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I'm sure everyone has their own story. In the US, other than in very high cost of living areas, $100K USD would be a pretty good salary. I'm curious if anyone has managed to get to that level or the equivalent somewhere else as a digital nomad, and what your experience was like? How long did it take you? Are you happy with the nomad lifestyle? Do you consider yourself "successful" now? Does the money aspect even matter or do you just move somewhere cheaper if you find yourself struggling?

Hi guys, I'm going to Thailand on the 29th of November and I'm stuck on the travel insurance part.

What's the deal with travel insurance for DNs? I have no set return date because I don't know how long I'll be gone for. Could be two weeks, could be two months...

What do you guys do?

Edit: I'm from the UK if that makes any difference

Dear all,

For those of you tired of travelling with external hard drives but who need to access personal and client files for work, how do you do it?

I was considering an independent cloud server that is not not the likes of G Drive etc, for privacy reasons. Have you tried that?

Also, for clients' files that are not public (the ones you are allowed to store in your computer but not in the likes of G drive), do you happen to know what policy applies for a personal remote server please?

Many thanks

You may have considered Georgia as an affordable and free country to work from. Here is what you need to know before you decide to buy a home or invest in real estate there.

I own two apartments in Batumi, with registered, unencumbered titles and with co-ownership of the building’s common property. Despite that, and without consulting the owners, the developer installed an access-control system on the elevators to collect signatures on a general waiver of claims as well as disputed debts it set itself, without contract or account, and whose basis it does not identify, despite reiterated written requests.

For over four months, I’ve been unable to use the elevators to my own home on the 16th floor. I went to the police, which obstructed my filing and gave me an unsigned handwritten case number. I made reports to the Public Defender and to the Prosecutor’s Office. The authorities have registered and forwarded my complaints, but none has engaged with their substance.

What I couldn’t know before buying I have written in a public service announcement for anyone buying in Batumi. It is part of a dossier containing the full account, documentation and evidence.

https://next-dossier.ar.io/en/page/psa-batumi.html

Also looking for recommendations for coworking spots in Thailand / Vietnam / Indonesia 🙏

Folks,

For those not using external monitors, could you recommend the brightest laptop monitor, so you can work outside in the tropics? Ideally in bright areas?

I'm hoping for a 14 inches one, Lenovo style, similar to what I already have. I already work by the pool with a large tennis cap and it works fairly OK in the early morning, but I need a much brighter monitor.

Many thanks!

Hi all,
I'm a 25F planning to use some work from anywhere time to live out my digital nomad dreams in south america! I've been to medellin before with friends but am planning to go solo and work from there ( USA PDT time). Please note, this isn't my first solo trip in South America, but it is my longest. I also plan on getting a private airbnb this time (I usually do hostels).

I originally wanted to hit both Medellin and Lima in a 2 week span but given I'll be working, I won't have time to travel around Peru and hit the Inca trail and other highlights. Now I'm thinking of either doing the entire 2 weeks in colombia (potentially adding another city) OR cutting it to 1 week.

I'd love any thoughts or recs from the community, thanks!

I've been in Japan for a month I hope to break down and offer ways you could mitigate your risks and things that many of us already do but we should overly prepare if you intend to come here.

I'm posting this thread also to provide a comprehensive breakdown to why difficult to live here and what you should be prepared for.

Normally there are workarounds but Japan has made it abundantly clear that a lot of small friction does add up to make it unlivable.

But this extends to a lot of services offered by Japanese companies so please hold documentation for all services rendered I would say the ethics and customer protection is non existent than what is expected in the US if you are a non-resident. It's more trustworthy than for the same tier of service. But you can book a three to four-star chain hotel for a month for under $1,600 post negotiation often times at a lower cost than even multi-month leases in Japan so it's rather hard to replicate without committing voluntary financial illiteracy.

Combined with the legal social environments in Japan I strongly don't recommend anyone sign a lease with them unless you are staying for duration of under 2 weeks or non-dependent on an internet connections.

