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Home Sweet Anywhere: How We Sold Our House, Created a New Life, and Saw the World
The Sell-Your-House, See-the-World Life!
Reunited after thirty-five years and wrestling a serious case of wanderlust, Lynne and Tim Martin decided to sell their house and possessions and live abroad full-time. They've never looked back. With just two suitcases, two computers, and each other, the Martins embark on a global adventure, taking readers from sky-high pyramids in Mexico to Turkish bazaars to learning the contact sport of Italian grocery shopping. But even as they embrace their new home-free lifestyle, the Martins grapple with its challenges, including hilarious language barriers, finding financial stability, and missing the family they left behind. Together, they learn how to live a life-and love-without borders.
From glittering Georgian mansions in Ireland to the windswept coasts of Portugal, this euphoric, inspiring memoir is more than a tale of second chances. Recently featured on NPR's Here and Now, as well as in the New York Times, Home Sweet Anywhere is a road map for anyone who dreams of turning the idea of life abroad into a reality.
Reunited after thirty-five years and wrestling a serious case of wanderlust, Lynne and Tim Martin decided to sell their house and possessions and live abroad full-time. They've never looked back. With just two suitcases, two computers, and each other, the Martins embark on a global adventure, taking readers from sky-high pyramids in Mexico to Turkish bazaars to learning the contact sport of Italian grocery shopping. But even as they embrace their new home-free lifestyle, the Martins grapple with its challenges, including hilarious language barriers, finding financial stability, and missing the family they left behind. Together, they learn how to live a life-and love-without borders.
From glittering Georgian mansions in Ireland to the windswept coasts of Portugal, this euphoric, inspiring memoir is more than a tale of second chances. Recently featured on NPR's Here and Now, as well as in the New York Times, Home Sweet Anywhere is a road map for anyone who dreams of turning the idea of life abroad into a reality.
320 pages, Paperback
First published April 15, 2014
173 people are currently reading
2166 people want to read
About the author
Lynne Martin
1 book42 followersLynne's book, Home Sweet Anywhere, was published April 15, 2014. It has enjoyed best-seller status and enthusiastic reviews.
In 2010, Lynne and Tim Martin decided to sell their home, disburse most of their belongings and travel the world for the rest of their lives. Lynne’s popular blog, homefreeadventures.com, chronicles their nomadic life, which was the cover article of The Wall Street Journal's “Next” section in October 2012. It was the most commented-upon WSJ article of the month, was featured on the front page of Yahoo.com, and was picked up by the Huffington Post, Fodor’s Travel Intelligence, Hacker News, and others. Her work has also appeared in Mark Chimsky’s book, 65 Things to Do When You Retire, International Living, the Huffington Post, and others.
Born in Texas and raised in Chicago, Lynne studied journalism in college, and worked in radio and television for a number of years. She founded Maynor and Associates, a public relations firm in Hollywood, specializing in publicity for actors, television and movies. Her firm’s efforts resulted in The Man Who Skied Down Everest winning the 1976 Academy Award for best feature documentary. Later, she formed a gourmet cheese company whose products were distributed in upscale markets throughout the U.S., and was co-owner of an equipment-leasing brokerage firm. She is the mother/stepmother of four daughters and grandmother of seven.
Lynne and her husband Tim, a novelist, have lived in Mexico, Argentina, Turkey, France, Italy, Great Britain, Ireland, and Morocco since they became home free. She now has no permanent address and intends to keep it that way until the wheels fall off sometime in the next thirty years.”
In 2010, Lynne and Tim Martin decided to sell their home, disburse most of their belongings and travel the world for the rest of their lives. Lynne’s popular blog, homefreeadventures.com, chronicles their nomadic life, which was the cover article of The Wall Street Journal's “Next” section in October 2012. It was the most commented-upon WSJ article of the month, was featured on the front page of Yahoo.com, and was picked up by the Huffington Post, Fodor’s Travel Intelligence, Hacker News, and others. Her work has also appeared in Mark Chimsky’s book, 65 Things to Do When You Retire, International Living, the Huffington Post, and others.
