Living as a digital nomad, a person who moves from place to place working online with little more than a couple of bags, has become an increasingly popular idea in the last decade. Aided by improved online connectivity and more remote work opportunities, millions of people now take this approach. It’s an idea that’s often romanticised, but it’s also often misunderstood. If you’re curious about this lifestyle, let’s first break down some common questions, to see where you might stand.
What Do I Do With My Home?
The basic answer to this question is that home is going to be wherever you go. The more complicated answer is that you’re going to need to rent, sell, or store anything you have before you leave. There are benefits here thanks to modern online methods. Will I be stuck, or will someone buy my house for cash? Can I rent on Airbnb, or find another option? If you choose to sell your house, cash buyers can streamline and simplify the process, cutting out the property chain and saving time. Other options might not be as simple, but there are solutions out there.
How Old is Too Old?
The idea of digital nomads being young party people isn’t accurate. While plenty do meet these criteria, there are also an enormous number of digital nomads in their 50s and older who take a slower approach. There is no maximum age for being a digital nomad since there’s nothing telling you what you need to do at any age, other than your health.
Will I be Lonely?
This is perhaps the biggest question of all. It’s also one that’s impossible to answer definitively since it depends on the individual. If you need a solid and reliable social group to be around, then the answer is probably yes. Whether or not you can handle that and adapt, we can’t answer that. Look at how comfortable you are being completely alone for a couple of weeks, and that can serve as a partial baseline.
Do I Need a Lot of Money?
You don’t need to be a huge earner to be a digital nomad, but you will still need savings and a reliable income. If you’re comfortable with staying in cheap hotels and watching your money, £2,000 a month can be a workable starting point. How far this will get you will depend on the country and the activities you wish to complete. If you’re seeking adventure but you can’t afford to go out, you might need a different plan.
Should I Jump Straight In?
In short, no. Committing yourself to a huge lifestyle change without first testing the water is almost always a bad idea. Even if you love to travel and already work remotely, you can’t truly tell the effect that digital nomad work will have on you until you try it. Homesickness and culture shock can kill your experience, and these are impossible to predict.
If you are interested in a digital nomad lifestyle, first consider giving it a test run for a month to see how it fits. This won’t guarantee it will work long-term, but it will increase your odds of success, and teach you what you need to do and learn.
