Help me Plan my Trip to USA (1 year long)

[Lex]

Hi all,

It seems like years ago I started the thread how the f do I get in the states. Just a short couple of months later, Im renting out my house, selling my car, quitting my job and Ill be touching down in LA on a 1 year working Visa.

Ill have a SSN and can work anywhere I want. Ill be alone so the question is where do I go, what do I do.

I have enough cash (about 20000us) which will only last me 6 months not working so Ill have to get a job eventually but Id like to spend the first month or 2 travelling from LA to Miami seeing america and ending up partying for spring break for a month or so.

Then I want to hit up vegas for May june July and then onto New york for the rest of the year.

Hopefully I can get work in Vegas and in NY!

I need some advice on what to see inbetween LA and Florida and also how. Do i rent/buy a car, backpack in hostels and get trains, or just fly state to state.

Has anyone ever done this? Im open to anything so id love to hear some opinions

[Cisco419]

I say you hitchhike your way accross the country! lol

Probly buy a small cheap car and use that as your main transportation. Now as far as where to go I dont know but I'm sure everyone will help on that!

[tschwicht]

Here is my advice (as good or as bad as it may be).

Any big city should have public transportation. Buses and trains/subways are where it's at. It will save you money if you plan it out and buying a cheap car could incur you maintenance fees which would be a big hit if something breaks down. Look up the cities public transportation site, and if you will be there for awhile there are discounted rates on transportation cards for buying more at once. Chicago has a monthly flat rate program for CTA that is a good deal if you're commuting a lot.

Traveling across country, flying is probably the best option. It is by far the quickest and with the cost of gas it doesn't cost much more if at all than driving. A cheaper option would be a bus, but it will take much longer especially from say LA to NY. Fly on offdays like Tuesdays or Wednesdays for cheaper fares.

As for where to stay, there aren't exactly hostels but you can find cheap places to stay. If you plan on traveling a lot, possibly finding a hotel that offers rewards or discounts for staying at their chain would be a good idea. I've heard of a hostel type place in Vegas that is actually like $20 a night. I saw it on a TV show. Mostly young people, looked like a good time. Don't remember the name though. The bottom line is do your research for cheap yet SAFE places to stay.

Good luck, it sounds like you're in for a wild ride! You actually just made my travel itch come back..

As for work, be prepared for the worst. Be frugal, and you can make it. Don't expect to get your dream job, and if/when you do think of it as a bonus. Not to scare you off, but the economic climate isn't the greatest right now as you probably well know.

[Lex]

Good luck, it sounds like you're in for a wild ride! You actually just made my travel itch come back..

Im 29, I went to thailand for 1 week @ 27 and Vegas as we all know 6 months ago. Talk about a travel bug. Im leaving my job, house, girlfriend of 2 years just to spend hopefully the sweetest year of my life seeing the states.. alone.

All I know is AOD May Vegas and Spring break in Miami. The rest is up in the air!

[pcket5s]

If you truly want to see the country I would suggest taking Amtrack across the country. It will take a while I think 3 1/2 days. But you will get to see all of America. The Rocky's Mountains, Plains, Appalachian Mts and eventually the east cost. I did a quick search from LA-NYC. It was like $192 and you could travel from LA - Chicago - NY..

[Lex]

192 Wow thats awesome. Can you get off the train at each city though?

[IndyColtsGal]

Congrats. Maybe check into leasing a car for 12 mo if possible. Buses will take forever but you will definitly see small town America that way. Research Amtrak about trains.

Have you considered possibly backpacking across America. Our state parks have websites to help you plan camping locations & hiking trails.

If you have the time consider hitting Indianapolis for The Indy 500 Sun May 30'th. It is a 3 day drunken party fest...you'd love it.

I highly recommend checking out the rocky mountains....Estes Park, Pikes Peak, Boulder Colorado area.

I loved San Diego, CA. when my bro lived there.

If hitting Miami try to consider a trip down to Key west......a very laid back get drunk daily while watching the sun set atmosphere, and of course Disney World/Epcot is a must catch a few beers in Germany @ Epcot.

[Cisco419]

I loved San Diego, CA. when my bro lived there.

It was in the 70's today!!! Love Diego baby!!!

[Charles~]

Check couchsurfing.com

I'll show you around L.A. when you touch down.

Props to you for doing this. So many people are too chicken to really experience life. You're making life your bitch. I like that.

[Lex]

Thanks charles I might take u up on that offer.

I am stepping wayy out of my zone here. Literally dropping everything flat. Im way to comfortable in my life I need to mix it up a bit!

[Charles~]

Sounds good bro.

You're gonna grow like a mofo during this. Hell I might even sit shotgun for this trip!

[BritishV]

Sounds awesome! You'll have a blast.

Try airbnb.com for cheap rooms in people's homes.

I did San Francisco to LA a few years ago, had a great time. Def go to SF, it's amazing. There are a few hostels and cheap places in the states, but it's a lot more expensive then hosteling in Oz or NZ.
We stayed here in Venice Beach, it's a pretty neat place if you want be on the beach for a very low price!
http://www.venicebeachcotel.com/

Have fun!

[Lex]

Airbnb looks awesome. thats definetely going to help me out.

I just rented out my house, and sold my car. I probably should have waited for the Visa first. Oh well

[pcket5s]

Congrats. Maybe check into leasing a car for 12 mo if possible. Buses will take forever but you will definitly see small town America that way. Research Amtrak about trains.

Have you considered possibly backpacking across America. Our state parks have websites to help you plan camping locations & hiking trails.

If you have the time consider hitting Indianapolis for The Indy 500 Sun May 30'th. It is a 3 day drunken party fest...you'd love it.

I highly recommend checking out the rocky mountains....Estes Park, Pikes Peak, Boulder Colorado area.

I loved San Diego, CA. when my bro lived there.

If hitting Miami try to consider a trip down to Key west......a very laid back get drunk daily while watching the sun set atmosphere, and of course Disney World/Epcot is a must catch a few beers in Germany @ Epcot.

If you going to be in the Midwest around May, might as well check out the Kentucky Derby.. Its a huge party but I think that may be in the first Sat in May.

192 Wow thats awesome. Can you get off the train at each city though?

I'm not really sure how that works. I've never taken Amtrak anywhere. I'm sure a simple search around their website/e-mail would solve any questions you may have..