Born in Texas and raised in Chicago, Lynne studied journalism in college, and worked in radio and television for a number of years. She founded Maynor and Associates, a public relations firm in Hollywood, specializing in publicity for actors, television and movies. Her firm’s efforts resulted in The Man Who Skied Down Everest winning the 1976 Academy Award for best feature documentary. Later, she formed a gourmet cheese company whose products were distributed in upscale markets throughout the U.S., and was co-owner of an equipment-leasing brokerage firm. She is the mother/stepmother of four daughters and grandmother of seven.
Lynne and her husband Tim, a novelist, have lived in Mexico, Argentina, Turkey, France, Italy, Great Britain, Ireland, and Morocco since they became home free. She now has no permanent address and intends to keep it that way until the wheels fall off sometime in the next thirty years.”
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 245 reviews
February 17, 2014
While I love the idea behind this book, and I admire the author's courage in embarking on such an unusual retirement, the writing itself was less than spectacular. She relied far too heavily on exclamation points and pedestrian descriptions. A better editor might have been able to coax a stronger book out of her. This book definitely needed one more rewrite.
July 10, 2014
This book was cute enough, but not great. I really enjoyed the travel descriptions: the food, the accommodations, the struggles faced when learning to "live" in another country. However, the book got bogged down when the author spent way too much time telling how she landed a book deal (through contacts she already had) about their travelling lifestyle. This book should have been more appropriately titled "How a wealthy "retired" (although they both still work as writers) couple sold their house and furniture, put the rest of their stuff in storage, saw the world, parlayed their travels into a book deal, and now can brag about how great their lives are." Woo-hoo for them!
May 5, 2014
I could not wait to read this book. I thought it would be filled with sage advice and insight on how to sell everything and live around the world. I was disappointed. The Martins did sell everything, but they didn't "live" around the world -- they never became locals and always remained tourists in each of their destinations always seeing very run of the mill tourist attractions. Staying in VRBO and Home Away From Home rentals is what I consider a vacation.
Stylistically, Home Sweet Anywhere gets a C,. Martin relies on exclamation marks and pointless short conversations she has with her husband about travel and traffic. I think Rick Steve's and Insights Guide provide better descriptions of Stone Henge and The Gare d'Orsay.
Hats off to them for going on their adventure, but I hope in the future they make longer term accommodations and really start to see the world as locals, rather than as visitors who just give up when the weather gets too hot or the locals seem rude.
Stylistically, Home Sweet Anywhere gets a C,. Martin relies on exclamation marks and pointless short conversations she has with her husband about travel and traffic. I think Rick Steve's and Insights Guide provide better descriptions of Stone Henge and The Gare d'Orsay.
Hats off to them for going on their adventure, but I hope in the future they make longer term accommodations and really start to see the world as locals, rather than as visitors who just give up when the weather gets too hot or the locals seem rude.
January 18, 2014
I received this book as an early read via NetGalley. I love stories of how people changed their lives entirely and it's even better when it involves doing so in places where not everyone speaks the same language. What I particularly enjoyed about this book was that the author and her husband weren't restless 20, 30 or even 40-somethings. They made this leap at a time of life when a lot of people are finding themselves fearful of change, of trying something utterly new and of letting go of so much of what they've worked their entire life to accumulate. THIS is how to age with grace and truly live life to the fullest. I don't think we all would be happy doing exactly as the author and her husband have, but I think we WOULD all be better off if we endeavored to always be open to new experiences, meeting new people and stepping well beyond our comfort zones.
June 25, 2014
I loved the idea of this book, but there was no story arc particularly. Mostly dry narrative with meals and tourist places, which can be found anywhere in any book. The author used her unique situation of living home-free and, instead of expanding on that and engaging the imaginations of the readers who might be hoping for a similar retirement someday, it turned into a dry letter home about the food they ate (but not so detailed as to be a foodie book) it was more like a glorified letter home from camp. "Went on cruise, it was cliquey and the people were mean but the cabin was nice. Morocco was nice, but we locked our keys in the room-except we didn't. Hahaha. French food is delicious. Don't forget to stop at the duck store! And then we can watch When Harry met Sally. Don't forget the HDMI cable." *sigh*
May 28, 2023
Extremely Interesting
3 1/2 Stars
I pick this book because my wife and I love to travel and travel to dozens of countries already. So, I was searching for tips and ideas.
