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Nomadic travelling: find out how to travel the world full-time

Nomadic travelling is a dream for many, but can seem like a daunting task. In this article, I share all you need to know to become a travel nomad.

Adam NomadicVA.com

Jul 03, 2023

Are you curious about nomadic travelling? If you want to know how to travel the world full-time while living the digital nomad lifestyle , you're not alone. I asked that question for years, and now it's the main question people ask me. 

I quit my job in a UK High School in January 2018. To begin with, I was earning less than $50 per month as a freelancer.  Now I have my own Virtual Assistant business and I'm really enjoying this nomadic travelling lifestyle.

By sharing what I learned I hope to encourage more people to take the leap and become travel nomads like me.

What is nomadic travelling?

Many people have been talking about nomadic travelling, but what exactly does it mean? 

According to the dictionaries, a nomad is "an individual who roams about". Basically, it's someone who travels around the world without a home base. In most cases, a travel nomad has no set plans, deciding to spend a few weeks or months in different places as they feel like. 

There are many types of nomadic travellers and plenty of different ways to support this lifestyle, as I'll show you below. But most of them have some things in common, such as the eagerness to see the world and immerse themselves in different cultures .

In this article, we'll focus on digital nomadism, which means supporting yourself by working online as you travel the world. But it's also possible to find local jobs while you travel.

The truth about nomadic travelling

Taking the step from travelling for pleasure to becoming a professional nomad isn't easy. In recent years an entire industry has popped up around it. 

There are thousands of nomadic travelling courses all promising to give you the financial freedom to wander the globe. Honestly, most of them are junk. I know because I paid for lots of them.

They sell the dream, and who doesn't want the dream? Sitting on a beach with your laptop, the cash rolling in as you enjoy another cocktail. 

But where do they plug these laptops in to recharge them? How do they stop them from overheating in that baking sun? Have you ever tried to get sand out of a keyboard?

These are just some of the questions you should be asking when someone pitches you that dream.

In honesty, being a digital nomad is a full-time job . True, your 'office' may be prettier than most and you decide your own working hours, but you still need to grind away. Your success or failure is completely on your own shoulders.

Before you make any decisions, you should be completely truthful with yourself:

• Are you self-motivated?
• Are you a creative thinker?
• Do you enjoy studying and constantly developing your skills?
• Are you determined?

These are all qualities you'll need to succeed in a life of nomadic travelling . If you have these qualities and a plan, your journey will be much easier.

I speak from experience. My first attempt at nomadism in 2004 failed because I had a plan but no self-discipline. The second time, 2014, I had total focus but no real plan. Third time lucky! 

This time I worked out a plan before I left England and stuck to it. If I knew in 2004 what I know now, life would be very different indeed... But that's a topic for a different post.

Okay, so you're mentally ready. What's the next step?

Before you start selling everything you own you'll first need to sharpen the skills that will help you succeed as a nomadic traveller. While you're in the comfort of your own home with minimal distractions, it's time to study.

What skills does a digital nomad need?

There are hundreds of routes to becoming a digital nomad.  From Graphic Design to Freelance Writing to Teaching English - anything that can be done using only a laptop and a solid internet connection.

It's impossible to list all the skills you'll need as they differ from person to person. However, one skill that's useful for over 80% of nomads is SEO. 

That means Search Engine Optimization: optimizing a website or piece of content so that it features highly in the major search engines . 

If you have even a basic understanding of SEO, you can get into:

• Blogging & Reviews
• Sales & Marketing
• Communications
• Dropshipping
• Print on Demand (PoD)
• Virtual Assistant and a million other jobs

The good news is there is plenty of free content about it available online. You can watch videos, read books, listen to podcasts. Become an SEO ninja and you'll be able to turn your hand to any number of jobs.

If you're doing something else — teaching online, editing videos, etc then SEO may not be so useful. It's still a very handy skill to master though.

So now you're mentally prepared and you have some skills. Let's do some research.

How much money do you need to be a travel nomad?

That depends on your style of travel and your destination. Spend a few days looking at Nomad List and  Numbeo . With Numbeo you can compare the cost of living in your hometown or country to your desired destination. Nomad List is a bit more personal and more visual.

This should give you an idea of how much it will cost to survive as a travel nomad . But be aware that these are average numbers for average travellers, and you are not average. There are many things you can do to lower your cost of living on the road.

Firstly we start by cutting out all non-essential costs . What are the biggest costs of travel? Transport and accommodation.

You can read my earlier article about how to find cheap airfare any time of year , which should help to reduce the cost of transportation. 

To eliminate your accommodation costs, my suggestion is to find a project to volunteer at through  Worldpackers . This platform allows you to exchange a few hours of work for free accommodation and some extra benefits in most parts of the world, making it a great way to become a full-time traveller . 

It's very easy to use: you can quickly create a free account at the Worldpackers website and browse through the thousands of opportunities available there. When you find something you like, you can subscribe and apply for as many positions you want for a whole year.

How to save money for travelling

So now all you need is survival money. Cancel all unnecessary outgoings (Netflix and other monthly subscriptions), pay off all existing debts, credit cards and sell most of your earthly belongings. You're quickly going to learn how little you need to survive (and it's such a liberating feeling!)

Now you've sold everything you should hopefully have some savings. Some countries require proof of savings before they'll allow you to enter. Even if they don't, it's important to have an emergency fund in case something unexpected happens.

Your savings won't last forever though, so now it's time to make some money.

As previously discussed, there are an endless number of ways to become a nomad. I travel the world full-time, and here's how I manage it .

How to travel the world full-time as a digital nomad

1. become a freelance writer.

One of the best ways to support your nomadic travelling is to  become a freelance writer . That way, you can travel the world on your own terms.

A big portion of my income comes from writing. I  write guest posts for websites and  receive monthly royalties from the travel book I wrote in 2018. The royalties aren't a life-changing amount, but they help to pay the bills. I plan to release my second book later this year and then a few more when I can find the time.

2. Affiliate marketing

Why not start a travel blog and take advantage of the perks of affiliate marketing?

Affiliate sales earned through my website are my next biggest income stream. They vary from month to month, but once the article is written the income is completely passive. 

It doesn't cost a penny to promote affiliate links,  yet it has the potential to bring in buckets of cash. I know plenty of nomads who survive purely on affiliate sales alone.

3. Side hustle

You can also find some side hustles that will add up to the the main work you do. For instance, I design and sell t-shirts and merchandise through websites like:

• Spreadshirt
• Etsy  
• Redbubble  

I upload the same designs to all the different sites and receive a small amount of income each month from the sales. If I had the time to invest in more designs, the earnings would be bigger. I'm not a graphic designer by trade so it takes time. I'm currently looking into outsourcing the design process.

I've recently got into audio transcription and website reviews . These are both side hustles and not something I'll invest too much time into, but if they bring in extra money per week I'll be happy.

4. Work with brands

Freelance writing, affiliate sales, and side hustles cover the bulk of my income. However,  due to my social media presence, I've also had the opportunity to work with some big brands.  

I was given £800 worth of camera equipment to test and review, and I've run giveaways with other companies. This doesn't happen every day, but it's entirely possible if you get your name out there. 

You can then make sponsored social media posts or exchange services or products for advertisement, recommending what you like to your audience.

5. Help people

How do you get your name out there? How do you gain a reputation as an authority? Help people . 

Search Reddit, Quora, Facebook groups or other forums. Find people asking questions about your niche and answer them. If you consistently provide value then people will remember you .

6. Become a Virtual Assistant

I had toyed with the idea for over a year. Finally, the Covid-19 pandemic gave me the push I needed. What's the difference between being a freelancer and being a Virtual Assistant ? Now I have regular clients for whom I perform regular, weekly tasks.

Whatever your skillset, VAs are doing that job - data entry, graphics, customer service, dentistry, etc. Covid-19 opened lots of eyes to remote work and whether a traditional office working space was as important as we'd always believed.

I work with clients as diverse as local pet shops, nationally recognized photographers and global travel brands. I create content and run their marketing. Other VAs are good with accounting, social media, run podcasts or translate content . Choose your niche and run with it.

Becoming a VA has given me stability while still allowing me to live the nomadic lifestyle.

7. Dropshipping

Dropshipping is a staple job for plenty of nomads. In this business model, store owners don’t manage inventory themselves. Instead, they buy the items from a third-party supplier who fulfills customers’ orders for them.

It requires:

• An investment to get your shop up and running
• Time to research and discover profitable niches
• Money to run adverts to drive traffic to the shop

After that, it’s just a couple of hours of maintenance and research per day.

Diversify your income

Speaking of stability, it you want your nomadic travelling lifestyle to be sustainable you should think about different ways to sell your skills.

For example:

I write freelance blog posts for clients. Each post I write earns me a certain amount of money. If I want to earn more, I need to write more. There are only so many hours in the day, so I need a way to make more money using the same skills. How? I diversify.

Other people want to do what I do, so I can teach others how to be a freelancer . That could come in several ways - I could write an e-book, sell online-courses or record a webinar.

Once they're recorded and released, these digital products become a source of passive income. I still need to promote them, but they can provide an alternative income stream. 

Ask yourself: how can you repackage the skills you have into different formats?

Other options for making money online

If you're looking for other options for making money online  and living as a travel nomad, then research the Freelance websites:

Take the time to look through the variety of opportunities. You might be surprised by some of the vacancies available around the world.

One thing to note with these sites is that they're very competitive. Be prepared for plenty of rejections. Don't take any of it personally and just keep firing out the applications and pitches . The more you do, the better you'll get. If you're lucky, you'll land a position after only a few applications. If not, don't get disheartened.

Before investing any money, be sure to research as much as possible . You can find plenty of great websites with lots of free information and a gazillion Youtube tutorials. Unless you have money to burn I wouldn’t recommend taking a course as they mostly just repackage all the free information.

My future goal is to get into owning property. If you're lucky enough to own your own place, then renting it out as an Airbnb is an idea. It's not completely passive income as you'll need to manage everything, but it's definitely a great income stream. 

Words of wisdom from a nomadic traveller

Now that you have an idea of how to travel the world while working full-time , spend some time planning where you'll go. Nomadic travelling is amazing, but some people get lost about where to start.

I wrote a piece about the 15 best cities for digital nomads . That should be a good starting point. It highlights not just great places to stay but also places to meet like-minded people.

Once you've chosen a destination (or many), don't forget to do some research on visas.

Digital Nomad Visas

As Covid-19 encouraged more people to explore remote work, more countries decided to offer special visas for digital nomads and location-independent workers.

Now, at least 13 countries are offering some form of remote work visa. Estonia was the first, but now you can choose from others like Croatia, Costa Rica, Portugal, Mexico, Bermuda and Barbados .

Each has different requirements, so you'll need to read the small print.

How will that change the game? It'll give more rights and options to people living the remote life. Access to local healthcare being the biggest. While that might not be top of mind right now, it beats living off expensive travel insurance.

Check out  What you need to know about being a digital nomad in Mexico .

Is the nomadic travelling lifestyle lonely?

It doesn't have to be.

While you may enjoy the solitude of solo travel, having the opportunity to brainstorm with other experienced nomads is priceless. Maybe you're struggling and they can help. Maybe they're struggling and you can help them.

The nomad community that I've encountered has always been warm, welcoming   and willing to help. True, everyone is trying to make money for themselves, but with over 4 billion internet users worldwide there's room for everyone.

How do you connect with other remote workers and entrepreneurs? Coworking spaces are a great start . You'll meet lots of international travellers and like-minded individuals, sharing professional skills. These spaces are available in most big cities and digital nomad destinations around the world.

As well as the physical communities, it's also worth joining several online nomad communities . The life of a digital nomad can, at times, be lonely and frustrating. If you have a bad run of luck, your income drops or something else unexpected happens, it’s good to reach out for advice.

Check out the  top digital nomad blogs to follow  for inspiration. There are also plenty of good Facebook groups and great Reddit forums. A man is not an island, and you shouldn't attempt to be. 

