17 Disadvantages of Nomadic Life

I told you about the benefits of being a digital nomad. Now for the less glamorous parts. I’m talking about the disadvantages of nomadic life.

You see a lot of highlight reels on digital nomad life but not too much on the negative aspects. If considering this lifestyle, there are many pros and cons, but you have to decide if the negative outweighs the positive for you, or vice versa.

So I’ve made a list of some disadvantages you may not have thought about so you can make the decision that’s best for you! And I’ve included some ways to deal with those disadvantages too.

Those girls? Had an absolute blast when them, but then we never spoke again.

1. It’s hard to have lasting friendships

When I first started my journey, I fantasized about making many lasting nomadic friendships with like-minded people who also loved traveling, even though I’m an introvert. These imaginary friends and I would plan trips together, visit each other, and brunch in faraway, exotic places. And wouldn’t life be grand?

But that’s not reality for me. In two years, I’ve met up with only two people in cities other than the one where I first met them.

There are many other folks I’ve met during my travels who I’m friends with on social media and talk with on occasion. Most people I’ve met, though–we always say we’re going to keep in touch, and maybe we text each other once or twice, but that’s it.

Everyone means well, but, life…just lifes, ya know? It’s like saying goodbye to a coworker who quits–“Keep in touch” is a lie, albeit a well-meaning lie.

2. You’ll miss out on a lot of things back home

Birthdays, weddings, and births to name a few. You can travel back home for some of the special occasions, of course, but likely not all of them. Plus you’ll miss out on celebrating smaller, yet still significant milestones like new jobs.

3. It can be expensive

This depends on where you go. In the U.S., where I am, cost is a factor. Rent is high in major cities, plus the cost of gas, food, and everything else. In addition, if you choose to put your things in storage, that’s an added expense, and storage companies can raise the rent. I pay about 50 bucks more per month now than I did when I first got my storage unit 2 years ago.

Of course, there are plenty of ways to be frugal as a digital nomad, but cost is definitely something to keep in mind.

4. You’ll have to figure out new, not particularly exciting things all the time

This one infuriates me at times. I’m talking about the little things—how to get into your new apartment, for instance. I always feel like I’m breaking and entering with each new place I go. Memorizing new gate codes and lockbox codes as well as finding the damn gate or lockbox to begin with. Parking woes. It gets old.

Plus, you have to figure out your new go-to grocery store, your coffee shop, your gym, etc. with each new place you go. Sometimes that can be fun, but it can also feel overwhelming when you have to do it constantly. Then it takes a while to memorize the routes to each spot, so you’re always looking at your phone just to get groceries.

Speaking of…

5. You’ll depend on your Maps app of choice with your life

Also infuriating. And potentially dangerous. If you’re looking at your phone while walking down the street, you set yourself up as an easy target for thieves. So you have to be strategic about it. But at the same time, that Maps app, whichever one you choose, is going to be your life force, pretty much. By the way, let me know which maps app is your go-to. I go back and forth on which one is the least bad—Google, Maps, or Waze. I couldn’t get anywhere without them, but they also annoy me. Such a complicated relationship.

6. No sense of home

I don’t struggle with this after some time has passed, but it can be a disadvantage of nomadic life. I feel disoriented for a few days when I first arrive in a new location. But after that, I feel like a local. I’m pretty good at adapting I guess, but that may not come so easily for everyone.

7. It’s sad to leave people and places behind

There have been a handful of temporary friendships I still feel pangs of sadness over losing. But. Onward and upward is the only choice you have with this lifestyle. Besides, I usually end up liking each new place even more than the last. And you can always return to places you really love, and maybe you can meet up with the same people again!

8. Dating is even harder when you’re a digital nomad

You don’t need me to tell you dating is hard. Now, imagine trying to date when you move, often across the country, every few months or so.

Yeah…

For a relationship to work, you have to either find someone else who’s willing and able to be a nomad with you, or you’ll have to settle down somewhere eventually.

Dating, though, can be fun! So you should absolutely do it if you want to, but…just don’t expect too much.

We’ve all heard those stories of couples who met on vacation, did long distance for a while, and then got married and lived happily ever after…

But that’s not reality for most folks. Dating as a digital nomad is even harder than dating while living in one spot. Not impossible, but harder.

Some super cool Tom Waits art I found in Mobile, AL

9. Can’t customize your space

Want to buy that cool painting you saw at the art market? Too bad…

Well, you could always have it shipped “home” when you move, but since you don’t have a permanent space, and you may be unsure when you’ll get one…it seems like a hassle.

Luckily, I’ve stayed in some tastefully decorated places. But it’s not the same as having your own art on the walls.

10. Your accommodations may be less than stellar

While it’s true that I’ve stayed in great places, I’ve also had my fair share of…well… godawful places. I’ve dealt with roaches, hornets, mice, and countless fruit flies. I’ve stayed in disgusting motels with mystery stains on the furniture.

As a digital nomad, your space is not your own, and you have to deal with everyone else’s mess. I feel like I’m always replacing batteries, changing lightbulbs, and fixing broken things. Washing somebody else’s greasy dishes. Cleaning somebody else’s nasty tub. It gets old.

