The perks that come with personal and business travel, like visiting popular destinations, just aren’t enough for a lot of people. Instead, the prospect of living full-time in a vacation destination sounds like a dream. If you’re one of those people, you may envision waking up each day to a sun-soaked beach, stunning mountain views, or a thriving cultural hub for the arts, entertainment, and hospitality.  

But what is it really like when your vision of paradise becomes your everyday reality? I want to share my journey of living and working in such a destination by diving into both sides of the experience – the things that made it feel like a permanent getaway, and the challenges that came with calling a tourist hotspot home. 

If you find yourself considering a life-changing move to a vacation destination, here’s a closer look at the ups and downs that could come with a new place.   

My view from the mountains  

From 2009-2012, my husband and I lived in Ouray (pronounced you-ray), a beautiful mountain town in Southwest Colorado, often referred to as the Switzerland of America. Talk about an amazing part of the country! Simply put, it’s beautiful. Everywhere you look is like something straight out of a movie.  

Right outside our doorstep (literally) was Cascade Falls, a stunning waterfall you can see from almost every part of town. We regularly had black bears and other wildlife wandering around our yard. Ouray is a popular tourist destination for year-round outdoor recreation, filled with countless things to see and do – hot springs, hiking, rock climbing, fall foliage, ice climbing, off roading – the list goes on! While there were challenges, including some of those listed below, we loved it there.

I gained even deeper insights into living and working in vacation destinations through my profession. The year before we moved to Ouray, I joined Goodwin Recruiting, the U.S. leader in hospitality industry recruiting. Most of the firm’s nationwide employees and recruiting partners work remotely. I’m still with the company, now serving as Director of Marketing, and this has given me insights far beyond my own experience of living and working in a vacation destination.  

The Ups  

Scenic environments: Being surrounded by natural beauty can be truly energizing and reduce work stress. The sights and sounds of nature will help boost your mood and mental clarity. Whether it’s a walk in the forest or relaxing by the ocean, nature has a powerful way of recharging your energy and mental health and keeping burnout at bay. 

Networking and meeting people from around the world: Living in a popular destination, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to interact with travelers and professionals from diverse backgrounds and geographies. This can lead to great friendships, unique career prospects, and even international travel connections. Meeting people from around the country and world will also broaden your perspective with insights into new cultures and ways of life.  

Work-life balance with built-in recreation: The best part about working in a vacation destination is that on your days off, you can enjoy the same amenities and attractions that tourists travel thousands of miles to experience. Another of the big perks (if you manage your schedule and free time right), is that your workweeks can feel like working holidays.

The Downs  

High cost of living: Vacation destinations typically have a high cost of living, due in part to their unique or off-the-beaten-path locations. Strong demand from tourists and seasonal fluctuations also drive up prices for goods, services, and housing. And of course, limited space and resources can lead to increased competition for housing and higher prices.   

Crowds and traffic during peak seasons: When tourists arrive, everything can become overcrowded. Simple errands or commutes may take twice as long, so you might need to shift your expectations and get accustomed to a slower pace of life during high season.  

Seasonal economies and job instability: In tourist towns and cities, a lot of jobs are seasonal. Many people earn the majority of their income during the busy season, compared to the quieter, more laid-back off-season. As a result, some businesses may reduce hours or shut down during slower months. In Ouray, for example, off-seasons can get quite slow! Some nights, you can stand in the middle of Main Street without a single car in sight. Personally, I loved the quiet seasons just as much as the busy seasons. It’s fun to shift gears to a quieter life and enjoy the beauty without the crowds.  

Explore dream jobs in your favorite destination  

Now that you know some of the ups and downs, would you still be interested in the new adventure of living in a vacation destination? If so, connect with the experts at Goodwin Recruiting. Our recruiting partners can connect you with job openings you might not find publicly advertised on job sites like LinkedIn or other social media sites in the talent recruiting space. 

Our job openings in the hospitality industry are available across the United States – in bustling cities, oceanside destinations, super remote locations, and everywhere in between, presenting countless options for professionals looking for a new place to call home.  

Review our job board and sign up for job alerts to stay up to date, as new job opportunities are added every day. And if you’ve ever considered working in talent recruitment, partnering with us is your ticket to living anywhere you want with a remote recruiting job. 

Happy job hunting and I hope you land in your ideal location!