The Ultimate Guide for Living a Nomadic Lifestyle

Nowadays, it seems like everyone and their grandmother has become a digital nomad. Everyone is pitching in one way or another how to make it possible, flaunting things like passive income and how to get free airfare. Certainly, living on the road, enjoying a life of adventure and excitement while growing your bank account without working a 9 to 5 job sounds like the perfect dream, but is it actually possible to make it come true?

Truth be told, I began this lifestyle 13 years ago and with my extensive experience, I can tell you simply: yes, it is possible! Through careful planning, regular savings, and extensive preparation, I’ve made everything mentioned in the first paragraph possible. However, unlike what others might have you believe, it doesn’t happen overnight. This was literally years in the making, but that shouldn’t discourage you, because the payoff is huge! Investing in yourself now will pay off exponentially in the future and I promise that you can do it too by implementing the strategies below.

1. Are You Compatible with a Nomadic Lifestyle?

Figuring out the answer to this question is incredibly important, and it should be addressed early on, before you dive into selling all of your personal possessions, and start living out of a van. To be transparent, this lifestyle simply isn’t for the masses. Personally, I have always been an outlier. For my entire life I was a bit nerdy and introverted. Honestly, believe that learning to be comfortable and thrive on my own was one of the skills that allowed me to transition to this lifestyle so easily.

Can you be comfortable spending days of time all by yourself?

I’m not saying that if you can’t now it will be impossible to live this lifestyle in the future. However, just know that the whole process will become much more difficult.

A. What Does It Mean to Be a Nomad?

Generally, the consensus is that nomadic lifestyle involves moving from place to place, often with no fixed home. Modern-day nomads have taken the ancient wanderer’s spirit and given it a fresh twist. Instead of herding livestock across vast plains, today’s nomads might be plugging away on their laptop from an Airbnb abroad, cruising the open road in a customized van, or mastering the art of minimalism while living out of a backpack.

Here’s a look at some of the different flavors of modern nomads:

• Digital Nomads: Individuals who work remotely using the internet while traveling and living in various locations.
• Van Lifers: People who live in a vehicle, traveling from place to place.
• Backpacking Nomads: Those who travel lightly with minimal possessions, often moving on foot or using public transport.

Of course, you don’t have to fit into the mold a stereotypical nomad, you’re free to create the lifestyle of your dreams. However, when we use the term “nomad” it generally means something like what’s listed above.

B. Benefits and Challenges of Being a Nomad

As you can imagine, living a nomadic lifestyle comes with its fair share of perks and hurdles. Personally, I firmly believe the benefits far outweigh the challenges. In fact, what first may appear as negative challenges often turn into positives because stepping out of your comfort zone and overcoming challenges ultimately make you stronger and more resilient in the long run.

Benefits

Freedom to Travel: Imagine being able to work from anywhere in the world, exploring new places without being stuck in one location.

Flexible Schedule: You get to set your own hours, shaping a work-life balance that truly fits your lifestyle.

Cultural Experiences: Dive into different cultures, pick up new languages, and see the world from fresh perspectives.

Cost Savings: By living in countries where the cost of living is lower while earning in a stronger currency, you can save more money than you would at home.

Personal Growth: Embracing the unknown and adapting to new environments builds resilience, independence, and problem-solving skills.

Networking Opportunities: You’ll connect with a global community of like-minded people, both online and in the places you travel to.

Diverse Work Environments: Whether it’s a cozy café, a vibrant co-working space, a sunny beach, or a peaceful mountain, you can work wherever inspires you the most.

Increased Creativity: Exposure to new cultures and environments can spark fresh ideas and boost your creativity.

Work-Life Integration: You can seamlessly blend work with travel and leisure, enjoying life to the fullest while staying productive.

Minimalist Lifestyle: Living on the road naturally leads to a simpler, more minimalist lifestyle, helping you cut out the clutter and focus on what really matters.

Challenges

Isolation: Constantly being on the move can make it tough to form lasting relationships, which can lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation.

Unstable Income: Freelancing or remote work often comes with income that fluctuates, making it tricky to plan your finances.

Time Zone Differences: Trying to coordinate with clients or teams across different time zones can throw off your schedule and disrupt your work-life balance.