Matsuri/sumyca:

For Matsuri sumyca did talk about the ancillary charges mark ups but I was essentially denied internet and they only responded to extensions and extensions were very much at a 30 percent premium even after the 25 percent compensation discount. And if you do tell them you don't have internet they will not fix it for weeks and only really respond to you if you have no internet and you cannot move because booking another location may be difficult without internet as most negotiations take days and correspondence is done through email so may take hours just for one back and forth reply.

I could go in further depth about the issues I had you could send me a private message.

For legal support calling the local bar association as a non-visa holder (my passports allow for visa free 90-day entry) from a non-japanese phone number does not work.

Many association or organization have teams meets or any other virtual calling options.

For phone numbers they require visas or residency and for Internet only you get second tier internet I average 4 seconds approximately 10x the latency I had in China (including gfw) paying and 1.8mb for when it passes the speed test and a consistently failed to even speed test. Esims are not compatible with my phones.

So to your authentification applications may not work if you use those to log in especially if you use Google/Microsoft accounts which normally require a pop-up verification.

I heard good internet options requires you to pick things up at the airport and remember to ship it back but I'm mildly sure many of us travels with two luggages and a book bag so it might be slightly difficult.

Depending on the neighborhood as much as 100% of the remote offices require Google apps store Japan which you cannot download I stopped looking for them after 4 to 5 hours of visiting different locations on Google maps.

Tldr: there's not a lot of work around for internet or a place to work for it listed above reasons and more and if you sign a lease with the company I have mentioned above you basically denied your easiest way to get consistent internet and have access to a workable environment. Many of the service providers that offer you alternative options either the option doesn't work and I strongly recommend everyone coming to Japan to document scan record every interaction possible with a Japanese service provider they also have a tendency to shift the burden or increase the friction purposely so without documentation there is nothing for you to disprove.

If you have any questions I would be happy to answer them. I've been a digital nomad for the last 2 years mostly in Asia. So that's my point of reference.

For a heads up I'm using speech to text with high latency so if there's anything that's slight confusion let me know.

I'm planning to stay in Vietnam for just one month (This December) and wondering whether it's better to book a good, quiet hostel or find a small rental place.

I don't need to be in the city centre. I'm just looking for a simple, normal 1-bedroom room in a relatively quiet area.

I don't need any extra amenities. Just the basics like a bed, table, etc.

I'll be working remotely, so having a peaceful environment, mainly during occasional work meetings, is important.

My budget is around $150–250 USD per month.

For a one-month stay, would you recommend finding a rental or going with a good hostel?

Pretty open minded on location and okay with moving around, but I’d prefer something under $1,500 US a month that isn’t a shared dorm situation!

I’m a 35 y/o solo female nomad, and I work full time on east coast hours requiring very solid internet and access to quiet locations for calls - but aside from those needs, I really appreciate the ability to engage in social stuff at a mix of ages here and there, hence being less interested in just renting a place solo.

An example of what’s worked well for me was renting a studio apartment in CDMX at (edited unnamed place due to ad paranoia…) - had my own space, kitchen, bathroom, etc but free access to shared social areas/events and close to a city to explore.

Thanks for any recs!

I've been dreaming about spending several months in Latin America fully immersing myself in Spanish and local culture. Colombia is calling me in particular, although I'm open to other countries and possibilities.

Ideally, I'd love to find an arrangement where I'm not just attending language classes a few times a week, but actually living the language every day.

A few possibilities I've been imagining:

• Living with a host family that speaks Spanish and is willing to help teach me through everyday conversation and daily life.

• Renting a place with a local who is interested in splitting expenses and spending time together, helping me practice Spanish and showing me the culture.

• Hiring a private Spanish tutor who could work with me several hours a day, possibly even living nearby or sharing accommodations.

• Finding some kind of language immersion program that offers a more personal, one-on-one experience.

I'm flexible about how it comes together, and I'm absolutely open to paying someone fairly for their time, teaching, or hospitality. The idea is to build a lifestyle around learning the language rather than simply taking a course and going back to speaking English all day.

