As much as you appreciate your parents’ gratitude while you search endlessly for a well paying job in this recession, its okay to need a break from them.

Luckily you live in a city that is surrounded by exciting cheap getaways.

Catch the greyhound bus ($35 round trip) and head to Atlantic City, the Jersey Shore or Cape May for a few days. If you aren’t one of the lucky few that knows someone who has a summerhouse in the area, you can find some incredibly cheap motels.

If you are itching for a little politics and dig a mile of free museums then take yourself down to 122 Allen St. (on the Corner of Delancy St) and pay $40 (round-trip) for the Washington Deluxe bus to take you to the heart of the United States Government, Dupont Circle.

Boston anyone? Though perhaps one of my least favorite “cities” in the east coast most of us know someone we can stay with for a much needed escape from our parents’ house. If you do happen to visit, make sure to take the Chinatown bus ($40 round trip) and avoid spending money by doing the (free) historical trail throughout the city. It’s a long walk so big your sneakers.

If you have access to a car, now is the time to start heading up to New England. Ever heard of leaf peeping? Neither had I until my co-editor and girlfriend, Alexandra, divulged in this seasonal activity of admiring fall foliage. Whatever you call it, this picturesque phenomenon should not be missed.

If you are willing to splurge a little, make a stop in Saratoga Springs where you can enjoy the natural hot springs for a day. As for housing, try your luck at small college towns like Middlebury or Dartmouth.  Unless you are well beyond your college years, you can probably find your way into a lounge to sleep in. If that’s a little too raunchy, sleep in your car, pack a tent and sleep in the woods or find the nearest and cheapest motel using your smart phone.

…. I think you get the idea. No more complaining about not being able to leave your parents house. There are a heap of options.

I’m heading to D.C. as we speak. We have all been there.

Tags: Alexandra Garcia, atlantic city, boston, boston trail, cape may, cheap new york getaways, chinatown bus, college, dartmouth, Dupont Circle, fall foliage, greyhound, hot springs, jersey shore, leaf peeping, living with parents, middlebury college, museum mile, new england, new hampshire, New York, recession, saratoga springs, spa, vermont, washington dc, washington deluxe