The digital nomad lifestyle is one of the most exciting ways to work and travel the world. From New York City to Bangkok, digital nomads are everywhere. They move around the world, working from cafes, hotel lobbies, and Airbnbs. Not only do digital nomads get to visit top cities and destinations across the globe, but they also get to experience living like a local.
Today there are over 35 million digital nomads who live and work from the road, and the number is on the rise – digital nomads in the United States alone more than doubled in just three years! Of course, it’s not hard to see why the global nomad lifestyle is so popular. Flexibility, travel opportunities, and great income potential – what more could you want?
If you’ve ever dreamed of drafting marketing content from a beach in Greece or writing code from a coffee shop in Tokyo, then the digital nomad lifestyle might be for you. However, becoming a digital nomad can be a challenge. There’s a lot to consider when you’re making the transition. From destinations and visas to remote jobs and learning new languages, it’s important to be prepared. Read on to learn all you need to know about how to become a digital nomad.
What is a digital nomad?
Digital nomads make their living working online, usually entirely remotely, from different locations around the world. They hail from hundreds of countries around the globe, including the United States and the United Kingdom, Russia, Canada, and Germany, to name just a few of the most common home countries. The average age of a digital nomad is 32, but they span all age groups, from early twenties to late forties and everything in between.
Above all, digital nomads are location-independent and rely heavily on technology for work. They usually determine their schedule, and often work on a contract or freelance basis, though not always.
There are a few key elements that differentiate digital nomads from tourists and students studying abroad. First of all, digital nomads get to be immersed in different cities and cultures and experience a place from a local perspective. They often learn local languages to settle in more easily and rent apartments as opposed to hotel rooms or resorts.
A second important distinction is that digital nomads tend to be full-time professionals. Instead of taking classes at a local university, they’re working, even if it’s for themselves. Finally, careers for digital nomads usually don’t require them to be in a particular place, so they move around often. It’s not uncommon for a digital nomad to split a year over several different locations, never staying anywhere too long.
What is the digital nomad lifestyle?
The digital nomad style is a unique one. There aren’t many career paths that allow you to stay on the move and only require WiFi. When you think of digital nomads, you probably imagine a young professional lounging on a beach with a laptop in one hand and a cold drink in the other. And that is often the case! But there’s more to the lifestyle than meets the eye. If you’re thinking you might want to become a digital nomad, there are several important things to know.
One common question about this lifestyle is “How much do digital nomads make?” This is of course an important question to consider before setting off on your globe-trotting adventure. According to recent studies, digital nomads make an average of just over $120,000 per year. Keep in mind, however, that this number can vary greatly. It’s highly dependent both on your chosen career field, and the type of work you perform.
Not all digital nomads are freelancers or work for themselves. Some work on a contract basis, while some are even full-time employees of a company in their home country. These are important factors that play in, so keep them in mind when thinking about how much digital nomads make. Career paths also have an impact. As in most countries, computer engineers who are also digital nomads tend to make more than content writers who are digital nomads.
Another important aspect of the digital nomad lifestyle is where and how often they travel. According to Nomad List, (which, by the way, is a great resource for those wondering how to become a digital nomad!), nomads tend to stay in one place for around three to six months, and usually no more than nine. This means you may live in four different cities or more in just one year.
With that movement comes many exciting cultural immersion and travel opportunities, but there are also additional considerations, like visas and language barriers. You’ll likely need to plan to iron out visa requirements before heading off to your next destination. Now, visa requirements for digital nomads look different from country to country and region to region. Some countries have visas designed especially for remote workers. Others are more challenging, so doing your research is important.
One last thing to consider is, of course, internet access. Digital nomads around the globe agree that the biggest challenge to the lifestyle is finding WiFi. Because most digital nomads work full-time for a company, they need access to the internet for several hours every day. Some nomads need a good enough connection to join video calls with global coworkers. So, just like figuring out digital nomad visa requirements, tracking down WiFi points is an important thing to do before you head out.
If you, like many digital nomads, plan to work from a public space rather than your hotel room or apartment, it’s important to understand the etiquette. In most cases, it will be different than office etiquette, and in some countries, the business culture may be different than you’re used to. Check out our blogs about coffee shop etiquette and coworking space etiquette for digital nomads to get an idea of what’s expected.
What makes a city ideal for a digital nomad?
Accessible Wi-Fi: As a digital nomad, the ability to work efficiently is essential. For most workers, that starts with Wi-Fi. Look for cities that have speedy internet, but also where it’s easy to access. Think about whether you’ll want to work from a coffee shop every day, or if you’ll rent a spot in a coworking space. Is fast Wi-Fi expensive in the city you’re moving to? And what speed do you need? Think about whether you’ll be on video calls regularly, or if you can work primarily offline.
