What Is an Digital Nomad? A Complete Guide + Careers Choices (2023) |

If you're considering making the transition to a digital nomad you're in the right place. An analysis by MBO Partners found that 17 million Americans have become digital nomads as of 2023. It also showed that 80percent of digital nomads said they were extremely satisfied with their jobs and 24% of them report that they are traveling with their kids! And the study found that 70 million Americans are keen to be digital nomads and the same level of interest exists all over the world.

In this piece this article, we'll present a definition of a digital nomad, walk through some aspects of the advantages and disadvantages of the nomadic life, and look into the various careers available to digital nomads. We'll then provide you with an outline of the best methods to help you make your nomadic dream a possibility.

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What is a digital nomad?

Digital nomads are those who lives all over the world while working from home. Digital nomads benefit from the latest possibilities in digital technology, and usually require only a laptop in order to make a decent living. This gives them the flexibility to travel and use technology to either run an enterprise or for a company that has a remote work policy.

It's not clear who coined the term digital nomad, but it was popularized in a 1997 book by Tsugio Makimoto, and David Manners, who argued that the advancement of technology could allow users to return to their nomad lifestyle working from any location. In 2023, there were 17 million Americans with digital nomads.

Numerous popular destinations have a love-hate relationship to digital travelers. Digital nomads have earned an image of ruining the landscape and displacing locals. Many countries see nomads as a way to attract tourists into the country, and to fill a labor gap. This became even more attractive since the decline of short-term tourism due to the outbreak. A growing number of countries are giving out "digital nomadic visas" and encouraging nomadic travelers to come and stay.

What is the reason to become a digital nomad?

There are many excellent reasons to think about being a digital nomad. Naturally, the most important reason is to travel! If you've always wanted explore the world, and to experience different cultures, becoming digital nomads allows you to do this.

Many digital nomads also take advantage of the cost of living variations between different countries. Making a good income in their country of origin and observing a reduced costs of living in their home country allows them to have greater cash flow.

However, not all is well for those who travel digitally. They often underestimate the toll that it takes to try to live abroad for long periods of time, cut out of your community of friends and family, as well as in an unfamiliar culture. Some may also estimate expenses too. Although the price for living could be cheaper in a host country, they've got to factor into flights or health insurance as well as sightseeing.

Pros and cons being an online nomad

    Pros

• Work from amazing, inspiring places that you love.        
  
• Spend less money in areas with a lower cost of living than your home country (your dollars go further).        
  
• Make new friends all over the world.        
  
• Create the life you'd like to live and be where you want.        
  
• It's possible to be able to experience personal growth and motivation like you'd never have at home.        
  
• You get amazing learning opportunities from being exposed to new cultures, languages, etc.        
  
• Benefit from time differences (e.g. working later in the day while preserving mornings ).    
  
• Earn income by renting your home or apartment (if appropriate).        
  

    Cons

• Isolation and loneliness as it's difficult to meet new people in unfamiliar locations.        
  
• If you lose the source of income, it could be difficult to locate a replacement. It is also possible that you are not eligible to work in a home country.      
  
• The process of moving can be challenging when it comes to relationships. Numerous nomads struggle with romance and love.        
  
• The unexpected expenses could eat out the savings that you can earn when you live in a more affordable place.        
  
• Time zone variations are also a challenge, especially when you're working while your team sleeps and the reverse is true.        
  
• Visas and legal problems could cause lots of stress and extra expenses.        
  
• You must ensure that you're compliant with tax laws at home as well as in your host country (some countries require that nomads pay tax! ).    
  
• Your job prospects are restricted from afar.        
  
• If you aren't able to access high-speed internet, it could hinder your ability to work.        
  
• The impact on the environment is a result of travel and in some cases, nomads can negatively impact local communities (e.g. housing markets ).    
  

Careers for digital nomads

There are honestly so many opportunities for digital nomads to work. The year 2025 will see 32.6 million Americans will be working remotely, with 16% of companies are already completely remote. That means that the opportunities for careers as digital nomads are only going to grow and better. If you're in an office space and utilize a computer or phone to work, there's a good likelihood that the job you are working on could be completed from home.

