r/digitalnomadlife

Hey everyone. First post here. I'm equal parts excited and nervous, so I'd rather ask before I leave than learn it the hard way.

Quick context:

- 19, from Brazil, leaving September 24

- I run my own operation remotely, around $2k/month

- ~$4k saved separately for the trip itself

- Flights and hostels booked and paid up front, emergency reserve untouched

Route: Dubai (5 days) → Cairo + Luxor (12 days) → Athens → Santorini → Istanbul (15+ days) → North Macedonia, and after that country by country with no return date.

The plan is that Istanbul is where I slow down and really lock in on work. But from Dubai to Turkey — roughly a month — my operation still can't run without me. So this isn't a month off followed by work. I have to stay productive through the most distracting part of the whole trip.

What I'm actually worried about:

1. Focus. I know this is my income, not a vacation. But realistically: you're in Cairo, the pyramids are right there, and you still have to sit down and work. How did you build that discipline? Fixed hours? Work mornings, explore after? What mentality got you through the first couple of months?

2. Hostels, honestly. Are they actually safe? I'm carrying a laptop my income depends on. And is making friends really as easy as people say, or does it depend heavily on picking the right hostel?

3. Meeting people while solo. Especially in Greece — I want to actually go out and do things, not just see monuments alone. How do you find people for a night out or a day trip? Is there an app people genuinely use, or does it just happen in the common room?

4. Anything you wish someone had told you before your first long trip. I'd rather hear the uncomfortable stuff now than find out in month two.

I'm going in structured. Everything's booked, budget is split across separate accounts, I have a reserve I don't touch. But structure only covers logistics, and I get that the hard part is the routine.

Thanks for reading.

Hey everyone,

​I’ve been slow-traveling for a while now—staying in a city for a few months, working, and immersing myself in the local rhythm.

​I’m not someone who enjoys surface-level connections or casual flings. My natural mindset is very much about living fully in the present (carpe diem) and experiencing people and relationships at their deepest level. When I’m in a place, I invest myself completely and enjoy every day as much as possible.

​The catch is that this depth naturally fast-tracks mutual emotional attachments. Within just a few months, strong friendships and romantic bonds form. When it’s time to move to the next country, the departure—and the days that follow—become emotionally heavy. It feels like pulling back on a deep attachment every few months.

​I love the freedom of this lifestyle, but balancing a craving for authentic human connection with constant mobility is becoming emotionally draining.

​For those of you who also naturally seek depth rather than casual flings:

​Managing the fallout: How do you deal with the emotional toll of leaving people you’ve deeply connected with?

​Boundaries vs. Nature: Do you force yourself to hold back emotionally from day one, or do you stay open and accept the heartbreak as part of the price?

​Long-Distance: Do you try to maintain these deep ties from afar (hoping to return), or do you strictly let go once you leave?

​Would love to hear how you navigate this without burning out.

Hello wonderful people 🫡

As per the title, I am done with the 90 days, the visa runs, exhausted with going from one place to the other not because I want to, but because my visa will expire soon and PR is hard or impossible to get.

I want a base, a home. I am Mexican and make $1200 USD monthly remotely. I don't want to live in México ever again, where could I stay forever? Please help?

You could easily keep your remote job regardless of geo restrictions if you have the correct technology and knowledge. The entire point of becoming a digital nomad is to enjoy the financial freedom and build your future through your newly accrued financial savings. I see so many people quit their jobs just to return back to their country broke.

There are plenty of free guides and even paid services that will allow you to travel discretely while holding a remote job. Hell I'll send you the free guide I used.

So far I always did my border run by flying back to my home country which resets the 180 days, but flights home are expensive and I want to start doing this cheaper.
For those on the DTV, whats the cheapest way you found to reset the countdown? Do a quick hop to a neighbor country and come back same day? or do you actually need to spend a night somewhere?

I have been approved to work remotely in Paris for the month of September. I spent a week here last September, and covered most of the sites (except Versailles and D'Orsay). I did a lot of research before I left, and figured out how to use the metro etc - had a very easy time getting around.

I will work in the afternoon to evening, but I wanted some suggestions on how to spend my mornings and weekends. I want to get the feeling I 'live' in Paris. I want to explore lesser known neighborhoods outside the center, and take a few day trips & weekend trips.

I am not a French speaker, and I am considering taking a basic course but in my experience most people speak English if you need assistance. I have also heard service workers will just switch to English if you try French. Worth it for very basic phrases?

all suggestions are appreciated!

Hi everyone, I built a web app for digital nomads and expats but haven't launched it yet. Looking for a few people with experience living abroad or planning a move to check it out and tell me what they think before I do.

Comment or DM if you're interested. Thanks!

I have been travelling South America for the last nine months. Six of these nine months I have used Airbnb with experiences ranging from pleasantly surprising, to most recently, dismal.

