So you’ve taken the leap of faith to become what the Instagram world has labeled, “Digital Nomad.” Congratulations! You are now able to scratch that itch for adventure and make an income simultaneously. You are taking life by the horns and you are going to live the dream. Next step: pick the place! Location is key to being a successful digital nomad. You’re going to have to do some research to make sure that you’re able to live and work ideally. Like Miss Frizzle said, “ Take chances. Make mistakes. Get messy!” To help you from making too many mistakes we’ve composed a list of things to consider while making your plans for digital nomad success. Enjoy this post on how to live as a digital nomad!
How To Live As A Digital Nomad
WiFi Connection
Even at the end of 2019 there are a ton of places in the world without internet connection or without good internet connection. The last thing that you want is a server slowing you down on a project or an inability to connect preventing you from being able to communicate with your work. When I first embarked on my digital nomad excursion I was incredibly surprised to find how limited my connections were in towns even in Europe. One of the best things I’ve learned is to over inquire, especially if you’re Airbnb or Hostel hopping, about the wifi connection before securing my reservation and following up about the internet connection the day before arriving. It seems a bit obvious, but, all too often we see on the accommodation listing that they provide wifi and naturally assume that it works. Trust me when I tell you that you should never assume.
Maybe, you work better when you’re around other people. In which case, you’ll find using coworking spaces to be ideal. If you’re motivated you could just turn your excursion into a tour of the coworking spaces around the world. The spaces often offer day rates and can come with some great perks in addition to meeting other like-lifestyle people. If it all seems a little too risky to you, fear not. Options like Skyroam, provide you with the portable Wifi you need in 130 countries. Even better, they offer day rates which means if you forget to ask your hostel or airbnb about their wifi status and it happens to be down for one day you only need to use your sky roam for that one day. How ideal is that?
Visa and Requirements
Before booking anything check to see if the country you’re visiting has any requirements. This is a must. India’s visa purchase varies based on the country you are coming from and can be booked online. Others, like Russia, take time and they want to know every detail of your planned trip in addition to countries you’ve visited in the last decade.
Some countries, like India, will give you an expedited Visa for an additional fee. Other countries, like Bhutan for example, have visitation requirements. Bhutan requires a $200-$300 a day purchase requirement (accommodations, tourist attractions, dining, etc) to be coordinated through a government approved Travel Agent. Some countries also require you to have an exit plan. For those of us who prefer to purchase only one way tickets until the wind blows us somewhere else, this can prove to be a challenge when we’re not expecting it. Be sure to do your research. The last thing you want is to be refused admission to a country.
Accommodations
Where will you sleep? For short term stays, which I label less than 3 months, this won’t be as big of a challenge. There are so many websites now that provide you with different accommodation sources depending on your budget, or lack thereof. Consider Couchsurfing in addition to the traditional hotels or homestays if you’re trying to stay lowcost. There are natural barriers, like language, that can sometimes make these bookings a little challenging.
Airbnb (get a free $30 credit here) provides a good translation between host and guest. To have an even easier transition to find accommodations services like MeetnGreetMe connect locals with traveler searching for services. The services aren’t free, but you will have a local concierge to help you find an apartment or understand the tenant rules in each place. You also may consider using Workaway. You can exchange your time for having free accommodations in homes around the world. It is also a fantastic way to meet locals, immerse yourself in culture, and gain some skills along the way.
Get $30 in free Airbnb credit through this link.
Healthcare
A change in atmosphere, climate, and even exposure to the person’s cough who sat next to you on the 20 hour flight to Bangkok, could all lead to a need to visit the local medicine man. Depending on your thoughts of medicine, you’ll want to make sure that the places you go can provide you with the type of health care you desire. Before you leave your motherland you can always check in with your general practitioner to see if they’ll provide you with some of the essentials to cushion any unsuspecting symptoms of Delhi belly. Joining Digital Nomad facebook groups is highly advisable for this reason alone. You’ll be able to get others’ suggestions and experiences should you need them.
Travel Insurance
Trains will be rerouted. Flights will be canceled or delayed. You may need healthcare, as previously discussed. Everyone has different perceptions of whether Travel Insurance is really a necessity. Often, you can find yourself shelling out hundred of dollars for insurance that you may never use. Also often, you can find yourself with a broken leg from falling through a hike in the jungle and accumulate thousands of dollars in medical bills.