The ability to network in these groups could open up some amazing collaborations and opportunities . Plus, by helping others, you're also building your authority and brand.

Perhaps the final thing to keep in mind is why you are doing it. Yes, it's hard work. Yes, it's stressful and unpredictable. But you're choosing this path because you want freedom, independence and to be the master of your own destiny. Don't trade one stressful cage for another.

Take your time. You' re in this for the long game, so choose a destination and stay there for a month or three . Take the time to learn the local routine, language and customs. Enjoy the moment before you move on to the next. Not many people are brave enough to walk the path you've chosen, so savor every second of it.

So there you go. That's my story, my journey, how I can afford to travel the world while working full-time , and a brief outline of how you can too.

You could choose a completely different path, such as:

• Teaching languages online
• Doing Photoshop projects on Fiverr
• Producing your own videos on YouTube
• Live streaming gaming walkthroughs on Twitch

The possibilities are endless. 

If you're looking to learn even more about how to travel the world with a full-time job , just start! Diving into the world of nomadic travelling and freelance work can be scary at first, but don't be put off. One project inevitably leads to the next and, with persistence, your freelance work can become a full-time career.

Whatever path you choose, be persistent, be brave and be creative. Good luck!

If you like this article, keep reading the Worldpackers blog, where you'll find plenty of inspiration and practical advice for being a travel nomad.

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Adam Fraiel

NomadicVA.com

Author, digital nomad, copywriter, virtual assistant and travel blogger - I love telling stories, sharing experiences and helping others achieve their dreams.

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Already have an account, are you a host, leave your comment here.

Write here your questions and greetings to the author

May 14, 2019

Great piece, Adam! Thanks for sharing!

Adam (Author)

May 15, 2019

Awesome 😁 I tried and failed several times before I finally succeeded so if I can help others avoid those pitfalls and begin their adventure sooner, I'll be a happy man.

May 16, 2019

Thank you for this I'll need it!

Then I hope you get good use out of it. If anything isn't clear or you need anything else just drop me a message

You're the best! thanks, man.

May 20, 2019

I'm getting ready to take that leap VERY soon, like in the next 3mths soon, and I still don't have any idea what to do for extra income. I have looked into many of the options you mentioned, it's just a matter of deciding what to do. This article definitely helped. Lots of great stuff, thanks a bunch!!

May 21, 2019

If I can help with anything else then let me know. We're always testing out new streams... Every little helps 😁👍

Mar 30, 2022

This was such a great article!

Thank for article!

https://connect-4.io

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Nomadic Lifestyle: The How, What, When, and Why of My Nomad Travel

If you’d told me as a graduating high schooler that I was to spend 5 years of my life traveling the world, creating my own job, and living a life of luxury. I’d have thought you were insane. But it turns out, it was all true.

Ten years ago I started a journey that changed my life. Many people have joined since then and not everyone knows where the journey began. So to celebrate my 10th anniversary I thought I would share a post on burning questions I frequently get asked about our previous nomadic family lifestyle.

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What is a nomadic lifestyle?

2011 my kid’s father and I were sitting on the couch dreaming of two permanent residences. The further conversation moved to how it would feel to live a life where home is wherever you made it. It was no house, no van, no building, but wherever we were – all together.

The official nomadic lifestyle definition is “ a way of life of peoples who do not live continually in the same place but move cyclically or periodically. ” In Erin’s English nomad travel generally means ridding yourself of a home base and living a travel-centric life. It typically refers to travelers with no set plans who frequently move from place to place.

Why do nomads travel?

We had a good income at the time and were considering buying a more expensive home after we had just purchased a BMW convertible. Our thoughts wondered where does it stop? Once we have the more expensive home, what next? Wasn’t there more than this rat race existence?

At the time I thought a nomadic family lifestyle was insane, with two small children, but by 2012 I was convinced that a 6-month stint around the world would be a bit of an adventure. An exit from a rat race I never intended to be in. It was never intended to last more than 6 months, but it went on for 5 years.

Travel opens you up to more possibilities and expands your horizons, figuratively and literally. Whether you stick to a relatively small area like Cullen Fischel of Cleveland or go international, there is much more to discover around every corner.

How do you start a nomadic lifestyle?

I have a great post about what you need to do to start your nomad lifestyle here . From bank accounts to selling cars, renting houses, and planning your trip.

I love to be super organized without too many surprises so I planned our entire 6 months upfront. All in South East Asia. 2 months in Bali, a month in Kuala Lumpur , a month in Penang, a month in the Philippines, and a month in Bangkok, Thailand.

It wasn’t until after 6 months that I thought, “Hey, this is really working” and decided to ditch the return home plans and keep going, moving over to the other side of the planet landing in New York City for Christmas.

Where did you go?

You can find a complete list of places we traveled while nomadic here . In total across 5 years, I did 68 countries with 2 kids. Forbes labeled them some of the “world’s most well-traveled children.”

In a very short summary, our nomadic family lifestyle started with 6 months in South East Asia, before flying to the US and spending 2 months there. Then we went on a few months in the Middle East – Dubai, Turkey, Israel, Jordan.

After a quick visit back to Australia we then train traveled through Europe for 6 months, visiting the UK, Ireland, Luxembourg, German, Belgium, Croatia, Greece, Austria, Switzerland, Wales, Bulgaria , France, Italy, Spain, Poland, Romania, Malta, Turkey, and so on.

We missed Bali so we headed back to South East Asia and a quick visit home to Australia, before obtaining a US Visa . Then it was back to the US for 2 years with trips to Canada, Mexico , Guatemala to break up our visa options. Our final journey was a 15-day cruise around Hawaii, before flying home to Australia via where it all began – Bali .

How do nomads travel?

Our journey is so different to many. We traveled fairly fast in nomad travel terms. We were never in one place longer than 2 months. But if we had a long plane ride we tended to stay in that part of the world for a significant amount of time.

Hence we were in South East Asia for 6 months that first time.  We also spent 6 months in Europe. And 2 years exploring the US, Canada, and Central America.

I preferred hiring a car because I had two young kids with me on our nomadic family lifestyle journey and it was more cost-effective, easier & safer to get them around. However, I have taken trains, buses, chicken buses, helicopters, cruise ships, bicycles, tuk-tuks, taxis, husky sleds, reindeer sleighs , you name it.

How did you afford a nomadic lifestyle?

One burning question I am always asked is how did I afford it . Nomadic travel is cheaper than living in a suburb, at least it was compared to Western Australia , one of the most expensive cities in the world.

At the time my kid’s father was a web designer and I managed his accounts so we set off with the intent of him to continue working, which he could do as long as he had wifi and his laptop.

The very first day we arrived in Bali on our one-way ticket I wrote a blog post on my brand new website etbender.com. I had run a poll on my Facebook wondering if my friends and family would be interested in reading it and they said yes! So instead of retelling my stories over and over, I penned them down for everyone to enjoy.

It was less than 3 months later that I was in Malaysia, watching a Chinese Street Festival that a lady in the crowd called my name. She rushed up to me and said, “I can’t believe it’s you – I read your blog!”

I was gobsmacked. I thought only my friends read my blog?

I found a way to check my statistics and realized I had 6,000 people a month tuning in to read my online diary. I changed the name of my blog to travelwithbender.com and started writing more informative posts to all those that were enjoying my writing.

From that day I started to earn small bits of money here and there on my blog. And before long it was pulling in a very steady part-time income.

2 years later in 2014, my kid’s father decided he had enough of doing web design and sold his business. He wanted to work on the blog with me. I did warn him that it was my blog and I’d be the boss, and he said that was fine until he found something else to do. He never did. From 2014 with both of us working on the blog it grew and became our full-time income. I created my own job and formed a modern nomadic lifestyle.

In 2016 my blog made USD 150,000 without including all the free travel, and products I was given. It was a sad ending for Travel With Bender though, as in 2017 the blog was stolen. 5 years of an online diary taken from me. It hurt. But out of the ashes Explore with Erin was born and I have continued to blog for ten years, making an income for myself and my kids. Many thanks to you, whoever you are reading now.

Please do leave a comment below and let me know how long you’ve been reading my stories, whether you started with Travel With Bender or you’re a big fan of Explore With Erin.

Of course, not everyone is a web designer or a professional travel blogger so consider multiple other nomadic lifestyle jobs from working in hostels or bars as you travel, being a virtual assistant, teaching English , running singing classes or art classes online, lifestyle coaching, graphic design, marketing, and so on. I could keep going and if there is one thing the pandemic has taught us during the last few years is that there are many jobs that can be done remotely as a nomadic lifestyle job. 

How much does a nomadic lifestyle cost?

During our living in Perth we were needing almost AUD 12,000 a month to live comfortably. During our travels we found ourselves spending AUD 2,000 a month in most places. Or sometimes $4,000 if we were in a more expensive destination.

Our regular costs mainly consisted of:

Housing – I never planned to spend more than $2,000 a month. Most places were around $1,600 and included electricity, gas, Wi-Fi, even cleaning and breakfast in some places. Our first stop in Bali our place was $2,000 and included a full-time chef, cleaner, nanny, and security.

Transport – Our travel fund varied, but in most countries, we would hire a car for $400 a month or less. In some places, we didn’t need any transport. Flights were made during low seasons and sales, so we received maximum benefit of our money. For instance, when I was in the Philippines I found a 2 cent sale on one of their most beautiful islands!

Food – We ate at home inexpensive countries, and out in cheaper countries, like Bali or Turkey .

Sim cards – Getting data in a country is important, but never very expensive.

Insurance – I never travel without travel insurance and I always recommend you to do the same. SafetyWing is a great choice for nomads and is so cheap! Check your quote here.

What did you love about your nomadic lifestyle?

Living a nomadic lifestyle has its advantages. At the time dealing with a toddler having a screaming fit on a Caribbean island was so much more ideal than in the suburban town of the most isolated city in the world.

The freedom to go wherever whenever is so freeing. The tasting of new food, the smelling of new smells, the seeing of new sights, all so stimulating. Watching your kids see the world is like being a child again, with new eyes, new thoughts, giddy excitement.

Not being confined to a 9 to 5 job, or Keeping Up with The Jones, but to be free to have little belongings, but rich in a whole lot of experiences.

This could be a whole post in itself.

Were there any problems with a nomadic lifestyle?

Yes, there certainly was. And I have written several posts about it.

5 pitfalls of nomadic travel

Nomadic travel destroyed my commitment

7 startling realities of nomadic travel

Plus, I have a whole series on other people who have exited nomadic travel and the reasons why starting with the end of my 5-year journey .

Would you attempt a nomadic lifestyle again?

Yes and no! I think a slower more deliberate travel, between home periods, is my ideal world. I never want to be disconnected from a community again or miss loved ones for years at a time. But do I long for months of travel? Heck yes. It’s very addictive. And once you start you realize there is so much more to see.

Can I have a nomadic lifestyle too?

If you want to, you can. I believe anyone can. I wrote a post on the practical steps you need to start your nomadic lifestyle here . The mental part is up to you.

Some people go for a year, some for two, people like me go for 5. It is possible. Would you want to?

Did I miss any questions? Please ask below. I am more than happy to answer!

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travel blog for backpackers, Adventurers and outdoor lovers

Hi, I’m Cynthia Bil, a Belgian adventurer and travel photographer who has lived nomadically since 2011. Instead of bouncing from country to country, I prefer to travel slowly and get to know the places I visit. It took me 3 years to hitchhike from Ireland to Central Asia; I guess that says enough about my travel pace…

Journal of Nomads is my Adventure Travel Blog for independent backpackers and adventurous travelers interested in culture, nature,and  off-the-beaten-path regions such as Central Asia and the Caucasus. I also share my knowledge and experiences on traveling long-term and becoming location independent . If you’re searching for handy guides and practical advice, you’re in the right place!

