Why I Had to Leave the USA

Wow, this is such big news to share! It feels like the beginning of a very different chapter. Any guesses as to where I’m headed next? 😉

I did what you do... all of it in the USA... born and raised in Ohio... 600,000 miles on two Nissan pickup trucks... Montana, Seattle, New Mexico, Nashville... six years in a 12x12 cabin on the Blackfoot River in Montana... friends everywhere... never married... no kids... no property... I'm 77 now. I listened to your story and your voice. You both heartened me and broke my heart.

You LIVED more days in America than most Americans. Most of us just work eat, sleep and pay the bills. May your life always be blessed. “To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.” ― Oscar Wilde

When good hearted people like Eva fall in love with our country, and decided to move here, we as a country become better for it. If it is truly your dream to live in the Western US, please do not give up on it. For many Americans, it is our dream as well. Good luck!

Thank goodness for people like you sharing this experience. I am in the final steps of my departure from the U.S to Portugal, because as a 33 year old American I too cannot afford to buy a house. I hope my travel with my Boxer is as seamless as yours and Vilks. Fingers crossed

I traveled for work globally for over 30 years, and I've spent more time in hotels than my own home. Now I'm semi-retired and working at home. It's the best thing since sliced bread, I can have a aquarium, grow plants, walk around in my jammies, cook meals in a oven, and sleep in my own bed. You're still young and can hit the road again if you want, but as for me when people ask where I'm going on vacation in my old age the answer is home. 😁

I will miss you Eva. The western USA will miss you.

I truly and deeply feel for you! The cost of property is a massive issue for a lot of us who live here, too. 😕 "The land of the free and the home of the brave" is turning into the land of the ridiculously expensive and the home of the debt-slaves... 😟

Travelling is not just about covering physical, external distances, but also about advancing along inner distances. Thanks you for the update and wishing you all the best for the coming steps Eva! 😊

Hi Eva: I am 73 years old and I have been a traveler all my life. for work and personally. I have lived a bit harder than you have. I once calculated that I had slept on the ground with no tent for over 4000 nights probably more now. I worked in the woods as a contractor and eventually for the US Forest Service. I started pretty early in my teens doing this kind work fighting forest fires doing all kinds of jobs. By my 30's I needed a home base as you suggested you do. I bought a 7acre place near Eugene, Oregon. for $7000 and built a log cabin but it was not quite remote enough. I still own it but only visit it a bit. I finally ended up in Oregon on the Idaho boarder about 3 miles from Halfway, Or. I live in a place called Pine Town where 9 people live. I live right by and airport. It is 50 miles from the nearest small town and 150 miles from Boise, ID. I have and airplane a Cessna 170 that is great to go out to back country airports inside wilderness areas.. I have about 30 million acres of wilderness out my back door and can get into it very quickly and can stay as long as I want. Fortunately I learned early how to navigate off trail before GPS and spend most of my time in wilderness off trail and love to sleep on the ground so I can look up at the stars. My roots are in a very rural place that is much like Northern Idaho, Western Montana and Western Wyoming. I had an off shore sail boat a Swan 36 and sailed in the Caribbean and all over the east coast but I sold it last year, it was a great time but I was ready to move on. I have always lived in Oregon I'm a 5th generation Oregonian on both side so really have deep roots here. I love being as far east as I can be in Oregon. Can share with you all kind of places where you can find some nice places you could live and spend less that $200 to set up something you could like. They are very remote, but you have most the skills to live this way. It takes stocking up, growing a garden and not having a big grocery store near by. I go to my cupboard, freezer or root seller to deicide what is for dinner. I have tricks to have a good garden and be able to be gone a few weeks at a time. I only discovered you a few weeks ago and have enjoy your YouTube posts. Glad to share and answer your questions if you like. Good Luck ET

Very brave of you to openly share your feelings and emotions Eva! I highly admire you for that. Good luck on the next part of your journey!

I traveled around the world for 3.5 years out of a backpack. Towards the end it sorta lost its purpose. Everywhere I went was new and exciting but there was noone there who "knew" me to share it with. There is a lot to be said for having roots, a place to call home... your own shower. My transition from fulltime backpacker to regular everyday life took me a bit by surprise. It will be interesting to see what this is like for you. All the best to you.

I am an American and I’ve accepted that I probably will not own house in my city. I’ll have to move to a very small city or out of the country. You pretty much addressed why many people here live with roommates, with their parents or even in their cars. The American dream no longer includes a house the last 20 years or so 😂😂. I really enjoy your adventures and can’t wait to see where you will end up next

Eva, you can be anywhere on the planet and we are there with you too. Go and find your home, just keep us in the loop.

Your ability to listen to your gut, check in with your mental health, and let go of dreams that aren't realistic in the moment is something that, unfortunately, a lot of people don't have. It's such a gift. Good luck on your next journey

Thank you for giving us a chance Eva. Americans are bombarded with how awful we're all supposed to be, and how awful our country is, it can get painful to read sometimes. While we're not perfect, no place is really, we do have some kindness and decency left in us, and you help to show that while you were here. Sorry for all of the big trucks, not sorry for the beautiful people you met and the awesome places you saw. Many blessings for you friend, be safe, and I hope you and Vilk find your little part of paradise in this world, wherever it may be.

Vaya con dios, Eva. Thank you for sharing your adventure so that we could feel part of our journey. Hope you will share your continuing life adventures with us.

Eva, There has been a lot going on in the world during the last four years and even for a settled person that takes its toll. As a traveller, these things would hit even harder. As a loyal viewer I personally do not have any expectations of you other than that you do what is best for you at any given time and that your journey takes you closer to a happier reality, shorter or longer term. As your immediate destination appears to be Europe I do hope you can spend a restorative holiday season with family and friends. Thank you for being real and thoughtfully communicating your decision-making and struggles. I look forward to seeing what’s next for you no matter what you do. You go girl!

Can you comprehend how precious you are? How cherished you, oddessey, doggie, and your adventures are?!? We are living vicariously through you!! 👍

Hey Eva. This video wouldn’t be more relatable for me. My family and I are traveling around the US in our self-converted school bus. We’ve looked at buying land with a small house everywhere here but as you stated, it is impossible to afford. We’re traveling around the US for the short term then heading abroad to look for an awesome place with kind people. Best of luck to you!