What It Is and How to Be a Digital Nomad

Not everyone is clear about what digital nomadism is, and some concepts are even confused. It is also quite idealized when, in reality, it is a lifestyle that can be quite challenging. So what is it and how to be a digital nomad? How is it different from other forms of remote working? Continue reading.

While we ourselves, because of our lifestyle, would fall into what is usually expected of a digital nomad, I like to say, simply, that we“work online” and lead a “semi-nomadic life”.

Is our work digital? Yes, it is digitized, we do our work through laptops or from our cell phones. We have a couple of websites and use software and apps in our day-to-day work, so yes.

Are we nomads? It depends on how you look at it, maybe, maybe not.

We consider ourselves “digital semi-nomads”. because although we have lived, worked and traveled in several places in Spain, Europe and Argentina in the last 6 years, we have a routine with the kids that weighs us down (school and other activities), we spend a lot of time in the same city (although moving all the time) and we work from home (and not from a coworking space or a bar overlooking the beach).

So what is being a digital nomad and what is not?

I went straight to the Real Academia Española to look up the meaning of the word nomad, because in the end that’s the question. And he talks about two concepts:

• Lacking a stable place to live [and dedicated especially to hunting and herding, which is not the case of any digital nomad I know].
• That is in constant travel or displacement.

So it is not, as they say, working from anywhere in the world just by having access to the internet, because otherwise any remote worker, working from home with a computer and wifi, would be a digital nomad. The key component is movement or travel.

But be careful, it is not that you get paid for traveling as many people think, although it may happen in some cases (influencers or travel journalists, for example) but this would always be a job. Travel, in addition to your job, should be your lifestyle.

And since being a digital nomad seems to be a subjective concept, applied by whomever wants, I’m going to take a chance with a definition:

“A person is a digital nomad when his or her lifestyle is one of constant travel and whose job (or boss) does not require him or her to be physically present in a particular place, while being able to be executed with a digital medium.”

What did you think of this definition?

Types of digital nomads (and the jobs they do)

By looking at the types of digital nomads that exist, you can see what you can look out for to become a digital nomad yourself.

1. Digital nomads with a remote job: these nomads have a traditional job, with a salary, but run it from a location other than the main office, with an internet connection.
2. Digital entrepreneurs: these are people who have created their own online business, but always doing it from anywhere in the world.
3. Freelancers: Freelancers are independent professionals who offer their services online to different clients. These services are usually related to consulting, writing, translation, programming, web design, graphic design, etc. But if you think about it, almost any profession can be done online.

We place ourselves between 2 and 3. We are freelancers, but we treat our work as a venture. So much so that we even have an official website with our services.

Advantages of being a digital nomad

It is important to keep in mind that the life of a digital nomad is not as easy as they say on social networks, nor is it for everyone. But for us, these advantages outweigh the disadvantages.

All of these points have their nuances, but they are the reason we choose this lifestyle:

• Geographic freedom:

That is, the possibility of working from anywhere in the world with just a computer and an Internet connection. This advantage is the one that best suits those of us who like to travel, since it allows us to move from one place to another and spend time getting to know places in our free time.

• Flexibility:

Normally, digital nomads work by objectives or projects. In this way, work adapts to our lifestyle and personal priorities, and not the other way around. Having children, this flexibility is a great help in day-to-day life.

• Savings:

The fact of being able to choose a place to spend a season is perfect for those who want to save money. Digital nomads tend to choose countries where the cost of living is lower, such as Latin America, Eastern Europe or Southeast Asia. Although, as we will tell you below, there are some countries in Western Europe that are also becoming popular because of the low prices and climate.

• Minimalism:

This point is unavoidable. You can’t travel with the house on your back. Being a digital nomad makes you lead a minimalist lifestyle. Luggage is what it is, it has limited space and, fortunately, today you can rent apartments that have all the facilities.

• Opportunities for professional growth:

Working for a company, normally, one is limited to a position and salary. Access to a higher position or salary is subject to the decision of another person, to competition and negotiation. This gives regular entry security, but is ultimately limiting.

Being a digital nomad you can negotiate your own salary, work with companies that have hard currency, collaborate with other digital nomads who can empower your business and, if all goes well, grow all the time.

• Tools and products available to the digital nomad:

More and more tools are becoming available to digital nomads. All kinds of software, computer applications and even travel insurance to suit this lifestyle. For example, SafetyWing specializes in travel insurance for digital nomads.

Among its many benefits are that insurance can be taken out at any time, even if your trip has already begun, coverage in 185 countries (including your country of residence) and, for families, up to 2 children up to 10 years old are included. You can check more details here.

Disadvantages of digital nomadism

Although to us the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, there are also disadvantages and if you want to be a digital nomad, you need to know them. Some of the most common include:

• It is a solitary job:

Especially if you are used to working in an office or in a work group.