Lack of Routine: The ever-changing environment can make it hard to settle into a consistent routine, which can impact your productivity and well-being.

Internet Connectivity: Finding reliable internet in remote or less-developed areas can be a real challenge for digital nomads.

Work-Life Balance: The freedom to work from anywhere can blur the lines between work and leisure, sometimes leading to burnout.

Visa and Legal Issues: Navigating the complexities of visa requirements and work permits in different countries can be time-consuming and stressful.

Healthcare Access: Depending on where you are, getting access to quality healthcare can be limited or expensive.

Security Concerns: Traveling with valuable tech gear can make you a target for theft, and staying safe in unfamiliar places can be challenging.

Financial Management: Handling finances, taxes, and banking across multiple countries can be complicated and might require professional help.

2. Planning Your Nomadic Journey

A. Ideal Nomadic Lifestyle

Those from all backgrounds can become nomadic if they choose. However, it’s good to have a general idea of your desired lifestyle before you get started. While it’s not possible to have every single detail mapped out, having a general idea of the lifestyle you want will make it easier to break it down into manageable steps that you can tackle day by day.

For me, the goal was always to have complete control of my time ie. freedom to live each day on my own terms. Thus, every smaller decision I made kept that goal in mind. That way I would always stay moving in the right direction, and not taking unnecessary steps, or backpedaling. For example, if your goal is to have control of your time then you wouldn’t want to take a job that would sacrifice this. Instead, you could brainstorm ways to start your own business or build investments that would help you to achieve this later.

If you have an overall goal like this in mind, it will be much easier to achieve it.

B. Financial Planning

Financial stability is important for everyone and even more so for a thriving nomadic lifestyle. Consider the following when planning your finances:

• Budgeting: Create a realistic budget that accounts for travel, accommodation, food, and other living expenses. Don’t blow your money on things that you don’t need and always make sure that you’re saving more than you’re spending.
• Remote Work: If you’re a digital nomad, ensure you have a steady source of income. This could be freelancing, a remote job, or running an online business.
• Savings: Build a sizeable savings account for everything that happens in life. You should be able to sustain yourself for at least a year if other sources of income dry up.
• Investments/Banking: Take that hard earned money and make it work for you, invest in index funds, dividend stocks, and savings accounts that grow your money passively. Choose a bank that offers no international transaction fees, no ATM fees, and provides high interest on your money (currently you can easily get 5% return with many savings accounts.)

C. Packing and Minimalism

No matter what form your nomadic lifestyle takes, it’s inevitable that you will need to maintain minimalism to facilitate it. Over the years, I went from using two massive checked suitcases to a single 45-liter backpack. While I was younger I was averse to becoming a “backpacker” but ultimately, I embraced it because it’s so much more liberating to have a single bag than it is to have multiple.

Narrow down everything that you are considering bringing with you and ask yourself if the item is a need or simply a want.

• Clothing: Choose versatile, durable clothing that can be layered for different climates. Opt for a small wardrobe with interchangeable pieces.
• Tech Gear: As a digital nomad, your portable gear gains even greater importance. Invest in a reliable laptop, portable chargers, and universal adapters.
• Personal Essentials: Keep toiletries, a first-aid kit, and any necessary medications in your pack. Choose compact and multi-purpose items to save space.
• Documents: Carry important documents like your passport, ID, visas, and insurance details. Digital copies should also be stored securely online.

3. Navigating the Nomadic Lifestyle

A. Finding Accommodation

Long before I became a travel writer, I had already been living abroad solo for years. During that time, I lived in shared houses, hostels, apartments, and hotels. Where you stay will ultimately depend on the lifestyle you want to live, as well as your budget. It’s also important to remember that, unless you have the ability to stay long-term, you will be restricted to short-term accommodation, which tends to be more expensive.

Here are some options:

• Short-Term Rentals: Websites like Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com offer short-term rental options.
• Hostels: Hostels provide affordable accommodation, especially for backpackers. Many also offer work-spaces for digital nomads but only stay in hostels if you’re open to sharing spaces with others.
• Campsites and Free Camping: For those living in a van or RV, campsites offer necessary amenities, while free camping spots can save money and offer scenic locations.
• Hotels: Hotels come in all shapes and sizes and the amount of amenities offered usually come down to your budget. I personally love to enjoy all the facilities that hotels can offer such as pools, gyms, and comfortable places to work.
• House Sitting: Platforms like TrustedHousesitters allow you to stay in someone’s home for free in exchange for taking care of their property or pets.

