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In this episode, we rank the top 10 US cities for solo female travelers based on three criteria: walkability, public transit access, and nightlife safety. Drawing on 2026 walkability data and multiple solo-travel safety guides, we break down which cities let you skip the rental car entirely, which have the most reliable transit after dark, and which neighborhoods within each city are worth prioritizing.

Cities covered (in rank order): New York City, San Francisco, Boston, Washington D.C., Chicago, San Diego, Portland, Charleston, Savannah, Nashville.

Key takeaway: Safety is neighborhood-specific, not city-wide — even top-ranked cities have areas that require more caution after dark. We flag the standout safe zones for each city (e.g., Gaslamp Quarter in San Diego, the Historic District in Savannah, downtown Broadway in Nashville).

Research Sites: 

Walk Score

Quantumrun

Worldrankd

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After his divorce in 2016, Zavean Carpenter needed a reset — so he booked a flight and started climbing. What began as a way to process a hard chapter turned into a decade-long tradition: every time Zavean visits a new country, he doesn't just explore the culture, food, and people — he hikes to that country's highest peak.

In this episode, Zavean joins me to talk about how this ritual took shape, what it's taught him about grief, resilience, and starting over, and how a single hike can become a lens for understanding an entire country. We cover his ascents in Ireland, Scotland, England, and the Czech Republic, the logistics of researching and summiting peaks in unfamiliar terrain, and why highpointing has become as much a personal practice as a travel bucket list.

In this episode:

• How Zavean's post-divorce trip in 2016 became the start of a decade-long tradition
• Standout climbs: Ireland, Scotland, England, and the Czech Republic to name a few!
• Advice for solo travelers looking to build their own meaningful travel ritual

Perfect for listeners who love: solo travel with purpose, hiking and highpointing, adventure travel after major life transitions, and turning personal growth into a lifelong tradition.

Roam Alone is hosted by Theresa Stephens.

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In this episode, we sit down with Taylor Nichols — career actor and host of the podcast Bike Talk — fresh off an almost-3,500-mile solo bike ride from his daughters' home in San Francisco to his childhood home in East Lansing, Michigan, where his 101-year-old father was waiting.

This was Taylor's first solo trip of any kind. He talks candidly about being uncomfortable with the thought of two months on the road alone and how quickly that concern gave way to something else entirely: a deep, surprising love for his own company. We talk about the rhythm solo travel forces you into, the strangers-turned-friends he met on the road, and what it means to arrive somewhere not just physically changed, but differently oriented to being alone.

Whether you're a solo traveler, a cyclist, or someone who's ever wondered what you'd find in nearly two months of quiet, this conversation is a reminder that solitude isn't something to get through — it's something to seek.

In this episode:

·       Why Taylor, a lifelong actor used to collaboration and company, decided to take on a solo trip for the first time

·       The emotional arc from dreading alone time to craving it

·       Memorable connections made with strangers along a 3,500-mile route

·       Riding to see his 101-year-old father — what that reunion meant after 53 days on the road

·       What solo endurance travel teaches you that no amount of company can

Connect with Taylor:
Check out his podcast, Bike Talk

Roam Alone is hosted by Theresa Stephens.

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This episode is different — it's just me. No guest, no interview. Just Theresa, opening up about the biggest solo adventure of her life: moving from the US to Porto, Portugal.

This isn't a spur-of-the-moment decision. It's the result of years of hard work, hard choices, and a slow, honest evolution — from working four jobs just to stay afloat in Louisville, Kentucky, to researching visas for Costa Rica, then France, and finally landing on Portugal. Theresa walks through the financial breaking point that changed everything, the conversation with her son that made the move real, and why Porto — with its walkability, affordability, and slower pace of life — became the answer she wasn't expecting.

If you've ever wondered what it actually looks like to relocate abroad solo — not just the dream part, but the visas, the doubt, the 2am "what am I doing" moments — this episode is for you.

What We Cover

• Why this move isn't a spur-of-the-moment decision — the years-long path that led here
• Working four jobs and still not making ends meet: the financial reality before the decision
• Why Costa Rica and France were both considered — and why neither ended up being the answer
• How a remote worker visa search led to Portugal (and specifically, Porto)
• Portugal vs. France vs. the US: cost of living, safety, and pace of life
• The moment it became real: selling the house, telling her son, telling coworkers
• What she's most excited about (walking everywhere, learning Portuguese, weekend train trips)
• What scares her (building community, unexpected expenses, language barriers)
• How lessons from solo travel prepared her for a solo move

Connect & Follow Along

Follow the journey as Theresa documents the visa wait, apartment hunting in Porto, and the move itself in upcoming episodes of Roam Alone Portugal.

