Post: #1

Have you guys got any recommendations for good central locations in Europe, South America and Asia to live in and then be able to travel to other cities throughout the year easily? Somewhere cheap, fairly safe and has plenty of talent. Wouldn't hurt if there where some good things to see and do also but that's less important.

Thinking about leaving my job here in Aus and trying to teach english and travel for a few years

Post: #2

That depends on your preferences. Scratch South America off the list as flights there are very expensive. Asia and Europe just use google.com/flights with the city as the originating city and for the destination type "Europe" or "Asia" and change the flight type to "direct". From there you can find which cities have the most cheap direct flights all over (usually the biggest airports). For Asia ones that come to mind are Singapore, Bangkok, and Kuala Lumpur. Flights can be had as low as $30-40 each each way so don't waste your time traveling by bus like the backpackers who do not place a value on their time.

Post: #3

Singapore is easily your best bet and a pretty well-known choice. If you are white, you'll be big on the Singapore scene alone, but having Manila, Jakarta, and Bangkok at your doorstep for ~80 USD round trip is a nice bonus. If you're from AUS then it'll be easy to visit home often as well and I've met up with quite a few Ozzies while I was up there.

Not too sure about Europe but you may want to tell us more about your profession, teaching English is pretty low on the status scale so try your best to stick to what you've been doing. Generally this kind of information can be found quickly on the forum so please dig around unless it's something pertinent/unique to your situation.
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Post: #4

SA is doable depending on your budget. Hard to find international flights there for less than $100.

NYC and MIA are the two best USA locations to fly to Latin America. There are many direct flights. For example, round trip from Mexico City to Miami this weekend is $177 direct.

If you live in Panama City, Lima, Sao Paulo, or Santiago de Chile, you can find somewhat inexpensive flights to South American cities. Most of the multi leg flights I have taken in SA have connected through those cities.

For example: flying from SCL to Bogota in three weeks, returning a week later, is $416 on Copa and connects through Panama City (from PTY it's $213). Lima to Buenos Aires is $514.

You can find <2hr flights on smaller airlines to domestic destinations in Peru, Chile/Argentina, and Brazil for less than $150.

Rent and food/drink are really cheap so your all in cost could be manageable.

Major cities in Latin America are probably less safe for solo white guys who don't give off a macho vibe. Just my opinion. The only time I've ever had someone try to rob me (he was unsuccessful) I was with a lanky white friend. Aussies should probably do fine tho.

I have zero desire to visit East Asia so SA would be my choice. Of course, you can find cheap flights in Europe too, but then you have other expenses like food and housing that get pricey.

Post: #5

The problem in Europe is that the places with a lot of connections tend to be the places with the highest cost of living, like London, Amsterdam, and Frankfurt. There are some cities in Eastern Europe (in Poland, mostly) that have lower cost of living and a lot of flights out, but those flights tend to be to the more expensive Western destinations. Berlin may be a happy compromise, especially when (if) the new airport is ever done. Central location, relatively modest prices, easy to get out. But most people wouldn't consider Berlin a poosy paradise, I think.

Post: #6

Thanks for the responses fellas. Singapore would be awesome, maybe a little expensive for me at the moment though. I'm leaning towards somewhere in South America, going to check out Lima in May and have a friend in Medellin that would help if i end up there. Just trying to decide on a good city to visit in Dominican Republic and a nice beach city that's not all that expensive, i'm not all that keen on Brazil because i don't speak Portuguese and the safety issues. Thanks for the info, appreciated.