Slow Travel Logistics

[SimpleCycle]

We are considering a mini-retirement consisting of about a year of slow travel.  We have two kids, 3 and 1, and two cats, 18 and 19.  There are a few logistical hurdles that are holding us back.

1. We have no idea who could take care of the cats.  We could do a long term housesit, but then we're paying our mortgage in addition to our travel expenses.
2. How does one go about finding affordable housing in the destination country?  We'd prefer to rent apartment style accommodations.  AirBnB is an option, but seems on the pricey side, especially in Latin America.
3. I have done some exploration, but I am interested in hearing what people do for health insurance while traveling.
4. Bonus question for parents ( @arebelspy ) - what do you do about car seats?

[SimpleCycle]

Bump for the daytime crowd.

[reeshau]

Congrats on the cats reaching such a ripe old age!  You don't state it outright, but your questions seem to imply you expect to fly.  But, given you also talk about Latin America, have you thought about driving?  As in, if you found a cheap, mid-size RV you would solve your housing issue and could make taking the cats with you an option.  (or course, with lots of research on importation / quarantine / vet care in your destination)  I just moved to Ireland from the US for an assignment, and we brought our 10 & 13 year old cats with us.  While nerve-wracking in terms of handling, they took to it quite well.

I'm not really sure about your question #4.  Are you asking if car seats "work"?  Or about how to take them with you?  We have our US car seat with us, and have found our LATCH system seat fully ISOBAR (European standard) compatible.  The only extra is that ISOBAR allows for the 3rd anchor to be a sort of kickstand, rather than a 3rd anchor point.  But any newer car, likely designed on a global platform, has the third anchor point in the rear seats.

On a plane, we brought the infant seat with us.  The 3 year old could also use a car seat, but we chose a harness instead, both to be more nimble while transferring in the airport, as well as limiting his ability to kick the seat in front of him.

[SimpleCycle]

Driving would certainly take care of some of the logistical hurdles.  Although the crossing borders with pets thing is certainly a bit more complicated, it would also address our very mixed feelings about leaving them.  One of the cats gets stressed in unfamiliar situations, but I think she could probably adapt.

My car seat question is mostly about "have you been able to use your U.S. car seats abroad reliably".  In our past travels, we know it's not a given that cars will have lap/shoulder belts in every situation.  And that taxi drivers think you're crazy for wanting to install a seat in a cab.  One option for the 3 year old is the Ride Safer Travel Vest, but it requires a lap/shoulder belt or a top tether and lap belt.  Another travel car seat (the Immi Go) requires the top tether, and I have no idea if those are available in most locations.

[zygote]

Perhaps this is morbid, but have you thought about waiting a few years until your cats pass away? I don't personally know anyone who had a cat live past 20, though I know it is possible.

At 18 and 19, they are both nearing the end of their life and may need more care as that approaches. It will be more difficult to coordinate good vet care if you are traveling, and even more difficult to coordinate care long distance if someone else is taking care of them at home. Also, would you be okay with it if something happened while you were separated from them?

My cat passed away from cancer and kidney disease earlier this year, and it was logistically difficult to leave her even for a weekend towards the end. She needed daily fluids and meds, and we had to find a catsitter comfortable administering them.

If you are really itching to take your trip now, some things to consider. I would personally find a way to take the cats.

[SimpleCycle]

Perhaps this is morbid, but have you thought about waiting a few years until your cats pass away? I don't personally know anyone who had a cat live past 20, though I know it is possible.

At 18 and 19, they are both nearing the end of their life and may need more care as that approaches. It will be more difficult to coordinate good vet care if you are traveling, and even more difficult to coordinate care long distance if someone else is taking care of them at home. Also, would you be okay with it if something happened while you were separated from them?

My cat passed away from cancer and kidney disease earlier this year, and it was logistically difficult to leave her even for a weekend towards the end. She needed daily fluids and meds, and we had to find a catsitter comfortable administering them.

If you are really itching to take your trip now, some things to consider. I would personally find a way to take the cats.

Thank you for this perspective - it is helpful (and realistic, not morbid).  I'll be honest, when we first started thinking about this a couple years ago, we didn't expect to make it to 2019 with two living cats.  And it's hard to think about what their end of life will be like since with the exception of a few minor ailments, they are both still healthy.  But it would be very hard to be away if they were ill, and that grows more and more likely as time passes.

[socaso]

Another advantage to waiting for the cats to slip their mortal coil is that the kids are older, too and will have more memories of the travel and even help with things like being responsible for their own bags. I have friends who did the year off to travel the globe thing and their child was around 10-12 so it was a really special experience for the child.

[ixtap]

For housing, consider getting an airBnB or hostel for a week to allow you to look for reasonable housing in place. Depending on actual location, hotels may be cheaper than airBnB, especially if you arrive off season.

Also, check for local market places online. Of you can house hunt based on what is being offered to locals, you will likely find a better deal.

[SimpleCycle]

Another advantage to waiting for the cats to slip their mortal coil is that the kids are older, too and will have more memories of the travel and even help with things like being responsible for their own bags. I have friends who did the year off to travel the globe thing and their child was around 10-12 so it was a really special experience for the child.

Did they homeschool while they traveled?  I'm not sure how it would work once the kids are in school, which is part of our "rush" to go before the oldest is school aged.

[socaso]

Another advantage to waiting for the cats to slip their mortal coil is that the kids are older, too and will have more memories of the travel and even help with things like being responsible for their own bags. I have friends who did the year off to travel the globe thing and their child was around 10-12 so it was a really special experience for the child.

Did they homeschool while they traveled?  I'm not sure how it would work once the kids are in school, which is part of our "rush" to go before the oldest is school aged.

I believe they did but I'm not entirely sure.

[NextTime]

Unless I'm mistaken, if you plan on traveling to South America, there is no way to drive from Panama to Colombia. There just aren't any roads in Northern Colombia that would allow you to do it. You would have to ship the RV to Colombia/other SA country at some point.

I'd also be reluctant to drive myself through Mexico and many parts of Central America, let alone my young children, but that's just me.

[SimpleCycle]

Unless I'm mistaken, if you plan on traveling to South America, there is no way to drive from Panama to Colombia. There just aren't any roads in Northern Colombia that would allow you to do it. You would have to ship the RV to Colombia/other SA country at some point.

I'd also be reluctant to drive myself through Mexico and many parts of Central America, let alone my young children, but that's just me.

Right, I was also thinking that about land travel in Northern Mexico not being especially safe.  Plus I think we'd prefer to be backpackers, even with small children.

[Padonak]

Ptf

[ruraljuror]

I bet you’ll find everything you need here - https://www.anepiceducation.com. The podcast interviews are great and will get you excited about leaving ASAP.