In January 2022, I got to work from Southeast Asia for a few months. I stayed at my sister’s place and worked from 3 pm to 12 am. It was tough, and I can’t say I really enjoyed it.
Dealing with pressure from my boss to meet deadlines was hard, and the time difference made it even more challenging. In the beginning, I struggled to fall asleep and keep up with project deadlines. Eventually, I made it work but I’d probably avoid working while traveling next time.
On the positive side, I did appreciate the freedom to work from anywhere. The flexibility was great.
But, based on this experience, I don’t think being a digital nomad is for everyone. It’s a bit too romanticized. The Instagram pictures make it look nice, but they don’t show the full reality of the digital nomad lifestyle.
Here are my thoughts on the pros and cons of being a digital nomad, and you can decide if being a digital nomad is a good idea for you.
Pros: Flexibility and Freedom
The freedom to work anywhere is pretty lovely. You can manage your own time and enjoy the freedom of working without a manager constantly looking over your shoulder. You can also switch your office view from a cafe in Bali or a mountain in Colorado. Depending on your role type, you might be able to choose your own hours, and that’s pretty nice.
Pros: Cost of living arbitrage
Digital nomads can take advantage of differences in the cost of living between countries. Living in a location with a lower cost of living can lead to significant savings. For instance, eating out can be super cheap depending on where you eat.
I lived in a studio apartment that had a fantastic location and amenities like a swimming pool, tennis court, and gym. It costs between $600 and $800 per month. If I decide to hire a housekeeper, I can easily afford it. I can improve my lifestyle without spending too much.
However, one thing to note is to keep an eye on your long-term savings when considering your income. While it might be easy to move to Southeast Asia and get by with $1000 per month, what happens if one day you want to return to your home country and haven’t saved anything for it? Enjoy the lifestyle, but don’t compromise your future.
Pros: Diverse cultural experiences
Traveling gives us a chance to explore different cultures and languages, fostering personal growth and expanding our worldview.
For example, living in the US for an extended period taught me that American culture values individualism and personal freedom, unlike the collectivism emphasized in my home culture. Learning from this mix, I’ve realized the importance of balance – valuing both family and personal achievements and autonomy.
Pros: See the world and create more memories
When you travel, you get to visit new places and have unique experiences. Maybe you’ll hike a stunning mountain or try some strange but surprisingly tasty food. It’s a break from the usual 9-5 office routine, and your weeks will be filled with exciting adventures.
However, just a heads up, while it is invigorating to explore new places, the novelty of it all might fade over time.
Now, let’s get real. Being a digital nomad comes with real challenges.
Cons: Loneliness and difficulties in forming meaningful relationships
Being a digital nomad might leave you feeling kinda lonely. Sure, you meet people on the go, but they’re nomads too, and they don’t stick around. So, making solid, long-term friendships? Not exactly a breeze.
Now, let’s talk about connecting with folks from different cultures. It’s cool, but it’s not always smooth sailing. Cultural differences can make building connections a bit tricky. You’ve got to put in some extra effort to really understand each other and make those relationships meaningful.
And when it comes to love, being a digital nomad throws in some challenges. The ever-changing lifestyle makes it tough to build something deep. Dating apps might give you a chance, but turning those connections into something real? Yeah, that’s a bit of a puzzle. The nomadic life often makes finding lasting love a bit of a challenge.
Cons: Apart from friends and family
While technology helps keep you connected, dealing with time differences and the transient nature of the digital nomad lifestyle can be tough. Missing important events and the experience of aging with family can be emotionally challenging.
Even though I was physically closer to family and friends when I did a digital nomad lifestyle, meeting up with friends remains difficult due to logistical issues and my schedule. This challenge can be even more pronounced in car-centric places.
Cons: Not all jobs work well with the digital nomad lifestyle
I was working at a startup, and the pressure to perform was high both before and during my travels. I spent most of my time working and had little energy or time to explore or hang out with my family. Part of the problem was the time I chose.
Initially, I thought working from 5 pm to 12 am would be a good idea, allowing me to explore in the morning. However, it turned out to be a terrible idea because I didn’t factor in buffer time to fall asleep. As a result, I didn’t sleep until 3 or 4 am, basically sleeping through most of the day!
It might have been better if I chose 2 pm to 9 pm, but with the constant pressure to deliver and internet issues, I wouldn’t still enjoy it.
If your job is more flexible or you have more capacity to perform, it might work better. However, my job at that time required a lot of focus, making me anxious during most of my working days.
