I think modern travel is one of the coolest parts of being alive in 2023. If I want to, I can hop in my car and drive across the country, Alice Ramsey style (but like, much more comfortable). Or I can board a plane and land on the other side of the world in just 26 hours. I can jump on a train, a boat, a bus—heck, I can even ride my bike to the grocery store. There’s something fascinating about the freedom to move about the entire globe.

Of course, with modern convenience comes modern rules. I can’t Fast & Furious my way from Melbourne to Los Angeles, and frankly, we should all think long and hard before boarding the Titanic II. But the biggest travel hassle? That’s gotta be TSA.

Spending the day moving in and out of various airports can be draining, both physically and emotionally. The last thing you want to do is strip off your nice, comfy jacket and gross-floor-resistant shoes and walk (always at the wrong speed) through a full-body scanner. No matter what day you choose to fly, it’s always Monday in the airport security line.

Hey, I don’t make the rules. I just want to get to where I’m going!

And honestly? Sometimes, “where I’m going” is nowhere. As much as I love exploring, I also love my house. My own bed and my own TV that already knows my Netflix password. I love my kitchen and my bathtub and the fact that I always know where to find extra pillows. The outside world is beautiful, but so is my couch.

I think everyone deserves to feel that way about “staying in.” Your next adventure doesn’t have to happen halfway around the world; spending time at home can be an experience, too! In fact, it’s easy when you love your neighborhood. 

Here in Melbourne, we have so many gorgeous communities to choose from, and that’s part of why I enjoy being a realtor. I get to show my clients the best that our city has to offer, taking their visions and priorities into account.

One of my favorite neighborhoods is Melbourne Village. With its 50+ acres of stunning parkland and a TV-worthy small-town vibe, it’s an ideal place for growing families and retirees alike. The Village offers all the tranquility of homesteading (think residents selling farm fresh eggs) but is only a few miles from our city’s major tech companies. It’s truly a slice of heaven, right here in Florida.

Another neighborhood I love is West Melbourne. It has a denser population than the Village, and it offers easy access to dining and parks. I especially enjoy showing it to young professionals, who appreciate the quiet as well as the convenience (basically the opposite of an airport).

For those who want to live near water, Pineda Crossing is a must-see. Along with plenty of preserved land, this neighborhood boasts eight lakes (!!), excellent walkability, and an overall clean, safe environment. I don’t know about you, but I’ll take those perks over the TSA line nearly any day of the week.

Because yes, I think making yourself at home in your neighborhood is one of life’s greatest adventures. It’s so easy to hop in the car and just escape it all—but what if you didn’t need to? What if, instead of constantly moving, we all learned to just enjoy?

By all means, book your flight to Europe and take that backpacking trip you’ve been dreaming of since college. Just make sure that coming home brings you equal—or greater—levels of happiness.