Is it sad that I've never been abroad at the age of 30?

[SouthMan28]

I've never been abroad due to living with a single mother who couldn't afford to take me anywhere outside of the UK and my father who never taken me on holiday with him.

I feel like I've missed out a lot in life already, my partner has been abroad a few times already and I like to also add I've never been on a plane either! Even though my partner has also been on one.

I won't be able to go away this year as money is tight with bills etc to pay as me and my partner are in low paid jobs.

I just feel down about it and don't want to tell friends etc because I feel embarrassed about never going outside the UK!

What's your thoughts about this?

I feel like it's going to be ages if at all of going abroad due to the cost of living and feeling depressed because family and friends are going away and I can't afford to!

Anyone else in this situation?

I never went abroad until I was over 30

I would say though there’s a skills shortage and companies are beginning to pay more - move jobs and set yourself a goal of a holiday next year.

I’m 33 and never been on an aeroplane either!
I too find it quite embarrassing but my life just hasn’t led in that direction 🤷‍♀️

Hoping to rectify that in the next couple of years now the kids are older but I can’t say I’m itching to do it tbh

I didn’t go abroad until well into my 30’s

Not in this situation OP but my mum didn't go abroad until she was 40 (and that was also her first time on a plane). In the 30 years since she has travelled widely, so I just wanted to reassure you that just because you haven't been yet doesn't mean you won't in the future!

You should not be embarrassed one bit.

It is sad (not saddo sad, upsetting sad!), but it isn't embarrassing. If you want to go abroad, set it as a goal, research, save, plan. Think about where you'd like to go, and make it happen.

You’re over thinking things, there are plenty of people that don’t fly or go abroad. It’s also extremely positive to have such a low carbon footprint. Some people prefer to holiday cheaply in the U.K. or holiday from home and use their cash elsewhere. More important is feeling loved, supported and parental attention. Some children have all the worldly goods and materialistic opportunities possible but miss out on far more important things like love, kindness, being respected.

I've never been abroad either and I'm 30. Occasionally I'm a bit sad about it but then realise I'm not too bothered. Plus planes freak me out

I don't think your mum not taking you on holiday as a child has anything to do with it, most people I know didn't travel abroad until they were adults for the same reason. But between 18 and 30 they did go.

I dont think it's anything weird or embarrassing, absolutely nothing wrong with it if you can't or you just don't want to. Not flying often or at all is also a more sustainable choice environment wise.

But if you do want to go, start looking in to it. Apply for a passport. Start planning and saving up.

People spend a lot of money on trips abroad so of course they post pictures and say what a great time they had, even though the reality doesn’t always match up to the fantasy. Try to focus on what you do have, after all - comparison is the thief of joy.

Maybe there’s something else in your life that you want to change that’s making you compare? Perhaps it’s more about your job and less about the holidays?

I don’t think it’s sad to never go abroad or on a plane. I do think it’s okay to feel sad about, which should then motivate you to do it.

I didnt go abroad until I was 18 and then made up for it hugely in my 20s but my parents took us to a chalet holiday every year, same chalet, same t2 weeks, in the south of england.

You have years ahead of you to explore and theres plenty of places to look at in the UK too.

I've only been abroad twice on school trips as a teenager. I had my first baby young and then went on to have all my kids in my 20s so I never travelled. Some of my friends say "oh don't you feel you missed out travelling the world, having kids young?". But I'm from a working class family who always struggled financially so it was never on the cards for me. I could go abroad now on a cheap holiday but I prefer to stay in the UK at least until the kids are older.

You can get flights for £3!!

Cheaper than travelling in Londo. underground!

Don't be daft about being embarrassed. It's not your fault you grew up skint and have been skint since.

I finally got to go when I was 39 and a half.

Don't be embarrassed. My DP had never been abroad until he was 40, and DP didn't have a passport. You've lots of time.

He is a much more nervous traveller than me and I've wondered whether it was starting later - but it might just be his personality!!

It’s not sad, it’s the same as the vast majority of the human population that haven’t been privileged enough to be able to travel.

It sounds like it something that is within your reach in the next few years though, so if it’s something you want to experience then that’s an exciting thing that you can look forward to and work towards. Not because it matters enough that you should do it just for the sake of it, or because of what other people might think, but so that it’s something you can decide if you like for yourself.

I do think it is sad, yeah. There's so much to explore and it's exciting. Being away in another country feels different somehow. It's an experience and I hope you get to enjoy it sometime

But nothing to be embarrassed about!!

I know someone who has a holiday house in the U.K. and has no desire or intention to ever travel outwith the U.K. no passport, nothing.

if you really REALLY want to go abroad and have no money you could consider a temporary or flexible part time job for your spare time and save it all and go on a trip.

Not at all! What an amazing carbon footprint. Always a positive!
I have a friend who could go abroad and chooses not too and she is 40 and never been. She has a lovely life.
It only becomes an issue of you want to go. Don't be bothered by other people.

You probably will one day but look at all the airport hassle now. You do what you feel you want to do!

At 55 I've been on a plane twice. When I was 18, went with DM and her OH to Greece. They arranged it, i just had to pay my share. Next time was 10 years ago for work, an hours flight to France, saw nothing except the venue we were at.
I have no idea how to plan a holiday abroad. DH is too frail to go. It ain't happening anytime soon. My ambition as a young woman was to travel, its my regret that I haven't. I am also low waged.

I was married with teenagers when I first went abroad. The last time was 14 years ago and I don’t anticipate ever going abroad again, although there are places I’d love to see.

Only because youve wanted to.and you've sooo much time to rectify.trll your friends though! If they are any kind of friends this is exactly the things you can talk about.they might even group together and get you there cheaper.
Look at some deals to France op.its really not much outside holiday prices.a night in France or two is the best kind of fun.ypu could camp,airbnb,hostel.
Is this something you could try save for.
I know at them moment for many the act of saving is just not even a tiny blip of an option so I'm sorry if that's you.but if it is look for a deal now and discover the price.write it down on an envelop and keep putting some money in.
And if u need to holiday here for a while so be it.enjoy what you can,every moment.
But id say Europe holidays are far cheaper than some in the UK!