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Finding Community Through ChooseFI Local Groups

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Today I had the chance to meet with the ChooseFI Nebraska group to facilitate a conversation about the Pillars of FI, domestic slow travel, and how we can all intentionally design our ideal lives. I’ve always enjoyed connecting with other members of the FI community, and this group was no exception. Back when we lived in Texas, I loved my local ChooseFI meetups, and it’s been great to find a new community here in Omaha. Having a built-in group of like-minded people makes this early retirement experiment not just more sustainable, but also more enjoyable.  After all, FI is more fun with friends 🙂 

What Are ChooseFI Local Groups?

ChooseFI local groups are free, community-based meetups that connect people who are pursuing financial independence and a more intentional life. You can find one in almost every major city (and many smaller ones) around the world. They’re made up of people from every stage of the FI journey: some are just starting to budget, others are fully retired, and most are somewhere in between.

The best part? There’s no selling, no judgment, and no one-size-fits-all advice. Just real conversations about what’s working, what’s not, and how to design a life you don’t need to escape from.  The formats vary.  I have seen social meetups, watched people get “financially naked” for case studies, watched presentations on specific topics , but the common denominator is people working to improve their lives and helping others along the way.

If you’re interested in finding your local group, visit local.choosefi.com. You can search by state or city, join your local Facebook or Meetup page, and start connecting with people near you who share similar goals. Whether you’re looking for accountability, motivation, or just a few new friends who don’t think saving for the future and talking openly about money is weird, it’s a great place to start.

A Big Thanks to the Nebraska Crew

A huge thank-you to the ChooseFI Nebraska organizers for making me feel so welcome. The discussion we had around the Pillars of FI, lifestyle design, and the balance between work and freedom was a reminder of why this movement matters so much. I left inspired, encouraged, and grateful to have found a community that gets it.

For those who asked for a copy of my presentation, you can find the slides here

Your Turn:
 If you’ve ever wondered what FI looks like in real life (or just want to talk about financial freedom without putting your friends to sleep) you are welcome to reach out to me or just find your local ChooseFI group and show up. You might walk away with a new strategy, a few laughs, or even a friend who reminds you that you’re not crazy for wanting something different.

Why Omaha? Did You Lose a Bet?

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When we told friends and family that our first “test drive” city for our slow-travel experiment was Omaha, Nebraska, we got a lot of raised eyebrows. Some people laughed. One person even asked me if we had lost a bet.  But the truth is, there are a lot of reasons to like Nebraska, and Omaha in particular.

First, although Katie has some family here and I have worked in the area off and on over the past couple of years, this corner of the country is still fairly new territory for us.  We’ve been to all 50 states on short trips, but we’ve never really dug into this part of the Midwest. That makes Omaha a perfect launchpad for road trips to underexplored places like Kansas City (hello, BBQ), the quirky roadside attractions of Iowa, and even the wide-open spaces of western Nebraska and South Dakota.

Second, the cost of living here is refreshingly low compared to what we’re used to in the Dallas area. For less than the monthly cost of our paid off suburban home, we can rent a two-story, furnished apartment in the heart of Omaha’s Old Market district—utilities included. This historic neighborhood is a mix of brick streets, art galleries, and local restaurants.  For our Texas friends, the best comparison I can think of is the Stockyards area in Fort Worth.   Plus it’s walkable to parks, shops, and even riverfront trails. That walkability matters, especially since we’re going to be sharing one car during our stay.

Third, Omaha has some surprises up its sleeve. There’s a thriving restaurant scene, one of the top-ranked zoos in the country, and because it is the largest city in hundreds of miles in any direction, a pretty  impressive live music and theater lineup.  Add in friendly Midwestern hospitality, and you’ve got a place that we think will be easy to settle into, even for just the fall semester.

Of course, the real reason we’re here is that this is just stop number one in our search for a “forever home.” We don’t know yet if Omaha will be the winner, but that’s the fun of slow travel.  We get to try on different lifestyles and locations for size. For now, we’re keeping an open mind and enjoying the adventure.