These are some suggestions:

• Community Manager: A community manager is someone who oversees an online community. is the ideal job for remote working. Community platforms on the internet enable you to manage a thriving community. Whether you 're working for an organization or brand, or you manage your own private community, it's a great job for nomads!    
  

• Freelance Writing Writers who are freelance write for magazines and newspapers. But they also ghostwrite novels for CEOs, or create blogs for brands. Because writing is typically accomplished on their own and on their own, it's an ideal job for a digital nomad.    
  
• Graphic Design Graphic artists are able to create some of the most famous brands using the comfort of a laptop. This makes it a great digital nomad career.      
  
• Teaching or online tutoring: The rise of e-learning allows online tutoring or teaching an option for digital nomads, whether you're teaching at a virtual college or launching your own online class.    
  

• Digital Marketing: Whether you're building Facebook advertisements or working on SEO, the process of marketing through digital can be described as... digital. It's a fantastic job choice that is ideal for those who are digital nomads.    
  
• Software Development: Software developers create software and tools, either as the company. The work is done online and therefore it's an excellent alternative for remote jobs.    
  
• Web Design: Creating websites is a great career of digital nomads.      
  
• Virtual Assistants are usually able to assist leaders with administrative tasks, answering emails, posting on social networks, scheduling appointments, and so on. This is a great job to work remotely.    
  
• Remote Customer Support: If firms provide customer service via the internet or via phone, it doesn't usually matter where the representative lives. This could be an excellent career for an online nomad.    
  

• Telemedicine: Not every health services can be delivered online, but an astonishing amount is. From psychiatry and counseling to nurse interviews and specialist consultations the number of remote healthcare positions is growing.    
  
• Market Researcher: If you're in the business of conducting market research for a business such as surveys might be remote.      
  
• Content Creator: Content creators are all over, with people producing podcasts, Facebook content, YouTube videos and many more. If you earn your livelihood through content-whether in a firm or you, it's possible to work from home.    
  
• Consultant: Consulting can be an enormous field, however it is basically about setting up your own business of service in addition to advising businesses on a part-time basis. It's a great career working remotely.    
  
• Professional Service: Bookkeepers attorneys, accountants, HR. There's numerous professional services that work well to digital nomadic life.      
  
• Service Businesses: Finally, services businesses are great for digital nomads. Architects, Conservation scientists, engineers and so on., can be good for remote work depending upon the tasks you perform.    
  

How to be a digital nomad

1. Find a job or earn money that lets you travel: The movement to become a digital nomad was focused on digital entrepreneurs. Tim Ferriss' famous book-The 4-Hour Workweek-stressed with technology to expand flexible business and allow freedom to travel (if you wish). But, the growth of remote work has meant the possibility of becoming a digital nomad is still feasible with a 9-to-5 work schedule.    
   
2. Do the planning: it's improving every day, but being a digital nomad is still complicated. You have to think about getting accommodation in another nation and managing visas, submitting taxes, making access to your bank account via a foreign location, along with a host of other things (we've included a list below). Do not be afraid-people are doing this often. However, you must get going on your plan.    
   
3. Test drive: Before you commit to becoming a full-time nomad, you can take taking a drive test. Spend a few weeks somewhere during a vacation to see if it's actually possible to would enjoy. While launching into life as a digital nomad is romantic, many people find it difficult to accept they're not suitable for it.    
   
4. Pick your style of travel: Do you prefer to plan your next year entirely planned out? Or do you want to move from month to month whatever the winds take you? There's no wrong answer. Plan ahead gives the benefit of having a wider selection of accommodations choose from and cheaper flights However, it also limits the possibility of being spontaneous. Planning without a schedule means being spontaneous, but some of your options will be limited by the flights and accommodations that are available. Many nomads work better with at least a loose strategy, and in fact having a plan is an integral part of enjoyable!    
   