The book is very well organized that I think people can learn an awful lot from it.
3 1/2 Stars
I pick this book because my wife and I love to travel and travel to dozens of countries already. So, I was searching for tips and ideas.
The book is very well organized that I think people can learn an awful lot from it.
July 17, 2014
I would love to meet this couple. I think there is a better book in them about this whole adventure and it just needed to be coaxed out. I finished it, but I was having trouble doing so because even though they were in different locations in every chapter, the more I read, the more it began to feel like a formula to me. And maybe that is really what the trip is about for them, but I'm suspecting that there is always something that happens within the new environment that becomes the focus of emotions at the time, but it was overshadowed by having to write about it. When Lynne began her writing assignments, she lost me. All of these places to explore the culture and learn something new about the people and it feels like she is working an angle for her story or trapped in a room with a book deadline. I felt like the book opportunity hit at the wrong time. She needed to be 100 percent in the traveling experience and then worry about a book deal later. This started to sound like a trip report to me.
July 17, 2014
Envy-inducing travel writing, just right for armchair journeyers. Thirty-five years after Lynne and Tim first met and had a short romance, they finally got married. They’d both settled with other people and had children, but Lynne’s husband died after a long slip into dementia and Tim divorced. This second chance at love was also a new opportunity for adventure, and the Martins grasped it wholeheartedly. In 2010, at age 70, they set about “unretiring”: storing or selling almost all their belongings (including the family dog!) and giving up a fixed address to travel the world. “We felt free as a couple of kids ditching school,” she recalls.
They started off house-sitting for a friend and her menagerie in Mexico, where they succumbed to a lethargy they termed “mañana syndrome.” Buenos Aires was almost European in its sophistication, but the people seemed unfriendly—until Martin learned she just needed to ask the right questions. They took a cut-price repositioning cruise from Miami to Rome and began exploring Europe, with an Istanbul apartment, cooking lessons in Paris, a heat wave in Florence, and a flat tire on a narrow Cornwall lane (a very familiar scenario for me!). London, Ireland, Morocco, and Portugal were all up next.
All along, the Martins’ motto was “postpone nothing,” but that’s not quite accurate. They decided to postpone nothing except feeling old. And even though they eventually had to tailor their adventures to suit their age (by, for example, limiting on-foot tourism and long drives), they did find that when they were traveling they felt more alive. It was interesting to learn that Martin had a direct precedent for this kind of adventure: her own parents did the same thing after her father’s retirement, spending seven years on the road – and in the pre-Internet days, when very little could be arranged in advance!
I lost interest as Martin started describing the process of preparing their story (which she’d been documenting via a blog) for publication. First came a Wall Street Journal article in October 2011, followed by a book proposal. To me, it seems like there is far too much information on the blog-to-book process and the related publicity; I’d prefer to let the book stand on its own without such “making-of” commentary.
Good news for travelers: there is plenty of practical information here on visas, international health insurance, and finding good deals. Martin (www.homefreeadventures.com) recommends the following websites:
www.vacationstogo.com
www.vrbo.com
www.homeaway.com
www.repositioningcruises.com
(You won’t find anything about developing language skills, though; Martin believes “language is no problem when everyone tries hard to communicate.”)
Related reads: Martin’s writing reminds me very much of Ann Vanderhoof’s, and the theme of this book is similar to Paris Letters by Janice Macleod.
They started off house-sitting for a friend and her menagerie in Mexico, where they succumbed to a lethargy they termed “mañana syndrome.” Buenos Aires was almost European in its sophistication, but the people seemed unfriendly—until Martin learned she just needed to ask the right questions. They took a cut-price repositioning cruise from Miami to Rome and began exploring Europe, with an Istanbul apartment, cooking lessons in Paris, a heat wave in Florence, and a flat tire on a narrow Cornwall lane (a very familiar scenario for me!). London, Ireland, Morocco, and Portugal were all up next.
All along, the Martins’ motto was “postpone nothing,” but that’s not quite accurate. They decided to postpone nothing except feeling old. And even though they eventually had to tailor their adventures to suit their age (by, for example, limiting on-foot tourism and long drives), they did find that when they were traveling they felt more alive. It was interesting to learn that Martin had a direct precedent for this kind of adventure: her own parents did the same thing after her father’s retirement, spending seven years on the road – and in the pre-Internet days, when very little could be arranged in advance!