B. Managing Connectivity and Privacy

Historically, I was always forced to buy new SIM cards every time I traveled to a new country. However, thankfully, that has changed, and now we can buy eSIMs, which make all the difference in the efficiency of staying connected.

• eSims: GlobalYo is a worldwide provider of phone data plans that make it effortless to have data immediately after landing in your destination country.
• VPN: NordVPN is a very trustworthy VPN company who will allow you to keep your information safe as you move around.

C. Health and Wellness

While on the road, it’s important to take care of both your physical and mental health. As you will be facing challenges, it’s crucial to place an extra emphasis on self-care so you can overcome whatever may come your way.

Here’s how to manage your wellness as a nomad:

• Health Insurance: Ensure you have health insurance that covers you in different regions or countries. Consider specialized insurance plans for travelers or digital nomads such as SafetyWing or Genki.
• Fitness: Stay active by going on daily walks. Depending on your budget you can decide to go to the gym or engage in activities that don’t require a gym, such as hiking, running, yoga, or working out in public parks. Many hotels, hostels, and co-working spaces offer fitness facilities.
• Mental Health: Regular self-care practices are vital. Stay connected with loved ones, take breaks when needed, and utilize journaling and meditation regularly.

4. Legal and Logistical Considerations

A. Visas and Residency

This may come as a shock to many, but I’ve actually spent all but 4 months of my 13 years outside of the United States on tourist visas. Whether this is feasible for you will depend on your work situation. For example, if you’re legally working in a foreign country, you won’t be able to stay solely on a tourist visa. However, if you’re earning your money in your home country or a third country, you may be able to utilize tourist visas for long durations like I have. Fortunately, in recent years, digital nomad visas have become more common which I will discuss below.

• Visas: Research visa requirements for each country you plan to visit. Some countries are now offering special visas for digital nomads, allowing longer stays. When I started, being a digital nomad wasn’t a thing and most people relied on visa runs or other schemes to stay longer inside a foreign country.
• Residency: You can consider whether you need to establish residency in a particular country, especially for tax purposes. Some nomads choose countries with favorable tax laws.
• Passports and Documentation: Keep your passport up to date and ensure it has enough blank pages for visas. Always carry a digital backup of your important documents as well as lock your physical documents up whenever possible.

B. Financial Management and Taxes

When people learn about my lifestyle, they inevitably ask how I’m able to do it financially. It might seem somewhat mysterious, but the truth is, I actually save much more money living this way than I would if I were staying in one place in America. This is something I take a lot of pride in, and I’m able to achieve it mainly through frugality.

• Banking: As mentioned above, choose a bank that offers zero fees for international transactions and provides easy access to your funds with no ATM fees. This will avoid having to carry your home currency with you altogether as well as never having to exchange currency physically.
• Taxes: Understand your tax obligations as a nomad. Some countries require you to pay taxes based on your citizenship, while others are based on residency. Consult a tax professional to ensure compliance.

C. Have a Permanent Address

In theory, it would be incredible not to have a permanent address. However, due to legal concerns, it’s unfortunately impossible. Over the years, I’ve kept my American home address as my permanent address, and with the help of my parents, I’ve been able to access my snail mail while being outside of the country.

• Mail Forwarding Services: If you don’t have friends or family to help, you can manage your mail remotely. Mail forwarding services can forward physical mail to your current location or provide digital scans.
• Virtual Address: Another option is to rent a mailbox or use a virtual address service.

5. Conclusion

In conclusion, while the idea of becoming a digital nomad may seem like a distant dream, it’s entirely achievable with the right approach. My journey over the past 13 years is a testament to the fact that living a life of adventure and financial freedom is within reach. It requires careful planning, consistent saving, and a willingness to embrace challenges, but the rewards are immense. The road to this lifestyle may be long, but with determination and the right strategies, you can make it a reality. Start investing in yourself today, and you’ll soon find that the dream of living and working on your own terms is closer than you think.