However, the worst experience started on June 30 this month when I checked into what was described as open plan apartment with kitchen and bathroom.

I was disappointed about a number of things including size, lack of hygiene, missing amenities that were noted on the listing.

I addressed the host about this and she told me I could leave and they would give  me a full refund. However I had already made reservations for other grounded services close to that location. 

So I told her that I can’t just leave.

She sent someone up to replace one of the towels that was neatly folded but had large bright yellow stains and on them.

They took photos of eating utensils with food residue on them but done nothing about the latter.

My breaking point as a digital professional is the WiFi, which I would learn the next day, was not 5g as the listing stated.

I brought this to her attention. And she came up stairs to  my room and saw for herself that  connectivity was untenable.

She brought up a router that was repurposed as a repeater and when she plugged it in the WiFi seemed to improve.

I made a note that while it was better, it was not perfect.

The next time I had to work, which was a week later. The WiFi had failed completely.

I brought this to her attention and she noted that no one else was complaining and that they had two routers around the building, which I felt was irrelevant and that she was somehow trying to blame me for it.

She went on to say that the router should be moved outside.

I pointed out that was her responsibility as the host and that while I was willing to over look the hygiene and missing amenities I could not compromise on WiFi.

She wanted to know what issues and apprised without precation, or attacking her character, but candidly.

Her response again was that I leave and that they will refund me.

And so I involved Airbnb and told them it would only be possible for me to leave two days later, on Tuesday July 14.

They did their thing, gave me a refund for the balance of the days any a nominal kickback for inconvenience. 

18h25 on Sunday: the host reached out saying that she was kicking me out with immediate effect.

I contacted Airbnb and apprised them and after a rigorous and lengthy confirmation process, they told me that she can’t kick me out and that they would investigate. 

I did this three times in three hours and got the same response. 

At ten o clock I was standing outside the property with all my bags and nowhere to go.

She had given me 15 minutes to vacate and claimed she would call the police. I know that what she done was at the very least human rights violation but I got out because the list of unfairly treated foreigners abroad, in developing countries, getting the rough end of the stick is endless, and well-documented.

As stood in the cold, I was on the line with the original person who the case was assigned to, and it turned out that in the those three hours, they had not done anything about my situation.

I brought this to their attention and they said they had tried to call me when I had told them and two of their colleagues that my line had issues as the number was local and it was best that they text me on the platform.

The host then sent a checkout request that required I pay her an additional 50 % booking cancellation fee, so I did not confirm.

Seeing that did not work to her favour, she sent me a message demanding 110 usd additional  payment on the plat form as I checked out before the month was over and thus the discount did not apply.

The fact that her listing was dishonest and lacked the things it promised, and the fact that she kicked me out does not seem to factor into her reasoning.

As for Airbnb’s handling of the situation, I had to arrange alternative accommodation my self as Praful from Airbnb had told me that they could find anything for me and he was late in giving me the coupon allocated in such situations, so I had to pay for my new accommodation out of my own pocket.

It is now 13h00 the next day and the situation has still not been resolved. I have made at least 6 phone calls with half them transferring me to dead lines, and the other half telling me they needed time to investigate and that they would get back to me—and not contacting me later as promised.

One person, supposedly a senior specialist did call me, but only after an hour, only to tell me that he too needed time to investigate.

As for this host. She tried to use my words against me, about the WiFI.  Also if you have to look at the reviews it appears that all her bad complaints come from foreigners. And these complaints are similar to mine, suggesting a pattern.

I have receipts. (Screenshots) and this issue is ongoing.

When it was clear that I was getting nowhere, I penned of this same missive to Brian Cheski.

Someone called me afterwards and they too asked for some time to investigate. They indeed got back to me. But they then wanted me to pay 50% of the original booking fee because of the monthly discount having fallen away.

“Rest assured”, they told me “Airbnb will refund you.”

After all their “rest assureds” last night, I still landed on the street in the middle the night, so excuse me if their word does not inspire confidence.

Then they offered to fund the eligible rebooking. They somehow missed that I had already booked my next place. Anyways, my answer was no there too.

What I can’t understand is this: If they’re willing to refund me after I pay the host, why not pay her directly?

I’ve been searching like crazy for a few days now and think I need to hand this question over to the experts. I’m looking for a place in Thailand (or alternatively Vietnam) that fits the following criteria.

1. I’d like to stay there for about one to two months in September.
2. I need it to be green and natural - while still having grocery stores nearby. Places like Tam Coc or Chiang Mai wouldn’t necessarily be too touristy for me, but…

3. I need to take a long walk in the woods or nature once a day, haha. This is where I keep hitting a brick wall with many places. I have nothing against motorbikes and like having one, but I need a walk in nature that I can reach on foot right from my accommodation.