Affordability: As a digital nomad, finances are likely to be one of your top considerations. Choosing a city will probably include determining how much it will cost to live there. Most digital nomads opt for affordable cities, where food and lodging are fairly cheap. Think about how much you earn each month, and what your major expenses will be. If you can afford a higher rent, but at the expense of extensive travel, consider whether the trade-off is worth it.
Community: Community is a very important element of life as a digital nomad. Get to know the digital nomad community in a city before you move – check out Facebook pages and other online groups. Find out whether there are other people in your situation. You’ll easily find people with similar interests, but keep an eye out for those with similar work schedules and budgets. Of course, if you already know people in a specific city, it might be a great place to start!
Transportation: If you’re traveling the world and working out of coffee shops, you probably won’t have a car. You might have a bike, but even so, it’s important to consider public transport in the city you’re planning to live in. Cities great for digital nomads tend to have high liveability rates. One of the primary elements is ease of transport around the city. Find out about buses, bike lanes, and metro systems. How will you get from where you’re staying to the coffee shop where you want to work? How will you get to the airport? How much will all of that cost?
Time zones: Finally, depending on your work situation, it may be important to consider time zones. If you have daily meetings with a team based on the other side of the world, you probably don’t want to be signing in to Zoom at 4am. Think about cities that will allow for a comfortable, if not convenient, work schedule.
Who can become a digital nomad?
Now that you’ve learned all about the digital nomad lifestyle, you might be wondering whether you’re a good candidate for the next generation of global remote workers. Many students ask “What are the best fields of study for digital nomads?” Now, keep in mind that most professionals today, no matter their background, can make the transition to the digital nomad life. Your university degree or field of study doesn’t dictate whether you can work and travel at some point in your career. However, if you want to streamline your path, remember that this lifestyle relies heavily on the ability to work with nothing more than a laptop. Fields of study for digital nomads, therefore, tend to be technology-heavy, and may even allow you to develop valuable technical skills like coding, animation, or editing.
After considering the field of study, another common question is “What are the best careers for digital nomads?” That’s a tough question to answer because the vast majority of careers can be pursued by digital nomads. There are endless career opportunities, and it’s more important to consider what you’re interested in and qualified for. Just like fields of study for digital nomads, the best careers truly depend on your interests, goals, and skillset.
That being said, these are the most common and popular fields among digital nomads today:
Computer science
If you guessed that a software engineer was the most popular career for digital nomads, you were right! If you know how to code, there are endless professional opportunities out there for you that don’t require you to sit in an office. Of course, this type of job usually requires a very high skill level and quite a bit of relevant study, whether in university or at an internship. That being said, if you specialize in app and website development, data analysis, or cyber security, the transition to the global nomad life will likely be seamless.
Are you an IT or computer science professional considering becoming a digital nomad? Check out our computer science internships page where we break down the career field and the various types of international opportunities available.
Graphic design
Graphic design is another popular career choice for digital nomads. Like software engineering, doing graphic design full-time from the road requires a certain level of skill and creativity. However, for those who want to pursue a creative career while exploring the world, graphic design may be the perfect mix. Designers should be comfortable using programs including Photoshop, Illustrator, and Procreate. Getting started in the graphic design world can be challenging, and it’s important to either have a full-time role or a stable set of freelance clients before heading out. A great way to build up a career is with an internship through one of our graphic design programs, designed to prepare you for the digital nomad life.
Marketing
If you work in marketing or studying marketing, you probably know how competitive the career is. Marketing is one of the most popular university majors, but of course, it’s also an essential service for businesses of all shapes and sizes globally. Unlike graphic design and engineering, remote marketing jobs don’t always require extensive prior experience or technical skills. Above all, your communication skills are what matters. The marketing world offers roles like sales, blogging, content writing, and public relations, to name just a few. The good news is that there are lots of remote marketing jobs and internships out there, and you can cater to your interests and passions. For example, these types of roles exist in both the fashion world and the nonprofit sector, and everything in between.
Translations
For a digital nomad, it’s always a good idea to speak multiple languages. Navigating different parts of the world is just easier if you can communicate in the local tongue! But being multilingual is incredibly useful for other reasons as well. Working as a translator is a great career option for digital nomads. If you’re fluent in at least one other language, you can make money by transcribing articles and blogs, editing academic materials or books, or even translating virtual events in real-time. If you think you need to brush up on your language skills before you hit the road, consider applying for our remote translation internships.