I lost interest as Martin started describing the process of preparing their story (which she’d been documenting via a blog) for publication. First came a Wall Street Journal article in October 2011, followed by a book proposal. To me, it seems like there is far too much information on the blog-to-book process and the related publicity; I’d prefer to let the book stand on its own without such “making-of” commentary.
Good news for travelers: there is plenty of practical information here on visas, international health insurance, and finding good deals. Martin (www.homefreeadventures.com) recommends the following websites:
www.vacationstogo.com
www.vrbo.com
www.homeaway.com
www.repositioningcruises.com
(You won’t find anything about developing language skills, though; Martin believes “language is no problem when everyone tries hard to communicate.”)
Related reads: Martin’s writing reminds me very much of Ann Vanderhoof’s, and the theme of this book is similar to Paris Letters by Janice Macleod.
June 6, 2014
Mad Steam
Lynne & Tim are my heroes!!!
The Mad Scientist does believe that this book will be inspirational to anyone who opens it. Honestly, the Martin's live how my dreams unfold every night beneath the eye mask. Although, MS does make her way around the world quit nicely.
The darling couple dated when they were young things, however, they found each other later in life after their first marriages. The attraction never left. One does think it would of been like a lightening zap after all of that time when they seen each other.
After they married Lynne felt reluctant to share with her dreamy Tim that she wanted more, more of the world. With doubts set aside they soon turned to planning. Excitement built as they set out on what would be an adventure for them and an inspiration to retired people everywhere.
The tales that Lynne tells of their travels made me wish MS was back on the road. Oh, how wanderlust tangles my heart!! Luckily my backpack is soon to be dusted off for the mountain valley of Pablo, Montana!
Within this very much engrossing page flipping travel affair they crossed over the invisible boundary into Mexico, took a cruise over the ocean, and rented a car to navigate their own way around. Glasses of wine were plenty while new friends were found as they figured out the how's, why's & do not's of traveling the world.
Pick this book and you will truly enter another world, within this world.
** Thanks to the NetGalley & Sourcebooks! All Mad thoughts are presented in the right mind of a twisted brain of the Mad Scientist!**
Lynne & Tim are my heroes!!!
The Mad Scientist does believe that this book will be inspirational to anyone who opens it. Honestly, the Martin's live how my dreams unfold every night beneath the eye mask. Although, MS does make her way around the world quit nicely.
The darling couple dated when they were young things, however, they found each other later in life after their first marriages. The attraction never left. One does think it would of been like a lightening zap after all of that time when they seen each other.
After they married Lynne felt reluctant to share with her dreamy Tim that she wanted more, more of the world. With doubts set aside they soon turned to planning. Excitement built as they set out on what would be an adventure for them and an inspiration to retired people everywhere.
The tales that Lynne tells of their travels made me wish MS was back on the road. Oh, how wanderlust tangles my heart!! Luckily my backpack is soon to be dusted off for the mountain valley of Pablo, Montana!
Within this very much engrossing page flipping travel affair they crossed over the invisible boundary into Mexico, took a cruise over the ocean, and rented a car to navigate their own way around. Glasses of wine were plenty while new friends were found as they figured out the how's, why's & do not's of traveling the world.
Pick this book and you will truly enter another world, within this world.
