GUIDE CONTINUED – 1
Things that matter to me might not matter to you at all. So how to navigate the “bigger things” as digital nomads could mean entirely different things to us. Nevertheless, here we continue the guide – How to Live as Digital Nomads – A Guide to Work and Travel, to confidently navigate the nomadic lifestyle. From finances to finding a place to stay, long or short-term planning, and unexpected hurdles.
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
Every realtor will tell you that this is the most important thing when you buy a property. It is also one of the most important things to consider when traveling. As everyone knows it’s often a balance between a perfect location and finding a great and affordable place to stay. You may have to compromise a little or a lot depending on your budget and your needs.
When researching for a place, one of our priorities is a location where we can walk or bike around. We also like that it is in a somewhat safe area. I am not a city person at all. However, I am very aware that being in or close to a city, or town, provides different opportunities. It can be a wide range of activities such as cultural and culinary experiences, concerts, sports events, and historical sites. In general, the experience can be more diverse.
It’s important to find a good balance. We try to benefit from everything a city has to offer but also make sure that we honor the need for peace and quiet. Making space for recharging in a more serene environment away from the lively and fast-paced environment of a city. First impressions are important but remember they are not everything. It is possible to get used to or even grow to like something you really dislike in a place or location over time.
dreaming of A tiny house on wheels
My initial dream was to remodel a Sprinter Van and live in a “tiny house on wheels”. I watched videos and Pinterest posts about how to remodel and I had it all figured out. We even visited several dealerships and researched the cost to make the required changes. We totally ignored the fact that Allan has conference calls all day. For both of us to work “from home” he would need a separate room.
So, in the end, we chose Airbnb. I know it was the smart thing to do even though I still dream of an “ultimate freedom” way of living. To be honest, I’m not sure how long I could survive in such a small, confined environment with limited essentials. Please note that this has nothing to do with age! At least that’s what I tell myself.
Condo, villa, houseboat, townhouse, or treehouse?
Sometimes it makes more sense to stay in an apartment or a townhouse, even if you are used to living in a house. This is especially true if you want to stay in a city. You won’t need as much space, as a nomad, and there is a financial aspect to consider as well. There will be a lot more going on around you when you live in an apartment. If you don’t think you can get used to weird sounds and noises, consider something else.
The place may not always live up to your standards despite all five-star ratings, but that’s the chance you’ll have to take. People are different and look for different things. A bad location in a sketchy neighborhood may get great reviews from people who like the “trendy vibe” and the downtown location.
Long or short-term planning
It is important to remember that a place is never bigger, brighter, or newer than it appears in the pictures. Often the pictures have been taken years earlier and the iPhone wide-angle lens is quite popular. When booking a place, I always go with my gut feeling. If I don’t find a place right away, I go back to the website again and again until eventually I find a place.
When we started, we only booked 3 months ahead. This gave us a little peace of mind but also some flexibility if we decided to change our travel plans. Who knew if we decided to return to California sooner than expected? We found that our travel plans change all the time. We stayed a month in Chamonix, France, and 2.5 weeks in Australia which wasn’t part of our original plan to travel across the US. Lucca, our Golden Retriever died in the first month of traveling, so we no longer needed places where pets were allowed. It turned out that it is very easy to find a place on short notice, so no need for long-term planning if you are okay with being a little flexible.
adventure or Constant changes
Often when we’ve settled in and gotten used to, or maybe even fallen in love with, certain things, it’s time to move on. We finally found that great food market; figured out how the subway system works, or just loved how easy it is to walk and bike around the neighborhood. Then everything changes, we move on, and it feels like starting all over again.
That inevitable first night of grocery shopping when arriving in a new place is always a nightmare. Having to buy pretty much everything from scratch. It always seems to take forever when shopping in a new place and you can’t seem to find anything. On top of that is the exhaustion from a long drive. We’ve had some of our not-so-fine moments while doing that “first-time” grocery shopping. Eventually, we’ve created a routine that seem to work, and we manage to stay married.
No doubt that this type of constant movement and change has affected various aspects of our lives that we didn’t even think of. Here’s a list of challenges (in no particular order), posed by the constant changes of nomadic life, that can be unsettling and stressful. It is essential to acknowledge and address these to maintain balance and well-being while living on the road.
- Lack of consistent workspace
- Access to reliable internet
- Instability in housing, social connections, daily routines
- Navigating different timezones
- Long-distance relationships and frequent goodbyes
- Disrupt sleep patterns, nutrition habits, and exercise routines
- Fatigue, loneliness, burnout
- Access to networking opportunities at work
- Different social dynamics requiring emotional energy
- The fluctuating cost of living
Living without the comfort of your own home
Cutting meat, bread, fruit, and vegetables with a butter knife. This can make life a little difficult if you want to cook while being on the road. For someone who only dines out, it may not matter if this is the only type of knife in the kitchen. Eventually, you get better at figuring out what’s important for you and exactly what to look for in a place. A couple of times we shared the space with a mouse. The first time I saw a little brown mouse run across the kitchen floor I was devastated, but then realized that maybe that’s what to expect when you live in an old house with cracks and uneven floorboards.
safe, comfortable, and enjoyable
More than once, I’ve wished that we could bring our own bed. Younger people probably don’t worry about this for a second. For someone who just got an amazing elevation bed of her dreams before going on a road trip, it can be a challenge. So, the different beds and pillows take some getting used to and sometimes we don’t sleep well for a week.
There are several factors to consider when living outside the comfort of your own home to ensure a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable experience.
- Safety and Security: Ensure the accommodation is located in a safe area and adequate security measures are in place, such as sturdy locks and functioning smoke detectors
- House Rules and Guidelines: Be aware of specific house rules and guidelines provided by the host regarding noise, quiet hours, cleanliness, check-in and check-out, parking, pets, and use of amenities.
- Communication with Host: Always maintain open communication with the host regarding any issues or concerns.
- Health and hygiene: Maintain proper cleanliness and take necessary precautions to prevent the spread of illness and disease.
- Amenities and Facilities: Make sure that the provided amenities and facilities meet your needs, such as WI-FI access, parking, air conditioning/heating, laundry facilities, kitchen appliances, workspace, TV, outdoor space, and bathroom amenities.
- Emergency Preparedness: Familiarize yourself with the accommodation in terms of being prepared for an emergency. This could be the location of emergency exits, first aid supplies, and emergency contact information.
Staying within budget or breaking the bank?
This paragraph should probably be on top as the most important thing to consider when planning a digital nomad lifestyle but nonetheless, I put it last. Cultivating a sustainable income that supports your desired lifestyle is crucial. Living as a digital nomad isn’t cheap and requires an established income stream such as remote/ freelance/location independent work, or an online business. Budgeting and cost management also play an important role in maintaining financial stability. Achieving some level of financial independence can provide a desirable balance between work and exploring.
Carefully consider the total cost of accommodation. Especially be aware of any additional fees, such as an Airbnb fee, cleaning, and taxes, before you book. To maximize savings, consider long-term stays, which often offer great monthly discounts. Be aware, that if you book a place for a month and a half, you pay full price for the additional two weeks which can make a huge difference in the total price. The cost of accommodation is dependent on location; between different countries, from state to state, and between town and countryside. Also, consider local living costs such as groceries and transportation and always budget for unforeseen expenses such as your car breaking down or traveling back home to visit a sick relative.
And of course, there are more things to consider when living as digital nomads! Read How to Live as Digital Nomads – A Guide to Work and Travel, or How to Navigate the “Smaller Things” as Digital Nomads
In this Harvard Business Review, you can find more information on “How to Become a Digital Nomad” by Rowena Hennigan.