A lot of people have been exploring “work from home” aka WFH in the past few months of lockdown. And businesses are quickly realising the benefits of remote working – lower real estate and other infrastructural costs and in some cases higher employee productivity due to zero commute time. In any case, they want to avoid the instability of a physical location in this pandemic time.
Thus, a few people have been exploring the option of moving to Himachal or some other dream location for a few months. Very Digital Nomad style. For a better lifestyle, they are letting go of their rented apartments in the city and for smaller mountain villages or other scenic places. And in most cases, they end up saving quite a bit of money. A month in the mountains could cost as less as 15k / month – blog here.
With months of lockdown behind us and a fairly low death rate from the virus – majority are asymptomatic – people are relaxing a bit. Many are considering better options to spend the next few months of social distancing.
Home alone in Coimbatore, I managed well enough for a while. But it is 6 months now, and I really want to get out. I have also considered taking up an AirBnb or long term stay in some scenic place. However, it is not that easy (sigh). There are some pros and cons to consider.
PROS:
- Relaxed, lovely place to stay – dream come true for many
- Better air, water, food – better health & immunity
- Could save money – depending on the rent in the city versus expense in the new place
- Explore digital nomad lifestyle potentially as a long term option
- Typically, urban areas are seeing way more pandemic implications – overwhelmed healthcare and cluster spreads. Smaller towns and villages *may* be safer.
CONS:
- Access to healthcare – while the villages have seen much lower number of COVID-19 cases so far. What if that changes? If COVID comes to your village/town, what’s your access to medical care and supplies?
- Pandemic complications – this situation is unprecedented. Mostly comparisons are taking place with the Spanish flu of 1918. But in truth, we don’t have any idea how this situation will pan out in next few months. What new complications will occur. So is being in a less known place to us advisable?
- If the pandemic keeps spreading unabated, our near and dear ones may start getting affected. What then? Would we prefer being near them?
- Entry permits and e-pass: a lot of places still require a pass or entry permits. This make things tricky, especially if we plan to release our rented apartment and then move here with so much luggage? What if our e-pass is rejected. Or once we settle in the new place, new e-pass norms come up making it difficult to get out?
- While we are all Indians, states are favouring their own citizens. Here in TN, the locals get free food and grocery packages from the gov. I got nothing. There was also some ridiculous announcement from Delhi CM saying certain hospitals will only treat city residents, thankfully, that got overturned.
- Law and order situation – nothing major so far, however, with increasing unemployment, economic slowdown and emptier roads what if a law and order situation develops? Where would we want to be then?
These are the various aspects that I have been thinking of. For me the CONs are pretty steep. Specifically, about being there for our near and dear ones. We could solve these concerns by looking at a place that is very well connected with a bigger city, but also provides us the bounty of nature and relaxed village life with natural social distancing.
So should we travel? My thoughts,
I think one should look at places near the city where our near ones live. So we are close to them but also out of the city and enjoying nomad life. Jain Dharmashalas, choultrees, ashrams, hill stations, tea or coffee plantations, farm stays come to mind.
I had listed a few getaways from Bangalore earlier on. Similarly, you can find places near your city. They are far enough to provide a completely different ambiance. Great to focus on our yoga, religious stuff and whatever sadhana we are doing – thus keeping our health and immunity thriving. And also near enough to your home/family. Though many might be closed currently, but one can explore the option.
In general, I am of the feeling that it is better not to go to a totally random place currently. Cause rules and situation is still too fluid. A wave 2 of COVID could start any time and then how will it impact places? Also, regions with low COVID numbers suddenly see a spike. While those which were red zones, start improving. So it is very difficult to really predict.
Best to identify places that you have already frequented and are well connected. Thus, you will be prepared to manage if any weird situations occur.
Hope this helps. Share your thoughts and experiences in comments :)
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