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You may have heard people using the term “digital nomad,” but what does this really mean? What exactly is a digital nomad, and what does life really look like on the road full time?
We are a digital nomad family who have been on the road for 3 years. In this time, we have developed a sustainable business with a remote income, and we have also been worldschooling our beautiful children. We have become increasingly passionate about the freedom and flexibility that this adventurous and mobile life affords.
In this article, we will give you a better understanding of what a digital nomad is. We will also give you a picture of what digital nomad life really looks like. If you are considering becoming a digital nomad, we really hope that this article helps you make a clearer and more informed decision.
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Confusion over digital nomads
Unfortunately, there is no strict consensus on exactly what constitutes being a digital nomad. This has led to some confusion and ambiguity around the term. In our experience, many people describe themselves as digital nomads but lead more of an expat lifestyle. There are some important differences between being a digital nomad and being an expat. Having a clear understanding of the term digital nomad can help people communicate more effectively and get a better understanding of how to prepare for a digital nomad lifestyle.
What is a digital nomad?
There are essentially two fundamental things: Firstly, digital nomads make a remote digital income. In some cases, they may be self-employed, and in other cases, they may have an employer who allows them to work remotely. Secondly, a digital nomads lead an authentically nomadic lifestyle, moving from town to town, city to city, or country to country. This nomadic lifestyle brings both unique challenges and unique rewards. If you are considering becoming a digital nomad, it is important to learn, research, and prepare well.
LEARN MORE – Find out the 5 BEST and Most Affordable Countries for Digital Nomads
Things that characterize a digital nomad
Although there isn’t a strict criterion for what constitutes a digital nomad, there are some general characteristics:
- No fixed address abroad
- Living in hotels, hostels, guest houses, and short-term rentals
- Not spending more than a few weeks or a few months in a country
- Using tourist visas or digital nomad visas
- Making an income online
- Not having a fixed office or workplace (lots of coffee shop days)
- Having several streams of income
- Doing project work or freelance work
Typical Remote Digital careers
There is an impressive and surprising range of remote digital careers. Here is just a short list of some of the innovative things that digital nomads do:
- Freelance writing and marketing
- Remote travel agent or consultant
- Blogger or influencer
- Investor in cryptocurrency or stocks
- E-commerce or drop shipping
- Software engineers and app developers
- Online courses or tuition
- Art and photography
- Online coaching or mentoring
- Sales, marketing, or customer relations
Don’t miss our Pro Efficiency Tips for Digital Nomad Families
Why is the term digital nomad subjective?
The term “digital nomad” is potentially subjective because being nomadic is a scale. For example, as a digital nomad family, sometimes we travel very fast. In a stint of fast travel, we do not spend more than a week or two in any given accommodation (in fact, we often only stay a night or two and don’t even unpack our bags properly). When we are traveling at a high pace like this, we rein in our work goals, focus on experience, and let go of routines.
In other cases, we travel more slowly and really connect with a place. We may spend as much as a few months staying in one place. During these seasons, we focus on routine, worldschooling, and work. Slowing down gives us an opportunity to connect to the culture more deeply and find community. This is still technically nomadic because we don’t move into our accommodation properly and we generally remain on short-term visas. However, you can see that there are levels of a nomadic lifestyle.
Is it worth becoming a digital nomad?
Don’t miss the FULL GUIDE – Things to consider before becoming a digital nomad
Finally, if you’re reading this article, you may be deliberating over becoming a digital nomad. So, is it worth it? In our opinion, the answer is a clear and unequivocal yes. However, being a digital nomad is not for everyone. It takes versatility, flexibility, and resilience. You need to be creative and strategic. In many cases, you need a sufficient amount of savings and multiple sources of income.
Being a digital nomad also comes with its challenges. In some cases, you will be struggling to transfer funds or contact a bank (the logistical challenges can be crazy at times!). In other cases, you may be struggling to find suitable accommodation or work out a country with a long visa and a low cost of living. However, being a digital nomad also has massive rewards. You can have a free and flexible life, exploring the world and immersing yourself in new experiences. One day you are catching up on your emails in a hammock, and another day you are taking a boat down the Amazon River. You can work by a beach or find a mountain viewpoint. Being a digital nomad is not for everyone, but for the right person, it really does open up a world of adventure and opportunity.
FIND OUT MORE – Advantages and Disadvantages to Becoming a Digital Nomad Family
