This blog post is also a podcast episode!
After recording this episode, my husband & I left for Guatemala. We’ve been here for two weeks so far, but plan to stay a little longer. (check out my Instagram account for photos). This is the first stop on a 6-month “digital nomad” adventure. For the past few years, I have been living and working abroad for 2-4 months a year, and this year I am extending it to half the year. I frequently get asked how this lifestyle is possible, and in this episode I’m sharing all of my advice, my plans and lots of helpful links for anyone considering living & working abroad!
I know that I am SO lucky to have freedom & flexibility in my business and my life as well as the PRIVILEGE to travel wherever I want, thanks to where I was born and the body I inhabit.
I love helping other people start and grow businesses that support whatever lifestyle they desire. If you’re looking to travel or live abroad while working, I hope you’ll find this advice useful.
First of all, there’s the question of dealing with your house or apartment. House sitting vs. renting your place- which option (if either) is best for you? Some resources I have found very useful (more info on each in the podcast):
LuxuryHouseSitting.com
Airbnb
Sabbatical Homes.com
Furnished Finder.com
Secondly, you’ll need to find a place (or places) to live abroad.
Should you rent ahead of time or wait until you get there? The answer is, it depends on where you’re going and what time of year.
How can you decide where to go?
Use digital nomad groups on FB and/or larger communities created for digital nomads.
Resources Mentioned in the podcast:
Unsettled (global community for travelers with work/ live retreats)
Volunteer Abroad: volunteerworld.com
Digital Nomads Mexico FB group
Finally, you’ll need to handle some other logistics, like. . .
* International phone plans: I recently discovered a very useful e-sim company called Airolo
* Insurance: Do you need travel insurance? Do you need “digital nomad insurance”? I am using Safetywing.com for the first time, because they have a simple package made for digital nomads specifically.
* Packing: After several months-long trips I offer my advice on how to pack efficiently!
* Your business: Do you need support? How can you stay in communiciation with clients (if necessary) even when you’re many time zones away? Every business is different, but it can be invaluable to work with a coach who can help you figure out all of these logistics.
Contact me for a free consultation if you need help configuring your business to fit a more nomadic lifestyle!
PS- For information on sustainable, conscious travel, check out this great documentary called The Last Tourist
*Note: there may be affiliate links contained in this content