Keep in mind what you plan on doing and also what you plan on bringing. If you’ve got some expensive gear, you might consider spending the on average $1 a day it costs to be sure that you don’t experience a total financial loss if something happens. One suggestion when searching, in addition to price, is the fine print. What do they require for you to provide should you need to file a claim? With a previous travel insurance provider that I used earlier in the year, I found myself in a sea of emails between myself and a bus provider trying to get a statement that the bus was delayed due to a 6 car pile up in Milan that caused me to miss my flight. If you’re a budget traveler, try World First. One of our favorite recommendations is SafetyWing (check out our review here). The reason why travel insurance should be included in how you decide where to go is that travel insurance companies don’t always cover every country. For example, World Nomad does not cover Pakistan. Know before you go!
Check this review of SafetyWing here.
Weather
If you’re not a fan of cold weather, naturally, you wouldn’t want to visit a country like Iceland in December. Outside of temperature, you’ll want to consider what season the country or region is experiencing and what other factors go with it. For example, Asian countries experience Monsoon season between April and early September. What comes with warm heavy rains? Mosquitos. While the concern for Malaria is not rampant in all areas, the potential for other mosquito related infections like, Dengue fever, increases.
Cost of Living
One of the most important factors in determining where you’ll take your journey will naturally be your budget. The USD goes a lot further in some countries than in others. Checking the exchange rate will help you make that decision. Something I found interesting in my travels were price differentiation for citizens versus tourists. Some countries’ significantly mark up the cost for apparel, attractions, dining, etc for non-citizens.
Food
What better way to experience culture than by eating it? That being said, if you have allergies or dietary restrictions there are some places that may be more challenging for you to visit than others. While there are many places globally that are vegan and vegetarian-friendly, there are many that are not. You also may want to consider your dedication you are to your dietary ethos if you are planning to stay with a host. Something that also may pop up is alcohol consumption. If you are a booze-hound you’ll want to check to see if the places you are going too are dry. If you are sober you may want to find places that are eventful outside of the drinking culture.
To Do
What will you do? Sure, you’ll work, but what about after and before? That’s the whole point of being a digital nomad, right? You get to go out and do great things in foreign places that you never could have if you were tied to an office desk. If you’re seeking thrill or grandiose experiences make sure you’re going to the right places. If you need to be out in the wild don’t wind up in Bangkok. If you happen to find yourself in a tiny remote town by accident (it happens) find out what they do and where they go. You could be close to something exciting and not even know it. If you’re feeling a bit shy about asking for advice for things to do hit the internet. Airbnb offers experiences that you can purchase and, if you’re thrifty, you can google search those experiences to find them at a cheaper rate. Couch surfing also provides experiences and meet-ups. You also may way to try to use facebook groups or language apps like HelloTalk to ask locals what they recommend.
Local Culture
Just like you may find yourself in a dry town, you also may find yourself in a religious town or a historical one. How do the locals dress? Check yourself, are you galavanting around with shorts on while everyone else has their legs covered? I know, it’s 2000 degrees outside and you’re schvitzing. They are too, be respectful. You may also want to check their daily routines, when they eat. If all of the businesses close from 1pm – 3pm you may want to eat a big breakfast and plan your day accordingly. Remember, you are visiting another country and in doing so you are willingly temporarily adopting their customs and norms.
Safety
Safety, indeed, is vital. Get some tips from others who have recently visited the area you’re interested in visiting to make sure you know what areas to avoid, if any. Are you going to a country that has frequent terrorist attacks? What is their protocol? No, the world is not out to get you. Your friends and family, I’m sure, have fed you their fear-based stories and advise or even worse have tried to discourage you from pursuing this dream. Be safe. You can’t travel with mase or a knife, but you can travel intentionally. If you can’t arrive at your destination country until midnight, maybe consider booking a hotel room in a hotel that offers free transportation to and from the airport. Then, the next day, wake up refreshed in the daylight and venture out. Or, maybe connect with another digital nomad and prearrange a meeting at the airport to go together to your hostel. Don’t leave your bag open or put your cell phone arbitrarily in your back pocket. Don’t watch someone’s luggage at the airport. Do keep your eyes and ears open. Do follow your instincts when you meet new people.
This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t trust new people. Some of the most wonderful people I’ve met were people who offered me assistance while traveling alone. One woman I met in the middle of the street walked with me for an hour to find my bus and waited for me to get on it before she continued on her way. Another man turned out to become a lifelong friend of mine. I’ve also met people, as you will too, that have made my skin crawl. When you’re around those people, leave them. You’ll find more. Find out who to contact and how to contact them if you need to report an incident. Knowledge is power in these cases, particularly if you’re traveling solo. Don’t be afraid, be aware.
Conclusion
Hope you enjoyed this post on how to live as a digital nomad! If you liked it or have feedback, let us know in the comments below.