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How to Become a Nomad (Or How I Do It)

What is the secret to traveling long term? How do I travel so often? Am I rich? Do I have a trust fund? Are all my trips paid for by someone else?

What is my secret sauce?

On my first trip to Thailand , I met five backpackers who changed my life. I had a vague sense of what a “backpacker” was from popular culture. They were people who barely showered, stayed in cramped hostels, ate pasta, and partied a lot. It was a something for college kids or those without a real future to do.

Yet meeting them convinced me they had unlocked the secret to travel I didn’t know existed.

I grew up with hotels, tours, and theme parks. The more they told me about their lifestyle – meeting people around the world , living in bungalows on the beach, eating delicious and cheap food, taking local transportation, and just having fun, the more envious I become.

They weren’t tied down to an office job or rules. They were living life while I was just on a temporary break from prison.

Before I met them, I assumed you needed to be rich to travel. But here were people that were living proof that everything I knew about travel was wrong.

While money does help, they simply had found something I didn’t:

While I wanted to travel, their desire was strong enough to make it happen.

They just did it.

That is how to travel.

You just do it.

After my first trip to Costa Rica in 2004, I was bitten by the travel bug and have been traveling ever since.

Following my encounter with them, I came home and made my trip happen. My made my life about travel. I cut my expenses , found cheap flights , and did everything I could to pursue my goal of travel.

Traveling is what’s important to me, so I find a way to make it happen.

I skip the Starbucks, don’t shop that often, and don’t eat out a lot. I cut corners elsewhere so I can have the time and money to do what I love: travel.

I fake plan dozens of trips every day. If I have unplanned time in my calendar, I think “hmmm, where can I go that week? Let’s figure out how to get there.”

I often hear from people that traveling is out of their reach, that they don’t have the money or the time. They have just too much responsibility. While there are certain constraints on traveling that time and money create ( as well as privilege ), people do what they want. When you truly want something, you go after it.

If you truly wanted to travel, you would. You wouldn’t make excuses; you would just find a way.

Excuses are simply a convenient way for people to ignore their own fears.

I travel so often for the same reason my friend always seems to be at a Patriots game, or my other friend has a new pair of shoes, and another always seems to be hiking. That’s what we love and we actively work to realize those goals. Do you want to get that new iPhone? You’ll make it happen.

We always want to make our desires come true.

I choose to work towards making my travel desire a reality.

If you want to know how to travel, you just need to have the desire to just do it!

There are a lot of unknowns in long-term travel. A lot of people aren’t ready to deal with that. However, even if you’ll never spend a year traveling around the world or dedicate your life to vagabonding, that doesn’t mean travel will be out of your reach.

Travel is a wonderful thing. Life is short and I don’t think we were ever meant to spend it droning away in cubicles. Travel can show you all the beauty in the world — from chaotic markets in Southeast Asia and majestic cities in Europe to dense jungles and exotic wildlife in Central America .

Everywhere you go, every day something new happens. New people, new places, and new experiences.

People like to think that travel costs a lot of money or that you just can’t make it happen. My only hope is that by reading this blog, you realize that you can. I’m not rich, but I budget well and I find good travel deals . I work hard so that I can play hard.

With a little flexibility and a little price scouting , you can get anywhere on any budget. People are always amazed when they see how cheap it can be and how little effort it really takes.

Once you have the desire and motivation to go, nothing can stop you.

Want some more inspiration? Check out these must-read posts:

• How to Travel Anywhere For $1,000
• The Ultimate Guide to Traveling When You Have No Money
• How to Save For Any Trip
• How to Find Work Overseas

Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner . It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld . If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• SafetyWing (best for everyone)
• Insure My Trip (for those 70 and over)
• Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

Want to Travel for Free? Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals.

Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip? Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more.

Ready to Book Your Trip? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip.

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

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What Is The Difference Between Nomad And Traveller?

Explanation of the topic: Nomad vs. Traveler

Nomads and travelers are often interchangeably used terms, but they represent two different types of lifestyles. Nomads are individuals or groups who move from one place to another in search of resources or better living conditions, while travelers take short-term trips for leisure or self-discovery. Both have their unique ways of life and characteristics.

Importance of understanding the difference

Understanding what is the difference between nomad and traveller is important because it helps us to appreciate the diverse ways people live their lives. It also provides insights into how humans have adapted to changing environments and created unique cultures around the world. The differences between nomads and travelers can also inform our own travel experiences, whether we want to explore new places for pleasure or seek new opportunities for work.

When we examine these two distinct lifestyles more closely, we can see that there are several key differences that set them apart. Defining what a nomad is versus what a traveler is required understanding their respective lifestyles, values, and beliefs.

Table of Contents

Defining nomad and traveler, definition of nomad.

A nomad is someone who travels from one place to another with no fixed home. They move frequently in search of food, water, shelter, or other resources necessary for survival. Nomadic cultures can be found all over the world in different forms such as pastoralists (herders), hunter-gatherers (foragers), or traders.

Definition of Traveler

A traveler is someone who takes a trip for pleasure or personal growth rather than necessity. They may stay in one location briefly before moving on to another destination in search of new experiences.

Despite both groups’ mobility nature, they differ significantly on many levels beyond just motivation for traveling; I will explore these differences in the next section.

The term nomad has its roots in the Greek language, where it means “one who wanders for pasture.” In modern times, a nomad is often defined as a person who leads a traveling existence, moving from place to place in search of work or survival. Nomads are characterized by their mobility and lack of permanent residence. They often have no fixed schedule to follow and may spend extended periods living off the land or working in different locations.

Nomads come in many forms, including pastoralists who rely on livestock for survival, hunter-gatherers who harvest resources from the natural environment, and digital nomads who use technology to work remotely while traveling. Despite their differences in lifestyle and culture, all nomads share a common thread: they prioritize mobility over stability.

A traveler is someone who journeys to different places for leisure or personal growth. Unlike nomads, travelers typically have fixed schedules and predetermined destinations. They may visit multiple locations during one trip but usually do not stay long enough to establish any permanent residence.

Travelers can be classified into various categories based on how they travel – backpackers travel on a budget with minimal luggage; luxury travelers opt for high-end accommodations and exclusive experiences; adventure seekers engage in activities such as hiking or extreme sports; cultural tourists seek out unique cultural experiences at their destination. Regardless of how they travel, all travelers share the common goal of exploration and discovery.

In summary, while both nomads and travelers lead mobile lives that involve frequent travel to new places, there are significant differences between them. Nomads prioritize mobility over stability as part of their lifestyle or work while travelers prioritize exploration over permanence for leisure or personal growth.

Key Differences between Nomads and Travelers

Lifestyle differences

Nomads and travelers lead very different lifestyles. Nomads tend to live a more permanent, sustainable lifestyle in the same location for longer periods of time. They may move around, but they generally establish a base in one place for a while. This might involve setting up camp, renting a property, or even buying land. Nomads prefer to stay in one place long enough to build relationships with people and get to know their environment.

Travelers, on the other hand, move from place to place rather than staying in one location for extended periods of time. They may travel solo or with others, often backpacking or using public transportation to get around. Travelers are more focused on experiencing new cultures and seeing different parts of the world rather than building deep connections with specific places.

Purpose differences

The purpose behind why nomads and travelers travel is also quite different. Nomads typically travel out of necessity – whether it’s for work opportunities or survival needs such as access to resources like food and water. For example, pastoral nomadic communities have been known to follow seasonal patterns in search of fresh pastureland for their animals.

In contrast, travelers usually travel for leisure or personal growth reasons such as self-discovery, education, or adventure-seeking purposes.

Relationship with location differences

Nomads also differ from travelers when it comes to their relationship with the places they visit/stay in. Since nomads tend to stay in one location long-term they develop deeper connections with that particular locale which often result in meaningful relationships with local people along with an intimate understanding of local customs and traditions.

Travelers generally have a more transient relationship with locations that they visit since they tend not to stay long enough at any given destination allowing them only superficial experience/knowledge about these places/nations. They are more focused on the experience of traveling itself rather than any specific location.

Niche Subtopics: Further Exploring the Differences between Nomads and Travelers

Digital nomads vs traditional nomads:.

The Rise of a New Type of Nomadism

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the number of digital nomads . These are people who leverage technology to work remotely from any part of the world, without being tied down to a specific location. Although digital nomadism is still relatively new, it has become increasingly popular among millennials and Gen-Zers seeking to break away from the conventional 9-to-5 lifestyle.

How Digital Nomadism Compares to Traditional Nomadic Lifestyles

Digital nomadism differs significantly from traditional forms of nomadic lifestyles. Unlike traditional nomads who live off the land or engage in manual labor, digital nomads typically work in white-collar jobs such as graphic design, writing, or software development. Additionally, while traditional nomads generally travel with their families or tribes and have social structures within their communities that allow them to survive in harsh environments like deserts or forests, many digital nomads travel alone and rely on modern amenities like WiFi connections and coworking spaces.

Benefits and Challenges for Digital Nomads

Digital nomadism offers many benefits such as flexibility to work anywhere around the world at any time and exposure to different cultures. However, it also presents challenges such as loneliness due to isolation from family and friends, difficulties in maintaining a healthy work-life balance while moving continuously across time zones, and visa restrictions that limit travel possibilities. Despite these challenges though digital nomadism is becoming the new go-to for individuals seeking adventure while still earning a sustainable income.

Slow Travel vs Fast Travel:

The art of slow travel.

Slow travel refers to a style of travel that emphasizes immersion in local cultures and requires staying in one place for an extended period. The idea behind slow travel is to take one’s time to experience a destination with more depth and authenticity beyond the usual tourist attractions. Slow travelers often live like locals, which means shopping at local markets, conversing with residents, and learning the language.

Fast Travel: A Means to an End

Fast travel refers to a style of travel that emphasizes seeing as many places as possible within a short period. It involves hopping from one country or city to another quickly without spending enough time getting to know the culture or history of each place. Fast travelers tend to rely on pre-packaged tours and sightseeing activities rather than exploring on their own.

The Pros and Cons of Each Approach

Slow travel allows travelers to experience destinations in depth while fast travel lets them see more places in less time. Slow travel can be pricey as it requires staying at a particular place for longer periods while fast traveling can lead to fatigue due to a fast-paced itinerary. Ultimately, the choice between slow vs fast traveling depends on personal preference, budget, and goals for traveling.

Digital Nomads vs Traditional Nomads: The New Wave of Nomadic Lifestyles

With the rise of technology, there has been a new wave of nomadic lifestyles that have emerged – digital nomadism. Digital nomads are individuals who use technology and remote work to sustain their nomadic lifestyle. Unlike traditional nomads, digital nomads do not have to rely on physical labor or trade to make a living. Instead, they have the freedom to work from anywhere with an internet connection.

While digital nomadism may seem like a new concept, it has actually been around for quite some time. In fact, it was in the 1970s when Jack Nilles coined the term “telecommuting” and predicted that it would be the future of work. Today, with advancements in technology and communication tools such as Zoom and Slack , digital nomadism has become an increasingly popular way of life for many.

However, despite the similarities between traditional and digital nomads such as their love for travel and adventure, there are some key differences between these two lifestyles. For example, while traditional nomads move from place to place based on necessity such as finding water or food sources; digital nomads can choose where they want to live based on personal preferences or even lower cost of living in foreign countries.

Slow Travel vs Fast Travel: Finding a Deeper Connection

As mentioned earlier in this article, travelers typically move from place to place more frequently than nomads do. However, there is another distinction within this category- slow travel vs fast travel. Slow travel is about taking your time exploring different places and immersing yourself in local cultures- often spending several months or years living abroad in one location while fast travel involves visiting multiple destinations at once without necessarily forming a deep connection with the places visited.

Slow travel is about taking the time to enjoy every moment, practice mindfulness, and learn from your surroundings. It’s about finding a deeper connection with the place and its people. On the other hand, fast travel is often seen as a way of ticking off boxes on a bucket list- you see as many places as possible without truly experiencing them.