** Thanks to the NetGalley & Sourcebooks! All Mad thoughts are presented in the right mind of a twisted brain of the Mad Scientist!**
December 28, 2013
Inspirational for Many Reasons
Most of us dream of traveling the world at some point in our lives. Lynne and Tim Martin didn’t just dream it – they did it! The book is well written and fast paced. The book reads both like a conversation between friends as well as a journal with side notes. Funny stories keep you turning pages long past bedtime and Lynne has also included tons of practical tips for your next overseas trip. The book is very honest – they had tough days and encountered some bumps on the journey – but they worked through each one and came out victorious! They missed their family – but they embraced technology and cyber visited as often as practical. One part of the book that didn’t get enough attention – the love and commitment this couple has for each other – living in a 300 sq ft apartment would be tough on anyone – but to choose to do it over and over again in different locations speaks volumes of the quality of their relationship. Oh and did I mention Lynne was over 70 when they started this journey. What an inspiration to all of us to continue to celebrate and savor life! Enjoy! NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS provided an advanced review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Most of us dream of traveling the world at some point in our lives. Lynne and Tim Martin didn’t just dream it – they did it! The book is well written and fast paced. The book reads both like a conversation between friends as well as a journal with side notes. Funny stories keep you turning pages long past bedtime and Lynne has also included tons of practical tips for your next overseas trip. The book is very honest – they had tough days and encountered some bumps on the journey – but they worked through each one and came out victorious! They missed their family – but they embraced technology and cyber visited as often as practical. One part of the book that didn’t get enough attention – the love and commitment this couple has for each other – living in a 300 sq ft apartment would be tough on anyone – but to choose to do it over and over again in different locations speaks volumes of the quality of their relationship. Oh and did I mention Lynne was over 70 when they started this journey. What an inspiration to all of us to continue to celebrate and savor life! Enjoy! NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS provided an advanced review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 6, 2015
I found this book hard to put down. It is more than a travel memoir. Lynne and Tim's zest for life and love and adventure jumps off every page. There is something for everyone and it leaves you wanting to know more about this intriguing courageous couple who sell most of their possessions to finance their hunger for the adventure of world travel. For those of us who have already been bitten by the travel bug, you will revel and identify with what they encounter and how they dealt with the highs and the lows. Lynne does not mince words about the lack of hospitality in some cities, or about some of the mistakes they make. Read this book to avoid making some of the same mistakes and more importantly, read this example of how you might be able to make some of your own dreams come true. Boomers and retirees will especially identify with this couple, but younger folks might see a goal they can get started working toward and see that there are many versions of "retirement."
January 21, 2014
A book I could not put down once I started reading. Got this book as an early read. A story of how age is no barrier for what one wants to do in life. Love the easy writing style of Lynne Martin. It tells you that retirement can be an adventure. A great exit transition into retirement. Inspirational to people who love meeting new people all over the world, asking people to say "Yes" to explore the world and " Don't Postpone" anything in life. A different way of life(may not be for all), but interesting and informative to the folks who look forward to traveling, seeing new places and learning new cultures. This is a must read.
August 2, 2014
I wanted to love this book. I love the concept of a "home-free" retirement but this book is like nails on a chalkboard to me.
Lynn Martin's writing can be pleasant but her recreated dialog is painful to read. Her inflated sense of self and constant bragging about her "non-tourist" status is grating. The constant referrals back to the WSJ article on nearly every page is excruciating and her complaints about how her book deal is cramping her style is just ridiculous.
I'm at 82% and I'm determined to finish (why I don't know) but I do not recommend this at all.
Lynn Martin's writing can be pleasant but her recreated dialog is painful to read. Her inflated sense of self and constant bragging about her "non-tourist" status is grating. The constant referrals back to the WSJ article on nearly every page is excruciating and her complaints about how her book deal is cramping her style is just ridiculous.
I'm at 82% and I'm determined to finish (why I don't know) but I do not recommend this at all.
February 19, 2023
I was interested in the actual travel details, but the writing was irritating and the author was pretty high on her own supply. 2 1/2 stars rounded down because why would you go on at such length about the details of getting a book contract in the narrative of a travel book?
September 15, 2022
The concept of this book is very much like my dream to live in many different places around the world. The writing is meh but I loved learning how they made it all work and getting their insight into some places I'd like to stay for awhile.
September 9, 2017
It's as if the worst books in the library are jumping onto my tablet just to punk me this month. .
I thought this would be a fun, light adventure read after some serious heavy reads. A plain old Joe couple sells everything and become "citizens of the world" and free spirits, mingling with the locals and broadening their understanding of other cultures. Maybe they'd get into a few amusing tight jams here or there as they tried to "go local."
Nope.
She began losing me within three percent of the book with phrases like "I was a tall, dynamic blonde" and "our torrid two-year relationship." I try to not read anything written in first person that contains the word "torrid."
Then I realized all this was from a blog. Oh hell. That right there should have told me it was going to be some self-absorbed excrement.
