19 Benefits of Being a Digital Nomad

Trying to decide if digital nomad life is right for you? I’m breaking down the benefits. Though there are many pros and cons, in this post, we’re putting on our rose-colored glasses and only talking about the advantages.

Don’t worry, I’ll address the disadvantages separately. But right now we’re eating dessert for dinner, so to speak.

So pack your bags and let’s hit the road! I’ve got all the good stuff about nomadic life for ya.

1. No more post-vacation blues

You know that sad feeling of coming home after a great trip? You’ll never have to feel that again!

As a kid, I was always sad to return home to my crummy town after vacation, knowing It would be another year before I got to go anywhere again.

But as a nomad, you never have to go home again if you don’t want to. And when you do get back to your stomping ground to visit, you may find that you appreciate it more. You’ll notice what’s changed from the last time you were there and what’s stayed the same. You’ll reconnect with friends and family, and you might feel just a smidge of sentimentality and nostalgia.

But if you’re anything like me, you’ll be excited to GTFO again (and you can easily do so, which is a huge benefit!)

2. You’ll be the envy of all your friends back home

Or if not the envy, the something. To some well-meaning family and friends, you’ll be the object of great concern. Get used to hearing “I could never do that” and “I can’t imagine traveling solo.” You’ll also get a lot of “That’s so cool!” 

When you visit home, everyone’s going to want to know what you’ve been up to, and you’ll have many interesting stories to tell. You won’t have to search for topics to talk about because people will be asking you about your favorite places.

3. You can die without regrets. At least not travel ones.

Many people wish they’d traveled more, but you won’t be one of them. As a nomad, a huge benefit is the ability to cross places off your travel bucket list left and right.

How many people have you met who said they wish they could travel more, or who regret not traveling more when they could before they were tied down with a full-time job, kids, family, and whatever else? If you have the opportunity to travel, take it!

4. Change of scenery whenever you feel like it

If you’re bored of your surroundings, it’s time to shake them up. And if you get bored again, shake them up some more. Craving some mountain hiking? Pick out a mountainous place and go stay there a month. Then when you’re tired of that, go somewhere with nice beaches. Then the desert. Then the city. Wherever your nomadic heart desires.

5. Dopamine hits

Did you know that even the anticipation of travel can cause your dopamine to spike? You’ll always be excited about your next destination. Ever notice how tourists always seem to be in a good mood? Well, at least when they’re not arguing with each other…

A note on seasonal depression: A fantastic benefit of being a digital nomad is that you can always spend your winters somewhere warm! This can do wonders for your mental health, especially if you’re prone to the “winter blues” like I am.

6. You’ll find excitement in the mundane again

There’s something to be said about doing the same thing you do at home in a different place. I find it so thrilling. A normal day for me is work, gym, and errands. But somehow it’s not so boring when you’re in a new place. Also, you’ll always be finding new little things that excite you—restaurants, shops, thrift stores, etc.

7. Low-Stakes socializing

Meeting people while traveling is just different. Normally I struggle to meet and connect with people, but find that I care far less about what they think of me when I travel, so I’m more “me.” I’ve met some great people during my travels, and it hasn’t been hard to do, even as an anxious introvert.

8. New experiences and personal growth

As a digital nomad, you’ll pretty much constantly be pushing yourself outside your comfort zone. I’ve always struggled to do that, but these days, I love it! There’s always something new I want to try, so I do it.

For instance, I never thought I’d be a hiker, let alone climb any thirteeners. I never thought I’d go to Mardi Gras, especially by myself. Solo travel can change your mindset and empower you to do things you never thought you’d do!

9. It’s low risk if you have a steady income

I’m a remote worker and a freelancer. So really, I didn’t do anything too drastic to get started. I didn’t quit my job and have to figure out how to earn money on the road. If you’re already earning money independent of your location, you’re not putting much at risk.

10. it’s not that expensive to start

Depending on where you go, you could potentially save money! If you live in an expensive place now and decide to rent a spot in the country for a while, you’re probably going to save up some cash. The only real expenses to start off are moving your belongings into storage (if you decide to do that rather than sell everything), gas or airfare, and your rent and deposit for your first spot. That’s it!

11. You may become healthier

One huge benefit to the nomadic lifestyle is that you’re going to be on your feet more! If you choose to live in a city, you’ll be out and about walking and exploring your new city. If you choose a place for nature, you’ll be out hiking, camping, and exploring. It’s a win-win!

