What is the average age of a Fodorite?
 

I peruse postings and am often amazed and jealous at how often some people are able to travel. I think it may have to do with the age group of participants here. I am 27, how old are you? I'm thinking I may not get too many responses...

Younger than my mother and older than my son . . . !
Seriously, if you're asking for averages, the range is between about 18 and 75, and because I was never very good at math, but pretty good at sorting out tastes for different age groups, I'd guess there's more posters in their late 30's and 40's, because that's about the peak, or almost peak of one's earning level.

Hi, Bnice! I'm 61 and didn't get to travel till my kids were grown and through college. I also had a reluctant husband, until he took his first trip to Europe.

But I must say it depends on your priorities. Many people (myself included) choose to spend more on travel and less on cars, clothes, furniture, eating out, etc.

59 here, my husband is 61 and we're still working. We only have limited time off, but for the last 5 years we've been trying to make traveling to far-off places a priority. You never know how long your legs will last!!!!!

Bnice,
My SO and I are 55. I travel to Europe ~10x/yr for business. We take
leisure trips (1-3x/yr) to Europe for "road trips" and family get togethers.

Re: your jealous feelings.
If you love to travel, set your priorities and, in the words of a large sneaker company, 'just do it' :)
--

I think the age range is very wide on this forum. Sure, there are many retired people like me who now have the time and means to travel, but I also see a large group of 30 somethings eager and able to travel to Europe at least once per year. The Fodors addiction has more to do with the passion than the age--once you get the bug it is hard to shake it.

I'm 35.

Bnice - 2nd attempt to post..I'm 37 but have travelled lots and lived in 8 different countries
( more than one year ) but then I had burning desire to do it..NOT everyones "cuppa." Still, 27 is good age to start seeing the world - have fun - Theres always an excuse to not travel or live somewhere else.."the money/the comfort zone" but after I did it I felt my horizons had broadend and I got to see and feel how people in other countries lived..LOVE IT feel compelled to thank my dad for passing on the adventurous spirit - you NEVER regret travelling EVER

I am 62 and live in rural Australia. Have been lucky enough to travel quite extensively, however, the problem is that we are so far from anywhere before we start!

Well . . I suppose my agerage age is 31.5

Rich

HI! I'm 35 years old and the whole time I was growing up I never left New England (lived in Boston) - although, I must say, its not a bad place to be...Anyway, I always wanted to go and see the places I read about, saw movies about, studied in school, but can only now afford it. My children decided this summer to travel rather than go to camp (I'll see if I'm still pleased about that by the end of the summer -ha). But I have friends who buy a new carpet or sofa instead of taking a trip. To each his own, but I'll take the experience of travel any day.

64 coming up to 65!

Geez Beatchick I didn't know you were a real chick!!

I'm now 52, and started traveling internationaly when I married at 32. We went to Spain on our honeymoon (stated with friends and celebrated the death of Franco), and celebrated our 20th anniversary in Paris a "few" years ago. Now traveling in Asia as often as Europe.

My husband and I are 59. In my high school annual my ambition (stated under my picture) was " I want to travel to Europe."

I worked for a year after college graduation to earn the money and then spent the summer travelling with Europe on $5 a Day!

Then no more trips until the youngest of our five children started college nine years ago. Since then we have travelled in Europe one or two times a year.

59

I'm 29 and I have been for 20 years....I took my first trip to Italy at 40 and have been hooked on travel ever since...we usually go abroad twice a year now. If we would have had kids to put through school I'm sure our adventures would have started later.

I'm 42 and my hubby is 45. We made our first trip to Europe 10 years ago. Since then, we've lived in two Middle Eastern countries (working for an oil company) and have travelled extensively.

As American expats living in a hardship area, our company pays for one trip home a year, and a one week long R&R.

Instead of going directly home (US), we apply those funds to around-the-world tickets, and spend most of our vacation time outside of the US.

It's considerably easier and faster to get to Europe from the Middle East, so we usually spend our R&R there.

We don't have kids, which helps the travel budget considerably.

What a great question! I'm 41. my husband is 42. My son is 11 and we all hope to see the whole world in our lifetime!

I am 40, Limited budget with wife aged 40 and 2 children 15 and 12. Try to get somewhere every year (Australia this year). Now the kids are growing up, we will sometime in the future pursue our travels alone.
The reason...my mother hated travel and as kids we never went anywhere, I vowed that would change

Good Luck

Mucky (Wales UK)

Turning 49 next month.

Bnice,
I spent 10 years working in public relations because that position provided many travel opportunities. Then I married someone who loves to travel too -- met him while I was (you guessed it) traveling! In the last year we've done many long weekend trips around France, as well as vacations in Maldives, Spain, Corsica and California but we don't drive nice cars! (I'm 41, my guy is 35.)

Oh, and if I may pose a related question on this thread ... how does having children affect your travel habits? Do travel lovers really stop for 20 years?