There are many benefits to slow travel such as gaining new perspectives, learning new languages or skills, making lifelong friends, and having unique experiences that you wouldn’t have had if you were moving too fast. However, it can also come with its own set of challenges including adapting to local customs and cultures or finding work in foreign countries.

The History Behind Nomadic Lifestyles: From Hunter-Gatherers To Modern-Day Nomads

Nomadic lifestyles are not new; in fact, they date back thousands of years. Before humans settled down into agricultural societies, we were predominantly nomadic hunter-gatherers who followed food sources across different regions of the world.

In modern times, however, nomadic lifestyles have evolved- often involving conscious choices to live outside societal norms. Some individuals choose this lifestyle for work-related reasons such as touring musicians or journalists who need to move frequently while others do it because they crave adventure and freedom.

Despite the changes that have occurred over time regarding nomadic lifestyles, there are still common themes that resonate throughout history- movement being central among them. Movement symbolizes freedom- both physical and mental – that comes with breaking away from routine life and embracing change on your own terms. Section 6: Small Details: Little-Known Facts About Nomads and Travelers

The History Behind Nomadic Lifestyles

Nomadic lifestyles have been around since the beginning of human history. Before humans settled down to create agricultural societies, they were generally nomadic. They roamed from place to place in search of food, water, and shelter. Nomads were hunters and gatherers who followed herds of animals or foraged for food in different areas throughout the year. The first recorded nomadic tribe was the Bedouins in the Arabian Peninsula. They were famous for their knowledge of survival skills in the desert climate, including how to find water and navigate using stars. Over time, nomads developed specialized skills such as metalworking, weaving, and storytelling.

Today’s modern-day nomadic lifestyle has evolved significantly from its historical roots. The rise of technology has enabled people to work remotely while traveling the world – becoming what is now known as a digital nomad .

The Rise in Popularity of Traveling

Traveling is more accessible than ever before due to advancements in technology, transportation systems, and globalization which have led to increased knowledge-sharing about different cultures worldwide online or offline. In addition, traveling has become more affordable for people with varying levels of income thanks to budget airlines that offer cheap flights across continents or regions. Moreover, social media platforms such as Instagram have contributed heavily to creating a travel culture that emphasizes life experiences over material possessions.

On top of this increase in accessibility for traveling globally, there are also changes being made locally within countries themselves which promote ‘staycations’ where locals take time off work but stay within their own country borders instead of going abroad on holidays or vacations abroad.

Impact on Society

Nomads and travelers have had an impact on society throughout history by introducing new ideas and cultures wherever they go which can lead to cultural exchange and adaptation. However, nomads and travelers are not always welcomed by the local communities they encounter. Some view them as outsiders or threats to their way of life. In reality, nomads and travelers can bring economic growth to communities through tourism and the buying of local goods and services thus supporting the economy.

Furthermore, the rise in digital nomadism has also led to a shift in traditional work environments which has created a new wave of entrepreneurs who work remotely from anywhere, anytime which is both exciting and transformative considering it is not bound by geographic location or traditional 9-5 working hours.

In addition to this digital work lifestyle we have seen a trend towards slow travel where people stay for extended periods of time in one geographical area such as a city or town instead of rushing through everything like typical tourists – this allows for deeper cultural immersion which can be very rewarding personally but also strengthen international relationships because there’s more opportunity for interaction with locals.

The rise in popularity of traveling:

Exploring the accessibility and appeal of contemporary travel.

The rise in the popularity of traveling can be attributed to a variety of factors. With the advent of new technologies, transportation options, and cultural exchange programs, it is easier than ever before for individuals to explore different parts of the world. Social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube have also played a role in promoting travel as a way to gain exposure to new experiences and cultures.

One key factor that has contributed to the growth in travel is the increase in disposable income worldwide. As people have become more affluent, they have begun seeking out new ways to invest their money into experiences rather than material possessions or traditional investments. This shift has led many individuals to prioritize spending time and resources on traveling as a way to gain personal fulfillment.

Another major factor contributing to the popularity of contemporary travel is globalization. As businesses increasingly operate on an international scale, more people find themselves working with colleagues or clients from different parts of the world. This exposure can spark curiosity about other cultures and lead individuals to seek out opportunities for international travel.

Despite some challenges that make certain types of travel difficult or impossible, such as COVID-19 restrictions on air travel or visa requirements for certain countries, there remains an overwhelming desire among many people worldwide for opportunities to explore new places and expand their horizons.

Final Words

Overall, it seems likely that this trend will continue in years ahead as greater numbers of people are exposed to diverse global cultures through media and business interactions. By embracing these trends responsibly through sustainable tourism practices and respectful engagement with local communities abroad, individuals can experience all the benefits that come with contemporary global exploration while doing their part for social good around the world.

What is the definition of a nomad and how does it differ from a traveler?

A nomad is someone who regularly moves from place to place without a permanent home, while a traveler is someone who goes on journeys or trips, but usually returns to a fixed base.

Are there any cultural or historical differences between the lifestyles of nomads and travelers?

Yes, there are. Nomadic cultures have existed throughout history, with many ancient civilizations relying on nomads for trade and communication. Travelers, on the other hand, have historically been associated with exploration and discovery.

Can someone be both a nomad and a traveler, or do they have to choose one lifestyle over the other?

Someone can be both a nomad and a traveler. In fact, many modern-day digital nomads combine their love of travel with their work by constantly moving to new places around the world.

How do the financial aspects of being a nomad compare to those of being a traveler?

Being a nomad can often be more expensive than being a traditional traveler due to the costs associated with constant movement and lack of stable housing. However, there are also ways for digital nomads to save money by working remotely.

Are there any ethical considerations that should be taken into account when choosing between being a nomad or a traveler?

When choosing between being a nomad or traveler, it’s important to consider your impact on local communities and ecosystems. As travelers increasingly flock to popular destinations around the world, it’s important to practice responsible tourism by minimizing waste and respecting local customs.

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Hi! I’m Nora.

I’ve been a digital nomad since 2006. I’ve lived in and traveled through over 75 countries – in STYLE. And it all cost me way less than you might think. Stick around and I’ll share my story and teach you my tricks.

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Meet the new generation of travellers: the new nomads

By Stephanie Rafanelli

In 2020, two billion people will travel to islands , deserts, jungles , glaciers and volcanoes at the far corners of our planet. A few may even see its fragile beauty from space. Our earth is still a wonder, all the more so now that the clock ticks on its preservation. But the way we – the nomads born of a peripatetic generation – journey upon it is ever evolving. The digital age, globalisation, immigration and technology have lifted not only borders of our nations but our wanderlust, pushing us faster and further, increasingly hungry for novelty and the solitude of wilder frontiers.

Now, with much of the world reachable, gentrifying, brag-snapped and posted, we have begun to turn our journeys inwards to become meaningful explorers of ourselves and find a more profound connection with our planet. But this is not the hedonistic navel-gazing of Sixties bohemians. Instead, we stand on the brink of a new era of dynamic travel, propelled by the conscious, go-getting, change-driven millennial attitude, no longer dropping out for our holidays but rather acutely tuning in.

Meet the New Nomads, who don’t journey simply to escape – but to find, engage, connect. We measure our carbon footprints and follow the paths mapped by our DNA and a generation of reality TV, like real-life Survivors, testing our mettle against the elements. Our luxury is barefoot immersion in nature, a foraging for and rewilding of our spirits. We are the curious, low-impact seekers of new skills and authenticity; we take delight in the local, bespoke, diverse and idiosyncratic. Journeying to places beyond, we travel for a weekend on impulse, six months, three years; with our children; like-minded communities; and solo (in the EU, one in three households is single, a figure set to rise). Environmental and medical advances have prompted a new focus on planetary and personal health – the two somehow connected by a renewed sense of ancient mindfulness.

By 2020, the wellness tourism industry will be worth £640 billion. Meanwhile, the definition of eco-friendly is sharpening, no longer dismissed as ‘worthy’, but an exciting, innovative science, pioneered by the best minds. Today, 70 per cent of travellers are more likely to choose a hotel if it is green – a sign that for the hotel of the future, environmental design and practice will be a given. Positive transformation – of the self and our planet: this is the mantra of the New Nomads.

This features in our New Nomads Issue: the October 2019 issue on sale now. Buy the issue or subscribe for just £24.

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Home » Work and Travel » How to Be a Digital Nomad: Work from ANYWHERE! (2024)

How to Be a Digital Nomad: Work from ANYWHERE! (2024)

The internet has completely changed the landscape of work and travel. If we are living in the middle of a tech revolution, then viva la revolución ! 

We are no longer chained to one country or a desk at our workplace. Now the whole world can be the office for the day. 

The broke backpackers and aspiring vagabonds of the yesteryears are starting to figure out that travelling doesn’t need to be something you do for a few years in your twenties before you “return to real life”. In fact, travel can BE your real life.

But how do you make that dream into reality?

Well, you become a digital nomad. There is no better way to combine the best of two worlds.

This guide on becoming a digital nomad is for all aspiring nomads. It is f or long-suffering office workers and new graduates with shiny Macs. This is f or lifestyle travellers who just realised the holes in their pockets plunge way too deep. And it’s for brave career-changers…

This guide is even for you if you’ve already been nomadic for a while but it feels like maybe you could be doing it even better…

These are all my best tips for digital nomads and how to become a digital nomad.

This is all the info you need.

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What is a Digital Nomad?

Work: how to be a digital nomad and find nomad jobs, what to sort out before leaving: digital nomad checklist, where to go as a digital nomad, how to be a digital nomad, not all that glitters is gold… but it’s still a pretty shiny life..

A digital nomad is somebody who travels the world whilst working online… It’s as simple as that! There is no right or wrong way to be a nomad, but there are a few baselines that are true to most of us. 

Digital nomads work remotely. But they are different from remote workers; instead of working from a permanent home office, nomads move around between cities and countries, all the time.

Being a nomad is not the same as budget backpacking ; usually, nomads have a bit more expendable income, stay in one place longer than a backpacker, and prioritise work over travelling.

Nomads are also different from expats and immigrants; usually, nomads stay in one place for such a short time that they don’t have a chance to become legal citizens in that country (according to recent digital nomad stats ).

Governments around the world are starting to catch up on the challenges of the semi-legal status of nomad living, and they’re starting to help us out. It seems that every week another country comes up with a new digital nomad visa!

If you have access to the internet and a decent laptop, you can work online. Congrats – you have just learned how to be a digital nomad!

Is this the world’s best hostel for digital nomads?

Tribal Hostel  – Bali’s first purpose-built co-working hostel and perhaps the greatest hostel in the world!

An ideal hub for Digital Nomads and backpackers, this very special hostel is now finally open…

Come on down and enjoy amazing coffee, high-speed wifi and a game of pool ?

Why Being a Digital Nomad is So Fucking Great

Travelling is a truly life-changing gig. It’s is a million different things to a million different people.

Travel is about weird food and intoxicating cultures. It’s about epic sunrises and dark roads that seem to run forever in front of your headlights. It’s about partying it up in Colombia and conquering the Himalayas.

Travel is about freezing your ass off in a tent, catching a cutie’s eye across the bar, and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone . It’s about evolving, learning, forging connections and re-evaluating what matters to you in your life.

It’s about learning valuable lessons .

But more than anything, travel is about freedom.

The freedom to go where your heart desires.

The freedom to try being a new person, to start your life from scratch, to reinvent yourself.

Freedom, to many of us, means to live an alternative lifestyle, to break the mould, and step away from a traditional, predictable existence.

And at the end of the day, we all want more freedom. Becoming a digital nomad offers you that freedom.

Wouldn’t it be great if every day could like the highlight reel on your best trip ever?

Of course, it’s not all unicorns and rainbows. You will be tired, and bored, and sick of your job; just like in any other type of work.

But becoming a digital nomad has been the best decision I ever made. It lets me travel without sacrificing my career, and vice versa. It gives me flexibility, opportunities, and permission to make my life look the way I want it to. But this doesn’t just go for me – backpacker stats have been on the rise, thanks to more people being able to work on the road.

