We have been digital nomads since November 2011.
Our secrets: securing a financial safety net, finding well paid freelance jobs online, and choosing the best travel medical insurance. And yes, it works!
Creating this lifestyle was totally intentional and our goal for many years. The reason behind it was simple: we just did not want to choose between building a fulfilling career or leading a satisfying life. We wanted a bit of both at the same time.
We wanted to see the world and dreamt of living in exciting cities such as Bangkok, Hong Kong and Barcelona.
So in 2011 we decided to quit our office jobs, pack up our lives and hit the road while looking for freelance gigs to sustain ourselves and our nomadic lifestyle.
And yes, we are so glad that we made this decision and embarked on this digital nomadic journey!
NO REGRETS whatsoever.
If you would like to become one yourself, here is a piece of advice that we can give you: you will never feel fully ready. Build a small safety net like saving 6 months’ worth of expenses, or secure your first remote gigs. Decide on a number that would make you feel safe, then hit the road.
Becoming a digital nomad and finding freelance jobs can be an exciting and rewarding experience.
Freelance jobs offer flexibility and the freedom to work from anywhere, making them an excellent choice for those who love to travel or need a better work-life balance.
Websites like Jooble list freelance translator jobs for those just starting out, helping you find the right opportunity to gain valuable experience and grow in the field.
Here are some steps you can take to get started.
How to become a digital nomad
- Develop the right skills: To become a digital nomad, you will need to have (or acquire) the right skills. These include professional skills such as programming, web development, and app development, as well as soft skills such as communication, adaptability, and time management.
- Find freelance work: There are many online platforms that offer freelance work opportunities for digital nomads. Some popular platforms include Upwork, Freelancer and Fiverr.
- Create a portfolio: Creating a portfolio of your work is an excellent way to showcase your skills and attract potential clients. You can use platforms like Behance, Dribbble and GitHub to create and share your portfolio.
- Join digital nomad communities: Joining digital nomad communities can help you connect with like-minded individuals and learn from their experiences. Some popular communities include Nomad List, Digital Nomad Girls and Remote Year.
And finally: remember to secure yourself by getting travel medical insurance.
Travel medical insurance
If you are considering a nomadic lifestyle, here’s our best advice: be prepared for the unexpected.
Living a nomadic life can be exciting, but it can also be unpredictable. You will need to be adaptable and flexible to handle the challenges that come your way. It is important to have a plan in place, but also be open to changing it if necessary.
You will need to be comfortable with uncertainty and be willing to take risks.
Getting good travel medical insurance can solve lots of upcoming issues.
SafetyWing
If you have health insurance at home, it most likely won’t cover you while you are away.
Travel medical insurance will ensure you are covered in case of an emergency abroad. We recommend SafetyWing. They cover nomads in 185+ countries, and the coverage starts at $45 per every 4 weeks.
SafetyWing is a global travel medical insurance that covers people from all over the world, while outside their home country. It can be purchased even if you are already abroad and operates like a monthly subscription.
So if you ask us, SafetyWing is the best travel medical insurance for digital nomads and we highly recommend it. It offers comprehensive coverage at an affordable price, making it an ideal choice for those who travel frequently!
This SafetyWing calculator allows you to immediately check what your travel medical insurance will cost, and purchase it straight away.
Try it out!