It's the time of year again to start considering where I want to travel this summer. I love traveling, whether it be seeing somewhere new or revisiting old haunts. The key for me, is to try and find someplace that combines some fun, but that is also cost effective. Airline tickets and gas prices are more than likely to rise as spring chugs along into summer, creating a search for the lesser of the two evils. However, having friends and family around the country to visit presents some possibilities for savings. For now the long list (not set in stone) thus far includes:
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FLORIDA (Ft. Meyers & surrounding areas):
PROS/CONS: I have immediate family there, which gives me savings in housing costs. Nice weather. Lots of adventures in various directions. I was there beginning of the year already to help family move, but still more to discover. Some parts could be overrun with tourists, but then again, this could be true of any popular places to visit. Tis the time for traveling after all.
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CALIFORNIA: (LA & surrounding areas)
PROS/CONS: Family there as well to help save in housing and transportation costs. Potential career opportunities to research while there. However, I've done parts of Cali the last two summers, granted there is still plenty more to see or mix in this time around.
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NEW YORK Ver. 1 (New York City area)
PROS/CONS: Never been there, so much I've wanted to see and do. Unfortunately, higher costs in general mixed with no family/friends to stay with = so long, saving money, hello fun times. Alas, this will come someday, probably not this year.
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NEW YORK Ver.2 (Buffalo and surrounding areas)
PROS/CONS: Have friends to see/stay with there. Niagara Falls is nearby. Toronto, which I've never been to (I haven't even been out of the country) is drivable, giving more possibilities, if Buffalo isn't enough.
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MIDWEST (areas of WI / IL , maybe MI)
PROS/CONS: Tons of places to stay family/friend wise, and things to do within driving distance, providing the most money savings/options. Minor downer of lack of newness with it being familiar territory, but still plenty of adventure to be had. Michigan could also be added potentially since I have connections there as well, and because its not that far of a jaunt from where I'd be staying.
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There's also the possibility of not going anywhere to save the most money, but I feel like I would eventually get somewhat stir crazy. Life is short and its good to see the world. So now its time to research and ponder and see what works best.. There's no rush to decide yet, but you never know when a good deal is waiting to be discovered.
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FLORIDA (Ft. Meyers & surrounding areas):
PROS/CONS: I have immediate family there, which gives me savings in housing costs. Nice weather. Lots of adventures in various directions. I was there beginning of the year already to help family move, but still more to discover. Some parts could be overrun with tourists, but then again, this could be true of any popular places to visit. Tis the time for traveling after all.
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CALIFORNIA: (LA & surrounding areas)
PROS/CONS: Family there as well to help save in housing and transportation costs. Potential career opportunities to research while there. However, I've done parts of Cali the last two summers, granted there is still plenty more to see or mix in this time around.
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NEW YORK Ver. 1 (New York City area)
PROS/CONS: Never been there, so much I've wanted to see and do. Unfortunately, higher costs in general mixed with no family/friends to stay with = so long, saving money, hello fun times. Alas, this will come someday, probably not this year.
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NEW YORK Ver.2 (Buffalo and surrounding areas)
PROS/CONS: Have friends to see/stay with there. Niagara Falls is nearby. Toronto, which I've never been to (I haven't even been out of the country) is drivable, giving more possibilities, if Buffalo isn't enough.
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MIDWEST (areas of WI / IL , maybe MI)
PROS/CONS: Tons of places to stay family/friend wise, and things to do within driving distance, providing the most money savings/options. Minor downer of lack of newness with it being familiar territory, but still plenty of adventure to be had. Michigan could also be added potentially since I have connections there as well, and because its not that far of a jaunt from where I'd be staying.
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There's also the possibility of not going anywhere to save the most money, but I feel like I would eventually get somewhat stir crazy. Life is short and its good to see the world. So now its time to research and ponder and see what works best.. There's no rush to decide yet, but you never know when a good deal is waiting to be discovered.