Working from a paradise island, with your feet in the sand and a fresh fruit shake sounds like the ideal lifestyle. By choosing location-independent work / remote work, a life like digital nomad, you have the opportunity to discover the world. You can work anywhere, as long as there is a reasonable WiFi connection. Do you see yourself sitting in a tropical destination, while everyone else works in the office? If you want to take this leap, read carefully, because there is quite a bit involved. In this blog we tell you more about what a life as a digital nomad looks like, the pros and cons, digital nomad jobs and popular destinations for remote work. On to a life full of freedom and adventure!
Also read: DIGITAL NOMAD | 100x tips for starting and advanced travel blogs
What are digital nomads?
A digital nomad is someone who travels a lot and works online while on the road. All you need is your laptop or phone and an internet connection. An ideal lifestyle for travel-loving adventurers who are tired of a 9-5 office job in the gray Netherlands. Most digital nomads are entrepreneurs, but you can also work remotely for an employer. The past two years have shown that many jobs can also be done remotely. There are all kinds of digital nomads, it just depends on how you interpret it. For example, you can backpacking through Southeast Asia or with a campervan through Europe the real thing VANLIFE experience life. Of course, there is also work to be done along the way. Continuous traveling and working can be quite tiring, so you often see that digital nomads stay in one place for a little longer. Some travel from their home base, which provides a little more stability. We see this more and more; a base in the Netherlands or another country and travel from there for a few months every year.
Digital nomad destinations
What makes a destination a good place for digital nomads? This depends on your personal wishes, but in general this is a paid stay, nice weather, nice surroundings, fast internet and a nice workplace. The island of Bali Indonesia is high on the list of popular destinations for digital nomads, and not just because of its tropical beaches and relaxed atmosphere. The island offers an attractive mix of affordability, diverse coworking spaces and a vibrant community of like-minded nomads. To give you an idea; you can get a luxurious hotel room for less than 25 euros per night (often including breakfast) en a local meal out only costs a few euros. Compared to the Netherlands, you get a lot more for your money, depending on your lifestyle 😉 Even though Bali has become considerably more expensive and busier in recent years, it remains a digital nomad hotspot, especially Canggu and Ubud.
Other good destinations for digital nomads are:
- Bangkok & Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Penang, Malaysia
- Puerto Escondido & Playa del Carmen, Mexico
- Medellin Colombia
- Barcelona, Spain
- Lisbon, Porto & Madeira, Portugal
- Trincomalee, Sri Lanka
- Cape Town, South Africa
- Buenos Aires, Brazil
- Santa Teresa, Costa Rica
Remote working: too good to be worth it?
A life as a digital nomad is full of freedom, variety and adventure. You are in the most beautiful locations, meet new people and gain unique experiences. Even though you have to work regularly, you can do all kinds of fun things in your free time, such as surfing, diving, hiking or relaxing on a beach. Life as a digital nomad is often romanticized, mainly due to photos on social media where you see people sitting with a laptop at the pool or a beach bar. This is not really realistic. Are you still unsure whether a life as a digital nomad is for you? We list all the important advantages and disadvantages.
Also read: DIGITAL NOMAD | The value of time
Benefits of a life as a digital nomad
- Lower living costs, especially in Asia.
- A better balance between work and private life.
- You can live and work anywhere in the world.
- Experience new cultures and inspiring environments.
- You meet new people and make valuable connections.
- As an entrepreneur you are in control.
- You learn to live with fewer material possessions.
Disadvantages of a life as a digital nomad
- Without good internet / fast WiFi connection you are nowhere.
- Because of all the traveling it is sometimes difficult to build friendships.
- You can have an uncertain income as an entrepreneur.
- Working in different time zones is not always convenient.
- You need discipline to work while traveling.
- You don't see friends and family very often.
