Has anybody ever encountered a travel gear manufacturer that makes gear that is solid and durable, but that is intentionally designed to look old and crappy? For international travel, I want good, durable gear, but I’m uncomfortable walking around with slick, brand-new-looking, expensive-looking gear (especially with my family in tow). I’m happy to snatch up any good used gear (reduce, reuse, recycle) that we’re lucky enough to encounter, but selection is limited, and durability is often compromised. Seems like there’d be a decent market for some durable but ragged-looking travel gear. What i have in mind is luggage, backpacks, laptop cases, smartphone cases, camera bags, infant/toddler carriers, etc. I’m sensitive to the preppy fad of clueless, well-off westerners dressing up like the poor in naive but trendy mockery, but that’s not what I’m after, here. I just want good gear that doesn’t put a target on my back as we traipse around various parts of the world. Anybody have any thoughts on this…?
✨ Recommended destinations
This is an algorithmic recommendation based on @mattgelgota's trips history to find places they haven't been to yet that other people with similar travels as them also went and liked.

Bali is amazing, but Canggu isn't really that great -- actually there are SO MANY better places, like Uluwatu, Gili Islands or even Ubud that I can't understand the hype. As almost everyone said below, beaches are crappy, roads are terrible, sidewalks are non-existent and having a motorbike is a must. On the other side, food is great and cafes are pretty reasonable with all those incredible bowls. Anyway I wouldn't recommend it for more than a week.
⭐️ Score💵 Cost 📡 Internet 😀 Fun 👮 Safety 🌧 Feels 35° 95° 29° 84°🥵AQI 450$1,343 / mo23Mbps
Definitely check out The Key (on near Zhong Xiao Dun Hua station) if living here for more than a month. Cafe + Gym + Bar all in one, monthly membership about $50 USD. English-friendly, no contracts. Made my 3 month stay here immensely better with fast wifi in the cafe and it's a great feeling to be able to work out immediately after working.
⭐️ Score💵 Cost 📡 Internet 😀 Fun 👮 Safety 🌧 Feels 23° 73° 23° 74°AQI 610$1,976 / mo20Mbps
They say you get what you pay for. After having traveled the previous 4 months in India, Cambodia, VietNam, Myanmar and Thailand, Singapore was so easy! The subway system is a marvel, streets signs were easy to read, everyone speaks English (that just makes it easy for me as an English speaker) it is safe, clean, and parks are gorgeous. I was there as COVID 19 was breaking out fairly fast and that put a damper on my time but I was so happy to be there anyway and plan to go back. For digital
⭐️ Score💵 Cost 📡 Internet 😀 Fun 👮 Safety 🌦 Feels 40° 104° 31° 87°🥵AQI 490$2,772 / mo95Mbps
London is a SO beautiful city. The historical center is cute, but also majestic and luxurious. You feel the culture at every step. British people are really kind and welcoming! Plus, more than just one, you can enjoy TWO skylines 😍 so many skyscrapers, nothing beats its collection in Europe.
⭐️ Score💵 Cost 📡 Internet 😀 Fun 👮 Safety 🌥 Feels 6° 43° 7° 44°AQI 210$4,240 / mo23Mbps
During winter is quite safe plus much cheaper. Some nightclubs are free and yet there is still a lot of people. Great por lgbtq+ community.
⭐️ Score💵 Cost 📡 Internet 😀 Fun 👮 Safety ☀️ Feels 16° 61° 15° 59°AQI 660$2,926 / mo30Mbps
I stayed here for a month in July last year. There's lots of cool aspects to the city but I hated it when I was there. The city has a problem with British stag parties, so if you look like you're a British male and speak English expect to be treated with disdain (it's fair enough) The Hungarians can just generally be unfriendly, especially bartenders. It's a weird experience waiting to be served while 3 people ignore you. Or buying the same drink and getting charged whatever they want (700-1500
⭐️ Score💵 Cost 📡 Internet 😀 Fun 👮 Safety 🌥 Feels 8° 46° 9° 49°AQI 660$1,476 / mo39Mbps
Really enjoying Seoul so far. It is very hard to make friends at first as not many people will speak English or are too afraid to. Maybe easier in Itaewon. For phone service, I was able to get month to month service on KT with unlimited data for only 35,000 won a month. Check out the desk with a sign in Thai on the electronics floor at IPark Mall connected to Yonsan station for this deal. They speak great English as well.
⭐️ Score💵 Cost 📡 Internet 😀 Fun 👮 Safety ☀️ Feels 12° 54° 12° 53°AQI 730$2,318 / mo22Mbps
Living in Bangkok since 2015, I refused to go to Phuket longer than I could. I strongly believed in rumors that Phuket was all about prostitution and dirty beaches... oh, how I was wrong! Phuket is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! I’d say you can find the same conveniences you’re used in Bangkok, but with a beach - actually many of them, ofter pristine and desert if you rent a motorbike and explore by yourself. Forget about Patong and go to Karon, Surin, Kattatani, Paradise and Freedom Beach instead... you’
⭐️ Score💵 Cost 📡 Internet 😀 Fun 👮 Safety 🌤 Feels 41° 106° 32° 89°🥵AQI 520$1,541 / mo21Mbps🌎 Regions collected (5 of 9)









