With digital nomadism an increasing trend, we decided to do a series about becoming one so you can join the community!
So this is dedicated to all of you who want to become digital nomads but have no idea where to start. We’ll share what to do and how to prepare. I have met a lot of people who asked me “How do you manage to visit so many places, it just seems like you are never working, where do you get the money?”. Or they say “Oh I wish I could travel more but I don’t know how to combine it with work, I think I wouldn’t be able to concentrate or be as productive.”
The answer is simple – it’s all in the preparation.
If you are already working remotely or your boss would be open to giving you the opportunity to take your job elsewhere physically (something that happened a lot during the pandemic, with the work from home concept), or if you are starting out independently and are working on your own business, you can definitely join the digital nomad community.
Then there are those of you that would like to change their careers in order to start this journey. Perhaps you are thinking about quitting your job. Well it would be good that you talk to someone individually who could help you get guidance you personally need. We are all unique as individuals, and have a unique set of skills and our own path, so there will always be something that can work for one person and not for the other.
However, there are some steps that you all can use as a checklist when you are getting ready for your first trip as a digital nomad. Through these blogposts we will share them in a top 10 format. It’ll be the quick orientation guide you can always come back to.
Think about your job
Before becoming a digital nomad, it’s important to answer the following questions. They will help you decide with the where, when and how.
How many hours a week/day you have to clock in?
Is there a specific time zone that you have to comply with (to have meetings with managers, colleagues, clients)? Can you select your hours freely?
How flexible is your work schedule (do you have to be “in” during daytime/nighttime/on weekends)?
Do you have to be on calls often (audio or video)?
Do you need to carry any special equipment with you?
Is it possible for you to do your tasks from a shared office space (co-working areas) or from a specialized coffee shop?
What is the Wi-Fi speed you need to do your job properly?
Think about housing options
So you’ve got your job down, which will helps you start scoping out the next steps. Equally important is where you’ll be living. Whilst some digital nomads can jump from one place to the next, others need more stability. So answer these questions to help you shape the type of nomad you’ll be and where it could take place.
Will you be travelling alone or with your partner/friends/family?
Will you be bringing your pet(s) with you?
Do you need to have your own apartment or you can stay in a shared house (like a co living space)?
How many bedrooms will you need?
*In case you are travelling with your partner – do they also work remotely and what are their needs? Some think they only need one bedroom as you are travelling with your romantic partner. However you have to take other elements into consideration. For example, my boyfriend and I are working remotely and are on calls all day. This meant we need a 2-bedroom apartment because of our individual work needs.
Again, will it be possible for you to work from a co work or a coffee shop or you need to be in a “bubble” to do your tasks?
Do you need to work from a space that has a neutral background? Can it only be you in the room (if you are on video calls every day)?
Can you work from your room?
Do you prefer to cook your own food or to eat out often (also use meal prep and delivery services)?
This will determine if you need a well equipped kitchen either in your own place or in the co-living/hostel.
Think about your individual needs for the space you will be living and working from. Make sure you would be comfortable there since that will reflect on your productivity and general wellbeing.
Do you drive? Will you be renting a car?
In that case, you would need to check if the place has a parking space for you.
Do you want to be in a house or an apartment? Maybe you don’t care.
Do you want to be in a big city, in the city center or in a more secluded neighborhood?
Do you want to stay in a rural location, closer to the nature, jungle, mountains, village?
Or you prefer to be on the coast, closer to the beach, maybe on an island?
Check the Wi-Fi speed with the owner of the place; ask them if they can send you a screenshot of the speed test.
Think about where you want to go
With your work and living in mind, you can explore the map a bit further. Let’s face it, not every location is as equally developed so we need to start wide and then narrow it down.
It’s time to bring forth all the daydreams you had about the locations you want to visit and explore. When you write them down, follow the steps 1 and 2 to make sure those locations would honor the time zone you have to be in. Do some research as to whether have a stable Wi-Fi connection, and can provide you with the housing options you would prefer.
You can check out monthly rates on Airbnb, see what your options are on the Facebook marketplace. Even better, if you know someone locally maybe they can help out in your search. If you decide with the shared housing option, you can check if someone is looking for roommates in the Facebook groups for Digital Nomads in your selected location.
In some cases there are co living houses, you can check what the monthly rental would be for a private room or a shared room in there.
I mentioned in my last post that Selina is the fastest growing and most widespread brand of co living houses so chances are you might find them in your selected locations. There are also other local coliving houses that you can find either on social media. You might find them through ads, or through FB groups or on Airbnb since they often put their offers there as well. When in coliving you will immediately join the community of digital nomads!
Time to review
With this done, there’s a chance you won’t find something that you initially imagined in the second step. In this case, see how much you can compromise. Always make sure it won’t jeopardize your productivity and mess up with your work tasks.
In this step also you can start planning on how long you would like to stay there. This normally coincides with the available sights, experiences, day trips and weekend getaways you can enjoy in that location during your time off.
So there are your first three steps to help you to join the community. Join us next week for part II!
If you have any questions, hit us up on Facebook or Instagram and you can always reach out to me directly as well.
by Antonija Bosanac
Antonija was born and raised in Split, Croatia. Now a restless traveller gone digital nomad in 2019, she’s passionate about building communities, volunteer work, education and human & civil rights. Currently working as a coach in the field of interpersonal communication and self development, she’s promoting change through individual work with clients; as well as being en route to getting a degree in psychotherapy. For her current location, check her Instagram profile.