My ensemble from Goodwill for the Edgar Allan Poe Ball in Austin, TX

11. You may feel like you have nothing to wear

As someone who used to be obsessed with fashion, this one hurts sometimes.

You can’t pack everything you love, and you can’t keep everything you buy. A solution to the “nothing to wear” problem is to buy an outfit on the cheap and then donate it like I did with my outfit above.

Also, buying new, expensive clothes has pretty much become a thing of the past for me, and I imagine that’s the case for most nomads. As much as I’d love a brand-new workout or hiking outfit, I resist. “Old me” would have been all over that.

But luckily, I love thrifting and bargain shopping, and I’ve found some great stuff that’s worked its way onto the road with me!

12. You may feel harshly judged

Some people look down on the digital nomad lifestyle as glorified homelessness.

And well-meaning friends and family will wonder why you don’t “settle down.”

Sometimes you’ll explain to someone what you do and you’re met with a blank stare.

As amazing as this lifestyle can be, there will always be people who just don’t “get it.” And that’s okay.

But it can be hard not to compare yourself to others who followed a more traditional path. There will be moments you ask yourself, Why am I doing this again?

And then there’s the smaller stuff. Little things that can make you feel judged. Like having to verify your address, but first, you have to think about what your address is. I always feel like an idiot when I can’t immediately remember my zip code or unit number.

13. No go-to places

When you move around constantly, it’s harder to find your “go-to” spots, like coffee shops and restaurants.

The urge to try everything is strong, and you know you want to make the most of it because your time is limited. So even though you enjoy a certain restaurant or coffee shop, you may not become a regular because you want to see if the coffee shop down the road is better. It becomes a constant case of grass is always greener syndrome.

Plus you’ll have to find new people for all the routine stuff, like doctors and hairstylists. I end up putting appointments off because I don’t want to have to research businesses. It can be a struggle.

That one time I worked on the beach.

14. You still have to work

This one is so important to remember.

It’s hard to focus on your work when you have so much exploring you could be doing. Especially if you’re also studying or trying to build a side hustle like I am.

Sure, you want to go work on the beach, but that’s so impractical. I’ve done it exactly once. Sand plus laptop plus sun=annoying (you can, however, get a shade for your laptop, like this one here). If you have to take any work calls while you’re working on the beach, it’s hard to hear the other person over the waves, and they’ll be asking questions you probably don’t want to answer, like Where are you?

To be productive as a digital nomad, you’re going to have to have a good work environment. For me, that means sitting in my apartment 99% of the time. Maybe occasionally, I’ll hit up a coffee shop. But that’s it.

15. It becomes less exciting over time

As a digital nomad, you still have your ordinary life to live. Your job. Your errands. Your workout. Most of the time, life isn’t going to be any more exciting than it was back home. You’ll have amazing moments that make it all worthwhile, but after some time, you do become “used to” it all, and some of the excitement does wear off.

16. Your head’s always on a swivel

Yes, safety is important regardless if you’re at home or traveling.

But…after you’ve spent significant time in a place, you get a feel for the safety, and you know when it’s okay to let your guard down a little. As a digital nomad, though, you have to feel it out with every place you go. Plus, you have to be on guard all the time, especially as a solo female nomad.

17. You have to use the term “digital nomad”

Maybe I’m the only one who doesn’t like the term “digital nomad.” I try to avoid it when I can, but I haven’t yet figured out a good way to describe my lifestyle (I also hate the word lifestyle). I usually say “I’m kind of a nomad.” Sounds a little less pretentious to me. If you have a better way to describe it, please clue me in.

So how do you deal with “digital nomad fatigue?”

Yes, I just made that term up. Here’s what I’ve found helpful:

Pause for a while. Staying in a spot longer than normal can help you reset. Sometimes a break can be just the thing you need to decide your next move.

Remember your “why.” Maybe it sounds cliche, but come back to why you wanted this lifestyle whenever you feel overwhelmed or on the verge of burnout. Is that reason still your “why?”

Keep in mind that you can always go back home. Sometimes just knowing you can return home, find another place to live, and resume stationary life is comforting.

what about when travel plans go awry? how do you deal with that?

My sense of humor has gotten me through every dark moment of my life, and travel is no exception. Sometimes all you can do is laugh. Or if you can’t now, one day you’ll be able to look back on it and laugh.

I laugh about those roaches and bad motel stays now. After all, it’s only travel. As my favorite comedian Bill Hicks once said about life, “It’s just a ride.”

Enjoy. Don’t let the bad outweigh the good. Looking back, I wish I hadn’t let things like pests get to me and just enjoyed it more. It’s like feeling guilty because you think you should be working, but it’s a sunny day, so you’re going to lay by a pool instead (me right now). I’ve learned to find joy wherever I can.

Final thoughts

Digital nomad life has its advantages and disadvantages, and it’s important to consider all of it. Do you have any disadvantages to add or concerns about digital nomad life? Comment below and let me know!

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