Const: Finding a good place to stay can be challenging
I’d say this is one of my biggest frustrations. It’s a ton of work, and it’s not necessarily cheap. Researching, booking, planning, and actual travel can be overwhelming. And you also need to
I went to Europe for six weeks, and the amount of research was already overwhelming. I couldn’t imagine if I needed to research new places every month or two months while working at the same time. I’d need to find good deals, message the host about the internet speed, research the activities and safety in that area, and make many other decisions.
Const: Slow internet and difficult work conditions
Reliance on technology for work means digital nomads are vulnerable to technical issues, including poor internet connectivity, which can disrupt work and cause frustration.
This happened to me when I needed to pull a lot of data, which took a long time. I started to feel stressed because my colleagues at that time were waiting for me. This is another main reason I don’t think digital nomad is for me.
Constantly setting up an efficient work setup can I found myself just working better when I had a comfy chair, a big screen, and my own space. Working from a laptop isn’t great for tasks that need deep concentration, like coding. I found that I’d rather use the time to search/get to cafes/co-working spaces to start working on my stuff instead.
Const: Building a habit/routine can be difficult
Maintaining good routines is tricky. Starting over in new places challenges habits. Before my travel, I managed to wake up early, walk in the morning, and start work with a fresh mind. But after I relocated to the new place, it was like hitting a reset button on my routine. I didn’t have my treadmill, and finding a quiet spot for work with good internet became a whole new mission. So it becomes an uphill task to maintain them when your backdrops keep changing.
Const: Lack of Safety Net
Being a digital nomad means living without a safety net. When things go wrong, there’s no nearby parent or friend to help you out. Local knowledge and connections become crucial. For example, emergencies can be daunting without knowing who to call.
Let’s say you’re a digital nomad in a foreign country, and suddenly, you get really sick. Now, you don’t know anyone around, and explaining your symptoms is like playing charades because of the language gap. Without local friends, you’re kind of lost when it comes to finding a good hospital or clinic.
Navigating the local healthcare scene becomes this stressful puzzle, and you might end up in a place that doesn’t meet your standards. Having some local buddies could mean they’d guide you to the right healthcare spots, explain the local medical scene, and maybe even lend a hand during tough times.
This just shows how having some local pals is a big deal for a digital nomad’s peace of mind.
Const: Unpredictable Income
I’m in IT, and after chatting with a bunch of employers, only a small number are cool with me working remotely, and even then, it’s usually just for a short stretch, like five weeks. Some contracting gigs won’t even let me work outside the US. Maybe it’s about how long you’ve been around or how rare your skills are, but so far, I haven’t found one that lets me roam freely and still gets paid in US dollars.
So, the way I see it, if I want to keep the nomad life going, freelancing is the way. But that means an unpredictable income and fewer savings/retirement funds, probably less than a salary, and I’ve got to hustle to find my own clients. Even though I won’t need as much if I stay in cheaper countries, what if I decide to return back someday?
Cons: Visas and taxes can be complex
Dealing with visas and taxes is part of the digital nomad lifestyle. Sometimes you might be lucky that your visa process is smooth and the tax rules are straightforward.
Another country might not be so much. You might find yourself in a visa maze, juggling paperwork and hoping you don’t miss a deadline.
Now, taxes. It’s a bit like doing math with extra hurdles. Your income might flow in from different places, and each country has its own tax rules. You could be eligible for tax breaks in one place but owe a chunk in another. It’s like trying to balance on a financial tightrope.
So, while being a digital nomad has its perks, the visa and tax game is like a rollercoaster: some smooth rides, some unexpected turns, and a constant need for alertness.
Cons: Some hobbies don’t mix well with travel
For instance, I enjoy making music, but how can I travel with my digital piano or guitar? I’m sure people can still manage it but it adds extra hassle before diving into the practice, and it could end up being less productive in the long run.
Final Thoughts
I intentionally focused more on the drawbacks than the benefits in this discussion because, let’s face it, many Instagram posts paint the digital nomad lifestyle as perfect. However, it’s crucial to recognize that it’s just my perspective – the decision ultimately lies with you. I hope this article provides a comprehensive view of what the digital nomad lifestyle can truly entail.
If you’re considering it for the experience, I’d say go for it. Despite the challenges, the memories you create along the way can make it all worthwhile.
Moreover, just like every decision in life, it’s not black or white. It’s not either settle down or be a digital nomad. You can perhaps work and have a home base for eight months and slow travel for four months of the year, which is something that I’ll be doing next year.
Vi, a software engineer with a keen interest in personal finance, had planned to retire once she reached her lean FI/RE (Financial Independence/Retire Early) goal. However, after achieving the goal, she took few months of a mini-retirement filled with travel and adventure and decided to continue her career.
For the past five years, Vi has been using Personal Capital (Empower), a free financial tool. Her favorite features include the dashboard for net worth, allocation, and planning, which help track her FI/RE goal and keep those investment fees in check.