It allows me and others to meet people after my own heart; the people that I always missed when I lived at home.

In a word (or a few), it’s just a grade-A lifestyle.

The first step in how to be a digital nomad is to figure out what you can actually do to make it happen.

• Do you have skills that you can translate into a digital career?
• Does your current job allow you to take off and work online?
• What kind of work are you interested in?

There are plenty of good gigs out there, from digital nomad jobs for beginners to prestigious remote careers for pros. You can even start by finding a travel job and eventually graduate to a digital nomad. Opportunities are aplenty.

This first section is all about work, work, work: how to figure out what you want to do, the best digital nomad jobs, and how to actually work as a digital nomad.

How You Can Work from Anywhere

The spectrum of digital professionals is a large and colourful one. Basically, there are many ways to work as a digital nomad.

Most DNs are freelancers , which basically means they work on a project-by-project basis. Being a freelancer is a bit of an uncertain road since you rarely know exactly how much money or work you’ll get in a month.

On the other hand, freelancers are usually flexible with their working hours. Plus, if you can find a few good clients, projects usually start rolling in after the rough-and-tumble start. I work as a freelancer and I love the flexibility; if I feel like taking a holiday, I can just let my clients know I’ll be off and drop everything. 

The second option is to be an online entrepreneur. Many nomads have their own companies. It does come with more responsibilities than just working for individual projects (including legal responsibilities!). But it allows you to be your own boss, scale up your business, and open the highway to high earning potential – if that’s your thing.

The downside of starting a company is that it usually has to be based somewhere – which you personally are not. Your country of origin might allow you to run your business also from abroad, so it’s worth looking into it. Or you can base your company somewhere through a remote programme!

The third option is to be employed by a company and just work remotely. It’s the most restricting option since you usually have to work company hours (even from a different timezone), participate in meetings, and keep your boss updated on your whereabouts. 

Then again, having a steady remote job means knowing how much money you’ll earn each month, and possibly getting benefits that most of us scattered nomads can only dream of like health insurance and a pension.

Best Digital Nomad Jobs

Basically, you can do anything as long as it’s possible to be done on a laptop over an internet connection. 

How much do digital nomads make in a month, though? That depends entirely on your job and dedication. Some of the most popular digital nomad jobs include:

• IT and tech jobs – web and software development , UI/UX design
• Language jobs – teaching English , translation, transcription
• Creative jobs – photography , creative writing
• Writing jobs – copywriting, blogging
• Marketing jobs – e-commerce, product management

Sound good? This is only the tip of the iceberg of the professional side of digital nomadism.

There are tons more options that let you flex your skills and become the best nomad you can be. And wouldn’t you know it – The Broke Backpacker has an excellent run-down on all things DN jobs.

How to Be a Nomad and Find Work

That’s a damn good question. Maybe ten years ago you could just set up a travel blog, post a couple of blurry shots on Instagram, and you’d already have a following.

These days the market is oversaturated on a lot of nomad-friendly fields. This means that some digital nomad jobs for beginners are hard to get or don’t pay well. You need to put your best hustle suit on and persevere.

There are many online platforms where freelancers can start looking for small gigs and expand their portfolios. Check out Fiverr, Upwork, Freelancer, Toptal, or Guru. They pay little at first but it’s very much a case of “grow as you go”: the more work you do, the better your ratings, and the easier it becomes to get better jobs.

If you’re already an experienced professional, the uphill road might be slightly less steep. You can contact companies directly or look for suitable positions on LinkedIn. As a translator, I sent my CV to agency after agency in my home country until I’d established a few steady clients.

Networking can also be golden – this is why you head to places where other nomads hang out. (That’s how I ended up writing for The Broke Backpacker with this legendary team! The horizons are endless.)

Word of mouth is powerful. Through collaborations, friendships, and referrals, clients soon start finding you .

Where Do Digital Nomads Work?

This is something I get asked surprisingly often; so let’s answer it once and for all…

Short answer: you can work from anywhere in the world with an internet connection.

Long answer: read on…

I guess you’ve seen all those stock photos of digital nomads working with their feet dangling in pools and their asses parked on some high mountain top. I mean, you’ve definitely seen that if you’ve read this far – we use those photos, too.

But it’s more for the *aesthetic* (insert sparkle emojis). We all know that Instagram is the worst and you shouldn’t believe everything you see on there. In reality, digital nomads tend to go for slightly more comfortable work spots.

Many nomads work from home if it’s comfortable enough to set up a home office. Also – it’s free, which may or may not matter if you’re just getting started. Another free option is public libraries which are always quiet and usually have decent wifi.

Personally, I feel way more motivated to work when I’m around other nomads, so I usually go out for the day to work.

I love working from cafés. You can get good coffee and order lunch without breaking the workflow, which is just the best thing. They usually have comfortable seats and play good music. Just watch out: some cafés can give you the stink eye if you hang out all day and don’t keep ordering things. Also, try to find spots where nomads are welcome.

Another good option is co-working spaces which have started popping up like crazy. Some co-working spaces are little more than a desk and a chair, whereas others offer everything you think you could need and more. Often they’re community centres for digital nomads and offer workshops, community networking, and friendship events. Some even have co-living options where you can stay with other nomads. You can also find huge digital nomad communities online that you can connect and link up with.

In the end, your work spot depends on what’s available around you and what kind of environment helps you focus best.

Wanna know how to pack like a pro? Well for a start you need the right gear….

These are packing cubes for the globetrotters and compression sacks for the  real adventurers – these babies are a traveller’s best kept secret. They organise yo’ packing and minimise volume too so you can pack MORE.

Or, y’know… you can stick to just chucking it all in your backpack…

If you’re a nomad newbie, getting started on the DN life is not necessarily as easy as packing up a bag to go. (Although it helps if you have a nice digital nomad packing list already jotted down.) Here are a few things to put down on your digital nomad checklist before heading off to the world:

Getting coverage by regular travel insurance can be tricky as a nomad since you don’t have a specific itinerary or a set length for your trip.

You never know the trouble and strife that the road can throw at you. Even though as a digital nomad your life might be slightly cushier than that of a daredevil backpacker, you should always consider having a  good travel insurance policy  in place. (After all, home is where most accidents happen!)

The best travel insurance out there for digital nomads is  Safetywing . They’re a go-to choice of coverage for long-term travellers, working travellers, and,  particularly,   long-term stayers without much of an itinerary.

Safetywing’s unique gist is that they offer a hybrid of travel insurance and health insurance. Safetywing doesn’t, unfortunately, cover electronics and valuables – but it’s a super simple form of international health insurance. So, you’re good to go from anywhere, itinerary-free (except the USA). So cover yo’ ass.

Plus it’s CHEAP and on a month-to-month basis.  Read our  SafetyWing insurance review  or visit their site by clicking below, then they’re at your disposal all the time!

Or option two,  World Nomads Insurance ; it is the premier choice for premier vagabonds everywhere.

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

Travel Banking and Credit Cards

Using your bank card to pay for things or withdraw money abroad can get REAL expensive. Luckily, there are tons of great travel credit cards that can reverse ATM fees and other spicy extra charges. The most popular ones are Revolut and Wise (formerly Transferwise). Learn how to master travel banking , and you’re good to go.

Having an international bank account and an attached card is also useful if you need to receive or send money in another currency and you’ll also want to learn a bit more about how travel foreign exchange works .

Make sure that your bank cards will also be valid for a while after you leave. It’s rare, but some banks don’t ship new cards abroad or they will do it with a lot of grumbling.

Also, notify your bank that you’re going abroad. Otherwise, they might flag your innocent Monday lunch mojitos in Playa Del Carmen as suspicious activity and freeze your card.

Accommodation and All Your Earthly Possessions

Are you currently renting a place or maybe even own your own house or apartment? 

Before leaving, you need to decide what to do with all the shit you own. Sell everything and become fully nomadic, or try a soft landing and sub-let your apartment while you first try out the digital nomad lifestyle for a few months?

If you’ve never been a nomad before and want to just try it out, you can store your belongings for a few months while you’re travelling. Try asking your family or friends for temporary storage space. When you feel their previously unconditional love and affection for you start to crack because your shit is all up in their shit, you can rent an actual storage space.

Permanent Address

Which brings me to my next point…

In such a digitalised world, it is excruciating that we still need to deal with address questions so often. So what do you do if you don’t permanently live anywhere?

Get electronic mail. At least in Finland, most government agencies have thankfully finally switched to a paperless system, and I can receive all my tax shit and bills completely in the cyberspace.

Use a temporary address. In a lot of cases, your address is just needed because… well, there are various reasons. It’s completely fine to just put down the address of your most recent apartment or hotel.

Use someone else’s address. Whenever I need to put down an actual address for real-life purposes, I put down my parents’ address, because they’re cool and don’t mind it. You could probably set up a similar system with a parent, relative, or a really good friend.

And for receiving mail, you can use your current address, or see if someplace you frequently stay offers a mail service. Many coworking spaces let you receive letters and packages there if you’re a member, and I’ve heard of guest houses and gyms doing the same too. You can also try poste restante and collect your mail from a local post office.

Phone Plans

Moving between countries also means that you need to keep buying new SIM cards. So what do you do about not having a permanent phone number?

Actually, keeping your number is fairly easy. Make sure you get a phone that has dual SIM capacity, AKA two sim card slots, so you can keep using both your old sim card and the one you buy in every new country.

I have had my Finnish number for years which is handy since so many of my apps and websites use it. I have parked the number which basically means I pay a small fee every month instead of a full phone bill to keep the number in use. Even though I can’t make calls or send texts, I can still receive both on my Finnish number.

There are also some international SIM cards for travel that could work for you if you genuinely have no base phone number!

A new country, a new contract, a new piece of plastic – booooring. Instead, buy an eSIM!

An eSIM works just like an app: you buy it, you download it, and BOOM! You’re connected the minute you land. It’s that easy.

Is your phone eSIM ready? Read about how e-Sims work or click below to see one of the top eSIM providers on the market and  ditch the plastic .

If the whole world is your oyster, how do you start scoopin’ it out? There are approximately 193 countries in the world, but not all of them are made equal when you’re looking for your next home as a digital nomad.

What to Look for

Well, the first thing you obviously need to figure out is if you can have reliable internet where you’re going. (One of the reasons I skipped out on India, no matter all the great stories of Goa I’d heard.) 

Above all though, I value a good community. Work and travel are just so much better when you can actually do both with someone cool. 

Most nomads also chase warm weather – but hey, you don’t have to. Some digital nomad hotspots like Bansko in Bulgaria are at their peak in the winter when snowboarding nomads take over the town. And backpacking Europe in winter is actually pretty magical.

Your digital nomad budget also determines where you can afford to live. Living somewhere cheap means that you can probably afford to have a better lifestyle and/or to work less.

Do a bit of research on what to do after work , too. Paradise beaches are great and all, but if you’re a mountain person or a city slicker, you might get sick of it pretty quickly.

And lastly, you’re usually arriving in a country on a tourist visa. So in some places, the length of your stay may be pretty limited. It’s worth looking up which countries offer a digital nomad visa and other schemes that allow you to stay longer.

Best Cities for Digital Nomads

These are some of the old-school and newly added favourites for digital nomads in 2021!

• Canggu and Ubud in Bali, Indonesia
• Chiang Mai, Thailand
• Lisbon and Madeira, Portugal
• Las Palmas and Tenerife, Spain
• Cape Town, South Africa
• Medellín, Colombia
• Mexico City and Playa del Carmen, Mexico

And the great news is… there are TONS of other 100% dope places to hang your hat in.

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I’m possibly a bit of an oddball for a digital nomad. I didn’t just go on a backpacking trip one day and realised that that’s what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. Well, kind of, but my rise to DN fame was way more planned out.

