Digital nomadism has seen exponential growth in recent years. What started as a fringe group of adventurous souls, eventually evolved into an almost mainstream way of life.
There is a lot to be said about the modern nomadic lifestyle. However, idealized notions of working from a sun-kissed beach and living in several countries, all in the span of a few months, can be somewhat misleading. Before you commit to becoming a digital nomad, make sure you check off what needs to be done objectively.
Get in the Right Mindset
It’s easy to get dazzled by flashy Instagram posts and blog articles about how much being a digital nomad changed someone’s life. The truth, though, is more nuanced.
As a digital nomad, you’ll have to figure out work schedules and produce work in a frequently changing setup. Being away from friends and family can be difficult. As can getting used to living out of a suitcase. The first item on the checklist is figuring out whether you’re doing it for the right reasons. Are you doing it only because it’s trendy, or do you genuinely enjoy the dynamic lifestyle of moving from one place to another?
Acquire a Suitable Skillset
Not every skill fits the nomadic life. Good digital nomad skills are those that will make you easily employable and let you work remotely.
If you’re a good electrical engineer, it’s not impossible to become a digital nomad. However, it is far from the ideal starting point due to the job nature. Common digital nomad skills include things like app development, copywriting, programming, and e-commerce. Find an appropriate skill before you set out.
Pick a Place to Start
When choosing your starting point, a little bit of research will go a long way. It’s better to start conservatively and move to a more adventurous digital nomad location after gaining some experience.
Seasonal changes.
For instance, Thailand is a very popular destination for digital nomads, but arriving there during the monsoon season could be misguided.
Visa requirements.
Visa takes time, extra expenses, and sometimes imposes a limit of stay in the country. All of which have an impact on your planning.
Cost of living.
Consider how much you need to cover meals, accommodation, workspace, internet, health insurance, and other basic needs.
Presence of a local digital nomad community.
Another important, though often overlooked factor. Having a support system can make the transition from a stationary lifestyle smoother.
Figure Out Your Accommodation
Digital nomads have several accommodation options depending on the level of privacy that you need and length of stay. Your option varies, such as:
Hotels
While it’s on the pricier side, hotels can be a good option for the first few days to get a bearing of the city and explore where you prefer to stay for longer.
House-sitting
Various countries have sites where you can offer to look after someone’s home while they’re away in exchange for a place to stay. This usually involves some chores like watering the plant, taking care of pets, or keeping the place tidy. While this is typically for a short period of time, getting accommodation and some pocket money is already killing two birds with one stone.
Couch surfing
Couch surfing is a community site where you can meet and stay in a host’s house for free. The idea is to connect travelers and locals who open their homes for hospitality. This is another good option for your first few nights, as your host can familiarize you with the new place.
Hostels and co-living spaces
Shared accommodation that is often more affordable than hotels. A growing number of hostels and co-living spaces also provide lounge area with Wi-Fi, thus can double as your workspace.
You can find this from global listing sites like Airbnb to local listing on Facebook pages. A space with a kitchenette and living area can make you feel more at home if you linger long in a country. On the downside, living alone can be a little lonely!
Find a Workspace
When it comes to workspace, evaluate whether your accommodation can double as your workplace. This could be a common lounge area or simply a nearby café with an internet service. Alternatively, you can look for co-working spaces that offer day or weekly membership. Co-working spaces give you facilities and communities to meet like-minded individuals.
While planning for accommodation and workspace, think of how you can access stable internet connectivity. Remote work is your bread and butter, so if you can’t have decent internet service it could seriously compromise your income.
Get Your Finances in Order
It is not practical to just pack a bag and become a digital nomad. Having a stable financial basis is crucial for any kind of long-term success in this field.
Assuming you already have the right skills, you should think about how to put them to good use. If you want to freelance, make sure you have a few clients lined up. If you’re running your own business, it would be wisest to acquire some profit before you pack your bags and go on the road.
Additionally, consider that there will be lulls in employment and, consequently, income. Make sure you have some savings to fall back on and try to outline a rough budget ahead of time.
Get Your Documents Ready
There is a lot of legwork that needs to be done in preparation for the big change. International travel is no small feat.
There is some digital nomad must haves that should be on the top of your list. You’ll need a passport first and foremost. Complete the visa requirements for your destination. Travel documentation problems are exceedingly difficult to sort from outside of your home country. Also, look into any taxation requirements when it comes to working from your chosen location.
Depending on your location, it may be a good idea to get up-to-date vaccines. Regardless, a complete physical is advisable to make sure you’re in good shape to travel. If you have health insurance, make sure you know how it applies overseas.
Cancel Subscriptions Before You Leave
Before you leave, cancel whatever you won’t need in your base country. This will prevent unnecessary costs from piling up while you’re traveling places. Subscriptions, phone plans, and other services that you won’t need should be either suspended or outright canceled.
Have an Even Better Backup Plan
With the above items checked off, you’re just about ready to become a digital nomad. There is a lot to consider when making such a big decision, but the potential payoff is more than worth it.
Start by having realistic expectations about what you’ll get out of the experience and what you’ll have to put in. if you already have a lucrative skill set, it comes down to research, picking a location, and pulling the trigger. The decision will always involve a bit of risk.
Remember that, like anything else, a digital nomad career can go belly up in a heartbeat. Make sure to have a backup plan for how to come back or settle where you are.