I'm 34 and my hubby is 43. He never traveled much before we got married, but traveling is now one of our main priorities. I saw a lot of Europe in high school, as well as many places in the US and Mexico, but I still have SO many places in the world on my list, including Asia and Africa.

We've spent the past 10 years in the West Indies due to my husband's employment, and have always felt fortunate to experience other cultures in this area. We go to the US about three times per year between business and personal trips, and we save up to go to Europe about once every two or three years.

I strongly agree with other posters herein that you can travel on any budget if you really want to. We don't splurge on cars, furniture or clothing, but rather put that money away for our trips. We also make a goal of how much we will need to save for any particular trip and diligently put away a little from each paycheck. It all really boils down to what your priorities are.

59 here and I remember when you could actually TRAVEL in Europe on $5 a day..we all BOUGHT that book! The really expesnive folks bought the $10 a day book...sigh

I am 40 been a fodorite for 4 years I work for the Govt,civilian Sector DOD. So i get a lot of time off .I get to take advantage of the Armed Forces Travel Club that has a deal with RCI (Time shares /hotel properties) all over the world . I use them for a base for travel. I always try to fly open jaw If I have a conection in a diffrent Country that I am going to I will make a two or three day pit stop .So of my Past trips have beed to Italy , Spain , Portugal Morocco ,Monaco,France, Ireland twice in the past year England ,Malta ,Sicily .Up comming Greek islands in November03 ,Spain in March 04.I try to go just before or after the peek season.

I'm 46 and no, babette, I didn't stop travelling when I had kids (Corfu, Italy, Ireland, France, Turkey, Morocco etc. with youngsters), but I definitely travel differently with them - slower, more planning, regular mealtimes, fewer "wild" adventures (alas), more house rentals or camping and more laundry!

Hi,

I'm 62. Yes, many people my age stopped traveling abroad when they had children because they couldn't afford it.

Air fares were higher, food and lodging was more expensive and the dollar was not as strong in the 60's and 70's.

Also, back then, there was some concern that Europeans didn't like Americans and were rude to them.

Having children (we have one son) has not affected our travel habits. He used to come with us wherever we went - of course we choose destinations that were of interest for him as well. Once a year we did a major vacation without him as he's not a travel addict as me and my husband are.

Why does it matter? Age is just a number, isn't it?

We are 56. Did the first trip to Europe at age 37 then had to wait until we were 50 to go back with work, college expenses, etc. Since then have been to Europe for the 3rd time and are planning the 4th time this fall. Also 3 years ago went to Australia.

Did not find fodors until planning our 1999 trip.

4 of the 5 trips have been done using frequent flyers (those visa miles add up especially when you charge college tuition).

We try to plan a major trip every other year. Usually go with another couple since it helps with expenses, primarily the car.

I turned 28 on our trip to Rome in Feb. My first trip to Europe was when I was 23 with my then boyfriend now husband to Greece and I fell in love with Europe. Now we've been to London, Paris, Venice, Rome and lots of places in Greece.
We are now preparing for another Greece trip in August.

You folks are ALL SO YOUNG. I am almost in the mid 70,s (age that is)(gulp), however started traveling to Europe in the 60's,1960,s that is, occasionall on professional one week seminars and the virus DID TAKE and ever since have enjoyed at least one trip to Europe each year. The past 15 years or so I do travel with Grand Circle Travel company as it does simplify thing and gives a person a feeling of security. Now am a widow and do find it more difficult, with the single suppliment charges (however they are less on European trips than on in the States) but find that even very doable as you meet so very many wonderful people.
I think the secret, at any age is having an OPEN MIND and enjoying every minute of what is different about each place and ALWAYS hopeing for another trip the following year. Happy traveling.

Amen, Halfpint. An open mind is what makes or breaks a trip. Glad to hear you can still enjoy traveling at your spry age. Keep it up!

Ohhhhhh..on certain days I really wish that age is/were "just a number." But one thing about being "old and rich" (yeah, right for the "rich" part) is they let you get away with more!

I'm 28. I started traveling in high school; I took part in exchange programmes to Denmark and France. As soon as I left college and started working, I also started saving money for trips. So far, I've visited Viena, London, Rome and Miami... and Next week I'm going to Edinburgh! (I live in Spain, so European destinations are closer to home; but, I have lots of places in my list:America -North and South-, Asia, Africa, Australia...)

I'm 70. My wife 58. Been to Australia and New Zealand twice in the past 2 years, Canada once, the UK twice(England, Wales, Scotland), and France once. Again, all in the last 2 years.
We both work full time jobs, but our employers are accommodating.
John

18 here...and I know I'm not the only one!

Thanks for all the responses!

I just started traveling once I graduated from graduate school 3 years ago. My parents don't travel abroad. I've been doing one European trip a year. It's a priority for me to get somewhere abroad once a year, so like other people who have posted I choose not to make car payments (and drive a 10 year-old car!) or perhaps pass on a new piece of furniture, I use the money for my one trip!

49 (with 25 trips out of the country to date including Europe, Caribbean, Mexico).