So, she waits for the current husband with Alzheimer's -- a well known illustrator, she is very adamant to point out -- to die, then marries Mr. Torrid. Oh, she's devastated. She says so. "Three years later, he passed away -- and eventually my new life began." Why, hang on while I grab a tissue for that segue. A reference to a house in Cambria, which, if you are unfamiliar with the area, is not the low rent district in anyone's book. Then, as Mr. Torrid opens "a crisp local white wine," she floats the idea of selling it all and traveling the world. Mr. Torrid is down with it. But "we weren't wealthy." Ok, lady, you just spent pages talking about your career, how your deceased husband was famous with a wonderfully lucrative career, your big ol' burdensome house in one of California's coastal enclaves of big money, blah, blah, blah, then try to pull the "we're just po'folk. How evah will we afford such a lark?"
I started skimming. They apparently to go to a lot of fabulous places, all the time going on about how they are blending in and not being tourists while staying in all the touristy places and doing touristy things. Then there's these sort of pokes at the locals, slightly awkward comments that imply the suave urbane Californians think the local inhabitants are just so quaint and charming in that tone that suggests "and lower on the evolutionary scale than us."
It's every local's nightmare: rich, self-absorbed Californians invade and act like they think they're Zheng He, Sir Edmund Hillary, and Neil Armstrong all rolled up into one. Meanwhile, the recreated dialog is almost funny except that it's so embarrassingly stilted and fake.
So, a light read, but not fun, not interesting, not adventure, definitely not broadening anything except maybe their bank account. Fortunately for me, I checked the book out of the library, so I'm not out anything but an hour or two of time.
_________________
Note: Usually I don't affix a star rating to books on my DNF/abandoned list. That said, I make exceptions if A) I've gotten more than 1/3 of the way through the book before giving up, and/or B) I thought the book especially inane, insufferable or just plain old awful.
________________
I thought this would be a fun, light adventure read after some serious heavy reads. A plain old Joe couple sells everything and become "citizens of the world" and free spirits, mingling with the locals and broadening their understanding of other cultures. Maybe they'd get into a few amusing tight jams here or there as they tried to "go local."
Nope.
She began losing me within three percent of the book with phrases like "I was a tall, dynamic blonde" and "our torrid two-year relationship." I try to not read anything written in first person that contains the word "torrid."
Then I realized all this was from a blog. Oh hell. That right there should have told me it was going to be some self-absorbed excrement.
So, she waits for the current husband with Alzheimer's -- a well known illustrator, she is very adamant to point out -- to die, then marries Mr. Torrid. Oh, she's devastated. She says so. "Three years later, he passed away -- and eventually my new life began." Why, hang on while I grab a tissue for that segue. A reference to a house in Cambria, which, if you are unfamiliar with the area, is not the low rent district in anyone's book. Then, as Mr. Torrid opens "a crisp local white wine," she floats the idea of selling it all and traveling the world. Mr. Torrid is down with it. But "we weren't wealthy." Ok, lady, you just spent pages talking about your career, how your deceased husband was famous with a wonderfully lucrative career, your big ol' burdensome house in one of California's coastal enclaves of big money, blah, blah, blah, then try to pull the "we're just po'folk. How evah will we afford such a lark?"
I started skimming. They apparently to go to a lot of fabulous places, all the time going on about how they are blending in and not being tourists while staying in all the touristy places and doing touristy things. Then there's these sort of pokes at the locals, slightly awkward comments that imply the suave urbane Californians think the local inhabitants are just so quaint and charming in that tone that suggests "and lower on the evolutionary scale than us."
It's every local's nightmare: rich, self-absorbed Californians invade and act like they think they're Zheng He, Sir Edmund Hillary, and Neil Armstrong all rolled up into one. Meanwhile, the recreated dialog is almost funny except that it's so embarrassingly stilted and fake.
So, a light read, but not fun, not interesting, not adventure, definitely not broadening anything except maybe their bank account. Fortunately for me, I checked the book out of the library, so I'm not out anything but an hour or two of time.
_________________
Note: Usually I don't affix a star rating to books on my DNF/abandoned list. That said, I make exceptions if A) I've gotten more than 1/3 of the way through the book before giving up, and/or B) I thought the book especially inane, insufferable or just plain old awful.