Roam Alone is hosted by Theresa Stephens.

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What would you do if you knew you couldn’t get it wrong? 

That’s the question that drives Kristy Halvorsen, author of Perfect Unfolding, and today’s guest on Roam Alone. 

In this episode, Theresa sits down with Kristy Halvorsen — author of the new book Perfect Unfolding — to talk about the nine years she's spent living on the road in her Airstream, affectionately named Coddi (short for "coddiwompling," the art of traveling purposefully without a fixed destination).

Kristy shares what it means to trust that the road — and life itself — will lead her exactly where she's supposed to be, even when the path isn't clear and even when it's hard. Perfect Unfolding is her reflection on a belief she's built her whole life around: that everything is unfolding precisely as it's meant to, whether or not we can see the reason in the moment.

This conversation is part travel story, part life philosophy, and part gentle permission slip to let go of the need for certainty.

In this episode:

• What "coddiwompling" actually means — and how it became Kristy's way of life
• Life on the road for nine years: the freedom, the uncertainty, and everything in between
• The belief behind Perfect Unfolding: that life is happening exactly as it should
• How Kristy leans into trust during life's hardest seasons
• What it looks like to travel — and live — without needing to know the destination

Connect with Kristy:

Website: Perfect Unfolding

Roam Alone is hosted by Theresa Stephens.

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What does it look like to leave everything behind and travel the world solo — not for two weeks, but for four years straight? In this episode of Roam Alone, host Theresa Stephens sits down with Loni James, a fearless long-term solo traveler who has explored 36 countries since setting off on her journey after the loss of her mother to Alzheimer's disease.

Loni's story is equal parts heartbreaking and inspiring — a testament to the healing power of travel, the unexpected joy of vulnerability, and the freedom that comes from designing a life completely on your own terms. Whether you're dreaming of your first solo trip or wondering if long-term travel is even possible on a budget, this episode is packed with real, actionable wisdom from someone who has truly lived it.

In This Episode, You'll Discover:

•       What sparked Loni's decision to leave her life behind and travel the world solo after losing her mom

•       How she has sustained 4 years and 36 countries of continuous solo travel — and what she's learned along the way

•       Her unique practice of "a date in every country" — what it is, why she started it, and the book she's writing about it

•       Her best cost-saving strategies for affordable long-term travel (including tips most people never think about)

•       How to stay safe, sane, and connected as a solo female traveler for the long haul

•       Advice for anyone who wants to take the leap but doesn't know where to start

Key Takeaways 

•       Grief can be a catalyst. Loni didn't let loss stop her — she let it redirect her toward the life she truly wanted to live.

•       Long-term solo travel is a skill. Like any skill, it gets easier, more intuitive, and more rewarding the longer you practice it.

•       Connection is everywhere when you're open to it. Loni's "a date in every country" practice is really about curiosity — asking what each place and each person has to teach you.

•       Budget travel is a mindset. You don't have to be rich to travel long-term — you have to be resourceful, flexible, and willing to do things differently than most tourists.

•       Solo doesn't mean alone. The solo travel community is real, warm, and waiting for you.

About Loni

Loni is a long-term solo traveler, fearless adventurer, and soon-to-be author who has spent the last four years exploring 36 countries across the globe. What began as a journey of healing after losing her mother to early-onset Alzheimer's evolved into a full, vibrant life lived entirely on the road. Known for her unique practice of going on a date in every country she visits, Loni is currently writing a book about these experiences. She believes deeply that solo travel is not just possible for women — it is transformative.

Connect with Loni: https://www.instagram.com/jamesloni

Links Mentioned

•       Matador pocket blanket

💛 Loved this episode? Subscribe to Roam Alone wherever you listen to podcasts, leave us a 5-star review, and share this episode with the solo traveler in your life who needs to hear Loni's story. Every share helps more women discover the courage to roam.

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What happens when the safety net you've relied on your entire life suddenly disappears?

In this inspiring episode of Roam Alone, Jenni shares her remarkable journey from addiction recovery, financial hardship, and self-doubt to becoming a confident solo backpacker and hiker.

Although she has been sober for more than 20 years, Jenni admits that she spent much of her adult life depending on her mother for support, especially financially. After her mother's death, Jenni inherited money but soon found herself facing bankruptcy and a difficult reality: she had never learned how to fully trust herself.

Then she discovered hiking.

What began with a single night sleeping in a tent in a friend's backyard slowly evolved into solo camping trips, overnight backpacking adventures, and eventually multi-day wilderness treks. Along the way, Jenni faced fear, made mistakes, learned hard lessons, and developed a level of confidence she never imagined possible.