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Hong Kong is a fabulous city - from big city living, to isolated beaches, outlying islands and hikes through mountainous terrain. The big downside is it's EXPENSIVE. You need to have a decent salary to live here - otherwise, it would be tough. Hong Kong island is the most expensive, but more affordable places are possible, the further you are willing to travel. It's quite a transient city, so probably pretty easy to make connections!
⭐️ Score💵 Cost 📡 Internet 😀 Fun 👮 Safety 🌧 Feels 22° 72° 22° 72°AQI 667x$2,339 / mo80Mbps
Don't believe the prices on here for an apartment. 686 usd/month refers to an apartment in a high class condo, right in the city centre and seconds away from the BTS(train station). Just remember this, people working at supermarkets make 2 usd/per hour. If you want to live like a local, then you can save a lot of money. If you don't mind a 5-10 minute walk from the BTS, then you can easily get a one bedroom apartment for 300 USD per month, in a high class condo, plus with free golf cart ser
⭐️ Score💵 Cost 📡 Internet 😀 Fun 👮 Safety 🌤 Feels 43° 109° 32° 90°🥵AQI 583x$1,464 / mo23Mbps
Tokyo has so much to offer and so much to do. It is easily overwhelming. Whereas I usually take my first week to explore a place Tokyo’s sights just kept on going. I remember ending up in a hidden cocktail bar, a mexican rooftop party with 1 meter margaritas, spending a whole day going only to French places(?), visiting a store that only imported 2nd hand hiphop apparel, and throughout it all the best michelin star ramen. It just seemed endless, completely unrelated and incredibly fun. Six wee
⭐️ Score💵 Cost 📡 Internet 😀 Fun 👮 Safety 🌧 Feels 16° 61° 15° 59°AQI 223x$3,325 / mo37Mbps

I've been living in SF since 2014 and I have to say Cost of Living is misrepresented. It's a lot more expensive now (2020) than posted. 1-bdr in center is $3,500-$4,000 + $200-$300 for parking + $100-$200 for utilities. Almost impossible to find month-to-month rent, so this is for 1-year lease. Coffee for two + a pastry is easily $20. Dinner for two never less than $50, unless it's fast food (+20% tips are expected) and if you want actually something good it's at least $100 for two. Airbnb is $1
⭐️ Score💵 Cost 📡 Internet 😀 Fun 👮 Safety 🌧 Feels 13° 55° 14° 57°AQI 422x$5,687 / mo66Mbps

Amazing nightlife and possibly the best overall food scene in the states (lots of michelin-level restaurants at far lower prices than NYC/SF). Avoid the winter and you'll love your time Chicago. It's a city of neighborhoods, so do some research to find which area suits you best. Lots of creative types live/work in the west side (West Loop, Wicker Park, Bucktown, Logan Square, etc.)
⭐️ Score💵 Cost 📡 Internet 😀 Fun 👮 Safety ☀️ Feels 2° 36° 3° 37°AQI 272x$3,310 / mo41Mbps🛌 Most time spent

