My problem with the whole nomad thing is that most "nomads" are just bloggers starting out. It seems most have just saved enough money to live off of (frugally), and are calling themselves digital nomads. Not much different than regular travellers.
Even the founders of Nomad House look like they've never done anything before - if you read their profiles, they are "builders of businesses" and "growth hackers", whatever that means.
That being said, this might be fun if you're a 20-something, and a bit different than staying at a hostel, but I wouldn't expect to get much more out of it.
Assuming you haven't done much traveling, you'd be surprised at who shows up at hostels. It varies greatly by area, but it's not all the partying, early 20's kids that you might imagine.
Also, there are many things besides classic hostels that sort of fall into the hostel category. For example, I stayed in a very nice guest house in Thailand, and in a great dormitory-style apartment in Tokyo.
On the bright side, there's a huge opportunity for someone to sweep through all of this and just offer free concierge services for digital nomads. I met someone working on this, I imagine there are others. That will ultimately take the day when someone gets that formula right. Something more of the spirit of couch surfing.
I'm ranting. Anyways, if you can manage cheap rates at really cool pads, in a way that's better than just splitting an AirBnB with other nomads, then that is something pretty cool.
If there is market demand for some high-end nomad freelance network, it will probably happen soon. The hype is here.
Thailand (islands like Koh Tao or Koh Phangan): $700/month. Kathmandu/Pokhara: $300-$400/month. Big cities in India (Pune, Bangalore, Calcutta): $1000/month, small towns in India (Goa, Dharmsala, Naggar, Leh): $500/month. These costs include apartment, food internet. All my luggage is carry-on and check-in baggage under 20kg.
I've been doing this for 6 years with occasional runs to Canada or South Africa to visit friends and family. I'm usually in Nepal for the trekking season, India for the Indian classical music season, and Thailand between those gaps.
Those beach bars and boat trips can drive your monthly spend up quite a bit, but eating out certainly won't blow your budget.
There's also my fear that this strategy will make it more about the business, not the people. At least with Airbnb, the hosts still retain all the control; Airbnb only functions as a distant rental agency and insurance provider. With the startup model, will these communities be able to make their own decisions?
What I haven't seen much of is horror stories on working remotely -- specifically from people traveling around the world. Does anyone have any links?
What I rarely see (which is part of my vision) is nomads successfully travelling the world with: 1) A Significant other / spouse 2) Children, and/or 3) Assets (eg, a house in their home country they rent out; a business that's worth something because it's more than them) [1]
Most seem to be single people in their 20s / early 30s, who talk of 'living on the road forever'. I fear (but again, this is linked to what I am creating for myself) many wake up one day and realise they have built nothing in their lives - true, the experiences are priceless and may be worth it, but I don't want to discover at 40 that I have no close friends, no family, that even if I knocked someone up tomorrow I'd still be in my 60s when the kids moved out, and while I've lived off $20,000pa for the last 15 years I don't intend to retire into decrepitude in Thailand but have zero net worth put aside to support me.
I guess I hope that comedown for those who experience it doesn't take away from the awesome life they've led for many years. But when they talk of doing it forever, maybe they're not appreciating the moment as much as they could. Maybe I'm just getting old.
[1] Loving these guys http://www.escapingexpectations.com/ because they actually tick all 3 boxes. Would love to hear of more.
There is some selection bias, the people that are busy doing stuff, typically don't write blogs "How to live with 500$ in chiang mai".
to give you some perspective: i've been doing the "nomad thing" for 5 years, although I'm not actively travelling around much, and mostly based in an asian city. All my belongings fits into one suitcase and 2 duffel bags - 80% is clothes. I am earning above 100$/hour coding, typically as remote contractor with the occasional onsite visit, not simple CRUD-stuff, but interesting and challenging work. I usually do full-time contracting with one client exclusively for about 1 year. Two years ago I spent 3 months exclusively on open source work (that itself opened up very attractive work opportunities itself). My living cost is also pretty much the same as back in Europe, but I live a life in luxury here.
Most DNs eventually "settle" down, and stay in one place for a longer period (think months), and everyone seems to have their default city/place, where they often return to because of friends, they like the vibe etc.
What I found was the close friends you have at late 20ies, you won't lose them, when you go back and most probably you will go back at some point.
Re 1: There's quite a few digital nomad couples, or people who find their significant other. 2) Children not so. Re 3: These all exist, but it's not (yet) the majority.
Re: Horror Stories: I have not yet heard of something worthy the title of a horror story, and i am somewhat involved in the digital nomad community.
