Digital nomads are often painted as the hot new breed of productive employees: active members of society who can work anywhere around the world while still earning a decent income. Not only are they location-independent, but they also have more control over their personal and professional lives.
This kind of lifestyle is an elegant solution to a digital problem. As the world has shifted towards a more remote environment, it’s been the logical choice for companies to work with digital nomads. And in exchange for a way to work independently from a physical office, the most driven and most well-adjusted digital nomads can continue to produce high-quality work.
For all its advantages, however, the digital nomad lifestyle has its own share of challenges. One of them lies in choosing the right neighborhood to work in. If you’re assessing whether this lifestyle is for you based on challenges like finding a good overseas neighborhood, here’s how to affirm that, plus how to choose a neighborhood to settle in.
Is the Digital Nomad Lifestyle for Me?
Before you decide on a neighborhood to base yourself in overseas, you first need to ask yourself if the digital nomad lifestyle is the right one for you. These days, almost anyone can become a digital nomad, just as long as they have the right equipment and access to a network of providers for their professional needs, e.g. professional web design services for their business website. No matter your expertise, this lifestyle gives you the opportunity to travel, spend more time with kindred spirits, and avoid problems like office politics.
However, being a digital nomad also means that you will sacrifice some of the structure you had in a typical office setting. Some people thrive in set routines, and this lifestyle has its limits in that regard. You’ll need to be disciplined and create your own work schedule, and you’ll have to find an environment that’s conducive to doing so.
Tips for Finding the Ideal Overseas Neighborhood for You to Work In
Still willing to give the opportunity a genuine shot? If so, let your choice of overseas neighborhood be among your first priorities for settling into the digital nomad lifestyle. Here are five tips that will help you do so:
Tip #1: Consider Locations with Good Internet Connectivity
Reliable internet connectivity is critical for a digital nomad. Choose a neighborhood that has a stable internet connection or is near several coworking spaces and cafés. If you plan on traveling to a more secluded area with no internet for a few days, make sure to inform your employer or business contacts beforehand so that they know you will not be reachable.
That being said, being a successful digital nomad means you should be online and reachable for most of the workday and workweek. Make sure to plan any non-work-related excursions carefully so that they do not disrupt your work productivity.
Tip #2: Choose a Place that is Safe and Secure
Traveling always comes with some risk, but you need to be particularly aware of any challenge you may face because of your gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or any other aspect of your identity. Before settling into a new neighborhood overseas, it is best practice to look at the relevant rules and regulations on your particular status.
Tip #3: Stay in a Neighborhood You are Legally Allowed to Go To
Make sure to do your research on any passport restrictions and other legal requirements you may face if you decide to work in another country. Depending on where you are going and the length of your stay, you may need a special visa.
In many cases, a standard tourist visa does not allow you to earn any form of income while in another country—including any income earned as a digital nomad. Don’t leave without knowing the specific rules of the country you intend to work in, along with any tax you need to declare in your home country as a citizen working overseas.
Tip #4: Find a Location within Proximity to Leisure Options
Once you’ve determined locations that are safe, have reliable internet, and are legally available to you, you can now think of what else you can do in the area to make the lifestyle change worthwhile. Ask yourself what you would like to do after work and on weekends.
There are no right or wrong answers for this question, and it really depends on your own personal interests. Some digital nomads choose to work in a beach-facing hut so that they can immediately dip their feet in the sand after logging out, while others may decide to live in a comfortable suburb that is minutes away from a popular tourist destination. Take their cue and take advantage of the leisure options that are available to you.
Tip #5: Find a Community of Other Digital Nomads
You may also want to find a neighborhood that is also home (or is close) to other digital nomads. Though it may sound contradictory, being a nomad does not mean being completely isolated from society. Finding a community of like-minded individuals can give you the support you need to make the transition easier, from learning about off-the-beaten-path destinations to finding the best places to work during the day.
While it’s easy to romanticize the digital nomad lifestyle, the reality is far more complicated. Becoming a successful digital nomad requires discernment, planning, and dedication, particularly on the matter of how your environment influences your work productivity and wellbeing. All the same, if you’re ready and willing to pursue it, the lifestyle can offer you priceless experiences while you are still young and able. Use the tips above to settle down in a lovely overseas neighborhood and pursue your passion for living a more extraordinary life.
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