12. You’ll experience new cultures

Even if you don’t leave your home country, you’ll experience cultural differences in each place you go. Obviously, the farther and wider you go, the more of a difference. But in the U.S., I’ve learned the cultural differences of each place I’ve lived in—the friendliness of Louisiana, the hustle and bustle of NYC, and the adventurous spirit of Colorado. Anthony Bourdain once said, “Treat every state with the same openness that you would another country.” I couldn’t agree with him more!

13. You’ll have no shortage of conversation topics

If you’re like me and you struggle with small talk, as many introverts do, travel is your key to good conversation. Many people love to travel, and sharing your own travel stories with others can be a way to move past the small talk and make connections.

And if you’re dealing with an extrovert, they’ll likely start telling you about THEIR travels, and you can sit back and listen. Who knows, maybe they’ll give you some ideas for your next destination!

14. Your day-to-day doesn’t have to change drastically

If you experience comfort in familiarity, this is a huge benefit. The majority of your days will be spent doing the same things you do at home. For me, that’s work, gym, dog walking, and whatever hobby I’m into that day. Sometimes I go out at night, sometimes I don’t.

Even if you do the same routine you do at home, it’s a whole new feeling doing it in a different place. Like in the Florida Keys, I walked my dog just as usual, but I always wore a swimsuit top. Just because I could.

And your nights and weekends will be amazing and filled with new activities!

My tiny balcony in New Orleans! I love to sit out here and write.

15. You’ll feel inspired

Maybe you don’t want to write in your cramped studio apartment. But on your balcony in your new spot? Or in your journal in the mountains? Yes, please!

A random porch in my neighborhood in New Orleans

16. You’ll find the best spots where you least expect them

I’ve found some amazing murals, restaurants, and shops by exploring on my own. I wouldn’t have had time to find such things on a normal vacation.

Sure, you can search on your phone for hours and make a list of spots to visit, and of course you’ll want to do that, but…remember to just go exploring now and then. Take a walk in your neighborhood or a neighborhood you’re curious about. You never know what you’ll find!

17. If you don’t like it, you can leave

It’s important to remember that you’re not stuck anywhere. I typically stay 1-3 months in a location. But if you find a place to be awful, you’re free to go anytime!

18. If you love it, you can stay!

On the flip side, if you fall in love with a place, you can stay longer! I never thought I’d stay in New Orleans so long, but I’ve spent a total of about 9 months here, and I love it!

19. It’s liberating

Isn’t the thought of you and the open road so freeing? Knowing you don’t have to live up to anyone’s expectations and that you can be whoever you want to be?

If there’s something you’ve always wanted to try, nothing is stopping you. For example, I started doing standup comedy on the road–something I’ve always been curious about– and have had a blast!

Let’s clear up a few misconceptions about digital nomad life.

Misconception #1: You have to be wealthy. I have a normal salary and no other sources of income, such as a trust fund. I keep my budget in mind and don’t spend more on an apartment each month than I did when I had a permanent home.

Misconception #2: You have to leave your home country to be a digital nomad. This whole blog is about being a digital nomad in the United States! You can certainly stick to one country and have an amazing experience.

Misconception #3: You can’t have a normal job. See Misconception 1—I have about as normal a job as you can get, but I do it remotely, which allows me the freedom to travel.

Misconception #4: You won’t have a sense of “home.” For me, home is where the dog is. And if you stay in a place for a while, you’ll become familiar with it, and it will start to feel like home. 

Housing

Furnished Finder is my go-to for temporary, furnished housing. Otherwise, Zillow and AirBnB work well too.

Other tips for digital nomad life

You can always try it out first. If you’re on the fence, do what I did. Take a long trip somewhere and keep your apartment. It’ll be more expensive because you’ll be paying double rent, but at least you’ll have the peace of mind of seeing if the digital nomad life could be right for you.

Rent out your place if you can. If your landlord allows it, or if you own your home, you could try to rent it out on AirBnB or Furnished Finder. That way you have a home base to return to. But you may find it to be less hassle to just give up your apartment.

There are different styles of digital nomad life. Pick the one that suits you! Being a nomad, as I’ve demonstrated, doesn’t have to mean trotting all over the globe, though you certainly can. I stick to one country. Some nomads pick two of their favorite spots and spend half their time in one place and half in the other. Choose what’s right for you!

Final thoughts

Digital nomad life has many advantages. It can be exciting and rewarding, and it doesn’t have to break the bank or alter your life significantly. It’s fairly low risk, and if you decide it’s not for you, you can always go back to having a permanent home.

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What about digital nomad life is most exciting to you? Let me know in the comments!