Most recently, she completed a solo 100-mile hike across Georgia over two weeks—a challenge that would have seemed impossible just a few years ago.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Jenni's journey through addiction and long-term recovery
 • Losing her mother and navigating life without a safety net
 • Bankruptcy and rebuilding her life
 • Why she chose solo hiking instead of group adventures
 • Her first overnight camping experiences
 • Mistakes she made as a beginner backpacker
 • How solo travel and hiking build confidence
 • Lessons learned from spending days alone on the trail
 • Completing a 100-mile solo trek in Georgia
 • The connection between outdoor adventure and personal growth
 • Advice for women interested in solo hiking and backpacking

This episode is a powerful reminder that confidence isn't something you're born with—it's something you build, one courageous step at a time.

Roam Alone is hosted by Theresa Stephens.

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What if travel wasn’t just a vacation — but your career?

In this episode of Roam Alone, host Theresa Stephens talks with Michelle, a professional travel writer who has explored 35+ countries and built a life centered around global adventure. Michelle shares how she transformed her passion for travel into sustainable work, along with practical advice for solo budget travelers looking to see more of the world without overspending.

Whether you’re planning your first solo trip or dreaming of long-term travel, this episode delivers real-world strategies, safety insights, and an essential international travel checklist.

✈️ In This Episode, We Discuss:

• How Michelle turned travel into a full-time career 
• The realities of travel writing and remote work 
• Best destinations for solo budget travelers 
• How to travel internationally on a budget 
• Solo travel safety strategies for women and first-time travelers 
• Common travel mistakes — and how to avoid them 
• Planning your first international solo trip 
• Essential international travel checklist items 
• Confidence-building tips for traveling alone 

🌍 Who This Episode Is For

• First-time solo travelers 
• Budget-conscious travelers 
• Women considering solo travel 
• Aspiring travel writers and digital nomads 
• Anyone dreaming of long-term or slow travel 

🎒 Key Takeaway

Solo travel doesn’t require unlimited money or fearlessness — just preparation, curiosity, and the willingness to take the first step.

🎧 Listen & Subscribe to Roam Alone

If you enjoyed this episode:

⭐ Follow the podcast
 ⭐ Share with a friend planning a solo trip
 ⭐ Leave a review to help more travelers discover Roam Alone

 Michelle's Blog: TravelHerStory

Hostel World

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What happens when the life you built no longer feels like the life you want?

In this episode of Roam Alone, Theresa sits down with Jen Rulon, who made a bold decision at age 50: she left her marriage, her career, and the United States to start over alone in Costa Rica.

Jen opens up about the fear that came with such a massive transition — and how stepping into the unknown ultimately allowed her to rediscover herself.

Today, Jen is thriving. She has built a successful business as a midlife reinvention coach, cultivated a strong community in her new hometown, and found love again — proof that reinvention isn’t reserved for the young or the fearless.

This conversation explores what it really means to choose yourself, especially in midlife, and why starting over can become the most empowering chapter yet.

In This Episode, We Talk About:

•  Leaving a marriage and long-term career later in life 
•  Moving abroad alone at 50
•  Navigating fear, doubt, and identity loss during major transitions 
•  Building community from scratch in a new country 
•  Reinventing your career after midlife 
•  Why reinvention requires courage — not certainty 
•  Finding love and belonging after starting over 

Key Takeaway

You don’t have to feel ready to change your life. Sometimes courage simply means taking the next step while you’re still afraid.

About Jen Rulon

Jen Rulon is a midlife reinvention coach helping women redesign their lives with purpose, confidence, and authenticity after major life transitions. After relocating solo to Costa Rica at age 55, she now supports others navigating reinvention, identity shifts, and bold new beginnings.

Connect with Jen

jenrulon.com

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If this episode resonated with you, please follow, rate, and share the podcast — it helps more people discover stories of courage, independence, and self-trust through solo travel.

Roam Alone is hosted by Theresa Stephens.

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In this episode of Roam Alone, Theresa speaks with Diane about navigating one of life’s biggest transitions and choosing solo travel as a path toward personal renewal.

After divorce, selling her business, and entering an empty-nest chapter, Diane set out alone to reconnect with herself — volunteering at resorts around the world and rebuilding confidence, purpose, and identity along the way.

We discuss:

•  Why major life transitions often spark solo travel 
•  Traveling alone after divorce 
•  How volunteering abroad makes long-term travel affordable 
•  Letting go of other people’s expectations 
•  The emotional reality of starting over at midlife 
•  How solo travel helps you hear your own voice again 
•  Reinvention after 50 
•  Practical tips for women considering their first solo journey 

✨ This episode is for anyone standing at a crossroads wondering: Who am I now?

https://helpx.net/

Pueblo Ingles

Nomadic Matt - Travel on $75 a Day

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