It seems that everyone wants to give the digital nomad lifestyle a try these days. But what do you actually need to succeed? Here are the absolute bare essentials you need to become a digital nomad.
Decide if it’s right for you
A lot of people listen to a TED talk about digital nomads and they want in. But there are tons of downsides you need to consider before you change your life in such a dramatic way. After all, are you ready to have nothing more in life than a backpack with a few essentials? Are you ready to not see your family and friends for a long time? And what about relationships? Are you ready to leave people behind, even when you love them, to see more of the world?
One way to find out if this is the right thing for you is to have what some people call a “workation”. You go with a few professionals to a retreat for a month or two and you get a taste of remote work in a safe environment. If it’s the right thing for you, then read on.
Finances
The next thing you need to figure out is how you’ll make money. If you already have a remote job, you’re a freelancer, or you own a business, this might not be too difficult. But even then, you have to make sure your transition from your current lifestyle to being a digital nomad goes smoothly.
Another thing you should do is to save some money before you leave. And lastly, make sure to clear any debts you have before you leave. If you can’t, make sure your debts don’t eat into your monthly income or savings too much.
Saying goodbye to your old life
There are a lot of smaller and bigger commitments you will need to resolve before you can go. Work and housing are the two biggest ones. If you still have a job that’s full-time in the office, you will need to find a remote job first and then end your job properly.
Housing is similar. If you’re renting, you will need to sell or give away your things. You can leave a few things behind in storage but it’ll be best to get rid of as much as possible. You can’t take it with you, after all. If you want to return soon, try and see if you could sublet your apartment for a while. But there are tons of smaller things like gym memberships, mail redirection to friends or family, magazine subscriptions, and so on to take care of before you go.
Choose a location and plan out your trip
No matter where you’ll go, there are a few things to be mindful of. Check your destination’s visa requirements, internet quality, and seasons. Then, check out the accommodation and ideally make reservations before you arrive. Find workspaces like cafés, coworking spaces, and so on.
Next, you need to get healthcare. Either get international healthcare or contact healthcare providers in your destination. And lastly, see what communities of digital nomads and expats are already there. This way, you should arrive at your new home somewhat ready.
One thing you have to look up is taxation. It may be that all you need to do is to pay tax in your home country or it might be double-taxed, or you might be tax exempt. This is one of the things you absolutely need to know before you set out.
How to prepare yourself and your backpack
We already made an ultimate packing list but there are still a few things you need to keep in mind like an international driver’s license, travel insurance, and bank account. The last one is extra important—you don’t want to be charged ridiculous fees just for buying groceries.
Next is your backpack. Make sure to invest in sturdy and large luggage. You never know where you’ll go next. The same goes for your electronics. They should be fast, reliable, and relatively new. Also, set up an account at a VPN provider and research whether you can buy a local SIM card at your destination with access to phone data.
Lastly, have a rough travel plan. Your life will be much freer now than it ever was so don’t tie yourself down with too rigid a schedule. But even then, it helps to know where you’re going next and what you need to start preparing for it. If you managed to get through all the points above, congratulations! Enjoy your sweet digital nomad freedom.
