Some Americans turn into long-term tourists

Gary Arndt didn't want to wait until he was too old to see the world. So two years ago, at the ripe old age of 37, he sold his house, put everything he owned in storage, and hit the road.

Arndt, a consultant-turned-photographer, never looked back. He's visited some of the prettiest destinations on the planet since, including French Polynesia, Easter Island, the Cook Islands, Fiji and Samoa. (You can see photos on his blog, www.everything-everywhere.com.) "I don't regret it in the slightest," he says.

He's at the forefront of the latest travel trend: Americans as long-term tourists because of the ailing economy and the aging population.

So what's the secret to becoming a modern-day nomad? Here's the rundown from some people on the road:

Find a reason: Most transients have a portable career that allows them to travel freely. They're consultants, freelancers or teachers, for example. But there are other ways to make money when you're nomadic. In 2006, Tiffany Owens and her husband became full-time property caretakers. Both had been frustrated with their former careers — she was a magazine editor and he was a cable installer — and needed a break. "Now, I garden instead of sitting in boardroom meetings," she says. "I couldn't be happier." Check out the newsletter Caretaker Gazette (www.caretaker.org) for caretaking opportunities.

Travel extra light: That's the advice of Jimmy Wales, co-founder of Wikipedia. He became what he calls "unstuck" about two years ago, spending a month in Tokyo, San Francisco, New York and Buenos Aires. "Pack less, and become unattached to possessions," he says. "And then ... pack less." You'll be living out of a suitcase for months — literally.

Hop, don't jump: Jeanne Dee, who has been on an around-the-world trip with her husband, Vince, and daughter, says the key to saving money and savoring the experience is to take the slow boat. "Avoid taking too many long flights, as that really adds to the costs," she told me. Dee, who blogs about her family's adventures on her site (www.soultravelers3.com), says that in the first 2 ½ years of their travels, they've only taken one long flight. Not only does that save money, but it also lets you see the world from a more meaningful perspective — the ground.

Don't raise the bar too high: If you expect your life to be a vacation, think again. "Sometimes your experiences will live up to the proverbial picture postcard," says Melissa Grossman, a life coach who is living the nomadic lifestyle with her partner, Tim and dog Rufus. "Sometimes it won't." Their blog (www.flyingready.com), describes their ups and downs..

Christopher Elliott's "Travel Troubleshooter" column runs weekly online at seattletimes.com/travel