I always knew I wanted to leave Finland ASAP because fuck dealing with that darkness and cold. That’s why I picked a major in Uni that would allow me to get the hell out as soon as I graduated. (In reality, I never even went to my graduation ceremony – at that point, I’d already been living in Poland for months – lolz). I got a Master’s Degree in translation, and off I went to the great big world.

For many nomads, the road is usually not that straightforward (or academic), many nomads simply worked hard and started from zero. That’s the story to show how ANYONE can become a digital nomad.

The Truth About Being a Digital Nomad – Smooth Sailing All the Way?

Listen, I’ll preach about the wonders of location independence to the ends of the world. It’s something I gladly suffer through even on the more miserable days because the rewards are just so much sweeter than not doing it.

But let’s be honest, sometimes this life puts you through a whirlpool of challenges. Travel burnout is not a joke, and digital nomads are not invincible to it either.

Brace yourself. This is as real as it gets.

Work Doesn’t Just Magically Fall into Your Lap – Shocking!

With all the hype, you’d think it would be as easy as picking up a laptop to travel and work online. The truth is, the digital nomad dream takes a lot of work, especially if you’re an entrepreneur or a freelancer starting basically from scratch.

As long as you have a wifi connection, a travel friendly laptop , a bit of resourcefulness and a ton of dedication, you can create a very successful online business in under two years. In the meantime though, it is a hustle.

Even when I started with a Master’s Degree and a very clear plan of what I wanted to do, it took a few months to start finding work. It took another year more to start earning a decent wage. Experience is boss, just like in any other type of work. 

I was also broke after finishing university, so to keep travelling I took up hostel jobs and other odd gigs to make ends meet. This actually stopped me from having time to focus on building my digital nomad career.

This is why it’s best to start out with some savings . I used to work pretty much any minimum-experience-level job just to save up a few bucks.

Start with a nice nest egg and you have time to focus on the work you WANT to do, not the work you have to do to survive. 

Plus, it’s always smart to have a rainy-day fund for the time if something eventually goes tits up: your MacBook falls into the pool, a tropical parasite hospitalises you, or your current country’s political system collapses and you have to fly out ASAP. (Shoutout to all you brave backpackers in borderline dangerous countries!)

There Are Some More Things you Should Know…

The digital nomad lifestyle isn’t for everyone: you’re going to catch a lot of critique for being a nomad.

Some people simply don’t understand why you would voluntarily want to live nomadically. I think it took my parents a few years to realise that it wasn’t just a passing fad ( it’s not a phase, mum!) and that I actually wasn’t coming back.

Most people in your life will be supportive. That’s great. But even among those people, you will feel like they would prefer you to stay closer to home, even if they don’t say it directly.

You will miss a lot of things – weddings, births, even deaths. The fear of missing out is real. The slight guilt of not being there for your family and old friends can be tough to deal with. 

And some people… they’re just straight-up dicks about it. You might get called selfish, non-committal, neo-colonialist (that’s what you get for living like a king in cheap countries…), and just straight-up crazy.

But this is your life – you have to follow your passions and do things that make you happy. 

The traditional grind is simply not for everyone. It’s fantastic that we have this opportunity to leave it behind if we want to. All you can do is your best, to keep in touch with people back home, and make sure you visit every once in a while.

Many digital nomads also struggle with loneliness. That’s only natural when the lifestyle is so transient – people come and go and so do you, and it’s hard to keep saying goodbyes.

On the other hand, the flexibility and mobility of being a nomad also let you follow your new friends wherever. You can meet them in other places around the world, and even stay somewhere if you really fall in love with a place (or a person). More on that next…

Is Being a Digital Nomad Sustainable in the Long Term?

It seems to be a common myth that digital nomads work some shady, small-coin jobs because they’re young and naive and just want to see the world. That’s not (always) true: it’s 100% possible to have a real career as a digital nomad and earn even more than you would at a traditional job.

If you’re planning to lead this lifestyle for a long time though, it’s worth thinking about your life goals outside of work. What do you actually want from life?

Many nomads are single or casually dating and thriving. Serious relationships can be hard because of distances, changing places, and general fuckboy-/girl-ery.

But despair not! It’s also possible to find a great relationship as a digital nomad. 

Actually, it’s probably easier to find someone with aligning values since you’re bumping into people living the same kind of lifestyle all the time. There are even digital nomads travelling with children, poly-dating, and nomadic LGBTQ+ communities. Whatever relationship you’re looking for, or not looking for, it’s very much possible.

Being a digital nomad also changes travel , and especially the way you personally travel. Quick stints in beautiful places and perpetual goodbyes start to feel stale. Eventually, most digital nomads start craving to have a base, which is extremely healthy. 

I hit the wall at around the two-year mark in my nomad career. So I did what seemed the best: I found a place with a great digital nomad community and settled there, more or less. 

I still travel as much as I can. But now, in between trips, I return to the same place. And guess what? Having a semi-stable home feels fantastic. There’s no place like home.

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Alrighty, Aphrodite, that’s about as far as I can help you – the rest of the path is yours to discover!

Being a digital nomad is a sure hustle at first: cooking your own dinners, sacrificing social events for a bit more work, making deals with the devil to put your business forward… Just kidding, you can totally do it by yourself. No sinister powers are needed.

It’s an exciting journey though, and extremely rewarding. I’ve been nomadic for almost four years now and I would NOT change this lifestyle for anything.

Learning how to become a digital nomad is not hard. But it is also not as easy as snapping your fingers. 

If you’re serious about being a nomad, try it out for a while; get nomad friends, and talk to people. Following nomads online and clicking likes on an influencer’s Instagram is not gonna give you a very good image of what this life is actually like.

There are a lot of people out there who are full of shit and simply know how to advertise their glitzy lifestyle online in a way that makes it look like child’s play to become a digital nomad.

But if you really want to make the dream work – if you want to travel with your laptop and live in all these amazing places around the world – the only person stopping you is yourself.

It’s a very achievable dream and one that millions of people worldwide are currently starting out on.

If you ever get lonely, or frustrated, or broke, just know you’re never alone; there is a wonderful, accepting, beautiful digital nomad community that welcomes you, supports you, and understands what it’s like to crave a different life.

You want to build a life of freedom. That’s obvious. Now the question is, will you do what it takes to take your life and make it your own? Do you want to be the master of your destiny? Do you want to become a digital nomad?

Is it easy?

But is it worth it?

100%, hands down, hell yes.

You can live a lifestyle of perpetual travel. You can live a life of freedom. You can be your own boss, make money online, and join the millions of beautiful people who are a part of the digital nomad revolution.

And you can start now.

Elina Mattila

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41 Comments

Great read! I’m currently doing a PhD abroad and saving up funds, then I’m OFF. Have worked both remotely and as a freelancer before, love to navigate difficult (Middle Eastern) countries, and am bound in no way, so I should be good. Inshallah, yalla.

Awesome article — I’ve just hit the 1 year mark in my digital nomad career and everything you say here really resonates. I’m currently based in Sri Lanka and would really recommend it to anyone looking for a cheap, chilled alternative to the more well-trodden DN hotspots in SE Asia. The surf is amazing here too! 🙂

Very inspirational! Thank you for sharing your experiences as a digital nomad. We started our journey earlier this year. It’s always great to read about fellow nomads chasing and living the dream! Going to check out your other site now. 🙂

I find your post really inspiring. I am presently travelling as a seafafer aboard a cargo ship and luck has it, good thing we have internet 24hours. I’m from the Philippines and planning to launch my own website and find a niche in the market. My passion includes music, travelling, engineering. I am in a sea of dilemma on what exactly will work for me. Hope that you can shed light and give some valuable tips and ideas that will work with my given information. All the best.

My advise is to do some proper niche research before you make your choice… Remember that you HAVE to workout how to drive traffic (I advise SEO) as without traffic, you haven’t got anything – so choose your niche wisely.

I could hear your voice echoed inside my head, while I read. The most honest blog I have ever read. It punched me right on my face like “FuckYou, see it’s not impossible”… hahahha, you were amazing , felt like I was right in front of you and you are like , A Big fist bang on that coffee table saying “See, it’s possible Girl”. Damn!!!!!! Thank you….. Keep growing and never slowing.

Damn girl! It sure is possible with that kinda attitude – I love it 🙂 Guzzle down some coffee and get brainstorming… 🙂

Trouble is the rules keep changing. China fails to ship. Amazon drops fees, FaceBook goes silly, and your ads don’t fire.

Me, I’m still working at it.

Great post.

Cheers Penny…

I to am trying to ditch the desk and travel more. Your blog was an eye opener and I loved all the good information you had. I am getting ready to start my own blog….wish me luck. Thanks

Building a blog really wasn’t all that hard, it’s building an audience that’s hard!

Hey Will, Im doing my final project in Design school on Nomadic Furniture and was wondering if you had time for a short fifteen minute interview on what you do, where you’ve lived, and what things you’ve brought with you. Any insight you have is much appreciated. Hope to hear from you soon.

I read this post fully regarding the difference of most up-to-date and earlier technologies, it’s awesome article.

Hey Will. First of all great article – muchly appreciated. So I was hoping for some advice. I am 32 years old and currently working and living in Brighton. Im a minimum wage chef with no enjoyment in hospitality, and as Brighton is the 2nd most expensive place to live I also have zero savings.

Anyways, iv started having panic attacks again after a four years absence and in my head I know I need to get out the UK and make a go of the nomadic lifestyle. Family, friends etc are not a concern. Unfortunately time is a huge constraint. Both seasons (summer is ending) and my inability to stray and work and attempt to save.

Essentially I’m looking to sell everything I own which would net me around £500. This is not much I’m aware.

My question then to you would be what would you suggest as a first step, the big leap so to speak.

ANY advice would be appreciated.

Thank you and keep up the amazing work!

Hey James, I hail from Brighton myself! £500 ain’t much but you can stretch it far if you need too… You can travel for a little while on that but it’s going to be hard unless you head to India, Iran, SEA or Central America; pick a cheap region, be open to picking up work as you go and if you have a laptop you can look into making money online – there’s lots of options but admittedly, you do need some cash to get started. My advise is hitchhike, couchsurf, work on farms – and along the way, you will figure out what you want to do 🙂

Cheers Will.

,You reaffirmed what I already suspected. I figured with the savings and the imminent weather change my best option would be to head to the Netherlands, then Germany down to Italy then Greece across to Turkey then Find a cheap flight to China. Im open to working in whatever means necessary similarly I’m not adverse to dumpster diving, camping in parks etc. What ever needs to be done right?!

I am curious about the online money making – iv been doing some research but in all honesty I’m pretty clueless. Im currently trying to figure my webpage/blog and thankfully I think iv found my niche!

Again, thanks for the swift reply and embrace the adventures!

That was a great read. It fills me with great hope when I see how quickly you made it, inside 2 years and while travelling with little money. I am a little concerned about how to truly grow and develop the blog site while travelling, dealing with poor internet in South America and keeping on top of spending! However, I know I’ll make it. That belief just doesn’t fade and I’m living for the day when any time is beer o’clock and I can take 6 weeks off when I want!

Hey CJ and thanks man! It’s definitely a uphill struggle at first but if you persevere and put in the hours, you will prevail! My top tip would be, since you are going down the blogging route, to focus on your SEO and to pick a niche where you can dominate that SEO – If you ain’t got readers, you ain’t got nothing and with social media getting more and more competitive, SEO is the way to go. I’ve seen your site – it’s good man, best of luck with your adventures! If you make it to Venezuela, let me know, would love a guest post from you.

Hi Will! Cheers for the tips (and the praise!). SEO has been but a distant acquaintance thus far (#yoast plug-in) but I’ve great intentions of powering through a course or three on the topic! Social media is definitely a crowded field now but I’ve high hopes for the future, just got to be patient and persevere as you say! Venezuela looks slightly less than appealing right now, but who knows, I should be on the continent for the guts of a year so plans can change! Would be delighted of the opportunity to guest post for you so I’ll keep that one in mind for sure! Hope the ebook is doing well, going to be snapping it up soon to keep my wallet in check!

