There are never enough days in a month when vacationing in your favorite travel destination.
What if there was a way to stay longer – up to three months – and get paid for it?
“Really? Where do I sign up?”
Stay where you are. Get a cup of coffee. Cozy up to your favorite chair and read our article.
We’ll tell you all about life (and work) as a digital nomad.
We will explore the advantages and disadvantages of a digital nomad lifestyle, identify the most sought-after digital nomad jobs, and provide tips on how to become one.
What Is A Digital Nomad?
A digital nomad is a person who takes “work-from-home” to another level.
Instead of working from home, a digital nomad can work anywhere in the world.
You’ve seen them on social media platforms posting images or videos of their “view at work.”
The beachfront in Bali, Indonesia. The Crossing in Shibuya, Japan. A cobblestone street in front of a Parisian cafe.
Becoming a digital nomad presents an enticing lifestyle. Every day seems like an adventure.
You are immersed in a new culture that takes you to various places, allowing you to discover regional cuisine and adapt to unfamiliar customs.
Life as a digital nomad is a 180-degree turn from the life you had in the previous years.
It’s romantic, exciting, exhilarating, dynamic, and some might say, “transformative.”
But is it for you?
What Are The Pros And Cons Of Becoming A Digital Nomad?
Before you pack your bags and head off to the airport, learn the pros and cons of life as a digital nomad.
To be objective, we’ve evened out the playing field.
Here are the six pros and six cons of becoming a digital nomad.
Let’s start with the good.
6 Pros of a Digital Nomad Lifestyle
As a digital nomad, you must adjust your lifestyle to fit the new environment.
Things will be different.
Time zones, food, behaviors, and cost of living will be different from what you’re accustomed to.
And change can be fun and exciting!
1. Independence/Flexible Work Schedule
People embrace the digital nomad lifestyle because they want to break free from the confines of a 9-to-5 schedule.
How about telecommuters?
Telecommuters are Full-Time Employed (FTE) people who are assigned remote work duties.
Companies understand the importance of incorporating flexible and mobile business strategies. Telecommuting is a workforce management strategy that’s been proven to increase productivity.
Some companies permit telecommuters to work and travel in other countries as long as they meet deadlines and remain productive.
According to a 2023 study by FlexJobs, 70% of digital nomads work fewer than the mandated 40 hours per week.
Many companies permit telecommuters to manage their work schedules, provided they meet their performance goals.
2. Greater Career Opportunities
Freelancers are different from telecommuters.
Most freelance arrangements are contractual. They’re not fully employed by one company and have the option to offer their services to other companies.
If you can handle it, you can work for five different clients. This freedom to sign up multiple clients broadens career opportunities.
Likewise, you might meet entrepreneurs or key corporate decision-makers while on a Lion Safari in Africa.
They’ll be impressed with your independence, free spirit attitude, and sense of adventure, and you’ll be offered another remote job!
3. Improve Productivity
What does a day in the life of a digital nomad look like?
- 6 am: Be like Sir Richard Branson and take an early morning swim.
- 8 am: Coffee and breakfast
- 9 am: Shower
- 9:30 am to 11:30 am: Work
- 11:30 am to 12:00 pm: Lunch
- 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm: Work
- 2:00 pm to 2:30 pm: Coffee (or tea if you’re in England!)
- 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm: Work
By incorporating 2-hour work blocks followed by 30-minute breaks, you have greater focus and allow your mind to reset for the next task.
All in all, only six hours of work per day!
4. Lower Cost
Where do American digital nomads like to go?
According to ThinkRemote, these are the most popular destinations for digital nomads:
These places are known for their wonderful attractions, amazing cuisine, and beautiful people.
And living there will stretch out your dollar!
5. Experience New Cultures
Life as a digital nomad can be life-changing. You’re introduced to new behaviors that could make you a better person.
Japan is a good example.
You won’t find many trash cans in Japan. People are encouraged to be responsible when disposing of their trash. Yet, Japan is one of the cleanest cities in the world.
Working as a digital nomad in Japan might help you become more respectful, disciplined, and mindful of your surroundings.
6. Better Mental/Emotional Health
You can work after you’ve had a morning swim, breakfast, and a shower. The days of rushing out the door and having your patience tested by traffic are over.
As a remote worker across the other side of the world, you don’t have to deal with toxic office culture and politics.
If work gets challenging, recharge by going to a nearby food market. Take a walk along the beach to clear your mind. Go to an Izakaya (Japan), a seaside bar (Thailand), or a pub (London), have a drink, and hang out with the locals.
You’ll be less stressed out, happier, and motivated to succeed.
