Digital nomads’ lifestyle goes beyond the mere fact of having a good Wi-Fi connection server. Digital nomads are dynamic young people who need a favourable environment to carry out their activities freely. That is the reason why, often, they choose shared working spaces which provide them with the possibility of organising networking events.
Unlike remote workers who spend most of their time in an office, digital nomads take advantage of not being tied to a desk and use that freedom to travel and explore the world. They are workers who adopt a lifestyle based on technology, independent of a fixed location, and stay connected to their colleagues and clients anywhere in the world, as long as there is Internet access.
The COVID-19 pandemic showed enterprises and their employees that going to the office may not always be necessary, or in many cases not necessary at all.
An important worldwide trend
This trend has become so popular that many companies have started to capitalise on it. For instance, the leading accommodation portal Blueground, has created a programme called Blueground Nomads, which offers 4000 fully-furnished apartments for coorporations in 15 countries worldwide. Likewise, Airbnb started to propose longer-stay plans for some guests to meet the increasing demand. There are some motorhome clubs whose members work on the road.
Some countries have also noticed this global trend and have developed programmes to attract digital nomads to their areas. Some of the most popular destinations for digital nomads and those who would like to become one are Germany, Spain, Slovenia and Croatia.
5 Features that Define Digital Nomads’ Lifestyle
Digital nomads’ lifestyles vary greatly according to their personal situations and preferences. However, truth be told, they share 5 common features:
- Travelling style
Digital nomads tend to lead a more relaxed lifestyle in comparison to other forms of nomadism. This tendency derives from the fact that digital entrepreneurs require certain infrastructures to keep their nomad lifestyle. As a result, digital nomads stay some months in each place before changing their reference, which is known as “slow travel”.
- Destination choice
Digital nomads have generally chosen metropolises, namely capital cities, as their headquarters because they already offer business coworking infrastructures, a fast Internet connection and a nice atmosphere for leisure time. Nevertheless, there is an increasingly distinct trend among digital nomads to go to rural areas, or even developing countries, to get their money’s worth; thus, improving their quality of life by living in low-cost regions.
- Workplace
Digital nomads pick their workplaces according to their needs. Most prefer coworking spaces. Some prefer working in coffee shops. Others would rather work from their rented apartment or from their hotel room. Wherever they decide to work, what they all agree on is that a fast and secure Internet connection is a must.
- Flexible routines
Generally speaking, digital nomads need to establish a routine because of their online job, compared to other nomad lifestyles. The majority of digital nomads have a full working week, but they do spend time travelling and going on day trips and excursions on the weekend. Although their Monday-to-Friday routine may look standard, it is not so. Their flexibility and the fact that they travel frequently must not be underestimated. They get to reset and change the environment every time they move from one country of residence to another.
- Meeting the local community
Due to the duration of their stay, digital nomads adapt well to the local environment. Their group of friends includes more locals than tourists or passing travellers. As digital nomads usually work during the day and have their afternoons and nights free to socialise, they complete their circle of friends with the local community.
In conclusion, leading a digital nomad lifestyle can be very rewarding, as it allows hodophiles to both work and travel in a sustainable way. New technologies make digital nomads’ lifestyles easier and more efficient since there is a wide range of apps and resources that cater for every need of a digital nomad in action: flat-hunting, transport networks, health and insurance, and of course, finding new plans to meet new people.
