never be home!!!
I'd probably have visited a bunch of the people on this site by now!
I'd never be home (yes, I know I've said it twice--I really mean it!!!!)!!!!
It's a big world, go see some of it!!!!

you should give up all the material securities you talk about and roam the earth seeking out other cultures. it's the most important education you will ever receive.

I am fascinated by people who grew up in the same town (sometimes the same house) as their parents and stay surrounded by family and the friends they've made over the years. I was an Army brat - we moved every three years....1st husband followed gov't contracts so we moved about every 3 or 4 years to follow the jobs....I honestly don't know if I would have been happy staying in one place or not because it was never an option. I can say that all that moving around has given me the chance to see how other people in other parts of our country live, think, work, - the way, and what they eat, how they cook, etc. I've met some really interesting people along the way. No one can tell you what will be right for you....but maybe you could find a job somewhere you've always wanted to visit - rent out your house so you can always go back if you decide the move was a mistake. I think you owe it to yourself to at least give it a shot - shake those tailfeathers just a little.

I definitely recommend travelling. It really broadens the mind and helps get a better perspective.

I have moved 23 times in my life, 20 moves before I came to Omaha 15 years ago. I have learned something about me and about people every time I have moved. I turned 20 in Okinawa. Living in so many places has shaped me into the wonderful, open minded, opinionated, liberal hippie chick that I am. Are you willing to get out of your comfort zone and explore? It might be uncomfortable, and it will be different. Once you try it you will never be the same person you were.

It's funny how society often views travel as a negative when it is a total positive. I was discussing our travels with some people when we had returned home to Canada for a visit with family, we had been traveling for about 4 years at that point. Antarctica, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Belize, Mexico and almost all of the lower 48 states. So after a bit of chatting the woman screws up her face at me and says, 'So You're Homeless'. I was a bit taken aback, thought about it for a second and suddenly realized that she was right 'You know, you're absolutely right and it's Fantastic' I said. She didn't know what to think of that response and made some excuse to shuffle away and talk to someone else about her routine and boring life - to each their own.

Come to UK.

Generally, you change geography but people are still people wherever you go.
So, decide whether you want to see the landscape change.

By all means travel as much as you can and to as many places that you are comfortable traveling too. Life is brief and unpredictable so take advantage of it while you still can and have the privilege to do so.

If you don't go then you will never know what you have missed out on. Just a whole other part of your life that is wonderful and fun and exciting and challenging. Travel cures so many ills in the world, don't wait, do it now. If you don't like it you can always come back home.

The fact that you are asking the question tells me that you want to roam. Exposure to things outside of our bubble are good for the soul. Better to have tried and failed than to have not tried at all and to then spend your days wondering!

GO. I've been to 28 different countries or US possessions, most when I was 18-22. Life altering, wonderful experience.

You can travel the world or even to the moon but most likely find out as did Dorothy "There's no place like home". It is , however, necessary to undertake the journey to understand it internally rather than intellectually.

You should most definitely see the world if you have the means to do so. Don't hesitate to PM me if you need some input on things to do, places to stay and cultural norms.

I can give some pretty extensive advice on Scotland, England, Japan, Thailand, Costa Rica and Hong Kong.

Here is the list, in order of preference, of countries I would prioritize:

1. Thailand- Safe, modern and affordable. Thai people are very welcoming and helpful to first time visitors. Most everybody speaks at least passable English. There are more things to see, do and experience in Thailand than you can possibly fit in to one trip. But that's ok. I've never met a person who went to Thailand once that didn't go back. Most have gone back several times, and with good reason.
2. Scotland- Beautiful, laid back country with lots of awesome pubs, castles and fish and chip places. Down to earth and friendly locals who will talk your ear off if you give them half a chance. Obviously, Scotland's lochs and castles and Stonehenge are highlights, although seeing Stonehenge isn't much worth it these days because they won't let anybody get near it anymore. Back when I saw it, you could walk right up and touch the stones.
3. Japan- A nice place to see, but pretty westernized and very expensive. You won't get much in regards to experiencing true Asian culture. I recommend going in the spring during the Cherry Blossom Festival.
4. England- A fun country to be in, but you won't have all that much in regards to a cultural experience. London is a blast. Great party town.
5. Hong Kong- Like England, a fun town to hang out in. I'm placing it 5th because it can be a bit confusing to someone who has never been in the city before, and few people speak english. Pick pockets are also plentiful in Hong Kong. Save this one for when you are a more seasoned traveler.
6. Costa Rica- Costa Rica is a wonderful country to see, but I would recommend saving this one for when you're a more seasoned traveler as well. It's not the safest country in the world and you can find yourself getting mugged or worse if you wander off in to the wrong areas.

I would recommend going with a tour group the first few times you travel. It'll help you pick up on the how to's of traveling much quicker. You don't want your first travel experience to be an endless maze of trying to figure things out. You'll have less freedom and spontinaity with a tour group, but you'll also have a better experience.

Take your pick, your life, your choices !

Started in 1993 with a business trip to the Philippines. Since then I have spent the bulk of the past 15 years out of Australia, most of it in Asia. I also have traveled most of the East Coast of Australia as a grey nomad. Don't wait as I did.

The world will be fucked up no matter where you go. It is just a matter of degree and how well you can adapt to the local problems.

Many people move constantly looking for a better place where they can be happy, when it is their attitude that needs to be changed. As the old saying goes "no matter where you go, there you are."

Try getting your feet wet without going all that far, and see if you like it. You always have your home base to return to, if you don't enjoy yourself.

Different reality? As far as i know we have not opened a door to another demension. As far as traveling to see other places (not a different reality) you can take vacations and go see other culture if thats what you want.

I love to move, to travel, live in different countries, but I was born and raised abroad, so that's understandable. Some people are just homebodies.

I must say, I quite like living in Songkhla, Thailand. Best place I've lived in so far, even though I soon have to move back to the US.

How about a bit of a compromise? Try some traveling and exploring, but not make it permanent! I love traveling, and learned that from my world-traveler grandparents (who visited every continent, save for Antarctica, and that was because Grandma had a heart attack before the trip to go there), and reinforced by my world-traveling parents. I love road trips and flights equally, although I just took possession of my new travel trailer, so I am hitting the road with my own little house and my dogs. I don't work, so I don't have any time constraints, but even if only traveling on weekends, or using vacation days, you might be able to check out some nearby areas. Perhaps sign up with a temp agency that works in different cities? Good luck!