6 Cons of a Digital Nomad Lifestyle
It’s not all sunshine and rainbows, margaritas and daiquiris, or a conga line. Digital nomads face real challenges working remotely far away from home.
1. Unstable Income
What if your employer discontinues the telecommuting program?
What if your clients are experiencing tough times and propose to lower your fees?
What if four out of the five clients you’re servicing terminate their engagement due to business losses?
These are situations that can happen while you’re working as a digital nomad.
In some countries, you’re required to get a digital nomad visa before traveling. You also have to pay taxes.
What if your lease contract stipulates a six-month minimum tenure, and you lose clients? You might not get your deposits back from the landlord.
2. Loneliness
Exploring new cities, trying local cuisine, and meeting people can be fun and exciting.
Eventually, time away from home can lead to loneliness.
Home is where you lay your head, but it also feels good to be around familiar surroundings and people you grew up with.
3. Adjusting to Time Zones
Staying hydrated and working out can help you adjust to time zones. However, if you frequently change your scenery, that could be a problem.
Your sleep quality will suffer. Lack of quality sleep can lead to serious health issues.
4. Cultural Barriers
Countries like Japan, Spain, Scotland, Greece, and the Netherlands have been pushing back against overtourism.
Locals are getting fed up with the queues, rising prices, and incidents of bad behavior.
You’re a digital nomad, but you’re also a tourist.
You could be dutifully following societal and regional laws, but you might experience segregation in some areas.
5. Technology Issues
Switzerland, Germany, and the Netherlands have excellent Internet connections.
In comparison, you might struggle connecting to the Internet in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
6. Health and Personal Safety Issues
The late Anthony Bourdain said:
“Whatever had the most shock value was my meal of choice.”
It also made him sick!
Bad food and bad people exist in every corner of the world.
As a stranger in a strange land, you might draw looks from shady characters in the region.
Health and personal safety are real concerns for digital nomads.
How Much Money Do Digital Nomads Make?
Before we answer the question on everyone’s mind, let’s find out which jobs are popular with digital nomads.
According to a survey by MBO Partners, the most popular digital nomad jobs are as follows:
- Information Technology: 19%
- Creative Services: 10%
- Education and Training: 9%
- Consulting and Coaching: 8%
- Research: 8%
- Sales and Marketing: 8%
- Public Relations: 8%
- Finance and Accounting: 8%
The common factor among these types of jobs is that they can be done remotely using computers and apps.
Similar to the salary of an FTE, the payout for a digital nomad would depend on their experience and skill level. Longer tenured and credentialed digital nomads would get paid more than less qualified individuals.
A FlexJobs study found that 18% of digital nomads earned $100,000 or more, while 22% earned between $50,000 and $99,000 annually.
ThinkRemote distributed the annual income of digital nomads as follows:
What does the graphic tell us?
The large chunk of the income pie, or 34%, earns an annual income of $50,000 to $100,000. As annual income rises, the percentage of digital nomads decreases.
If you’re committed to a digital nomad career, you can potentially earn over a million dollars annually!
How To Become A Digital Nomad?
Become a digital nomad and see the world!
How?
The first step is determining your “why”…
1. Can You Commit to a Digital Nomad Lifestyle?
Are you ready to leave your old life behind, at least temporarily, for now?
Transitioning from a brick-and-mortar office to a remote lifestyle can be surprisingly hard.
One day you’re jumping out of bed and rushing out the door, to waking up and nursing a cup of coffee for an hour. At first, remote work may not feel like work due to having extra time.
As a digital nomad, you’re not just adjusting your morning routine.
You’re dealing with time zone differentials, unfamiliar surroundings, new cultural norms, exotic regional cuisine, and unpredictable people.
You’ll be out of your comfort zone.
If you’re 100% confident that you can commit to life as a digital nomad, proceed to the next step.
2. Account for Your Skills
If your current employer has a telecommuting program, find out if you’re qualified for the position. Then, ask your employer if the company’s okay with your decision to become a digital nomad.
If you’re not employed, you have to become a freelancer.
You need clients.
Before you look for clients, do an accounting of your skills.
- What are your core competencies?
- What skills are you highly proficient in?
- Are you credentialed in these skills?
- Is your college degree relevant to these skills?
- Did you acquire formal training for these skills?
- Can you present proof of competence from previous employers or clients?
Once you’ve identified the right industry to grow your career as a digital nomad, you’re ready for the next step.
3. Do a Pilot Test
Become a freelancer before pursuing a career as a digital nomad.
As a home-based freelancer, you can assess your capabilities, get experience working with different clients, and build income. You’ll know if becoming a digital nomad is a sustainable career.
