So You Want to Be a Digital Nomad? by Amy Bea

The idea of working from a beachside café in Bali or a mountaintop village in Peru has captured the imagination of many Americans seeking freedom from the traditional 9-to-5 grind. Thanks to remote work, the fantasy can be yours, for real. But while becoming a digital nomad might sound like a dream job, it requires careful planning, honest self-assessment, and a deep understanding of the challenges ahead.

Before you trade your office desk for a passport, here’s what you should consider to make the leap as smooth, sustainable, and enjoyable as possible.

Choose a Location for More Than Beauty

Let’s be honest, waking up to turquoise waters and palm trees sounds amazing. But the best digital nomad locations balance beauty with practicality. Communication infrastructure, stable social and political climate, accessible healthcare and banking, and affordable accommodations are crucial. Before packing your bags, here’s what you need to know:

• Is the Internet reliable? You’ll need stable, high-speed connectivity to do your job and stay in touch with clients.
• What’s the time zone difference? If you work with U.S.-based clients, a location with a reasonable time overlap is crucial unless you’re truly a natural night owl.
• Are coworking spaces or coffee shops available? These spots can help combat loneliness and provide structure. However, if you want to really stay off the beaten path, you’ll need alternatives for building personal connections and healthy routines.
• What’s the visa situation? Some countries offer digital nomad visas, making longer stays legal and hassle-free. You don’t want to make mistakes here. Overstaying a visa can prohibit you from returning to a country you loved.
• How safe is the area? Research economic stability, natural disaster risk, and crime rates. Consider a country’s relationships with its neighbors, too.

Portugal, Mexico, Thailand, and Georgia (the country!) are popular digital nomad destinations known for affordable living and solid infrastructure but the right place for you depends on your needs, preferences, and work obligations.

Don’t Overlook the Need for Friends

You might imagine the digital nomad life as blissfully solitary, but loneliness is real. You’re not just leaving the typical work/life environment, you’re leaving your daily social network, too. Feelings of isolation can lead to depression and affect your job performance, so make a concerted effort to find friends. Plus, it will probably make your mom feel better about your leaving the States.

Seek out nomad communities to meet like-minded workers abroad. These folks are a great resource for when you have questions, in addition to giving you a chance to relax and unwind socially. Look for opportunities to join clubs, participate in religious services, or attend cultural events to find like-minded acquaintances. If you’re working for an employer, and not as a freelancer, see if there are other employees in your area to connect with.

Underestimate Healthcare at Your Own Risk

Traveling exposes you to new experiences, foods, and sometimes, germs. A sudden illness or accident can derail your plans and your finances quickly. Successful digital nomads have travel insurance with policies that cover medical emergencies, evacuation, and COVID-related care. If you have employer-sponsored healthcare, learn whether that coverage follows you and what the limits are for out-of-country care. Long-term options like SafetyWing or IMG are built for nomads, often including global coverage. If you take regular medication or need specialist care, research availability and local regulations on prescription drugs. Arrange for telehealth services for continuity of care from your U.S. providers.

In some countries, healthcare is affordable and high-quality. Thailand, Colombia, and Spain often rank high. But accessibility, language barriers, and payment systems vary widely. Prepare before you land, and be prepared to shift gears quickly.

Communication Infrastructure Can Make or Break Your Workday

Smooth client calls, timely deadlines, and stress-free deliverables all hinge on solid tech infrastructure. Before choosing a destination, look into the area’s internet availability and reliability. Frequent outages and bandwidth limits could severely impact your work. Get a phone with a local number. It makes life easier for everything from banking to food delivery. Know where you can find alternative wifi service, like at cafes. This could mean the difference between making a deadline and making plans to head home.

Prep Steps You Can’t Skip

Before jetting off, these essential boxes should be ticked so that your journey is smooth, and the only adventures and side-quests are of your choosing.

• Get a valid passport with at least six months before expiration.
• Apply for necessary visas or check entry requirements. Visa-free doesn’t mean work-permission is automatically granted, and mistakes can be personally costly.
• Establish health insurance that travels with you.
• Open a travel-friendly bank account. Some accounts offer no foreign transaction fees or ATM reimbursements.
• Create a financial buffer. Experts recommend saving 3–6 months of expenses before departure.
• Build up reliable income. Steady remote employment or client retainer agreements for freelancers help ensure stability.

Lining Up Work That Supports Your Freedom

Remote work isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Some jobs offer flexibility within strict, regular hours; others give you full control. Make sure your income stream aligns with your travel plans, and take steps to boost your hours or client roster before leaving home.

You might explore:

• Freelancing: Writing, design, programming, consulting are all in-demand services as long as you’re good at what you do. Just be sure to build a strong portfolio and client list.
• Remote employment: Companies now hire fully remote workers across time zones. These positions often come with benefits and stability.
• Entrepreneurship: Building a business like an online store or coaching brand can offer total freedom but also high risk.

Whichever path you choose, you must be able to work asynchronously, you must have systems in place for managing workflows and payments, and you must be self-disciplined enough to work even when the sun is shining, and the beach is beckoning.

Create a Work/Life Balance That Works for You

Becoming a digital nomad isn’t running away from real life. You’re still responsible for work, bills, preparing meals, and maintaining your apartment or house. However, you’re also able to enjoy travel, challenge yourself to grow professionally and personally, and cultivate a life of independence from the typical American grind.

It’s not always easy. You’ll discover how resourceful you are and meet people who challenge your worldview. Home becomes wherever your laptop lands and your feet touch ground. You get really good at planning ahead and knowing what your needs are. You also begin living your best life.