There are ways to bridge this point, which is to partner or go to work in a coworking, where in addition to being in a work environment with more people, you can do networking and collaborations with other people who are in the same as you.

• Solitary lifestyle:

Following on from the previous point, comes the reality. If you are constantly traveling, you are away from your family and closest friends. But you also have the chance to make new friends!

In our case, we have emigrated from our country, Argentina, some time ago, we have formed a family and the important thing is to be well with each other. What we may be concerned about in such a life is the more stable socialization of our children.

• Too much flexibility:

As a counterpoint to the advantage of working at your own pace, by objectives and on a specific project, is that in the end, a digital nomad has to be very autonomous and organize his work and himself with his schedule. This can be a challenge for some people who like to do more routine work or be told what to do.

In addition, a digital nomad takes his or her work to all environments. You don’t disconnect when you are at home or at the end of the workday or, in our case, on vacation.

• Internet connection problems:

Although in theory you can work from anywhere, in practice this is not always the case. For example, even if you are in a spectacular location such as a beach or in the mountains, you may not always have access to good internet or an adequate or comfortable space to work. Apart from the fact that the reflection of the sun on the computer screen is most annoying.

Working by objectives can be a problem, as it can lead to a delay in the delivery of the work.

• Lack of work-life balance:

Linked to the third point (and for us who have children) it is difficult to establish a balance between work and personal life. I don’t know why it happens this way, but it is normal for clients to assume that you work outside of traditional working hours and on weekends.

• Finding a job:

It is not so easy to find a job as a digital nomad, but depending on what you want to do there are companies where you can create your profile to find clients. The most common are: LinkedIn, Upwork, Fiverr, among others.

Best places to live as a digital nomad

Digital nomads look for different things in the places where they decide to spend a season, but some of the main ones are:

1. Low cost of living: one of the most important factors for digital nomads is to find a place where they can live comfortably and economically. This may include affordable housing options, reasonably priced food, and efficient public transportation.
2. Pleasant climate: many digital nomads seek places with a warm and mild climate, allowing them to enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, surfing, yoga and other sports.
3. Vegetarian and vegan food options: many digital nomads are also vegetarian or vegan, and this influences the choice of places where they decide to spend a season. For people who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, finding food options that suit their needs can be a challenge in some parts of the world. However, it is increasingly common to find vegetarian and vegan options in places frequented by digital nomads, especially in larger, more cosmopolitan cities.
4. Coworkings: digital nomads often look for places where they can work and connect with other professionals. Coworking spaces can offer a productive and collaborative atmosphere, as well as networking opportunities.
5. Personal development: some digital nomads seek out places that provide opportunities for personal development, such as workshops, retreats, language classes and other cultural activities.
6. Yoga: yoga is a popular practice among many digital nomads, so it is common for them to seek out places that offer regular classes or yoga retreats.

Each digital nomad has his or her own preferences and needs, so the final choice will depend on individual factors. The good thing is that you can meet them all.

Each of these countries has its own advantages and disadvantages for digital nomads, so it is important to do your research before deciding where to settle.

• Southeast Asia: Chiang Mai and Bali are the mecca of digital nomads. Perhaps what you have to evaluate here is whether it is convenient for you because of the time difference with respect to your customers’ countries.

• Latin America: countries such as Mexico, Colombia and Argentina have pleasant climates, delicious cuisine and historical, cultural and natural tourist attractions. Among the not so cheap (compared to those already mentioned) to live in are Costa Rica and Chile.

• Eastern Europe: most of the countries meet all the requirements to be able to spend a season as a digital nomad. Cities such as Tallinn (one of the first to offer facilities for freelancers), Krakow, Prague or Budapest are perhaps the most popular, but consider also Zagreb, Ohrid or Plovdiv.

• Western Europe: if you prefer a European city and, better yet, a capital city, Lisbon is a great choice as it has a low cost of living compared to other cities in Europe, a pleasant year-round climate and a growing digital nomad community.

• Spain: the most attractive thing about this country is its pleasant climate all year round, its fascinating culture and history, its excellent connection with the rest of Europe, and it is also cheaper than other countries in the continent. There are several regions and cities in Spain that are especially attractive to digital nomads, including the Canary Islands and the Andalusia region.

• Gandia Beach: this is where we live. Located in the province of Valencia, it is an emerging destination for digital nomads in Spain. The city has beautiful beaches and a modern infrastructure, including coworking spaces and affordable accommodation. In addition, Gandia is close to Valencia, a vibrant and modern city that offers a wealth of cultural and entertainment options.

Being a digital nomad can be an amazing experience, but it also requires a lot of planning and adaptation. It is important to find a balance between enjoying the trip and maintaining a stable and productive life. At the end of the day, the most important thing is to find a lifestyle that makes you happy and allows you to achieve your goals and objectives.

---