You seem to be implying that people are likely to 'fail' in life by leaving the conventional career path. Remember: life and business are not a continuum, they're alternate perspectives and themes in the same experience that aren't mutually exclusive. In other words: all things in moderation.
As it happens, our family is on a two week beach bum episode (for me this means coding + swimming, for my wife it means variety of food and less hassles, for our young daughter the chance to swim and hear more languages at an age ideal for future cognitive development) in Thailand right now, and as it happens just had a fascinating chat with some decrepitude-avoiding random westerners, one was a fully accredited marine biologist turned career diver (over a decade) and the other ran a pest control business (migrated from fire engineering). With the former I discussed the potential of open ocean aquaculture, and with the latter the paleontology, biology and relative business environment (bureaucracy) between Thailand and mainland China. Try walking 5 minutes down the road in the US and getting conversation like that. While I wouldn't live here full time, plenty of interesting people you shouldn't casually dismiss do.
Finally, don't forget that 'net worth' is worthless if you're too old to enjoy it. If you're the sort of person who insures themselves before travel, religiously pre-books accommodation and consults their doctor-of-decades for potential immunization requirements before crossing a state border, then you could begin with a different kind of trip. A lot of people out here are risk takers that just weren't happy with the status quo. True, some of them fail on economic trajectory, but relative to never having taken a risk they certainly earn my respect.
In regards to the first part of your comment, I can't imagine travelling the world with a significant other and children. Perhaps in rare cases for a limited time, but it's hard to imagine that two people would want to participate in that lifestyle for the same length of time. It seems like part of the ethos of "travel" is a certain kind of freedom. Part of starting a family is responsibility, which is the opposite of freedom. Maybe the travelling family lifestyle will become more common as the world becomes more interconnected through technology, but that seems like that could still be awhile away.
Best of luck in your pursuit of the ideal life for you.
You make a very good point. I'm highly biased as I'm doing it myself, but what I see from the people around me doing it is that most are not "bums".
Instead they're able to reduce their costs aggressively, that helps them spend time building startups/businesses and have a longer runway to do that until it becomes profit generating. The next step is growing and building more of those businesses. Many people I know generate $10-25k/m. You're right I know just as many that generate $500/m. But most of them are just starting. Most people are able to generate substantial revenue after awhile.
The next step for many is to invest in real estate in emerging markets. They rent it out or AirBnB it to foreigners. Then at 60, they're probably better off with more cash, more equity, than if they'd stayed in a place with high costs (e.g. US/EU right now). Most people in EU/US are simply unable to save money due to the rising costs of live (mostly rent and food).
I don't like how this is portrayed as the "this solves everything"-lifestyle. It doesn't at all. But if you take advantage of the cost thing, it can be beneficial.
> I don't want to discover at 40 that I have no close friends, no family,
That's also a great point. I feel the same and the only way we could be able to fix this is if this becomes more mainstream and you have friends doing it too, and make lots of new friends that are doing it. Technology also helps a lot (e.g. simple stuff like WhatsApp) to stay in touch. And most of these nomads are flying around every 3 months, so they do stay in touch with their close friends.
I'm excited to see where this goes, there's definitely many social challenges to solve.
But yes: at 26, I'm certainly starting to see the seeds of a lifetime of loneliness if I were to spend all my time on the road, especially as many of my friends are starting to get married and have kids. Due to my personality, I've discovered that the best way for me to make friends is to spend some time living with them. Unfortunately, that's hard when you're moving from city to city every month.
(Previously: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=9022663)
I know a guy who used to do exactly that. He had a house in San Antonio that he would rent individual bedrooms out of. Provided him with enough income to travel on, so long as he kept costs down. After a few years the neighborhood got fed up with it, and bugged the HOA until they changed the rules specifically so he couldn't do that.
Accustomed to traveling and not working, not wanting to settle down, he sold the house. Now he does just enough to get by, bouncing around the Americas with occasional sojourns to Europe.
Wouldn't you meet loads of people on the road so you'd have loads of friends around the world-ish?
I feel the type of person who could be a nomad, these normal social factors are less important? So they may be unlikely to wake up to these realisations.
You bring up an interesting point though.
I've lived tons of different situations, with extremely poor people, some who were rich, and others, middle class. I've lived in the countryside, the big city, the burbs, on the beach, in the mountains, and in the middle of nowhere. I've paid high prices, low prices and no price to live where I have. Once, I went through all of this within the same big city. Sure, during these years living abroad I've mostly done the '$500 thing' (and mostly, not by choice) but it's amazing what kind of experiences you can have on a shoestring and at this point I wouldn't trade it.