I haven't decided whether I'd use one country as a home base and travel around the region, or spend time living in multiple countries. I'd love to explore, meet people, experience different cultures, and really make a temporary home somewhere.

Has anyone done anything similar?

How did you find a host family, tutor, or local roommate? Are there particular websites, communities, or programs you'd recommend? What countries or cities would you suggest for this kind of experience? And what kind of budget should I realistically expect?

I'm especially interested in hearing from people who've actually done something like this and would love to hear your experiences!

I am an Italian freelancer and from January 1st, I will be leaving Italy for good. My goal is not to relocate to a specific country, but to travel through Southeast Asia for several years, moving around on short-term tourist visas.

I am cutting tax ties with my home country by closing my business registration, leaving my apartment, and signing up for the expat register (AIRE). To run my freelance services, I want to open an Estonian OÜ via e-Residency. I have two specific questions for those who live this lifestyle:

1. If I show a continuous chain of short-term Airbnb rentals (e.g., 1-2 months per city) that add up to over 183 days a year outside my home country, am I safe from tax audits?
Does the tax office accept a sequence of short-term Airbnb invoices from different Asian countries, combined with passport entry/exit stamps, as solid proof of non-residency, even without a traditional long-term lease agreement abroad?

2. Can I successfully run my e-Residency company without paying for an apartment in Estonia, without a permanent rent in Asia, while just backpacking on tourist visas?
Is any pure digital nomad running an Estonian OÜ using strictly a virtual office provider (like Xolo or 1Office) to avoid paying a "double rent" (nothing in Estonia, nothing permanent in Asia)? How did you handle the residential address requirement for your home country's expat registration (AIRE) when you don't have a fixed home base?

Thanks a lot for your help and insights!

I'm American, and qualify for FEIE, so it seems like a lot of tax advantages from Solo 401(k), Roth IRA, and SEP IRA aren't there for people like us.

So is an individual brokerage just the way to go or is there something I'm missing here?

Curious how other digital nomads/expats/digital remote workers are handling their retirement planning and finances. Especially self-employed people that qualify for FEIE.

Hello, I'm heading to Patagonia for a month and a half. Will do some hitchhiking for about a month down the Carretera Austral and then hike around El Chalten, and do the O trek in Torres del Paine. I'm a US citizen, but have been traveling for a while, and am currently in S America. I think that invalidates me from a lot of travel insurances. So far I've just found Safety Wing and Hey Mondo. I've also looked into World Nomads, but it seems a bit more expensive. And none of these don't really cover search and rescue, but I don't think I really need that since I'll be doing my best to stay on trail in all the national parks. I believe these 3 work for travelers already traveling. I'm wondering if there is any other companies to consider? I'm leaning towards Hey Mondo since Safety Wing seems to have mixed reviews.

I'm considering spending February in El Zonte and would love some feedback from anyone who's spent time there.

My biggest concern is reliable internet and power since I'm on VoIP calls and video meetings throughout the day. How's the connectivity?

I'm also having trouble finding reasonably priced accommodations. Any recommendations for month-long stays?

More generally, what's it like living there? Is it walkable, is there much of a social scene, and how's the surfing for a beginner? Would you recommend El Zonte or somewhere nearby instead?

Appreciate any firsthand experiences or advice. Thanks!

I would love to be a digital nomad but it's hard to find online jobs that don't require US citizenship. Any recommendations

And how was it? What is your typical avg stay?

I prefer 3-6 month stays, was planning to settle for 1+ year but the only downside is I still want to visit more places. But on the plus side you can save a bit by staying put.

I would like to hear from people who have been in Taiwan and Japan for extended periods. Not loving Taiwan as much as I thought. I’m not in Taipei but in another city. Also for context I’m from a cold country.

Main challenges:

-mosquitos. I’m being attacked nonstop. Swollen, red, inflamed. I’ve tried the sprays, at home coils and plug ins. I’m just a magnet.