The best digital nomad jobs
Do you want a life as a digital nomad, preferably with one? passive income, then it is useful to have certain skills. Maybe you already have it, and if not, you can always learn it. Always do something you like or that you are passionate about, that makes it a lot easier. Do you want more freedom and flexibility? Look for jobs that you can do regardless of location, such as in the creative sector. Online education in the form of e-books, digital products, courses or webinars are also popular these days. Everything you can do online is suitable for a digital nomad life. Think 'outside the box', for example if you have a job as a dog trainer (at location), you can offer online courses. We also know someone who worked in a barbershop and then became a traveling hairdresser; she clipped other travelers along the way. Where there is a will there is a way!
Digital Nomad professions | These are the best jobs for digital nomads:
- Webdesigner
- Copywriter
- Virtual Assistant
- Social media manager
- Online coach/teacher
- Translator
- video editor
- Graphic designer
- content creator
- Online marketer
- Blogger
- Trader
- SEO specialist
- Affiliate Marketer
- Data analyst
- UX / UI Designer
- Illustration
Also read: 10 Ways How Digital Nomads Make Money Online
Tips for digital nomads (to be)
Would you like to combine travel and work, but you don't know exactly where to start? How do you become a digital nomad? Read the tips below and you will come a long way.
1. Explore the options
If you currently have a permanent job as an employee, ask your employer whether remote working is an option. If that is not possible, you have two choices: find another salaried job where you can work remotely, or start your own company as an entrepreneur. As an employed remote worker you have more security, but less freedom. As an entrepreneur you have less security and more freedom. Immediately think about how long you want this lifestyle, which countries appeal to you and what your days on the road will look like.
2. Choose a niche
Whether you're looking for a new job or starting a business, do something you enjoy and are good at. What skills or services can you offer as a digital nomad? You can always take a course or training to expand or improve your skills.
3. Make a cost estimate
While traveling you don't want to experience the stress of suddenly running out of money. Chances are, things won't always go the way you planned. It is therefore smart to save for a buffer in advance. If you now know which country you want to go to, make a cost estimate of what you expect to spend each month. Break this down into transportation, accommodation, food, excursions and other. This way you know approximately what you need to earn to support yourself. Did you know that some countries have special visas for digital nomads?
4. Find a good place to work
If you work a few hours every day, you need a good workplace. Working from your bed, a hammock or beach chair sounds fun, but this is not very good for your body. If your hotel room / accommodation already has a desk, it is often not the right height and there is no ergonomic chair. The solution to this problem is a coworking space. This way you can work with full focus without getting back pain or neck pain.
5. Develop a routine
It is quite difficult to force yourself to work at a holiday destination. You need discipline to get behind your laptop every day (the pool is calling your name) and to go to sleep on time instead of partying with other travelers every night. It helps to maintain a routine, for example getting out of bed at 07.00 a.m., exercising at 07.30:09.00 a.m., then having breakfast and working from 14.00 a.m. to XNUMX p.m. Some time for yourself in the afternoon and then possibly some work in the evening. Do what works best for you, sometimes that just means trying it out.
6. Immerse yourself in the local culture
When you live and work in another country, you experience a different culture. Immerse yourself in the local culture and learn at least the basics of the language, so you can communicate more easily and show respect for the community. Adapting yourself and continuously learning are important parts of the digital nomad life.
7. Build a network
Build a strong network, both online and offline. With you, there are many more digital nomads who are all in the same boat. Learn from others and share experiences and knowledge. A network is indispensable, especially as an entrepreneur. Grow personally and professionally and make friends for life.
8. Prepare well
As a digital nomad you cannot do without a laptop and an internet connection. You may need a local SIM card for phone calls or a VPN to use the internet securely. Take technical problems into account and always make sure you have backups of your work and important documents, for example in the cloud or on an external hard drive. Arrange good insurance in case something breaks.
9. Take good care of yourself
When you live as a digital nomad, there is usually no clear separation between work and free time. Working days of 12 hours or longer are no exception, as there is a high risk of burnout. When you combine traveling and working, take good care of yourself. Eat healthy, exercise regularly, get enough sleep and take time to relax.
10. Enjoy!
Finally, don't forget to enjoy yourself. Unique opportunities will come your way, grab them with both hands. Most digital nomads will settle down after a while and leave the 'traveling life' behind them. Are you ready for an unforgettable experience?
