Nicole McPherson is a near-fully location-independent Aussie entrepreneur living in London, who has been traveling the world and working abroad since 2006. At the beginning of 2011 she started Woman Seeks World, a blog focused on helping others build a location-independent life as well as sharing travel tales and guides from all around the globe. Nicole also just launched the Living In London Guide, which covers everything you need to know about moving to and living in the UK capital.
Cheapflights: When you decided to set out and become a location-independent travel writer and entrepreneur, did you know what you wanted from the experience?
Nicole McPherson: It has definitely been something that has developed over time, and I think will continue to do so in the future. At the beginning of 2010, I was feeling quite unhappy in my career in the pharmaceutical industry and knew it wasn’t what I wanted to do forever, but I had no savings in the bank and no real idea of what I was capable of, so I knew right then that I had to make a plan and start saving for my future.
I’d always had an interest in property development, so it was not long after this that my partner and I decided that by the end of 2010 we would start renovating and selling properties, and I’m so proud to say that we did it! This has now developed into a successful small company which I am co-director of, as well as some exciting plans for the future!
My blog was really an extension of this – I wanted to share my story of becoming location independent and hopefully inspire people to do the same. Travel has always been a huge passion of mine, and ultimately I want the freedom to explore the world on my own time, so it feels very natural for me to be taking this path. My only regret is that I didn’t discover it sooner!
CF: You say you think everyone should live abroad – why do you think this is important?
NM: I wholeheartedly think that no matter who you are or where you come from, you can better yourself by living in another country. Living abroad changes lives – it takes you out of your comfort zone and makes you take notice of another culture, which I think makes you more self-aware, patient and able to cope with the demands of everyday life. Having to fend for yourself in a foreign place teaches you confidence and coping skills like nothing else, and I think that anyone who takes the step and goes for it has the ability to do anything they put their minds to.
CF: As someone who travels so much, and does work while doing so, how do you strike the balance between feeling grounded while also being on top of the next adventure?
NM: At the moment I’m based in London but traveling regularly, so I find it quite easy to be able to balance my time, although I do wish I was out on the road a lot more! My plan at the moment is to leave London in around a year’s time, but I have no interest in doing the backpacker thing. To me, location independence is all about being able to spend longer periods living in other countries while still working on my businesses, as I do like my down time and having a space that is my own to focus and relax. That way, when I do take off on another adventure, I can fully focus rather than having to think about working all the time.
CF: How do you do research for a new destination you’ve never been to?
NM: I love researching things to do on a trip and being relatively organized when I arrive in a new destination. Generally I do some reading on sites like Time Out and Trip Advisor, as well as reach out to my followers on Twitter. I find the best recommendations for things to do come in this way!
If I don’t speak the language, then I always make sure I have a small phrase book for the trip and also allow time in my itinerary to discover new places and people, rather than being rigidly tied into seeing certain things at certain times.
CF: What are the “must haves” in your suit case when you travel?
NM: I’ve learnt to pack lightly (well relatively, for a girl!) over the last couple of years, but I still would never leave home without my iPod/iPhone for travel tunes, photos and wireless on the road, a Time Out guide or magazine for my new destination, my notebook for scribbling ideas and my sunglasses – perfect for jet-lagged eyes!
CF: Do you have a routine for staying healthy when traveling?
NM: I’ve always been quite health conscious, and although I relax my routine when traveling, I do try to stay fit and well while on the road, as there’s nothing worse than getting sick on a trip! I always try to walk as much as I can as well as eat fruit and veggies at least one meal every day. That way, even if you are trying lots of local delicacies, you are still getting your nutrients in. On top of that I always make sure I get enough sleep and try not to drink too much – I find having a few days a week alcohol-free works for me and ensures I’m fighting fit to do everything I want to do.
CF: Do you recommend using guided tours at a new destination?
NM: Yes and no. One of the joys of travel for me is exploring places and reading about them on my own time, but saying that, some of the best travel experiences I’ve had have been on guided tours. I personally like day tours – you can still plan your own trip and have the freedom to do whatever you want, but you still get to meet others and learn about a new place in a short space of time. My advice would be to research whatever trip you are interested in, as my favorite tours have always been recommendations from people I know, or from friends on Twitter.
CF: Have you ever had a near-death experience on a flight?
NM: Unfortunately, yes! I never used to be a nervous flier, but after a near crash landing in Glasgow a few years back in severe weather, I’ve been a bit of a wreck! We were coming into land, but couldn’t because of the wind, and we were rocking all over the place and nearly landed side down on the runway. I was on my own as well which made things worse, but thankfully we were able to take off again and land safely at another airport. Thankfully I seem to be getting better now though. I try some relaxation techniques during turbulence and landing – it seems to be helping!
CF: How do you deal with a difficult seatmate?
NM: Hopefully, by sleeping! Luckily I’ve never had anyone next to me that has been too annoying, but I find on long trips that putting on an eye mask and nodding off helps me to relax. Failing that, either speaking to the person or getting the flight attendant to always does the trick!
CF: What countries or regions do you believe offer the best bang for your buck?
NM: Last year I visited Eastern Europe and it exceeded my expectations. It is such a beautiful and historic part of the world, and it’s so, so cheap! Poland especially – Krakow is now one of my favorite cities, as you can eat out every night and have a few drinks for a fraction of what you could at home. Definitely a great place for cash-strapped backpackers or people wanting good value for money.
Cheapflights is proud to have guest voices express their opinions. The views expressed are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect those of Cheapflights Media (USA) Inc.
