As most of us experienced what it’s like to work from home in 2020 due to the pandemic, this year might have you wondering about skipping your home town to WFH in a new location. If it hasn’t crossed your mind yet, this article might be the motivation you need to get out and explore the world again.
While being a digital nomad is the dream we’ve all been waiting for, there are a few things to consider before jumping all in to this new lifestyle. There are many challenges and preparations such as creating a balance between work and travel, setting up a new temporary home and considering what travel will look like as we move forward into 2021. However, with all that being said, there are many benefits to combining work with travel and I am here to fill you in on all the goods!
Freedom of Choice
One of the most obvious benefits of working while traveling is the freedom of choice. You get to choose where you are, how long you will stay, when you will work, when you will play, and where the next destination will suit your fancy. Sounds amazing right? Well it is. But don’t forget that it does come with a level of self-discipline and commitment to your work obligations. However, if you can find the formula that works for you, the freedom to balance work and travel on your own terms can be one of the most life-rewarding experiences.
Geoarbitrage
Geoarbitrage is a relatively new phrase but the concept is as old as time. Do you have grandparents that decided to skip the US and retire in Costa Rica? Or know of a friend who hosts yoga retreats in Bali yet charges American rates? Well these people have taken advantage of the concept of geoarbitrage. Geoarbitrage is simply the relocation to a more economical and affordable location, while maintaining a certain lifestyle at a lower cost of living. In most cases, geoarbitrage works best when your dollar can go much further than living in your home country. If you are working and traveling on a more permanent basis, have minimized your costs at home, and are earning your regular rate, you are in a position to take advantage of geoarbitrage!
Total Immersion
A benefit to being a digital nomad is the ability to explore at your own pace. Since you have the freedom to set your own schedule, this gives the opportunity to explore a city or region in more depth and really immerse yourself as little or as much as you’d like. Oftentimes, when we take a vacation to one location, we are limited to what we can see and do because we are there for a set amount of time.
However, if you are on an open schedule, you can stay for weeks or months and really get to see more sites, discover the local culture and gain a deeper understanding for your new surroundings. When you are able to immerse yourself into one location or region, it feels as if you have graduated from being a tourist and are more ‘in the know’ from your fellow travelers. This may not really be the case, but it feels special to choose your length of stay as long as you are inspired to do so (and as long as your visa will allow of course)!
Stimulating Local Economies + Tourism
Do not discount your contribution to local economies while working and traveling! You are most certainly boosting the local economy by visiting museums, eating at restaurants, purchasing tours, shopping and more. Your stay can make quite an impact, especially for cities that have been shut down due to the pandemic or remote locations that heavily depend on tourism. I always make it a point to only shop local as much as I can; whether it be dining at a mom-and-pop ship or buying souvenirs from a regional artist. The way that I see it is with as much as the city is giving to me, this is a way I can give back to its people.
Generating Income + Creating New Opportunities
One of the biggest benefits to digital nomadism is the ability to generate income and create new opportunities. If you are able to balance your work and travel, there is an opportunity to network, explore new business ventures, or try new hobbies. When discovering a new location, this typically inspires growth and education and can lead to discovering new interests or meeting new people. I encourage you to stay open and be on the lookout for opportunities to further your goals, enrich your wellness, or to simply have a conversation with a stranger that you might not have had at home. The world is your oyster. Give it all a try, or none of it, but make sure you create the experience you have always wanted!
About the Author
Jennifer Perez, owner of Subject Line Studio – a creative marketing agency – is based out of Los Angeles, CA. As a digital nomad, she is able to work while traveling, allowing her to immerse in new cultures, indulge in the local foods, meet new people and discover architecture and design. In her free time, she writes poetry, plays tennis and is an advocate for women entrepreneurs. Find more of her on her website: www.subjectlinestudio.com and Instagram: @jennypurrkitty