Hi Will, the link at the end of Step One didn’t lead to an article on best Digital Nomad jobs but to one on non digital jobs. Where is the correct one?

I am inyerested in meeti g up with other people who truely want to drop the average lifestyle and just go, like now. I founda lot of talkers and not the get yp and go people I woukd like to meet. Any thoughts, i tried the recommemdes webaites.

Get a laptop, hit the road, figure out what makes you tick, try one hundred things, discover your passion, chase it, own it.

Great post Will – I think that $1,000 per month mark is crucial and a point when you realize the “possibilities” even further. I also think what most people miss out on though, and where many people go wrong, is that they fail to see it’s all about the hours you put in – not the work itself. ie. it pays to work hard rather than trying to be clever all the time!

Well done selling out your Pakistan tour in 5 days, I never knew it happened so quickly – you’re amazing man!

Cheers Derek! I hope you’re kicking ass out in Africa amigo and I hope, even more, that you get your ass back Asia-side soon so we can catch up! You take it easy dude.

Hello I’m 17 years old I would love to be a nomad person, travelling is my goal, I only study to make sure I will have enough money to travel In september I will probably go to a Biology university I would love to work até national geographic or something similar, not be in a lab all my life, I want to move My parents don’t like this idea cause they say after it Wil be complicate if I have childs and a man Anyways I want to be my own boss to travel as often as possible Cause I DONT think my parents will agree if I was travelling all my life, I’m scared, I don’t really know how to start, if after I Will find a job, If it will be as good as I think ir is, I’m scared but I know I want to travel, to Discover the world I would love too, to have a traveler blog, while I’m travelling I would be writing my adventures I’m Lost Please Help me Peace

Hey Angelina, being a nomad is the way to go! Nat Geo is for many a dream, they are the pinnacle of adventure journalism. Getting in is very hard though and you would need to work your way up, build a following online and get your wwork featured on other online publications – all of this is achievable. If you want to be your own boss, there are a lot of different ways now to start making money online – blogging, vlogging, amazon niche websites, drop-shipping etc – have a look at the ditch your desk section of the site, there’s some good stuff in there and I’m working on a lot more guides on how to quit normal life and travel cheap whilst earning money. If all you really want to do is travel, then that’s awesome – go with it. Trust me that travelling will not damage your chances of finding a job when you get home; travelling will make you more confident, give you more experience, teach you how to multi-task, how to problem solve, how to socialise. It’s the ultimate tool for personal growth and will make you far more hire-able than something straight out of uni. A travel blog is a great way to record your adventures but it is very hard to make money out of travel blogging and there are easier online avenues. There are just a LOT of travel blogs now so standing out is tough. My advice is to travel. If you want any further advice, drop me an email – [email protected] Good luck!

I enjoy your articles and have recently started out travelling and thinking strongly along the lines of earning while we travel. Difference is though, that we are 49 & 50 year young midlifebackpackers who would love to do the whole digital nomad lifestyle. Other than the youngsters out there, we have some passive income via a small property portfolio & are debt free, so that would help. However, we have way more commitments and of course it costs money to maintain properties, medical aids, insurances etc, so breaking free also becomes more difficult with age. There is much talk of generating income and the various methods are much publicized but of course the details are always vague & never specific, unless one spends 100s of dollars on online course being told that you can make 100’s of dollars if you offer courses, You know, the whole pyramid way of scamming people for bucks. Anyway, right now I’ve barely figured out how to set up a basic blog, facebook page & best of all an income generating guest unit called Protea Retreat, that is taking off on Booking.com, so at least that’s one way to fund our next travels. Read all about it on Midlifebackpackers. Cheers-Menno & Janneke

Hey amigos! You are definitely right… There’s a fuck ton of misleading, pyramid-scheme, get-rich quick info out there and the internet is a minefield. But, luckily, if you know where to look it can also be a goldmine. There are so many opportunities out there right now, I’m unleashing a ton of blog posts on other digital nomad careers this year, and it’s totally possible for anybody with a laptop and fingers to make money online. Your situation does sound a little different to some of my readers but although you may have different obstacles you will also have different advantages – chances are you have more capital to put into online ventures and that can help you grow your business so much faster (don’t worry – I’m not suggesting you pay for a course!) if you spend it in the right way… Good luck in all your online ventures and watch this space, I’ll be publishing a lot of really practical content soon on this topic.

This was such a great read and inspired me so much to plan my next travels – thanks so much! – Also similar to boat work, there’s some winter season jobs you can get helping set up music festivals in the alps, meaning you can travel round and ski/board too !

YOu are a boss! I’m a digital nomad through career coaching and am trying the travel blog thing simultaneously. I agree with you everyone can do it but really good on you for doing it on $50/week. I’m sure you had a lot of fun stories to tell – and learned tons about yourself and what little you needed along the way. I’m a fan hope to meet you in the same country someday!

Cheers Emily, there have been some interesting tales for sure 🙂 Hopefully catch you on the road for a beer sometime! 🙂

What a great read. Currently doing my adventures in New Zealand and hopefully trying to break out if the normal and become a digital nomad. With these read i now know how to become a digital nomad.

Wise words Will (WwW) copyright. Useful info, insight and inspirational words to get out there and do it, with the tools and many possibilities you have suggested. Nice one dude.

Super nice post! You have created a great life for yourself. I didn’t think about Drop Shipping yet, good idea.

Thanks for sharing.

Awesome post. You are absolutely correct about making money by writing, blogging and teaching. I’ve been doing okay with those lines of work. Loved the dropshipping idea. Thanks for that one!

Hi Will, I am planning a trip to Nicaragua soon from the US. Do you know if I can book a 1 way flight-Miami-Spirit Air with an onward bus ticket to Costa Rica maybe 60 days after Nica entry. I want to travel open ended to other areas over a few months. Hope it is not a problem.

I’ve handed in my notice and in around 100 days will be flying back to Asia to backpack and be a beach bum. I’ve told my friends and family I will be back after 1 year but in my head I know the only thing stopping me from travelling forever will be running out of money. It’s inevitable. How could I return to a 9-5 life after experiencing the world and its wonders! This list is seriously helpful, I’m considering getting a TEFL when I find somewhere I love and would like to settle. Thank you for the inspo, well done on setting up that life for yourself. x

Could you make a list of the things you should have to travel? Along the lines of passport, travel insurance, copy of birth certificate, etc?

It’s in the works! For the record; never take your birth certificate travelling! 🙂

These were some really creative ideas. I started off teaching english myself in Thailand and absolutely hated it for numerous reasons. After about 3 years of teaching , I eventually got my SEO business up and running. It has been the dream life ever since. I also highly recommend web design. I am terrible at it but I have some friends who are creative and make a killing!

Hey Steven! Hell yeah man, there is SO much scope out there for those looking to make a living online; blogging is my passion but I may well have a crack at something new next year as well! 🙂

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Affordable Cities And Incredible Culture: This European Country Is Perfect For Digital Nomads

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Are you a digital nomad considering moving to Europe in the near future?

Forget about Italy and its overpriced cities.

You'd be lucky to find a one-bedroom rent for less than $1,500 a month; never mind France and the influx of irregular migrants and associated crime surge; as for once-trendy Portugal, we'd advise you to steer clear .

Lisbon residents have made it clear they don't want you there, even though a successful Digital Nomad Visa program has been launched (though not without pushbacks), and anti-nomad sentiment has been brewing for quite some time now in the once-pacate Southern European country.

A majority of these ‘workcation' spots are up to here with the rising cost of living, and as locals believe the mass arrival of foreigners is to blame for their rising living costs, social attitudes are changing, and options for the next wave of nomads reaching Europe keep narrowing.

Fortunately, this incredible country with livable cities, fascinating culture, low rates of violence, and most importantly, no ‘nomad fatigue' that we're aware of is yet to tell remote workers to ‘go home' – and we have strong evidence to believe it is one of the Old Continent's very best :

The country in question is Poland , a Central European gem (or Eastern, based on who you're asking) that's always waited on the sidelines to be discovered, first as a tourist destination, now as a nomad hub:

Why Is Poland Great For Digital Nomads?

It may not straddle the Mediterranean, nor enjoy year-round warmer temperatures, but it is home to affordable towns, a scenic countryside dotted with castles, beautiful landmarks, and a thriving entrepreneurial scene .

Affordability

According to Nomad List , not one city in Poland costs over $2,712 to live in, the most expensive being its capital Warsaw, a cosmopolitan conglomerate of towering high-rises and rapidly-developing business districts liked by over 90% of the digital nomad community.

It is the best-equipped nomad destination in Poland, with a plethora of work-friendly cafes, coworking centers, and fully-furnished month-long rentals within walking distance of the cobbled Old Town to choose from, from an acceptable $912 per month .

Nomads think it's ‘okay' to live in Warsaw, but Poland can be much cheaper even :

In Krakow, the cultural heart of the country, home to the monumental Wawel Castle and the largest medieval square in Europe, living costs cap at around $2,300 per month, with cheap prices observed for food – you'll spend on average $9.83 eating local – and rent.

According to Numbeo , rent in Krakow is about 41% cheaper than in Paris , and it's far from being Poland's only budget-friendly offer:

• Gdansk , on the Baltic Coast, famous for its Northern Mannerism and ornate facades, will only set you back $2,661 monthly
• Wroclaw , a picturesque historic town littered with medieval treasures costs only $2,276 per month to live
• Szczecin , a casual river port dominated by an imposing 14th-century cathedral, where living costs average $2,137
• Lublin , the cheapest major city in Poland, with a postcard-ready Old Town and quirky internet cafes, costing nomads $1,985 per month

Poland is this cheap due to the lower wages across the country, compared to other members of the European Union like Germany or France, and the fact it is yet to adopt the euro as its currency: 1 dollar equals 4 Polish złoty (in other words, your money will stretch much further here ).

Safety is just as important a factor as affordability, and fortunately for the overcautious, Poland is one of the safest countries in the whole of Europe, just as safe as Iceland, Norway or Finland, minus the expensiveness.

Not only are rates of crime much lower than other Western states – pickpocketing is relatively uncommon, even in larger cities, and violence pretty much non-existent – but it is also not commonly targeted by extremist organizations.

Contrary to France or the United Kingdom, which lead Europe's fight against religious extremism and are regularly faced with threats themselves, the risk of being affected by the ongoing cultural war is low, as for better or for worse, Polish society is more… homogenous .

Yes, there is some ethnic and cultural diversity, but this is a predominantly culturally Polish country, and hate-fueled cults have had no success establishing a base here, making Poland less of a hotspot for large-scale attacks.

What about the Russo-Ukrainian War, you may be thinking?

Poland Is Double-Protected Against Russia

While it's true Poland borders Ukraine, it's not been at all affected by the conflict, except for hosting the largest number of refugees and the axed commercial ties with Russia: you have to remember it is a member of the EU, as well as NATO, and thus double-protected .

If war were ever to spill into Poland, all NATO members would have to react, as they would be obliged to if England, Italy, or Sweden were under attack.

Therefore, to count Poland out as a nomad base based on its proximity to the European war is not only unfounded but foolish.

Poland Welcomes Americans Visa-Free For 90 Days

Poland doesn't have a Digital Nomad Visa in place as of right now, but like other Schengen countries, it does allow Americans to enter visa-free for a period of up to 90 days out of any 180-day period.

This means you can live as a digital nomad during three months in Poland before being required to leave for an additional three months, but once this period elapses, you can return for three more, essentially reisding in the country for half the time within a year .

When it comes to Schengen Area rules, the most important thing to remember is that you cannot have been present in the territories of member states for more than 90 consecutive days within a six-month window, retrospectively.

Additionally, any time spent in any of the other 28 Schengen countries – these include France, Italy, Germany, Croatia and more recently Bulgaria and Romania – counts towards the amount of time you're permitted to stay in Poland.