Social media management
If you’re a social media master, you can take it on the road! Managing social media accounts and publication calendars and creating content is an excellent way to make a living as a digital nomad. Some nomads make their way as bloggers and influencers. This is an attractive career path of course but can be a challenging one to ramp up if you don’t already have an online presence. Others take on fully remote roles on social media and marketing teams for different companies around the world. And of course, there’s always freelance and contract-based work!
Do you have what it takes to be a digital nomad?
Now you know what a digital nomad is, what the lifestyle consists of, and the careers available, it's time to consider what personal qualities you need if you're going to pursue the digital nomad way of life. If you have any of these qualities, then you'll get the most from your experience as a digital nomad:
A sense of adventure
The number one requirement for a successful global nomad is a sense of adventure. Be ready for anything! The trademark of these world-traveling remote workers is a love of all things new and exciting. Try new food every week. Explore ancient temples and incredible natural wonders. Plan exciting adventures. Meet new people. Learn a new language! If these things excite you, you’re probably ready to pursue the digital nomad lifestyle. There are a lot of unknowns when you set out to become a digital nomad. You’ll have new experiences almost every day. Many aspects of your life will be completely different. So, know as much as you can about as much as you can to adventure safely and effectively. Research safety in the places you’re planning to visit. Start learning the languages spoken there. Apply for visas if you need to, and know if there are any requirements such as vaccinations.
The ability to go with the flow
The most amazing opportunities tend to present themselves when you least expect them. As a nomad, if you can go with the flow and allow your plans to change, you’ll undoubtedly have some incredible adventures. As you meet people, explore new places, and become more confident, you’ll find your lifestyle changes. Trust your instincts, ask for help, and do what feels right, rather than always what you had planned.
Problem-solving
The ability to problem solve is one of the most essential qualities of a successful nomad. When living and traveling abroad, you might not have the same support network you would in an office in your home country. Whether the obstacles you encounter are small or large, there’s a good chance you’ll be relying on yourself to fix them.
A cool head
Things are going to go wrong sometimes. It’s inevitable when you’re living the global nomad lifestyle. Whether it’s a canceled flight, a lost suitcase, or a stolen laptop, unexpected roadblocks will pop up from time to time. Long-term nomads can keep a cool head when these things happen and problem-solve rather than panic.
Money sense
While earning and saving money might not be the most glamorous part of the global nomad lifestyle, it’s one of the most essential. If you’re not already used to budgeting and saving money, it’s time to start doing both. This is essential if working as a freelancer or a contractor. If you have a full-time salaried job, you probably have the same steady income every month, and might not have to be as careful. But no matter what, it’s important to have a nest egg, in case anything goes wrong while you’re traveling. For most people, finances are one of the top barriers to working and traveling remotely. Many digital nomads do freelance or contract-based work. Whichever path you choose, it’s important to start saving money early. You always want to have some security when you head out, so a savings account with some room for error is essential.
Self-motivation
When working remotely and from different parts of the world, you won’t have a manager looking over your shoulder. To be successful and keep a paying job, you’ll need to be organized and self-motivated. Of course, these are excellent attributes for all employees, even those in offices. But they’re particularly important for digital nomads.
Minimalism
If you’re exploring different cities and living out of a suitcase, you can’t have too many possessions. If you’re attached to your furniture or are always shopping, those habits are hard to take with you. Get used to spending money on experiences rather than things. Consider how to minimize the possessions you take with you from place to place. You probably don’t want to take six suitcases with you if you visit a new country every month! If you own furniture, consider selling it or putting it in a storage unit. Think about bringing only the essentials with you – for work and travel. Think about clothes that have many uses and that make sense for the climates you plan to travel to. Consignment stores, garage sales, and clothing swaps are your new best friends. If you have a large book collection you can’t take with you, consider an e-reader.
Internships for digital nomads
Learning how to be a digital nomad can be a lot to take in. If you aren’t ready to take on the job hunt and visa struggle alone, consider checking out our Digital Nomad Internship Program. This program is specially designed to allow students and young professionals to experience the nomadic lifestyle with expert support.
Interns accepted to our program are matched with a top-tier organization in their chosen career field. The positions are flexible, and interns can choose between 10 and 40 hours of remote internship work each week. Of course, in addition to the personalized career placement, one of the top benefits of this program is the support of our local, on-the-ground teams.
Digital Nomad interns head off to one of our specially chosen destinations, including Bangkok and Colombia, and are met by our team there. In addition to visa assistance, accommodation, and even airport pickup, the program also includes career success coaching and a vast network of global alumni.