Why Are We Slow Traveling the U.S.?

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One of our family goals was to get both boys to all 50 states before they were out of the house.  Sadly, circumstances (Link to other article) left Katie the boys stuck at Forty-nine.  That is still an accomplishment, but instead of scratching that off our list and settling into a “normal” retirement routine now that the kids are grown, we’ve decided to hit the road again— just a little differently this time.  We’re not tourists anymore.  Now we’re test-drivers. 

Texas has been great for us.  We got degrees, raised a family, had careers here.  It has never really felt like home to Katie, though.  And just because we live here now, that doesn’t mean we have to live here forever.  Maybe we will want our forever home to be in a cooler climate, so we don’t have to hide in the AC for 4-5 months a year?  Maybe we want actual elevation changes?  Trees?  Maybe fewer extremes… in weather and in political climate? 😊

Wait, You’re Not Traveling Internationally?

Nope — not yet.

Sure.  My FIRE people, the travel blogs, Instagram reels… everyone seems to be sipping espresso in Italy or eating $1 pho in Vietnam. And with Katie being a fluent Spanish speaker (and me speaking like at least a third grader), Central and South America seem like a natural fit.   We’re all for exploring those options… eventually. But for now, we’ve made a conscious choice to look domestically. Why?

1. Consulting work – I’m still doing some consulting, and it’s just easier to manage from within the U.S.  Travel, time zones, Zoom calls, internet reliability — it’s not glamorous, but it’s real life and it helps fund the adventure and minimize sequence of returns risk at the start of our early retirement.

2. Scouting our “forever home” – We don’t just want to travel for the sake of movement. We’re on a mission. We’ve done the tourist version of all 50 states, but now we want to live in them — or at least in some of the top contenders.

3. Logistical simplicity – No visas, no long-haul flights, no currency exchanges, and no language barriers. Plus, we can bring more stuff, cook in our own kitchen, and drive our own (new) car along the way.

Why 2–4 Month Stints?

At this point we think that staying at least two months is going to be our sweet spot.  Both of us have travelled a lot for short trips for vacation or business.  That wasn’t enough for a real look at different areas, though.

Month one is for figuring things out — Where the best grocery store is, how the weather really feels, can Katie get decent Mexican food, and how far the walking trails are from home.

Month two (and more) is when we settle in and get to know the rhythms. We will notice things like traffic patterns, neighborhood personalities, and whether the town actually has a good community feel or just good PR.

What We’re Looking For in a Home Base

We’re not just looking for postcard beauty or an affordable zip code (though those don’t hurt).  We’re looking for:

·   – A manageable cost of living

·   – Mild-to-moderate seasons

·   – A sense of community

·   – Access to nature without being hours from an airport with good connections

·   – Solid healthcare options

·   – Bonus points for walkability, water access, and a good public library system

The Unsexy Side of Domestic Slow Travel

Is it always going to be dreamy? Of course not!

Finding decent mid-term rentals has been tricky, especially with the rise of AirBnb fees (Link) and leases that either want a weekend stay or a full year commitment. We’ve had to get creative using furnishedfinder.com, Facebook groups, and even reaching out directly to landlords.

We also have to be careful not to just “vacation” our way through this. This isn’t about tourist attractions, restaurants, and photo opportunities.  It’s about real-life living — doing laundry, getting oil changes, finding the nearest urgent care.

And honestly, there’s going to be some emotional fatigue in packing up and starting over every few months. It will be especially problematic this Fall when my consulting schedule is a lot heavier than we had originally planned.  But we will balance it with some slow days, outdoor time, and the occasional indulgence.

What’s Next?

We’ve got a few areas on the shortlist already, largely based on my work schedule.  Omaha, Myrtle Beach, Seattle, etc.  Eventually, we might dip our toes into international waters. But for now, we’re looking forward to roaming America’s backroads, main streets, and regional gas station chains — one stay at a time.  And who knows? Maybe the next stop will end up feeling like home.