How to live the best Digital Nomad Lifestyle

In this Digital Nomad Lifestyle article, we will look at some handy tips that will get you started on your digital nomad journey.

How to live the best Digital Nomad Lifestyle

People have a lot to complain about these days, but it is always worth keeping in mind all the outstanding opportunities we have at our feet, too.

For example, it would have been unthinkable even a few decades ago that someone could work from wherever they wanted, without any negative impact on their productivity or earning power.

Today, there are thousands of digital nomads who work online and get to travel the world while they do so. Of course, it is not easy, but the payoffs can be huge! Both in experiences and from a monetary perspective.

Get a Job

The whole point of being a digital nomad — rather than just a traveler — is that you’re earning money as you go. So step one is to find a way to make money remotely. In 2023 this is much easier than it would have been ten years ago since so many companies allow their employees to work from wherever they want.

So if your current employer doesn’t offer this benefit, then it could be time to look for a new employer, though it can be worth asking your current employers if it’s something that they’ll consider. They may be happier for you to work remotely rather than going through the process of replacing you. 

Start Your Own Business

Another option is to start your own business. This isn’t something that you should undertake lightly — it takes a lot of hard work to build a successful business. And in truth, it would be probably better if you stayed in one location while you’re getting it off the ground.

But once it’s up and running, you’ll be able to travel and manage the business from wherever you are. 

Choose a Destination

When people say that they can “work from anywhere,” they don’t really mean it. What they’re really saying is that they can work from anywhere that has an internet connection.

We think of the internet as being everywhere, but there are still large portions of the world that are not connected to the web. And then there are places that do have the internet but wouldn’t make logical sense to work there. 

If you’re new to the world of digital nomading, then it’s recommended to pick one of the popular digital nomad destinations. You can be confident that they will have good internet, good networking opportunities, a good cost of living, and things like that.

Remember that you may need to have a special visa if you want to work in the country you’ve selected. If it’s a popular destination, then there will be a lot of good blogs about what you need to do to ensure you’re fully legal while you’re there. 

Have the Right Tools

You can set off on your adventure with a backpack and a head full of dreams, but if you’re going to really make your digital nomad life work, then you’ll need a few things. For example, you’ll want a good laptop with which you know you can work at your highest level — a laptop that you can use “in a pinch” is not recommended. You’ll want a sturdy, reliable machine. 

You’ll also want a way to manage your finances. There are services, such as Swissmoney, that are ideal for managing your finances when you’re moving from one country to the next. You’ll want to maintain your home bank account for expenses back there, but when you’re on the move, an international option is the way to go. 

Accommodation Options

You’ll have multiple accommodation options available to you, depending on where you’re going, what you’re looking for, and so on. First up, we don’t recommend hotels — they’ll be too expensive if you’re staying there for a month and they’re not really set up for digital nomads.

The best option, nearly always, is to find a co-living place. That’ll give you accommodation and a place to work, and you’ll be able to meet other digital nomads, which can make a big difference to the overall enjoyment of your experience. 

Work at a Coworking Space

If you choose another option for your accommodation, then we recommend renting a desk at a coworking space to work. You might think that you can work from your balcony, but it’s not a long-term solution — plus, you’ll want to keep the balcony for enjoying other, non-work parts of your trip. No matter where you’re traveling, there’ll be a coworking space that meets your needs and budget. 

Build Your Network

One of the primary advantages of working in a coworking space is that it will allow you to build your network. Digital nomad areas are full of interesting people doing interesting things, and by putting yourself in their company, you’ll be presented with opportunities that would otherwise pass you by.

Plus, there’s a high chance that even if there’s no professional value, there’ll be a personal advantage — you can make lifelong friends in coworking spaces. 

Maintaining Productivity

One of the struggles of being a digital nomad is that work can become a secondary objective. When you’re in a fun and interesting place, you’ll want to explore all that it has to offer — and sometimes, that’ll mean leaving your work behind.

While that’s OK for the first week or so, eventually you’ll need to get done to work, so it’s really important that you find a balance between having fun and doing all the things you need to work well, like sleeping and eating well. 

When to Move On

All good things have to come to an end. Even if you really enjoy a place, it’s recommended to travel to new places. You can always return if you want to!

But most people eventually settle down, so when you’re in the digital nomad phase of your life, be sure to see all that it has to offer. Moving around and seeing new places will never be as easy as it was when you’re a digital nomad.