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22 and in need of a life

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DrOBoogie
  11/28/2012 14:06 EST

hi, my name is Sean. i am from the US and i have dreamed about living somewhere tropical and getting away from the grind of a 'normal' life here in the states. surfing is also a must for my new home.(ive never surfed but i literally dream about it every single night). I just need to remove myself from this toxic, dying environment before i become a zombie like everyone else. after some research i have decided on fiji. i cant think of the city name off the top of my head but it starts with a s and its not suva. It is said to have an ok sized expat community and low crime rate. i am 22 years old, my plan is to sell all that i can, buy a one way ticket and hope for the best. i am looking for any advice on where is the best place to live, be it in fiji or not, how much money i will need, how bad crime is. i have never don this before haha so im just looking for any insight. NOTE: if u live in fiji and need a roommate, or have anywhere safe i can stay for a little bit, just long enough for me to get my bearings after i move. it does not even have to be inside, i just need somewhere i know is safe where i can lay my head. i am going to try to bring a tent so like i said, outside is cool haha. please help me out. this is by no means a joke. i am planning on arriving in suva fiji around january 20, 2013. please, any help would be extremely welcomed!!
Thanks with love,
-Sean

DrOBoogie
  11/28/2012 14:40 EST

Hi again guys, just a little addition. I read some 'culture shocks' from fiji and 2/3 of them said it was a place of much dishonesty and corruption. is it an unsafe place to explore? i am looking for a place to live where i can walk everywhere and sleep outside under a tree if need be. please help me out. i am trying to make this happen as soon as possible. at this point i am still working towards fiji but am very open for suggestions.
Thanks again!
Sean

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bpinmn
  11/28/2012 19:57 EST

Hey Sean,

Well you would be living a dream! I did a similar thing back in the mid 80's (took a break from college. Long story shorty, I ended up staying on one of the outer island(at that time you could just hitch a ride on a boat) NOT advisable now? Anyway, I was in Fiji only for a month but it was LIFE CHANGING. Back in 2009, I brought my 15 and 16 yr old there. My son loved it, it was too hot /humid for my daughter. This sight has some pretty good advice, I check it often, Just like many countries, a lot of people base there opinions of Americans of what they see on tv. When we were there last we were pretty low pro and just walked around in typical Fiji Garb, Anyway, you would do fine, There is a HUGE expat community on Koro Island but and there are so many back back style places to stay cheap, My advice would be to stay at one of those places and link up with other young travelers.

DrOBoogie
  11/29/2012 09:51 EST

hey man i really appreciate the insight. i will definitely check out koro. how is the surf in koro? how is the expat community there? r they welcoming? what is fijian garb if u dont mind me askin? i know i could google it but thats just too easy haha.

Zonux
  12/10/2012 14:19 EST

Hey Man, good luck on your adventure. I am from US myself, living in CALI. I have visited Fiji numerous times, last visit was in 2010. Back in 2006, spent the most time there. Was there for about 5 months, mostly in Nadi. Lived among the locals with my wife and two young sons. We had a great time, the people were nice, no one gave us any trouble and everyone knew we were foreigner but did not matter, they treated us as one of the locals. I can't give you much advice on how to live inexpensive in Fiji, but what I can tell you is to shop where the locals shop, away from town, local street corner markets/stalls, travel on the local bus, very inexpensive, make friends with the locals. We would have locals bring us food - cassava, tomatoes etc. grown in their backyard. Although we did not need the help, but it was nice to see how caring and thoughtful people can be. Be very open minded when you are there. I am not saying there are no negatives - crime etc. Yes, like everywhere else in the world, you will find some negatives but I will still take the slow, relaxed living in Fiji rather than the crazy zombie life we currently live in CALI.

okiman
  12/17/2012 02:49 EST

The place with an "S" you're thinking of may well be Sigatoka pronounced 'Sing'atoka, as it's on the Coral coast which is close to famous surfing spots like Waidroka.
I left my native England 30yrs ago and spent many years travelling until I married.I currently live in Okinawa,Japan but have researched Fiji for many years as a possible place to relocate my family.When I left England though I was a young and impetuous man/boy and I wouldn't advise moving anywhere where you're not even sure of the names! I had some real ups and downs in learning to curb my impulsive nature.I survived so can pass on this advice to others,but some don't.Ever watched the movie "Into the Wild"? You may not me headed to Alaska,but a tent won't protect you from a tropical storm or a machette for that matter.Don't want to burst your bubble or give a negative impression of Fiji as I've yet to get there,but your post gives me the impression that you're not being realistic:)

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Cortezsailor
  12/24/2012 09:36 EST

If this is you're dream. ACT ON IT. Don't listen to anything different , regret what you did not what you didn't. Pack you're bags throw caution to the wind and live you're life the way you dream it. If you want it bad enough it will all work out.
Peace

okiman
  12/24/2012 22:40 EST

A very wise man once wrote" prove yourselves cautious as serpents and yet innocent as doves",that's wise and balanced advice from the greatest man who ever lived.The advice to just "throw caution to the wind" is both unbalanced and immature.
Mth 10:16

neihanabanana
  5/11/2013 18:21 EST

Hi mate just curious, how did you go? My fiancé is part Fijian and I want to also escape the "developed" countries.

I am ur age too. I am looking towards permaculture and healthful living

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