5. Take a bag and leave! becoming a digital nomad seems overwhelming, at the end of the day, you're making a decision and preparing to live your the same thing in another location. Beware of the temptation to pack too much (you'll appreciate the fact that you don't need to carry a lot). Start your adventure!    
   

Digital nomad checklist

There are many things to think about from becoming digital nomads. Below are a few advice we've received from others who have done it:

• Examine your software and hardware Make sure you have your laptop with the necessary tech for your work, and don't forget electric adapters to the countries you'll visit. Keep in mind that you can purchase or lease equipment for technical use in many countries, too. For example, if you like to work with a second screen you might find it an item you are able to find upon arrival.    
  
• Backups for 2-factor identifications: In the past 5 years, 2-factor IDs have become necessary to log into everything. In the event that you receive an SMS on your mobile-and there's no 2-factor identification, life gets more complicated. Create backups of all of your important logons. If you're looking for anything related to Google You can make use of the Google authenticator app. In other words, you should think about the ways you'll log in to your accounts at banks, use tax software, etc.    
  
• Determine taxes: Plan on how you will pay and pay taxes from overseas (if appropriate).      
  
• Have a passport that is current: Make sure you have your passport as well as any other papers you'll need. Be aware that certain countries may not grant visas when your passport expires in less than 6 months, so ensure you have plenty of calendar room.    
  
• Medical insurance is essential: Accidents can happen. Make sure you're covered. The insurance you already have might provide some coverage however, most digital travelers require extra travel medical insurance.    
  
• Make sure you know the requirements for your visa If you're from the US, you can go across the globe without having to apply for a visa, unless you're going to be staying for an extended time. If you're planning on a lengthy stay then you may require the proper visa at the consulate or embassy before you go. If that's the case begin early and allow your self plenty of time.    
  
• Check work requirements: Are you permitted to work in your nomad country? Will they try to tax your income? Every country has their own laws that can be tricky to navigate. Check with digital nomad blogs and forums, as well as official government websites. Certain governments may allow you earning income provided it's inside the borders of your country. If you're employed by any company with offices outside of the country, you might be able get a job together with them.    
  
• Find train or plane tickets and a place to stay: Platforms like Airbnb could be useful for this, but there are new platforms available all the time. Like, for instance, Berlin startup Habyt promises monthly rentals. Applications like Hopper allow you to track flights as well as give suggestions on how to book for the lowest prices.    
  

Strategies for becoming an online nomad

• Take a break: Moving around from one place to the next daily makes it really hard to be productive. It also takes a toll on your financial situation. Experienced nomads know that it's worthwhile to stay in one location for weeks or months at a time to establish a routine and save cash. For example, Airbnb has discounts for monthly bookings that can put the price of living as a nomad at or lower than the rent of any city in the U.S.    
  
• Choose a timetable that is effective: It may be hard to be productive on the road. It is important to establish a work schedule that works for you.    
  
• Stay aware of different cultures: Nomads experience lots of surprise when they attempt to do things like they would in their home countries. For example, many places won't let you set up your laptop in an office or cafe (or even if they do, there's no WiFi). Then you'll have to alter your daily routine depending on the society you're living located in.    
  

• Discover community Find community: Ask the digital nomads about their experiences and they'll be able to tell you about the feeling of loneliness. Look for ways to join communities wherever you are regardless of whether it's an informal gathering of nomads in your area or a community on the internet. (Staying within a single location longer can also help you form more meaningful connections ).    
  
• Be cautious: Prior to agreeing to a 3-year trip around the globe, start with a small amount. Try a few weeks or even a month in a different location. You might find that you don't enjoy it, or maybe it will be harder to work remotely as you imagine. Ease yourself in.    
  

Get going!

We hope these tips have given you the confidence to embark on your own journey as a digital nomad! While it can be daunting but the increasing acceptance of the digital nomad and the stories from hundreds of nomads who have enjoyed the journey suggests it's at least worth trying!

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