For example, if you've been in Germany for 30 days before taking a train into Poland, you don't get a new 90-day period in the latter : you'll be authorized to stay in Poland for only 60 days, but do not despair: there are plenty of affordable non-Schengen European countries still.

Check the full list here .

Vinicius Costa

Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.

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The post Affordable Cities And Incredible Culture: This European Country Is Perfect For Digital Nomads appeared first on Travel Off Path .

More From Forbes

5 must-have tech accessories for travel that’ll make your life easier.

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My favorite travel accessories

I’m a freelancer who works remotely. My work requires me to travel, stay connected to my workplaces, and write on-the-go. It also means that I need to carry a bunch of gadgets and accessories in my backpack. I’ve tested several such add-ons before settling on the five mentioned here. I recommend these tech accessories to every traveler, and they have been with me for at least six trips, if not more.

1. Nomad 65W Slim Power Adapter

Nomad travel adapter Slim

The Nomad Slim doesn’t take up space like the regular 65W dual port adapters, thanks to GaN technology. It features two ports – one that draws 45W of power and the other that charges my iPhone at 20W. Each port offers 65W power when used on its own.

The Nomad Slim power adapter slides into my organizer’s zipper pocket that’s meant to store small items. This is the best power adapter I’ve used and settled on, eventually. I have two of these.

2. Chipolo Finders

Chipolo One Spot and Card Spot

An AirTag can be expensive and can’t be stored in a wallet. I have a Chipolo One Spot and two Chipolo Card Spot finders that I’ve stored in my trolley bag, backpack, and wallet, respectively. They help me keep track of my belongings with Apple Find My on my iPhone. I’ve had instances where I’d left my wallet in the Airbnb and my Card Spot notified me before I got on the bus.

Standalone, the Chipolo finders aren’t much cheaper than their Apple counterpart but you can save if you’re buying a pack. For instance, there’s an AirTag-shaped Chipolo One that costs 25 Euros but a pack of four will cost you 75 Euros instead of $100 on the AirTag pack. The company will also start shipping Chipolo finders compatible with Google Find My starting May 27.

Apple iOS 17.5 Major iPhone Software Release: Should You Upgrade?

Baby reindeer piers morgan seeks richard gadd for interview after real martha segment, tyson fury vs oleksandr usyk results winner scorecard and reaction, 3. sandisk ultra dual drive.

Sandisk Ultra Dual Drive

A lot of my work involves clicking product shots and transferring to my Mac. It could be a trouble when I’m not using an iPhone. I’ve been using the Vivo X100 Pro to click product shots . At the Mobile World Congress venue, I had to transfer 500MB of product photos from my phone to my MacBook and I didn’t have a wire. The Ultra Dual Drive came in handy, and the data was transferred within seconds.

It’s been a reliable accessory to store my favorite photos shot on phone and transfer data between devices. I recommend it if your work involves transferring data efficiently or you need more storage on your phone in a small form factor.

4. Moment T-Series Lens

Moment T-series 58mm lens on iPhone 15 Pro

I’ve been using the 58mm Moment T-series lens on and off with my iPhone 15 Pro since January. I love clicking landscapes and architecture with it attached to my phone. It offers 2x zoom, and I often attach it to the telephoto camera.

That being said, you’ll also need to purchase a Moment case and drop-in mount. And if you want to get 6x optical zoom, you’ll need to subscribe to the Moment Pro Camera App. It’s worth it if you are a mobile photographer who wants a more versatile camera setup than the one provided by Apple. Notably, it isn’t compatible with the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s 5x camera.

5. Peak Design Travel Backpack 30L

Peak Design Travel BackPack 30L

You need a backpack to store everything, and I’ve got the perfect recommendation - the Peak Design Travel Backpack 30L . I've been recommending it to travelers for more than six months now. It's more portable than the company's 45L backpack while offering ample storage space. The standard capacity is 27L but it can be expanded to 33L.

I travel with a lot of gadgets and am confident with the Peak Design Travel Backpack 30L because it’s waterproof and features luggage pass-through for roller bag carry. The padded shoulder straps help make it comfortable for long walks, too. You also get internal stretch and zip pockets to store tiny items.

I’ve been traveling with a bunch of other items, and I’ll add more to this list as and when they become a must-have for me.

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Italy launches digital nomad visa prompting frenzy of interest over remote working travel.

If working remotely from a cafe on the cobblestoned streets of Rome or the Sardinian coast sounds like a better remote working situation than your current one, Italy’s new digital nomad visa may be of interest.

And you wouldn’t be the only one — searches for the visa surged after it was launched in April, allowing non-EU citizens to work remotely in Italy for a non-Italian company for up to a year

The visa is aimed at workers in “highly professional and digital jobs,” according to Italy’s Ministry of Tourism .

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Remote workers need an annual salary of €28,000 ($A45,561 at the time of publication) to be eligible — that’s three times the minimum wage in Italy — as well as a signed declaration from their employer.

They’ll also need to prove they’ve worked remotely for six months already.

Eligible visitors will need to choose an Italian destination to call home for the year before applying for the visa — and comply with local tax and social security provisions once on Italian soil.

Fully comprehensive healthcare also has to be purchased for the entire duration of the traveller’s stay.

But some criminals won’t get a look in — any applicants who have been convicted of a crime in the past five years will be knocked back.

The new regulations come as the Decree-Law No. 4/2022 was converted into law by the Italian Parliament on March 28 and rolled out the next month.

Travel expert and Places to Travel CEO Jason Wilson on Friday said the first digital nomad visa was only launched about four years ago, introducing the world to a legal way for travellers to work remotely overseas.

He said Google searches for a digital nomad visa surged by more than 1000 per cent in 2024, and there was a more than 3000 per cent uptick in searches for the Italian digital nomad visa after it was created.

“For those who meet the criteria, the experience can be life-changing,” Wilson said.

Full eligibility requirements can be found at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation website.

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Everything You Need to Know About Applying for a Digital Nomad Visa

Whether you’re fearful of November’s election results or simply need a break from the chaos and commotion that’s become of the good ol’ U.S. of A, there is no better time to pursue a digital nomad visa in another country. These give Americans the opportunity to temporarily live and work abroad for a year (or more!) without the time and money limitations enforced as a typical tourist or business traveler. 

But digital nomad visas are so much more than glorified permission slips to extend a stay. Plenty of incentives, like access to local housing and healthcare, ease of transportation between nearby countries, and general tax breaks, make the application process and subsequent move worthwhile. 

While each destination has its own set of rules, qualifications, and stipulations, these generally include: proof of self-employment, a sum of pre-existing money in the bank, an agreement that you can’t collect more than a certain amount of money overseas, no criminal history, and mandatory enrollment in medical insurance.

We’ve rounded up six locations around the world and included links so that you can get a head start on the application process. Keep in mind that most approvals will require a trip to your local consulate, as well as a handful of fees to process certain documents. 

For those in search of a more tropical backdrop, Costa Rica may just be the spot for you. Digital nomads will enjoy an exemption from income tax, as well as the ability to open a national bank account and receive an eligible driver’s license. Visas can also be extended up to a year with the option to renew. But don’t embrace the demeanor of the region’s indigenous three-toed sloth: These visas are in high demand, so it’s always best to act quickly. 

Perhaps one of the most popular destinations on this list, Spain offers a diverse array of nomad-friendly metropolises, including Barcelona, Madrid, and Seville. Best of all, those looking for longer stays will have the option to renew for up to a whopping five years, making it ideal for the traveler who actually wants to put down roots and call the country their semi-permanent home. 

Embrace your Eat, Pray, Love phase of life with a stint in beloved Bali. The Southeast Asian hot spot attracts wellness-minded nomads from around the world through a pretty straightforward visa process that guarantees two to six months of extended stay. They do, however, enforce one of the strictest employment policies: You can’t make money or receive any type of income in Indonesia to qualify.  

The latest country to offer a digital nomad visa mirrors nearby Spain’s application process. Once remote professionals get the green light, they can enjoy the region in its entirety, from historical Rome and gastro-heavy Bologna to scenic Amalfi Coast and bustling Milan. Needless to say, la vita è bella for those who can swing it. 

You won’t experience an icy reception if Iceland is your locale of choice. The Nordic region offers miles of stunning natural beauty with hubs of human activity in cities like Reykjavik and Kópavogur. Needless to say, it’s a perfect spot for anyone in need of striking a more effective work/life balance. You’ll have no other choice but to explore volcanoes, lakes, beaches, and geothermal pools during your downtime. 

Go completely off the grid with a journey to Africa’s smallest country. The Seychelles’ archipelago of 115 islands is home to some of the world’s most beautiful beaches, making each workday feel like a vacation. This is also a wonderful option for those who want to travel the Southern and Eastern Hemispheres without having to sacrifice literal days for air or boat travel.

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Grey nomad numbers falling in Queensland as seasoned travellers head overseas

Retired couple Greg and Dianne Osborne are hitting the road in Queensland's outback with their camper trailer despite an increasing number of Australians their age choosing to head overseas for holidays.

"We've done some lovely overseas trips in the past, but this is just Australia's time now," Ms Osborne said.

The Osbornes may be intent on exploring their own backyard but they are bucking the trend, with Queensland tourism operators reporting fewer holiday-makers to start the season.

"It's probably been a bit slow in terms of bookings so far this year," said Robert Russell, property manager at Charlotte Plains, near Cunnamulla in the state's south-west.

"It's pretty expensive to tow a caravan around the outback.

"Travel is a bit of a luxury thing and it's one of the first things to go when people cut their spending."

Charleville Bush Caravan Park owner Graham Reid said potential travellers might have been deterred by recent flooding and fears of road closures.

"Bookings for the caravan park were excellent then reality hit and it dropped off," Mr Reid said.

Heading overseas

The slow start on outback roads this season followed a drop in caravanning across the state in 2023.

Tourism Research Australia (TRA) data showed in the last quarter of 2023, there were 200,000 fewer camping and caravanning trips in Queensland compared to the previous year.

"Grey nomads, instead of going caravanning or camping, are actually going overseas," Caravan Parks Association of Queensland chief executive Michelle Weston said.

"We've seen the number of international departures for that age group matching the decline in caravan and camping trips for 2023 in Queensland."

More than 500,000 passengers departed Brisbane Airport on an overseas trip during the Easter school holidays, a third more than the previous year.

Overall, the TRA reported 2.3 million Australians aged over 55 went on overseas holidays last year, a two-fold increase on the previous year.

Attractions down on business

Outback attractions, like the Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame, are still waiting for the tourism season to kick off.

"We're about 20 per cent down on our visitation numbers compared to last year," chief executive Lloyd Mills said.

"The issue is that people just haven't commenced travelling this way yet.

"International flights are back and the cruise market is extremely cheap and aggressive in their marketing."

With their bookings over the winter school holidays looking full, however, there is still some hope for the rest of the season.

"Traditionally when you get a very soft start to the season you hope to God that you have a strong back end," Mr Mills said.

Caravan market holds steady

While grey nomads are expected to jet set on international tours and hop on board cruise ships, the caravan industry says there is no indication the second hand market is flooded with impulsive pandemic purchases.

"Looking at the after-sale market, we haven't witnessed that at all," Caravan Industry Association of Australia General Manager Luke Chippendale said.

Mr Chippendale said the market for new caravans was still performing well and the number of registered caravans was growing.

He said the industry had seen an uptick in young families taking longer camping trips as a more affordable option for a larger group when compared with overseas travel.

"It allows for an entire family holiday, which could include grandma and grandpa if they're going to come along as well," Mr Chippendale said.

Meanwhile, the Osbornes are continuing their travels around Queensland's south-west before they head back to Brisbane

They are planning to return with a larger vehicle that will allow them to take the camper trailer even further into the outback.

"I just think the Australian bush is beautiful," Mr Osborne said.

"We're exploring further west than we've ever been before," Mr Osborne said.

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