Welcome to the world of boating!
I lived 10 years of my youth on a sailboat with my family, and in our travels, we met many other boating families that also met all your points. Some may think it's not the easiest lifestyle, but to many others it's the dream come true. I, for one, am thankful for the wonderful upbringing that it means for me.
http://www.computerworld.com/article/2492064/mobile-wireless...
"You'll notice that nearly all the reviews of places to stay on AirBnB are positive. Why? Because if you post a negative review, the host is likely to post a negative review about you in retaliation. And once you have a negative review as a guest, nobody will rent to you."
Which was previously on HN - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=9022311
http://blog.therealcostarica.com/2009/08/13/the-new-costa-ri...
> it's like airbnb but with less privacy?
A lot of these "nomad" ventures have a huge focus on networking, socialising... I'd like to see something catering for introverts as well. Something that ticks all the boxes - self contained room + kitchen, Wifi. Desk, with chair.
Kind of like Airbnb apartments but with a more razor focus, a place with quality control where I know I can get work done. The Airbnb of (small, low budget!) serviced apartments.
General "serviced apartment" facilities might fit this, however they all appear to focus on the premium end - large spacious apartments fit for well salaried business travellers, not freelance tech guys just scraping by.
Heck, all I want is a sound proofed box with Wifi, bed, and a tiny Kitchen. Somewhere I can work in absolute peace, self cater if I wish, but also venture out from now and then.
I understand this is not what you are aiming for, but if you ever need any other ideas... ;)
That alone represents a huge swath of possibilities. Which countries have no problem with foreign workers on tourist visas? Where are co-working locations? Who's a good, affordable tax accountant who can deal with the intricacies of money earned while outside the country? Where are the best locations for connectivity vs. price?
You'll find heavily trafficked websites for all sorts of foreign working and expat situations (e.g. retirees in Thailand, teachers in Japan), so surely the "nomadic" tech workers would have a lot to talk about.
Working on a tourist visa is illegal in most countries I've been to. If you talking about working online on a business which is not tied to the country you are staying in, then you can do that on a tourist visa for a short period of time, but eventually if you are staying longer you are no longer a tourist and need to somehow justify your presence in the country. As much as those laws don't make any sense to people working online, that's the current legal framework in most of places.
Where are co-working locations?
I don't see a point of working in a coworking space. Wouldn't you rather explore nice cafes in the area? The only benefit of a coworking space for me is networking, and this is huge, this is what distinguishes a "I'd rather go to a coffeeshop" coworking spaces from "I belong to this community" type of coworking places. Those are extremely difficult to find, and in my experience are impossible in high-traffic nomadic locations, due to their nature (travellers just pass by).
Where are the best locations for connectivity vs. price?
You look at the spreadsheet at nomadlist, and some places look like paradise - live by the beach, very cheap, etc. But in my experience everything comes with pros and cons. For example, SEA is cheaper than Mediterranean countries, but the climate is nowhere near as good. USA is better when it comes to networking, but it's also more expensive. Everything comes with a cost, and there is no magic bullet.
if you're not an american, perhaps not so important for you...
If the other NomadHouses are going to be as affordable and beautiful as the Bali one ($1000/month would be reasonable), it'll be a fantastic deal. You get your own room; a wonderful house; a community of like-minded people to spend time with; and all with a simple click of a button. Perfect for people like me.
you have !NOTHING! to show, at least not to me from the viewpoint of a search engine author. You show an empty page without JavaScript.
ok ... lets be a nice human and allow scripts. Allowing nomadhouse.io: still blank page. Google maps sounds interesting, when looking at the 3rd party scripting domains. But still a blank page. Mixpanel, Segment, Addthis, ... hey ... how many evil 3rd party tracking scripts does this site run? And still a blank page.
Finally: Stripe w-hat ... I need to enable scripting of a payment provider to view the page?
Where are the google maps, I hoped to see with maps.bigbrotherapis? Or are they also only include to add an other tracking?
Clicking on Berlin, I get a popup asking for registering a user. So you basically have a big expensive, complicated landing page, with a lot of tracking, but search engine blocking, that does nothing but asking for my mail address.
sorry ... no bounty. I'm harsh now, but your site fails completely, even if the service might be interesting. You might get a good peak now with postings on HN, but ensure your site is accessible without JS for search engines. You have only a few days time, that good links might result in a good SEO. Change your site asap.
