We decided to do a big trip back in 2003, but it did not materialise until 2006. We saved up, as most people do, before we left. This big trip was quite small by a lot of stardards: 13 weeks across Argentina and Chile. The mileage was relatively small: 7500 miles. This, however, did not bother us (although 6 months would have taken the pressure off some bits) and the whole experience definetely left us with the travel bug under our skin as well as a strange rash that made our feet itch when we read a good travel blog.

So yes, we came back and yes we have the urge to do more of the same.

There were several advantages to doing a 3 moth trip such as ours:

1. We did not have to save a ridiculous amount of cash: only slightly ridiculous.
2. We did not come back with any debts to pay off.
3. It meants we were able to keep the flat we were renting (we loved it).
4. We did not feel completely baffled by the daily grind on our return.
5. My other half was able to negotiate keeping here job open.

So basically we had one income, whilst I looked for work, which I found. Since then we have moved to Estonia. Partly its a good launch pad for Asia, but also its simply not the UK...

My move Estonia was prompted (althgouh a few years ago: I would have opted for France, had I been single) because I knew I did not want to live in the UK.

I say this becuase I get the impression fro your post that you want to get away from the lifestyle, rather than the place, in which case moving to another country may be the answer, but then again may not... I think you need a place where living there is lie an adventure to keep you stimulated ie perhaps somewhere less westernised?
Just a thought, if you do decide to emmigrate.

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Adventure: it's an experience, not a style!
(so ride what you like, but ride it somewhere new!)