While it’s true that the digital nomad life has many apparent advantages, there are also some cons to consider before heading out on the road. I’ve been solo-traveling for almost a decade and the last 3 years have been as a digital nomad, so I’m ready to spill the beans and give you the info you need to live your best digital nomad life! Let’s get into the remote work pros and cons!
Cheaper Life
One of the digital nomad benefits is: living abroad is a lot more affordable. I can only speak to my experience of being an American and living in the United States as my home country but paying rent, utilities, vehicle repairs, insurance, gas… It feels like it’s never ending! Outside of the US, most expenses like rent are usually a lot cheaper (depending on the country of course) and I just never feel like I’m playing constant catch-up. One of the factors that has been significant for me in past years is how little I’ve spent on medical expenses. In Georgia (the country) I had three endoscopies done and each of them only cost me US$100. According to Google, the average price of the endoscopy in the US is US$2,500! In Georgia I also attended regular osteopath sessions and those were costing me US$35.
Bonus Tip
Speaking of medical expenses, it’s not a great idea to travel without medical insurance. I’ve been using SafetyWing for years since it’s very budget friendly and was created by other nomads who understand the struggles of this lifestyle. I also love how you can purchase a policy even if your trip has already started, and pause and resume coverage with ease. SafetyWing covers you in 185 countries around the globe and it’s perfect for people like me who never know where they’ll be next month. Check out their website to get a better idea!
Health Risks
One of the work from anywhere drawbacks that I’ve definitely found to be true in recent years and that not a lot of people seem to talk about is health risks. Since there are no official office hours, no walks around the block at lunch time and no chats with co-workers at the coffee machine, we tend to spend countless hours sitting in front of a computer and that can lead to health problems such as back pain, eyestrain, issues with your legs and repetitive strain injuries. If you have a lazy side (which I can surely admit to) or you’re not disciplined enough to schedule in some exercise time or a quick stretch every hour, you may eventually suffer the consequences of a sedentary lifestyle. Luckily, walking around a new city is a great way to explore and get your steps in at the same time, so don’t forget to include exercise in your daily routine!
Acquiring New Abilities
After you’ve been on the road for a while, you may become stagnant at whatever job you’re doing or you may actually just get sick of it. You might start to look at other kinds of jobs that you can do and acquire new abilities and expertise in other areas. I’ve learned to do so many new things since I started traveling. This obviously helps you grow and widens your horizons as a professional. Just another advantage of the digital nomad lifestyle!
Limited Access to Reliable Internet
As a digital nomad, you rely heavily on WIFI speeds. A poor or unstable internet connection can impact your productivity tremendously! For example, it’s common for some countries/regions in South-East Asia or Latin America to have weaker internet connections. Recently I was in the state of Oaxaca in Mexico and while the WIFI speeds in the capital Oaxaca de Juarez were sufficient, once I went to the coast, it was a completely different story. The beach town of Puerto Escondido for example would be an incredible place to spend a large amount of time in if it wasn’t notorious for having low internet connectivity. Other times the city you’ve chosen as a base may have great WIFI speeds but the set-up at your accommodation might be below par. Don’t be afraid to contact your hosts before-hand to make sure the WIFI is strong or you may find yourself having to go work in a nearby café.
Time Zones
When considering freelancing advantages and disadvantages, it’s important to choose your destinations wisely so that the location brings you great benefits. The time zone in your new country of choice can be an incredible advantage of the digital nomad life. Last time I was in Portugal, my workday would start at 7:00 AM and finish around 1:00 PM so I could just pack up my backpack and head to the beach. In Tbilisi, Georgia, I’d finish work at 5 PM, which didn’t always give me the advantage of exploring during the day but it also meant I didn’t have to wake up early. So always make sure and check which time zone you’ll be working in to see if it fits in well with your new home base.
Loneliness and Stress
When you’re a full-time traveler like me, constantly moving can not only be stressful in terms of always having to sort out accommodation and travel logistics in general, but it can also make you feel extremely isolated from everyone back home. It can be difficult to maintain close relationships with your friends and family. In the past decade traveling, I’ve missed countless birthdays, holidays, trips and weddings. Life goes on without you and ultimately it’s just something you have to come to terms with. Another factor that can cause stress when you’re a digital nomad is managing your finances. When you don’t have stable income, you do need to be careful with your budgeting to make sure you’re not spending more than you’re earning. Naturally, as with many other factors, it’s something you learn how to do better with time and experience. Never forget to include your travel expenses in your monthly budget!
Free Resource
If you’re reading this, I’m guessing there’s a good chance you’re considering living abroad as a digital nomad. Leaving the comforts of home and moving across the globe, away from your family and friends can often be overwhelming so I put together a PDF with a few guidelines that can aid you when you decide to take that leap into nomad land and you can download that right now for free just by clicking HERE. I hope this article has been helpful to you and the PDF can take you even further. Good luck and see you on the road!