by Michelle Lynne Smith

Created on: February 18, 2009   Last Updated: February 21, 2009

In todays world, where time and money are such valuable resources and everyone is trying to save more of both, traveling is becoming increasingly difficult. Many people are now looking to their own cities, which is beneficial in so many ways, not just for the person or family, but for the city as well.

One of the most obvious benefits to traveling within your own city is the reduction in cost. Especially if you have a family, vacations can be very expensive when you factor in transportation, meals and souvenirs. When traveling in your own city, you may have the option of walking or using public transportation, which can greatly reduce costs. The price of meals probably will not change much, but at least you won't have the hassle of driving around an unknown area looking for a place to eat. You also save a lot of money on hotel rooms since at the end of the day you can just go back home.

It is also a lot easier to wander around your own city than to wander around someone else's, again, especially if you have a family. Kids require a ridiculous amount of stuff to travel, and babies need about ten times more than that. If you are going on a trip out of state for example, kids would need games and snacks for the road, while a baby would need plenty of food, enough clothes for the whole trip if you're not going to be able to wash clothes, and some toys, just to name a few things. If you were staying in your own city, the kids wouldn't need anything, and while the baby would still need all of the things mentioned, they would fit in a diaper bag instead of a suitcase.

Wandering your own city is also easier in another respect. While you may not know where everything is, especially if you live in a big city, you should at least have a general idea of how to get around and where the main roads are. It certainly beats having to pull over every few miles to look at a map or asking a gas station attendant for directions.

The environment also benefits from your shortened travels. Instead of your car blowing out exhaust for 1200 miles, your destination may be as close as a few miles away. The environment benefits even more if you are able to walk or take public transportation, which as stated earlier, can also reduce your costs. If bikes are an option, those are great too, as not only are you saving money and helping the environment, but you are also getting some exercise.

Another benefit of people wandering their own city is felt by their local economy. Most people can't go a day without spending money, so when someone decides to stay in their own city instead of going somewhere else, there is usually money being pumped back into the local economy. Maybe instead of visiting a big souvenir shop on the beach, you stay home and visit some of the shops downtown. You also eat there and then decide to do some more shopping. Now the local economy is receiving money outside the range they normally do, which can stimulate the growth of a city.

As you can see, there are many benefits to wandering around your own city as opposed to traveling somewhere. And who knows, you may find some hidden gems a few blocks from your house that your family can enjoy for years.

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