Hi everyone,

I’m based in Germany right now and my biggest goal is to have a 100% remote job that lets me travel and live in different countries for longer periods of time (Thailand, Indonesia, South America, etc.).

What I don’t really understand: I keep seeing posts from people who live abroad for months or even years while working for a company in their home country. But when I read about German rules, it looks like I can’t just live outside Germany for too long if my job and employer are based here (tax residency, social insurance, number of days abroad, etc.).

So my questions:

- If you have a German contract and are employed in Germany, how are you practically living in places like Thailand or Indonesia for longer than a few months?

- Is the only realistic option to work as a freelancer / contractor, or for a foreign company?

- Are there specific roles or industries (that are not classic IT/developer jobs) where fully remote work from “anywhere” is actually possible for Germans?

I don’t have an IT background, and to be honest I’m a bit lost about which direction makes sense now with AI changing everything. Friends who work in IT tell me it’s getting more and more competitive, some even lost their jobs or are worried they will. So I’m hesitant to invest years into a new field that might be unstable.

For me, the main thing is freedom, not maximizing salary. I’d be happy earning “enough” if it lets me live in cheaper, beautiful countries and work from my laptop. I just don’t know which path is realistic:

- Should I try to retrain into a specific remote‑friendly field?

- Look at freelancing / online business instead of classic employment?

- Or are my worries about German rules exaggerated and there are legal ways to stay abroad longer than I think?

I’d really appreciate concrete examples from other Germans or EU citizens who managed to do this, and any advice on realistic job paths that make sense in 2026 with AI and all these changes.

Thanks in advance for any insights and personal experiences!

​Hi everyone,

​I'm a 24M freelancer from Tunisia, and I’ve never left my home country before. For about a year now, I’ve been freelancing on Upwork. Honestly, things go well sometimes—I get good clients, great reviews, and I'm always trying to upgrade my skills. But other times, I can go two months without landing a single new client.

​Living in Tunisia feels increasingly expensive and isolated from the rest of the world. There’s no clear legal or financial framework for freelancers here, and almost no local digital nomad or tech communities to connect with, grow, or find new opportunities.

​That’s why I want to leave and go somewhere like Thailand or Bali—to build a network, meet like-minded people, and experience life outside.

​My biggest fear is financial failure. I’m terrified of moving abroad and then hitting a dry spell where I can’t get clients, running out of money, and being stranded in another country with no savings and no home.

​Has anyone here—especially from developing countries or with inconsistent freelance income—faced this exact situation? How did you manage the risk? How did you handle the transition safely? Any advice or personal stories would mean a lot!

Hi everyone, I’m from Northeast India and I’m thinking of moving to Thailand. I’m a trans woman and I’m currently looking for work there.

I’m open to different kinds of jobs and honestly just trying to figure out what my options are as an Indian/foreigner. I speak English and I’m willing to learn Thai. I’d be interested in things like communications, social media, research, hospitality, NGOs, etc.

If anyone here has experience working in Thailand as a foreigner, I’d really appreciate some advice on where to look, what kind of jobs are realistic, and how the visa/work permit situation works.

Also, if you know of any LGBTQ-friendly workplaces or organisations that hire foreigners, please let me know.

I’m trying to move out of India and start somewhere new, so any genuine leads or advice would mean a lot. Thank you :)

Digital Nomad Communities are booming — and for good reason.

We spent years believing that life = work + money + responsibilities.

But what if you could build a life around your skills, purpose, freedom and interests?

🌍 Welcome to the Digital Nomad Culture.

You become the decision maker:

→ Decide WHEN you work
→ Decide WHOM you work with
→ Decide WHERE you work
→ Decide WHAT skills you build
→ Decide HOW you earn

🧭 DISCOVER YOUR PURPOSE WITH IKIGAI

Find the intersection of:

❤️ What you LOVE
💡 What you’re GOOD AT
🌍 What the WORLD NEEDS
💰 What you can EARN FROM

Turn your interests and strengths into a direction for your life and work.

🚀 BUILD YOUR FREEDOM WITH A BUSINESS ROADMAP

Purpose gives you direction.
Your business roadmap gives you execution.

Learn how to transform your skills into:
Idea → Business Model → Customers → Revenue → Freedom

🔥 Don’t just escape the 9–5. Build a life you actually want to live.

Join our Digital Nomads Meetup in Bangalore.

🤝 Meet founders
💡 Discover new possibilities
🌍 Connect with aspiring nomads
🚀 Build your freedom roadmap

YOUR LIFE. YOUR SKILLS. YOUR DECISIONS. YOUR FREEDOM.

📍 Bangalore | Digital Nomad Community Meetup
Come meet the people building life differently.

I copied the following from the facebook page "Visit Da Nang" including pictures and description, and want to ask for your opinion? Is this too much or are we okay with this?

Also needed to replace the word starting with "d**gs" to "illegal substance" to pass the automatic check here on subreddit.

