Wednesday

Why We Left Suburbia

In late 2008 Congress passed what is commonly referred to as the Fiscal Stimulus Package. I haven’t read the act, but I believe that there is nothing in it that provides stimulus for the sagging spirit of the suburban American family.

Eight feet in the Andes: Lake Titicaca, Bolivia
There are swift and decisive actions in the Stimulus Package to reinvigorate a stale economy, but none to reinvigorate the day-in, day-out staleness of suburban life. There is plenty in the act to address the global financial crisis, but there’s nothing that addresses mid-life crisis. There are measures to get investors excited again about the American economy, but none to put more excitement in the lives of a suburban family from Marin County, California.

Just as the aforementioned legislation is geared to get the economy moving, our family decided to get moving…initially to Peru. Immediately following a family congress in April of 2008 we decided on the cornerstones of the first part of our Stimulus Package: volunteer, work and put down new “roots” in South America. We would later decide on the second half of this trip: a grand tour of the Mediterranean to trace the origins of western civilization.

Our principal goal was to find a sense of community in a completely foreign locale. We decided to try to find work and volunteer opportunities somewhere in the Peruvian Andes and have our two kids become proficient in Spanish. Since both kids are pretty good swimmers, we would also try to find them a swim team, to help build their language skills in a familiar environment and contribute further to a sense of community.

Certainly, the timing was right for an extended sabbatical. The economy hadn’t been this bad in decades and both my spouse and I work in cyclical industries (real estate and retail, respectively). With both of us professionally independent there was a good chance that we might not earn 6 months worth of income in the upcoming year. Some quick math showed us that continuing to toil in this manner left us financially worse off than renting out our house, volunteering and spending the next 12 months traveling the world.

This was easier said than done. Our strategy required renting out the house, home-schooling, or “road-schooling” the kids, finding a home for our dog, selling the car, canceling the cell phones and taking care of the myriad of details that go with an entrenched suburban life. We immediately launched into the planning phase and started ticking things off our list.

Although admittedly not the centerpiece of our Stimulus Package, we started to focus, like virtually every U.S. bank, on selling “troubled assets”. For example, we used Craig’s List to sell the lawnmower that hadn’t been used for 10 years, as well as the dust-covered wicker chairs that were purchased at a Williams-Sonoma sample sale 15 years ago. The government’s Stimulus Package was designed to utilize idle resources; the idea behind our Suburban Stimulus Package was to become more idle -- and less rushed -- in order to enjoy life.

This online journal will record how we made it happen and will document our progress.

16 comments:

  1. "There are swift and decisive actions in the Stimulus Package to reinvigorate a stale economy, but none to reinvigorate the day-in, day-out staleness of suburban life...."

    Here here Jason. Very well put in three sentences. In my opinion, you are spot-on with your decision to get out of the suburban family life and do something a thousand times better for you and your family.

    Ryan

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  2. Thanks, Ryan.
    It has been very worthwhile, to say the least. Thanks for checking in.
    Jason

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  3. that picture is adorable. Can't wait to read all the ins and outs of how your family made this happen.

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  4. Wow this is going to be one interesting story.

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  5. Sounds like your family made a good decision; invaluable to your children, I think. Curious about the dog, though! That must have been hard.

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  6. I say bravo! My family and I lived in Costa Rica for a year when our children were young. It was a life-changing year for all of us, and I don't regret it at all. The year had many challenges living in a remote mountaintop village with little money and no car, but it was great overall.

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  7. What a bold move! We learned in finance that the higher the risk of the investment the greater the potential for return. You took a huge risk leaving all the "comforts" of suburbia and now you're experiencing these wonderful returns. And think how close your family is too. I love it! I'm so glad I get to follow along via your blog!

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  8. Thanks Jade and Jim.

    Sophie: Here's what happened to the dog:
    http://alpaca-suitcase.blogspot.com/2009/07/11-10-reasons-your-family-shouldnt-take.html
    Thanks for stopping by.
    Jason

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  9. Hi Dr. Tom,
    I remember your year in the tropics. The 24/7 family time can be challenging...but then again...you are still married so something went right.
    Thanks for stopping by.
    Jason

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  10. Thanks Marly,
    It's funny that you should choose a financial metaphor to frame our decision because that's how my wife and I looked at it...as in, we can't afford NOT to do this.
    Thanks for commenting.
    Jason

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  11. Excellent post Jason. I think you tap into something important here. Many people are waiting for external sources – the government, a new job, approval of friends/ family – to make things better in their lives. These external forces, while valuable in some respects, do not dictate happiness or fulfillment.

    I love that you guys saw an opportunity in a time when most people are focused on what is not working.

    Kudos to you.

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  12. Really enjoyed your metaphors! Your children will be better off for your choices...look forward to reading more about this grand adventure!

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  13. Hey NVR Guys-
    Thanks for your supportive words. I like the way you've framed the discussion between internal and external sources. It makes sense.
    Thanks for commenting.
    Jason

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  14. Hi Andrea,
    Hopefully, the kids will be better off. Thanks for stopping by.
    Jason

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  15. Hi Jason - I am so glad you will be writing about how you came pursued your "suburban stimulus package." I hope it will inspire others as well!

    Today, I finished reading "Half the Sky." I was thinking of you as I read the book and wondered if you have read it? I'd love to hear/read your thoughts, especially given your work in Peru. I wish the book also highlighted South/Central America.

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  16. Hi Jennifer,
    I haven't heard of that book but I will look for it. Thanks for stopping by.
    Jason

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