________________
June 26, 2014
I admire the Martins for their moxy in giving up the comforts of home to be nomads traveling and embracing the cultures of countries around the world. I have two minor issues with their adventures. First the book starts off with this tale about how they came to be world travelers making it sound as if they had this tremendous brainstorm, but you find out much later in the story that they were actually following in the footsteps of Mrs. Martin's parents , who had done something similar years before. I don't know why, but it bothers me that she waited until 2/3 of the way through her story to give credit to the originators of the idea her parents.
My second issue is that in all of their travels she never writes about any attempts to learn the native languages of the countries that they are temporarily calling home. They make many other efforts to assimilate themselves to the local culture but never take the time to learn the local language, or at least she never mentions any attempts in the book.
That being said their story is inspirational and I envy their willingness to pick up and go.
My second issue is that in all of their travels she never writes about any attempts to learn the native languages of the countries that they are temporarily calling home. They make many other efforts to assimilate themselves to the local culture but never take the time to learn the local language, or at least she never mentions any attempts in the book.
That being said their story is inspirational and I envy their willingness to pick up and go.
May 8, 2014
This is a fun read and encouraging for those of us who want to continue to reinvent our lives after retirement. The Martins sold their house in CA and began traveling, living for anywhere from a month to three months in a given country. In the course of this book they lived in Mexico, Argentina, Turkey, France, Italy, Great Britain, Ireland,Morocco, and Portugal.And,they have great plans for their next year. They meet lots of interesting people, and work out a system for starting out in each country. It includes some great tips for living in this fashion.I think even if you don't plan to try this out, you might enjoy living vicariously through the Martins.
December 19, 2013
I received this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book was a quick and fascinating read!
This couple is an inspiration for me, and I hope to do this with the one I love some day. They went all across the world, booked their first cruise ( a repositioning one at that) traveled through Latin America, Europe and well the world.
I also learned a lesson in Culture in Argentina... It is very important to ask the right questions apparently, and as Argentina is on my short list, well I am going to have to remember that.
This book was a quick and fascinating read!
This couple is an inspiration for me, and I hope to do this with the one I love some day. They went all across the world, booked their first cruise ( a repositioning one at that) traveled through Latin America, Europe and well the world.
I also learned a lesson in Culture in Argentina... It is very important to ask the right questions apparently, and as Argentina is on my short list, well I am going to have to remember that.
Read
March 9, 2017They are in their 70s, people! And they live a nomadic life!
"Postpone nothing" is their advice.
I related to so much of this because Lynne and her husband's lifestyle is similar to ours.
Don't read this for deep insights into life or for captivating writing. But still, it's fun, and Lynn offers a bit of good advice.
"Postpone nothing" is their advice.
I related to so much of this because Lynne and her husband's lifestyle is similar to ours.
Don't read this for deep insights into life or for captivating writing. But still, it's fun, and Lynn offers a bit of good advice.
June 6, 2014
While Lynne's account was a nice personal travelogue, I was expecting more advice and "how to's". It seems that Tim is the one that makes most of the travel arrangememts, and perhaps he could write a book that would be more helpful.
April 23, 2017
Please note that my 4 stars is due largely to the fact that I love hearing others describe their travel journeys and finding out about new spots and locales. It's sad but I do live vicariously through others adventures.
This book could have been so much better but it was very good in doing what it was meant to do; telling of travels to various countries. Too much emphasis on food and they definitely had the means to travel comfortably and live well. While I was reading, I kept thinking of how different the author's experience would have been had she been travelling as a single woman. Still, I loved the relationship she has with her hubby Tim.
I enjoyed this book.
This book could have been so much better but it was very good in doing what it was meant to do; telling of travels to various countries. Too much emphasis on food and they definitely had the means to travel comfortably and live well. While I was reading, I kept thinking of how different the author's experience would have been had she been travelling as a single woman. Still, I loved the relationship she has with her hubby Tim.
I enjoyed this book.
October 12, 2018
Such a unique book (for me, anyway) about the traveling life. I see the appeal. Author gives a realistic picture of life on the road internationally, including negotiating with your partner, an important critical consideration. This is not the BEST writing but it’s good enough and I’ll think back to this book often.