Hong Kong is a fabulous city - from big city living, to isolated beaches, outlying islands and hikes through mountainous terrain. The big downside is it's EXPENSIVE. You need to have a decent salary to live here - otherwise, it would be tough. Hong Kong island is the most expensive, but more affordable places are possible, the further you are willing to travel. It's quite a transient city, so probably pretty easy to make connections!
⭐️ Score💵 Cost 📡 Internet 😀 Fun 👮 Safety 🌧 Feels 22° 72° 22° 72°AQI 663yr$2,339 / mo80Mbps

Tokyo has so much to offer and so much to do. It is easily overwhelming. Whereas I usually take my first week to explore a place Tokyo’s sights just kept on going. I remember ending up in a hidden cocktail bar, a mexican rooftop party with 1 meter margaritas, spending a whole day going only to French places(?), visiting a store that only imported 2nd hand hiphop apparel, and throughout it all the best michelin star ramen. It just seemed endless, completely unrelated and incredibly fun. Six wee
⭐️ Score💵 Cost 📡 Internet 😀 Fun 👮 Safety 🌧 Feels 16° 61° 15° 59°AQI 226mo$3,325 / mo37Mbps
Usually goes dead after one month. Polluted streets and antisocial locals. It’s okay for a few weeks, but the fun diminishes quickly and boredom sets in. You are left with high rent and no fun after about a month.
⭐️ Score💵 Cost 📡 Internet 😀 Fun 👮 Safety 🌤 Feels 39° 102° 32° 90°🥵AQI 623mo$957 / mo21Mbps
I've been living in SF since 2014 and I have to say Cost of Living is misrepresented. It's a lot more expensive now (2020) than posted. 1-bdr in center is $3,500-$4,000 + $200-$300 for parking + $100-$200 for utilities. Almost impossible to find month-to-month rent, so this is for 1-year lease. Coffee for two + a pastry is easily $20. Dinner for two never less than $50, unless it's fast food (+20% tips are expected) and if you want actually something good it's at least $100 for two. Airbnb is $1
⭐️ Score💵 Cost 📡 Internet 😀 Fun 👮 Safety 🌧 Feels 13° 55° 14° 57°AQI 422mo$5,687 / mo66Mbps
Don't believe the prices on here for an apartment. 686 usd/month refers to an apartment in a high class condo, right in the city centre and seconds away from the BTS(train station). Just remember this, people working at supermarkets make 2 usd/per hour. If you want to live like a local, then you can save a lot of money. If you don't mind a 5-10 minute walk from the BTS, then you can easily get a one bedroom apartment for 300 USD per month, in a high class condo, plus with free golf cart ser
⭐️ Score💵 Cost 📡 Internet 😀 Fun 👮 Safety 🌤 Feels 43° 109° 32° 90°🥵AQI 582mo$1,464 / mo23Mbps
Chiang Mai used to be N.1 for the digital nomad life. It is still great and you can find really cheap apartments (300-400$) and restaurants (2-3$ for a main). Wouldn't recommend staying there during the burning season. The best area is Nimman, but it's also the most expensive. You can stay in the old city that's very nice but that gets noisy during the weekend for the night markets. Last but not least, very safe city. All in all would go back in a heartbeat.
⭐️ Score💵 Cost 📡 Internet 😀 Fun 👮 Safety ☀️ Feels 35° 95° 33° 91°🥵AQI 176😷2mo$1,095 / mo22Mbps
Honestly, this is an awesome place to be if you're actually trying to get work done. It's a bit of an older vibe than Canggu, and there's certainly a big chunk of yogi's kicking around — but I liked it much better than Canggu and found it less pretentious. Plus, you can drive down there in 45mins whenever you want some beach or party vibes. As others mentioned, there's some great coworking spaces, cheap warungs, some really nice spots to stay cheaply if you go just outside of the mad tourist
⭐️ Score💵 Cost 📡 Internet 😀 Fun 👮 Safety 🌦 Feels 32° 90° 27° 81°🥵AQI 552mo$1,761 / mo15Mbps