Create online profiles in freelance platforms such as Upwork, Guru, Freelancer, People Per Hour, FlexJobs, and TopTal.
What should be your expectations?
- First-time freelancers should expect to get paid $10 per hour.
- Dedicate 40 hours of work per week.
- Your target income is $400 per week or $1,600 monthly.
The objective of the pilot test is to determine if you can get clients. Without clients, you can’t sustain a digital nomad lifestyle.
When you’re starting as a freelancer, don’t prioritize income. The money will roll in if you consistently deliver excellent results for your clients.
4. Comply With Travel Requirements
Have you decided where you want to begin your digital nomad career?
Check if the country you want to plant your digital nomad roots in has a special visa available.
Popular destinations such as Brazil, Japan, Costa Rica, Iceland, Portugal, and Spain offer digital nomad visas.
There are many benefits to getting a digital nomad visa:
- Attain legal status and work legally without having to secure work permits.
- Stay longer than what a tourist visa affords. With a digital nomad visa, your length of stay can vary from six months to two years.
- Enjoy tax benefits such as incentives and exemptions.
- Access local services such as healthcare and banking.
- Get invited by local digital nomad and entrepreneurial groups.
The requirements for a digital nomad visa are the same as a regular visa: a Valid passport, proof of income, and payment of a processing fee.
The host country might require you to get travel insurance.
5. Review Your Finances
Once you’ve identified your destination, review your finances.
Find out:
- Cost of living
- Lodging rental rates
- Modes and fees of transportation
Are you earning enough as a freelancer or telecommuter to sustain your livelihood for at least six months?
Are you confident that you can maintain your job or freelancer accounts throughout the digital nomad visa?
You also have to allocate funds for contingencies and emergencies.
To be certain, create projected income and cash flow statements. Input your sources of income and estimated expenses. It’s better to be cautious and use a higher estimate for expenses.
6. Purchase the Digital Nomad Essentials
Your shopping list of digital nomad essentials depends on where you plan to go.
If you’re going to a warm, tropical country:
- Cotton or dri-fit shirts and shorts.
- A comfortable pair of shoes.
- Flip-flops or sandals.
- A cap or a floppy hat.
- Sunglasses and sunscreen.
If you’re going to a cold country that experiences winter:
- Insulated wear.
- Light jacket.
- Sweater.
- Waterproof boots.
- Lip Balm.
Regardless of the climate, you need reliable technology as a digital nomad:
- Laptop with expanded memory.
- Laptop bag or base layer.
- Mouse and mousepad.
- Laptop stand.
- Charger and travel adapter.
- Headphones.
- eSIM card.
- USB Flash Drives.
- Mobile tripod.
- Install all the necessary software.
You don’t have to buy new devices, but have your laptop and mobile phone checked by a technician to ensure their functionality.
7. Educate Yourself About the Country
Reading about the country’s history and culture helps you better understand its people and social practices.
There are other things you can do to make the transition to a digital nomad lifestyle easier.
- Don’t rely on Google Translate. Aspire to be proficient in writing, reading, and conversing in the host country’s language.
- Study the transport system.
- Research the country’s technological capabilities.
- Identify the country’s trouble spots where peace and order might be a problem.
- Pinpoint the locations of shopping centers, banks, foreign exchange businesses, recreational facilities, hospitals, places of worship, schools, and transportation systems near your residence.
- Determine the preferred payment methods of the host country. Romania, Belarus, and Lithuania are countries that don’t accept credit card payments.
💡Pro Tip: Becoming proficient in a foreign language may require a year of dedicated study and practice. With foreign language study as a benchmark, becoming a digital nomad might require one year of planning.
Conclusion: Should You Become A Digital Nomad?
After the pandemic, 10.9 million Americans identified as digital nomads.
In 2024, 18.1 million Americans embraced the digital nomad lifestyle.
Worldwide, there are 40 million digital nomads.
The number of digital nomads is expected to grow beyond 2025 as businesses continue to include remote work arrangements in their growth strategies.
More countries, including the Philippines, Kenya, El Salvador, Brazil, and Peru, are introducing policies intended to attract digital nomads.
If you’re adventurous, resourceful, independent, adaptable, resilient, tech-savvy, detail-oriented, and love to connect with people, the digital nomad lifestyle is for you.
Becoming a digital nomad is a great way to see the world – and get paid for it!
Earn extra money as a digital nomad by blogging about your experiences. All you need is a website.
Blog three to four times a week, upload them on your website, and share on social media. With time and persistence, you’ll see more traffic on your website.
Contact us, and we’ll prepare your website before you embark on your new adventure as a digital nomad.