July 12, 2017
Enjoyed reading about the different countries from a quasi-tourist viewpoint, and oh my gosh, the food! (Well, not the escargot...) Wish there had been more detail on the planning logistics besides the few websites mentioned. Good armchair traveling. 3/5
June 30, 2019
loved the part about San Miguel de Allende. not the rest so much.
January 14, 2018
This book is an easy read for anyone who already has some knowledge about home free living. Most of what I read in this book, I already knew from basic research. Her story telling lacks sometimes.
February 2, 2018
Interesting travelogue written by a 70-year old couple who sold their house and traveled the world full-time.
May 1, 2018
I didn't totally like the writing style but I enjoyed the story and concept.
April 16, 2014
Lynne Martin and her husband, Tim, decided that a stationary retirement in California just wasn’t right for them. Their wanderlust prodded them to make a life-altering decision: to sell their home and spend their retirement on the road. Navigating the confusion and complexity of international destinations has provided an adventure than neither Lynne nor Tim could never have anticipated. And while a life of near constant traveling might have its ups and downs, they wouldn’t trade this new life for the world.
I’m not exactly the target audience for this book as it’s a sort-of instructional guide for retirees who want to live internationally on a budget. I’ll be in that demographic one day, but not for quite a while.
Home Sweet Anywhere encourages retirees to reconsider their options for living out their retirement. They don’t need to be satisfied with staying in one place if they have the urge to travel and see the world. It doesn’t hide that things may not always go smoothly during travel, and it reminds readers that the good days should be treasured. Lynne also makes sure to point out that travel may not be for everyone. It all depends on a person’s lifestyle and the things that their willing/able to sacrifice.
I think one of the reasons that I couldn’t connect with this book was I’m not in the targeted audience. No matter how hard I tried to concentrate on the adventures that Lynne and Tim Martin had while exploring the world, I struggled to connect with them. I couldn’t make myself ignore the feeling that I was listening to a grandmother sharing stories of what happened on her travels. Interesting enough but mainly fluff that I could tune out without missing anything.
When I picked up this book, I was hoping to see insight into what living abroad full time meant to them. I imagined learning how their new lifestyle tested their relationship and made them stronger. I wanted to see vulnerability in both Lynne and Tim. They must have had moments where they seriously questioned whether they made the right decision. Lynne instead glossed over the bigger emotions that she and Tim undoubtedly felt during their time abroad. And I think she did a disservice to the book and her readers because of that.
This book would be great for someone interested in living abroad full time and is looking for a light read.
Rating: 3/5
Home Sweet Anywhere by Lynne Martin is published in paperback by Sourcebooks.
**I received an advanced copy of this book in return for an unbiased review.
I’m not exactly the target audience for this book as it’s a sort-of instructional guide for retirees who want to live internationally on a budget. I’ll be in that demographic one day, but not for quite a while.
Home Sweet Anywhere encourages retirees to reconsider their options for living out their retirement. They don’t need to be satisfied with staying in one place if they have the urge to travel and see the world. It doesn’t hide that things may not always go smoothly during travel, and it reminds readers that the good days should be treasured. Lynne also makes sure to point out that travel may not be for everyone. It all depends on a person’s lifestyle and the things that their willing/able to sacrifice.
I think one of the reasons that I couldn’t connect with this book was I’m not in the targeted audience. No matter how hard I tried to concentrate on the adventures that Lynne and Tim Martin had while exploring the world, I struggled to connect with them. I couldn’t make myself ignore the feeling that I was listening to a grandmother sharing stories of what happened on her travels. Interesting enough but mainly fluff that I could tune out without missing anything.
When I picked up this book, I was hoping to see insight into what living abroad full time meant to them. I imagined learning how their new lifestyle tested their relationship and made them stronger. I wanted to see vulnerability in both Lynne and Tim. They must have had moments where they seriously questioned whether they made the right decision. Lynne instead glossed over the bigger emotions that she and Tim undoubtedly felt during their time abroad. And I think she did a disservice to the book and her readers because of that.
This book would be great for someone interested in living abroad full time and is looking for a light read.
Rating: 3/5
Home Sweet Anywhere by Lynne Martin is published in paperback by Sourcebooks.
**I received an advanced copy of this book in return for an unbiased review.
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