Being a digital nomad is the dream for many remote workers. Nothing sounds better than having the ability to earn a living while exploring the world.
For those who are fortunate enough to make that dream a reality, it can be hard to determine where exactly they want to go.
Being a digital nomad and expat is not as simple as just picking a hotel and jumping on a plane. Many places are great as vacation spot but terrible as an expat destination due to weather, visa requirements, cellular signals, and more.
Lucky, this article is here to guide you through making your destination decision.
Let’s jump right in!
Cost of Living
Cost of living is a deciding factor that is often overlooked when an individual considers expat locations. However, it’s one of the most important things to look into.
Whether you live in a hotel, temporary home, or RV, the cost of living is extremely relevant, especially when relocating for long periods.
You should look into the cost of housing, food, transportation, medical care, and other necessities. It would be counterintuitive to move to a place that costs more than your income or leaves you with little additional money. Learn more about finding a destination with an affordable cost of living and income opportunities at International Citizens Group.
Wireless Signal
As a digital nomad, having a strong wireless signal is essential.
Unfortunately, many of the most beautiful places on earth have weak or no signal at all. For example, the Faroe Islands, Yosemite National Park, and the Amazon Rainforest are all popular bucket list destinations but they are all notorious for having no signal.
To ensure your destination has a reliable connection, you can research local internet providers, check out coverage maps, and read reviews from other nomads.
Language
Encountering language barrier issues as a tourist can be a minor inconvenience, but as an expat, it can make your stay incredibly difficult. Therefore, it’s crucial to choose a destination that speaks a language you can learn to navigate.
You don’t have to be a fluent speaker of the language but it’s important to keep in mind that some languages are harder to translate than others. Also, countries like the UK, Canada, and New Zealand have many English speakers while others like Russia, Spain, and Thailand have few.
When choosing a destination, look for a country that speaks a language you feel you can learn the basic phrases of. Additionally, make sure the language can be accurately translated in the translation app of your choice.
Time Zone
Time Zone differences are important things to consider when it comes to working from “home”.
If your job requires contact with clients, employees, coworkers, or customers, you must ensure the time zone difference will not get in the way of your ability to conduct business.
Recreational Activities and Local Sights
Wherever you decide to go must also provide a plethora of activities and sights to see that way you can make the most of your expat journey.
Look for a place that offers access to your favorite pastimes such as boating, hiking, museums, dining, or exploring.
Here are a few places that are packed full of activities and also meet all of the suggestions mentioned above.
- Bali, Indonesia
- Budapest, Hungary
- Cape Town, South Africa
- London, England
- Austin Texas, United States
Each of these destinations has a lot to offer a digital nomad.
Visa Requirements
If you’re planning to work remotely in another country, you must look up visa requirements. The importance of complying with your visa can not be understated.
Here is what you should look into for each country you are considering for your travels.
Types of visas available- Many types of visas differ from country to country. Examples include transit visas (this visa allows you to travel through a country to get to another), business visas, employment visas, visitor visas, and journalist visas.
Duration- Each visa allows you to stay in the country for a specific amount of time. Some visas allow you to file an extension while others don’t.
Work permissions- Some visas do not allow you to work in their country or remotely. Failing to comply can lead to legal repercussions or deportation so make sure you choose a visa that allows your type of work.
Income requirements- Many countries require proof of remote work income. This is to ensure you can sustain yourself while visiting.
Health Insurance requirements- Some countries will not allow you to visit without health insurance. You must talk to your insurance provider to confirm whether or not you will be covered in the country of your choice.
Here, you can find a destination search tool that offers information on visa requirements, safety concerns, currency restrictions, and more.
Political Stability
Last but certainly not least, for safety reasons, the political climate of the country you choose must be stable.
Political stability refers to a country’s consistent governance. When a country’s political climate is unstable, an expat may run into issues of civil unrest, unpredictable changes in policies, social disturbances, and more.
Currently, Switzerland, Canada, Sweden, Norway, and Denmark are considered to have a strong and healthy political climate.
