The FloQ

Travel Insights Blog

The FloQ

Travel Insights Blog

A Digital Nomad's Guide: Embracing the World While Working Remotely

Nov 1, 2023

Marley Mehring

Tips & Tricks

Read:

7 min

With the increase of online work after 2020, the lure of the digital nomad life is hard to deny for anyone now. But, what does that really mean?

Unsplash / Johnson Wang

What are the logistics of it? Where do you go, for how long, how do you make friends? We cover all of that here, from the perspective of a certified digital nomad having worked remotely and abroad for the past 2 years.

So, how do you get started? The keystone to any digital nomad lifestyle is your work. You have to make sure you are open and honest with your employer about how you intend to work. This gives them the opportunity to tell you if they have certain hours they require you to be online, which could determine certain locations and countries you’re okay with working from. If you are one of the lucky ones who can work from any country, then make sure you double check your visa requirements. Based on your passport, how long can you legally stay in that country? What are the tax implications if you are working outside your home country? These are questions that can’t be answered here for you, as they are specific to each nationality and tax system. However, these are key to determine before deciding if you want to become a digital nomad and where you want to be!

Unsplash / airfocus

Okay, so you’ve now determined you have a job or a lifestyle that allows you to be a digital nomad completely. When you get to your first destination, what do you do? Our recommendation, if you are young and want to make friends, is to stay at least temporarily at a hostel. This allows you to meet fellow travelers who may be in town for as long as you are, which could facilitate making friends. Or, better yet, join a floq on Floqsta to see who is in your area and what like-minded people you can connect with!

Now it’s up to you to decide where you go and for how long. The beauty of being a digital nomad is not having to make any decisions and being flexible in your plans. Planned a month in Italy, but by the end of that month you’re not ready to go? No problem, extend your trip! It’s our recommendation to take full advantage of being a true digital nomad and spending as much time in as many countries as you can while you are able to!

Unsplash / Peggy Anke

Lastly, the logistics of working abroad. We recommend one of three methods when sitting down to actually work: coworking spaces, local coffee shops, or the comfort of your accommodation. Let’s break them down. It is essential to book an accommodation you know will have reliable and good wifi, this way you always have somewhere in the city to go to for meetings, work, and just to be on top of things. The next cheapest option if you wanted to get out of your place and see more of the city is to explore local coffee shops. In most metropolitan cities in the Western Hemisphere you’ll often find cafes that are work and laptop friendly.

A quick Google search will tell you of any cafes near you with access to good wifi! Get a snack, a yummy coffee, and get your work done for the day while being in the same places the locals are! Lastly, if you plan to stay in a city for a month or more, we think it is worth it to look at renting a coworking space. If you have a heavy month of work upcoming, this is the perfect place to have reliable internet connection, good desks, and even sometimes snacks. Selina coworking is a popular and worldwide option that digital nomads across the globe love!

Unsplash / Shridhar Gupta

There’s your crash course on being a digital nomad! If you’re reading this article, chances are you’re a fellow traveler lover and have gotten the travel bug, so take the leap and start working abroad! You will not regret it. Taking care of a few logistical basics to make sure you abide by local tax and visa restrictions is necessary in order to hop around the globe, see the world, all while working your job!

Related Articles

Here’s how to tune into your environment this spring

Whether you’re heading on spring break or staying home, paying attention to your environment can help you get into the spring spirit, giving your brain a boost of good vibes.

Chart Your Course: Prime Digital Nomad Visas of 2024

As digital nomads, something we encounter often is how to stay in other countries for extended periods of time. From a US perspective, this can be tricky to find visas you qualify for.

5 Ways Travel Can Help You Connect

Modern life can make us feel lonely and disconnected, but there’s a lot we can do to change that. Here’s how travel can help you connect with yourself, with others, and with the world.

A Digital Nomad's Guide: Going Off The Grid

In a world of digital nomads, full time travelers, and endless places to visit, how do you go “off grid” for a period of time? How do some of these travelers go to places without internet for weeks at a time, and how can you do it too?

Travel to Asia in America: Part 1, West Coast

Want to travel to Asia without leaving the country? In honor of Lunar New Year, discover some of these top spots to experience Asian culture on the West Coast.

Why Do We Travel?

Amidst the holiday bustle of lights and festivities, a deeper tradition takes center stage — New Year's resolutions. Explore the obsession with self-improvement and the pursuit of personal transformation in the midst of the holiday season.

The Inside Scoop On 12 Top Ski Resorts In North America

Not sure which slopes to hit this winter? We’ve got you. Read on for an exclusive peek into some of the top resorts in North America, from one seasoned (and obsessed) skier to you.

Pop Culture Pilgrimages To Take This Fall

When you hear “pilgrimage”, you might think of religious travelers visiting holy sites, or the American pilgrims who sailed on the Mayflower. But today, anyone can be a pilgrim.

The Ultimate Foodie Guide to Maui, Hawaii

So you have a trip booked to Maui. Congrats, you’re about to be in one of the best spots for food in the US, and maybe even the world!

Is Fall Really The Best Time To Travel?

This travel season, fall is the new summer. Why? Why now? Has summer always been overrated? Read on to find out.

How To Travel (A Little) More Sustainably

Sustainability can feel overwhelming, but here are some simple steps you can take to make your next trip a little more eco-friendly.

Packing For Your Personality

Want to make packing a little less stressful? Whether you’re an overpacker, a procrastinator, a minimalist, or somewhere in between, discover the psychology behind each type so you can make it work for you.

In 10 Years, Will You Look Back And Be Happy You Stayed Home?

On April 15th, 2018, I started on a 2,650-mile journey along the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), which spans from the Mexican border to the Canadian border, traversing six eco-zones and seven national parks.

Seven Top Outdoor Weekend Activities in the US for Fall 2023

Floqsta has some top picks for your next Fall group outing! As the crisp autumn air rolls in and leaves turn vibrant shades of red and gold, it's the perfect time to venture outdoors and immerse yourself in the beauty of nature.

The Best United States Road Trips For Summer

When it comes to traveling the US, there’s nothing more iconic than a summer road trip. And for good reason.

How To Make A Workcation Work For You

After settling into the comfort of working from home — or couch, or even bed — it’s no surprise that young workers aren’t exactly clamoring to get back in the office.

Five US Destinations For A Coastal European Vacation

Soft sunlight dancing on turquoise water, pastel architecture artfully eroded in the wind, and deeply rooted customs shaping the slow rhythms of daily life give us something we can’t find in the States. Or can we?

Eight Under-the-radar Music Festivals To Check Out

Music festival season is gearing up for its second post-pandemic year, with Coachella officially kicking it off in April. After being deprived of live events for two seasons, music lovers can’t wait to commune with their favorite artists and fellow fans irl again.

Seven Beach Vacations With Amazing Culture In NA

Choosing where to spend your precious vacation time is never easy, especially when you only have a week or two to spare.

Feeling Lonely? Travel Can Help

During the pandemic, conversations about social isolation and its effect on mental health became a hot topic, and for good reason. But actually, the loneliness many of us felt only heightens a decades-long trend.

Can Travel Really Make You A Better Person?

Over the past three years, Google searches for “digital nomad” have tripled in the US, which points to our collective fascination with travel as a lifestyle.

Planning The Perfect Outdoor Weekend Getaway

You can do something good for yourself, your community and the environment. And it doesn’t have to be complicated. Read on to learn how to plan the perfect outdoor weekend getaway — no experience needed.

Introducing “The FloQ”

When was the last time you did something for the first time? It’s easy to get caught up in theday-to-day and lose sight of the things that make life worth living: discovery, growth, connection.