The Senior Nomads
We are Michael and Debbie Campbell, and since 2013 we’ve been traveling the world, living almost exclusively in Airbnbs. It wasn’t our plan to be away for over a decade, but our curiosity about history and other cultures just kept growing — so we kept going!
Our story began as we neared retirement. We felt we had “one more adventure” in us before settling down, but we weren’t sure what that would be. In the winter of 2012, our daughter, who was visiting from her home in France, had this brilliant suggestion: Why don’t you retire early and travel full-time, living in Airbnbs? We loved to travel, but that seemed crazy! However, after we learned more about Airbnb, and Michael tinkered with a dozen spreadsheets, he announced that if we sold everything we owned (including our house, sailboat, and cars) and lived frugally, we could make it work! Six months later we bid farewell to family and friends and set off to explore the world.
Along the way, we called over 330 Airbnbs “home” in more than 95 countries. Our travels took us to every corner of Europe as well as Turkey, Israel, India, Russia, Mexico, New Zealand, Australia, and Cuba. We traversed South America. Toured the Middle East and explored Egypt. We spent time in Africa, China, Japan, and Southeast Asia. And, we are particularly proud of having visited all 17 former Soviet Republics including the “The Stans.”
We may have traded experiences for things, but we’ve brought home a lifetime of memories — and now we’re unpacking and reflecting on our incredible journey. Even though we’ve set down our suitcases, we will continue to follow our curiosity wherever it takes us! Even if that’s closer to home.
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