Digital Nomad in 2024? Here is What you Have to Know

Digital nomads – for some, it is just a social media trend. For others – a lifestyle choice that saved them from the trap of an excruciating daily routine. Remote work and constant moving are not for everyone, but nobody would deny they can fill your life with fun and excitement. Meanwhile, the world has changed in recent years. The nomad lifestyle has always fascinated me, but you must do a lot of research before even thinking about choosing it for yourself. I have tried to gather the most crucial information on the subjects new and experienced digital nomads will discuss in 2023.

Who can be a digital nomad?

It seems like Gen Z invented all trendy alternative lifestyles, but don't let their enthusiasm fool you. The global community Go Nomads statistics show that the highest percentage of travelling digital workers are 33 years old. It makes sense as it would take some time to build the skillset that makes it easier to get employed remotely and work independently. Most professionals work in software development, marketing, design, education or manage their own startups.

The good and the bad

The life of a digital nomad can be challenging and beautiful, stressful and exciting, glamorous and scary, and all that at the same time. Leaving behind your daily routine means getting rid of the dreadful commutes and the boredom of the well-known routs and saying goodbye to your friends and family for a long time. Having more freedom and seeing the world comes at the price of stability. Although you will gain a lot in terms of experiences and skills, you have to be ready to face the stress and loneliness of moving all the time and all the organization it requires. Take the time to learn as much as you can and be honest with yourself about the good and the bad that come with living as a digital nomad and whether you have what it takes to make it and enjoy the journey.

Pros

• Exploring the world
• Flexibility
• Personal growth
• Meeting interesting people
• More time spent in nature
• Lower cost of living
• No commutes and daily routine

Cons

• Stress
• Loneliness
• Lack of stability
• Missing your friends and family
• No place is really home

Which are the top destinations?

Even if the primary motivation for choosing this lifestyle is to move around, some places are so dreamy that you can't help but stay, at least for a while. Of course, many beautiful places can be seen and enjoyed, but these three spots attract more travellers than ever.

Lisbon - Europe's top destination

Lisbon was the top European city gathering digital nomads from around the world in 2022. It offers excellent value for your money with a $2000 cost of living per month, giving you access to the vibrant cultural life of the Portuguese capital and the nearby Atlantic beaches.

Melbourne – the pearl of the land down under

The student city of Melbourne is deemed one of the best places for remote workers, not only in Australia. Its lively culture has always attracted tourists, and the manageable for the continent $3200 cost of living makes it ideal for nomads headed for the land down under.

Canggu – your spot on the island of your dreams

Bali has always been a dream spot for tourists, and it is only natural that digital nomads go for the sunny island. Their favourite city is Canggu, especially preferred by surfers for the consistent waves of the nearby beaches. Full of coworking spaces and offering the impressively affordable cost of living of $1350, this city will remain trendy for a long time.

Which destinations to avoid?

The digital nomad community is always there to help a fellow traveller with tips and tricks for better dealing with all the aspects of life. Every place in the world has its merit and deserves to be explored, but some are just unsuitable for remote work.

Venezuela is too dangerous

South America has a lot to offer to digital nomads as long as they cross Venezuela off their list. The government artificially maintains an internet speed of 1.6 Mbps to cut costs, making it one of the countries with the slowest connection in the world. The country's socio-economic issues, high level of crime and massive inflation make life there very hard.

Egypt is not the best place for women

Egypt is a fantastic country to visit, but if you want to do so, you better go there for a vacation. Internet speed there is extremely low. It is a complicated place to be for women as this is one of the world's most patriarchal cultures, which can make even simple daily tasks impossible for a woman to do alone.

Gabon's internet connection is too flawed

Ever wondered what life could be like with extremely slow internet? For digital nomads, the answer is – impossible. Those who have tried working in Gabon while exploring the wonders of the African continent can share some first-hand experiences. This developing country lacks infrastructure and, even in 2022, offers no more than 1.9 Mbps internet with constant disruptions.

Visas for digital nomads

Digital nomads have a different rhythm, and while some statistics show many don't like to spend more than a week in the same place, others prefer to change location less frequently. After some time, moving around every weekend can become quite exhausting, not to mention that there are countries that can take a lifetime to explore and enjoy every hidden jam they have to offer.

Creating special visas for digital nomads that allow them to stay in the country longer and regulate their relationship with the local authorities in a mutually beneficial manner will take some time. Some countries like Costa Rica, Portugal and Croatia have proven themselves forward-thinking and are encouraging remote workers to choose them by creating special visas. Meanwhile, digital nomads travel with tourist visas, moving in a grey area as, technically, these documents don't allow their owners to work. After all, work visas are created to regulate the number of foreign workers taking local jobs, which has nothing to do with digital nomad activity as their job is often in a third country with nothing to do with the one hosting them.

Where to Stay

There are many accommodation options for digital nomads, as part of the lifestyle is to feel at home wherever you are. Statistics show that many travellers prefer working from their temporary home to a coworking space or a coffee house. This means all accommodations must include a convenient working space in their features. Hostels create designated working areas, and Airbnb provide a home-like environment, but there is an even better solution.

Coliving Spaces

Coliving spaces are created especially for digital nomads and can accommodate all their needs. They are often cheaper than tourist housing, especially for an extended stay. Choosing a coliving space usually means you will never have to worry about finding good Wi-Fi or dealing with a noisy party downstairs. Leaving the party hostels to the tourists means living amongst other people with a similar lifestyle. After all, everyone has some work to do, and comfortable working spaces are a must; some of these accommodations even include coffee places and restaurants in the building. Coliving spaces often organize networking events and workshops, becoming a gathering place for like-minded individuals. 

What to expect in 2023

The most anticipated events in the digital nomad community are the introductions of new kinds of visas that make life on the road easier and better regulated.

Spain is Launching a Digital Nomad Visa

Although it is not explicitly introduced because of digital nomads, the new Startup Act Spain will make it easier for all foreign workers to move to the Mediterranean country. Starting in January, remote workers from outside the European Economic Area will be able to apply for a residence visa and stay longer than 3 months in the country. It doesn't matter if they are self-employed or are working in a company registered outside Spain, provided less than 20% of their income comes from a Spanish company. They must also satisfy other standard requirements like a stable income, a clean criminal record, and proof of accommodation.

Bali's tax-free visa

The introduction of the long-awaited visa that will allow digital nomads to stay in Bali for five years and bring their income there tax-free is expected in 2023. The island is considered a perfect place to settle down for a while in the community. In addition to the fantastic beaches, it offers high quality of life for a fraction of what you would have to spend in a western country. The Indonesian government plans to take advantage of these qualities and bring more high-income westerners to boost the country's economy. Right now, the visa digital nomads use for this country allows them to stay 60 days without multiple entries, which means applying again whenever they want to return after leaving.