————————————————————

Da Nang Police Drug Sweep — 2 Foreign Nationals Test Positive at Luxury Apartments

The operation:

At 3AM on August 1st, Hai Chau Ward Police mobilized 200 officers alongside grassroots security forces for a simultaneous inspection of residency compliance — combined with rapid illegal substance testing — at two high-end apartment complexes.

SAM Towers:

118 rooms checked, 203 foreign guests staying

72 rapid tests conducted

1 Chinese national tested positive for Ket*mine

Blooming Towers:

92 rooms checked, 154 foreign guests

57 rapid tests conducted

1 Indian national tested positive for cannabis

Hai Chau Ward Police are now compiling documentation and strengthening evidence to handle the violations according to regulations.

What’s next:

Police say they’ll continue tightening residency management, increasing surprise inspections of accommodations, rental properties and luxury apartments, and firmly handling violations — all part of the goal of building a “illegal substance-Free Hai Chau Ward.”

A clear message: Da Nang applies its laws equally to everyone, residents and visitors alike. The vast majority of visitors are wonderful, respectful people — and the city’s steady enforcement is exactly what keeps it safe for them.

Source: Da Nang City Police

https://preview.redd.it/6nmnshlnithh1.jpg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b9036d2f51f974fb099543c75c3c5d620c0bda31

https://preview.redd.it/8adpqhlnithh1.jpg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a0d83daa8db55a79f14c5a53fdb66ddb5351cc3b

https://preview.redd.it/pkp22ilnithh1.jpg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=70f9e84088a822555926cb8fbaedd0c14d6e29ab

https://preview.redd.it/nlujmhlnithh1.jpg?width=960&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e43b1a807f4e339bf71c756d03390043f5b59d49

https://preview.redd.it/059x0ilnithh1.jpg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=13e6d18a7a3b50ad7fe0c965dd0c1ca362d5ce8f

https://preview.redd.it/2nbbailnithh1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=24d16b26303b00ac69ca06af26f078ea38dbe856

edit: shorter post
We’ve been living in Surat for years and working remotely for almost 10 years.

One thing we’ve consistently struggled with is meeting like-minded people. Not formal networking, just people who are working remotely, freelancing, building things, learning, experimenting with ideas, or interested in meaningful conversations.

We had a similar struggle as students too. You can learn almost anything online, but practical guidance, collaboration and having the right people around you are much harder to find.

So we’ve been wondering: what if Surat had a collaborative work café?

Not exactly a coworking office or a regular café. Just a comfortable, affordable place where WFH professionals, freelancers, students and other curious people can:

• Sit and work for a few hours with good Wi-Fi, desks and reasonably priced coffee/food
• Work quietly without being expected to socialise
• Meet people working or learning in different fields
• Start casual group discussions around AI, tech, design, business, careers, etc.
• Share what they’re working on or something practical they’ve learned

Someone could simply post, “Anyone interested in discussing AI agents this Saturday?” A few interested people grab a table and talk. Everyone else carries on with their work.

No forced networking, motivational talks or pretending everyone is a founder.

We’re not announcing a café. We’re exploring whether other people in Surat have felt this same gap and whether a community like this could be useful.

Would you regularly spend time at a place like this? What would make you actually come back every week?

Maybe there are more of us here than we realise.

I've found that getting paid internationally has become surprisingly easy. The annoying part starts when your finances don't fit neatly into one currency or one system.

If you're working remotely, you might get paid in USD or EUR, spend in another currency, and keep some savings or treasury in crypto. Suddenly you're maintaining several accounts and moving money between them whenever you need to actually spend something.

For me, Wise has been great for the normal fiat side. But once you keep part of your money in USDC or BTC, it becomes a completely separate workflow. Wise also restricts transfers involving crypto platforms, so you can't simply treat the two balances as interchangeable.

I've been looking at Keytom recently because it tries to bridge that gap. You can have EUR collection and SEPA alongside crypto, and the card can spend from USDC without sending it through an exchange first.

One detail that's worth knowing: it doesn't mean you can spend BTC directly. The card uses USDC, so other crypto still needs to be converted first. I'm not convinced everyone needs something like this. If all your income and savings are in fiat, a normal bank or fintech is probably simpler.

But for remote workers who actually keep part of their money in stablecoins, the ability to use that money without constantly moving it between different systems seems pretty useful.

How are other people here handling the fiat/crypto split while living and working abroad?

Hi buddies,

I'm looking for recommendations for a tried-and-tested hotel or resort in Indonesia that's great for remote work (needs strong Wi-Fi for video calls/teaching online) with nice morning diving and snorkeling right on site. Ideally, I'm looking for a secluded vibe similar to Tanote Bay in Koh Tao, but that's not strict. I'll be working there for 5 days at the start of September. Thanks in advance!