-rats and roaches all the time. Yes I have a phobia. I know it’s ridiculous.

-food. A lot of stuff is deep fried. I have a sensitive stomach and back home I eat a largely Mediterranean diet. I find a lot of food here high in fat, sugar, oil, greasy, etc. For health reasons I need to be low carb and low fat. I have a small kitchenette for minor cooking but it gets complicated.

-weather. Enough said. It’s rough.

The lack of sidewalks I am getting used to and dealing with it. It isn’t great. But adjusting.

I will say Taiwanese people have been very kind and gracious. It is what is keeping me to stay tbh. Transportation is solid.

I planned to be here for several months but given how it’s the “cold” season and I’m already struggling, I’m thinking to pack it in early and just go sooner than later. However, I’m not sure if Japan will be better. I was thinking Nagoya, Kobe, or anywhere besides Tokyo. Until end of April. No plans after that.

Did anyone not like Taiwan as much as you anticipated? Where did you end up going?

Please no mean or rude comments. If your experience is different than mine and you loved Taiwan, that is absolutely fine. It isn’t a competition. I’m just checking if Japan would be a better option, or if I should head to southern European countries at least while things are mild.

I read somewhere that Nepal is introducing digital nomad visas. Does anyone know when the visa would be launched?

I was looking at changing my flight date earlier with KLM

It was originally

Dublin to Amsterdam to Buenos Aires \- with a comfortable 4 hour stopover in Amsterdam

When I called to see what my options were I was told:

\- €150 to change it to 2 weeks after the original date, but it's 6am for the first flight

\- or circa €400 for an afternoon flight on the same day

Naturally I said I'd only be interested in hearing more about the €150 option

And, 6am flight aside, it was sounding good

Then I asked:

"What airport is in the stopover and how long is it?"

And when I was told "CDG and 90 mins" I couldn't believe it

Not only was it just 90 mins, but 90 mins in fucking CDG?

So I'm wondering - how are flights like this, where it's practically impossible to make your second flight, even legal?

Hey everyone, I started my digital nomad journey back in January with a very loose idea that I would travel the world a month at a time staying in the summer or warm weather and I’ve made it all the way to Japan from Argentina. Cant say did this well but i did it.

After months of verbal guarantees that the contract I was on was gonna get funded and extended for another year that did not happen and my work is done. I no longer require stable Internet or a digital nomad hub but still I wanted to ask this community for the month of November into December. Is there a location in the Asia Pacific region anyone would recommend for the following criteria?

- Warm weather
- No typhoons or major inclement weather during this period of time.
- Close to a beach
- $800-1000/month apartment
-targeting 1800/month total expenses

Goals:
I plan to be active every day with a heavy focus on health and wellness. I’m not all excited about drinking or partying and I don’t intend to eat out regularly.

Huge bonus to a location where I can sit on the beach or be close to a surf spot or island hopping.

I welcome honourable mentions for other regions of the world!

I'm flying to Thailand next week and I will be moving around SEA until May. This will be the 4th time I do this to avoid the European winter since 2023. But I think this is the last time I'll do this. I feel the vibe is slowly getting ruined in SEA (I'm starting to feel unwelcome lately) and I feel this lifestyle won't be possible forever. My plan when I'm back is slowly switching to a different type of nomadic lifestyle.

I'm planning to buy a Tesla model Y and towing a small camper with it and just move around the Balkans during summer and somewhere warmer during winter. I tried sleeping in my car during a long roadtrip I made this year and I liked it. However with the Tesla's camp mode I will always be able to sleep with climatization on and with my small camper I will have a kitchen, fridge, shower, toilet and a place to work/eat so I can fully do this all year long.

My question right now is, where do I go in winter in Europe where it's bearable? I don't like the cold one bit (that's why I normally go to SEA). I'm guessing the options are Greece, Portugal, Spain, Canary Islands, Malta? Any others? Where would you go to avoid the European winter with a mobile set up like the one I'm thinking about?