The Rise of the Digital Nomad
The term ‘Digital Nomads’ was coined by a book of the same name by Tsugio Makimoto and David Manners that, on its publication in 1997, predicted a future workforce of globe-trotting travelers, logging on around the world.
This futuristic idea is now a reality, with an estimated 35million workers now identifying as digital nomads. Whether it’s tech entrepreneurs, creative freelancers, or corporate managers with a flexible work-from-anywhere allowance in their contract, the term can apply to a huge range of career paths. And with more than 50 countries now offering work visas of a year or longer, it’s never been easier to find a new place to work.
With the global pandemic highlighting the option of home schooling, many parents also started to think about the alternatives to traditional education. Consider maths lessons at the local markets in Thailand, or nature workshops amongst the rainforests in Costa Rica – you can see how a nomad lifestyle would appeal to both parents and kids looking for adventure.
Things to Consider
While the pros are pretty clear to see in a perfect world, there’s a few cons to consider and plan for as you approach a potentially new lifestyle for you and your family.
- Visas – Not all countries have compatible work visas with other countries, so you’ll need to check where you are logistically able to work. You’ll also need to make sure you’re aware of how long you can stay with the visa you receive, and how it might affect your spouse or children and their access.
- Schools – You can check which international schools might exist in the country you want to visit, and find out from them if there are spaces for your kids in the upcoming term. If you’re planning to Home School, check out the advice and facilities on the Global Home Education Exchange.
- Safety – Part of the appeal of traveling is to visit new countries and alternative lifestyles. But you’ll want to make sure that your preferred destination is suitable for kids, safe for families, and welcoming for digital nomads. Check out the world’s safest places to travel with kids for inspiration.
- Motivation – Hopefully your new-found lifestyle and amazing experiences will be a motivator for you to work hard and continue to fund the lifestyle for your family. But many workers might find it hard without local team support or a close connection to their manager, working alone 24/7. Consider if this suits your work style or if you’d need to seek out localised communities for digital nomads.
- Finance – Work out the statistics on salaries for your career, and compare them against similar roles in different parts of the world to get an idea of what you can earn compared to where you can live. Make sure to also research accommodation costs, flight costs, any visa fees or schooling costs to get a clearer picture of how it would work.
- Time Zones – while you might have a flexible way of working, or work for a company which allows working remotely, you’ll still need to connect with colleagues and partners on their time. Working all night (when you should be making the most of family time) is never fun, so choose a destination that’s still compatible with your current setup.
Start your Journey as a Digital Nomad
- Look for digital nomad career opportunities around the world on Jooble
- Get the low-down on the best way to start your new lifestyle with Kayla Ihring’s book, ‘How to Be a Digital Nomad: Build a Successful Career While Travelling the World’.
- Learn from those who’ve already taken the plunge by listening to Digital Nomad and working travel podcasts.
- Shop for the best tech travel goods, practical charging units and professional travel essentials for those working on the move.
- Browse where to stay in the world’s happiest countries for 2025 to get inspired for your first trip.
Our Favorite Properties for Home Working
The Radipole Road IV Residence, London – Check out the gorgeous old-fashioned wood desk to make you feel VERY important at work.
The Roaring Brook Lane Residence, NY – Work with the natural backdrop of trees and the lake in view from your desk.
The Passage Turquetil Residence, Paris – Plenty of space for the family and desk areas in each bedroom for working or homework.
The Sayan Residence, Bali – For a truly tropical alternative to a city skyscraper, this exotic pad is just 5 minutes from Ubud.