The Pros and Cons of Living The Digital Nomad Life
Prior to the pandemic the digital nomad life was still something uncommon and most people still didn’t know what it was or understand it. The good thing that came out of this crazy time was, it accelerated the work-from-anywhere lifestyle and many countries introduced a digital nomad visa over the last two years. Now when I speak to someone, more people know what it is generally.
A lot of people have started living their dream of being digital nomad and it’s definitley been a beautiful adventure.
There are different pros and cons of living the digital nomad life. So if this is something you’ve been thinking about, then keep reading.
The Pros
1) Flexibility
Digital nomads can work from anywhere with an internet connection, which allows them to set their own schedules and work from places that inspire them. With all these countries that have introduced a digital nomad visa you can stay in a new country every year. If you want to learn more about what countries offer a digital nomad visa and the details of each, clck here to read.
2) Travel Opportunities
Being a digital nomad allows you to travel and experience new cultures while still being able to work and earn an income. As a digital nomad you can stay in a new country every year so you have lots of time to be immersed in the local culture and enjoy evenings and weekends doing lots of new fun things and then you don’t even feel like you need a vacation because then you move on to a new country.
3) Can Help Save You Money
Since digital nomads are not tied to one location, they can choose to live in lower-cost areas or take advantage of affordable travel options, which can help save money. This is definitley a big pro. Most countries who offer a digital nomad visa have a very low cost of living.
4) Increased Productivity and Improved Mental Health
Working in a new environment can help to stimulate creativity, and improve productivity. You have traded in your regular routine to something new and inspiring, so this benefits a persons mental health and productivity.
5) Personal Growth
Digital nomadism can provide opportunities for personal growth and development as individuals adapt to new cultures and environments. It will help you expand your horizons.
6) Expanded Network
Living as a digital nomad can provide opportunities to meet new people and expand your network of contacts, both professionally and personally. You will meet a lot of great people and will find yourself making new friends and connections that can last a lifetime.
7) Improved Work-Life Balance
Being a digital nomad allows individuals to create a better work-life balance by eliminating long commutes and freeing up more time for personal pursuits. Now you can trade your couch or corporate office to a villa or condo on a tropical island with beach views, or walking distance to the beach, where after work or on the weekends you can enjoy fun activities with your spouse or family! Instead of the rat race you can wake up, make you coffee and take a walk down to the beach for about an hour then head back to start the work day. That’s a commute that will transform your mental health!
Despite the many benefits and perks of digital nomad life, there are some work from anywhere drawbacks to think about if you’re considering becoming a digital nomad.
The Cons
1) Loneliness
Digital nomads often work alone and may not have a strong support network or community in their location, which can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness. If your spouse or partner join that is amazing and I highly recommend that.
2) Lack of Stability
As a digital nomad you may not have a stable income, as they may have to deal with fluctuations in demand or client work. Additionally, they may not have a stable living situation, as they may move frequently or live in short-term accommodations.
3) Constant Travelling
While travel can be a pro of digital nomadism, it can also be tiring and stressful. Frequent travel can disrupt routines and lead to exhaustion. Some people don’t mind it so you need to think about if you’re ok with that.
4) Less of a Social Life
Digital nomads may find it difficult to build lasting relationships or create a social life in a new location due to their constantly changing surroundings. You will definitely meet new people and since they’re moving around as well you will likely need to maintain that relationship via social.
5) Time Zone Differences
Depending on where you are in the world, you may have to work odd hours to accommodate clients or colleagues in other time zones, which can disrupt your sleep schedule and make it difficult to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Depending on what you do for work, this may impact you in a bigger way for example, if you have to be online working Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm EST. This is definitely one of freelancing advantages and disadvantages if you work as a freelancer.
6) Lack of a Routine
Digital nomads may struggle to establish a routine due to the constantly changing environments and lack of stability in their work and living situations. However, if you stay in a country for six months to a year, then you end up developing a routine but it will be disrupted when you move.
7) Slower Internet Connectivity
Reliable internet access can be a challenge in some locations, which can impact productivity and make it difficult to stay in touch with clients or colleagues.
It's important to consider both the pros and cons of digital nomadism before deciding whether it's the right lifestyle for you.
There are a lot of digital nomad benefits but there are a few other important things you need to consider before heading out on this digital nomad lifestyle.
The most important thing is travel health insurance. You need to make sure you and your family are covered in case anything happens in a foreign country.
I’ve used SafetyWing because after doing lots of research and using a few different companies, I realized what they offer the best travel health Insurance that is perfect for digital nomads. Their packages are very flexible and work like a subscription. Covid-19 coverage is included, the prices are very affordable, you can sign up anytime you don’t have to sign up before you leave your home country. They offer 24/7 support to a person.
Travel medical gives access to a qualified global network of hospitals and doctors for unexpected medical problems and accidents. Includes coverage for Doctors, Hospitals, and Emergency medical evacuation. Plus there are many more benefits of using SafetyWing.
It’s perfect for people like me and my husband who don’t know where we’ll be next month and can pick up and leave spontaneously!
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These are the different remote work pros and cons I’ve experienced. Life is short so if this is something you want to do, then start planning and make the move. We haven’t regretted it and we don’t know when we will stop. I believe the pros outweigh the cons and I have no regrets.
Happy Travels,
~Asya