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Before she could get to work in 2019, Katie Macleod scaled the most active volcano overnight in Central America – Guatemala’s Volcan de Fuego. “I saw large rocks of lava being spat out; glowing a sensational amber against the night sky, then slipping down the slope like little orange falling stars,” she says. Back in her room a few hours later, the graphic designer logged on to a Zoom meeting and Trello to get cracking on some concepts for her clients. “I am more than ready, in fact, craving some static time on my laptop after such an adventure. Work doesn’t necessarily feel like work at that point,” she says.
Macleod affords these once-in-a-lifetime experiences because she quit her London-based desk job in 2018 to work remotely. Since then, she’s worked in 82 different countries, sporting the coolest Zoom backgrounds at work – sandstorms at the edge of the Sahara Desert in Morocco, the snow-capped Himalayas, pod hotels in Tokyo, and Bali’s pristine beaches.
How She Funds Her Travels
Macleod previously worked a high-intensity nine-to-five job at an advertising agency in Central London. “But I knew my heart was elsewhere. I wanted to travel the world,” she says. “I was certain that my 20s were not a time to be wasted, especially in an office environment that was no longer serving me.”
Initially, Macleod funded her travels through her freelance projects. Over the years, she has also managed to turn her passion into a passive source of income through her blog, KatieGoes. While her British passport opens up a number of countries she can travel to without a visa, she visits other countries on a tourist visa.
How She Picks Where She Goes
On some workdays, Macleod has embarked on a road trip in Mongolia, snorkeled with sharks in Belize, soared high in a hot air balloon during sunrise in Cappadocia, skateboarded between Venice Beach and Santa Monica, admired New York’s skyline from a helicopter, explored an abandoned shipwreck in Socotra (Yemen), and had lunch at Sadam Hussein’s palace in Babylon.
So how does she choose her destinations? “A reasonable internet connection is a top priority on my list,” she says. The second is a welcoming community of like-minded people. “While moving around on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis, there is a lack of constant friendly faces; there are no daily in-person work colleagues, no friends to have daily catch-ups with. You see unfamiliar places at local shops. This is easily an aspect of a static lifestyle that people can take for granted.” With the constant change in languages and cultures, she feels it’s rewarding to be surrounded by an uplifting community. “My experience in India was a testament to this,” says Macleod, who spent a few weeks working from Dharamkot.
The Best Countries to Work From as a Digital Nomad
- Indonesia: Bali is a common favorite amongst digital nomads, making it one of the best first places to start your digital nomad journey. With plenty of cute cafes, great WiFi connections, a culture that encourages self-development, and networking events; it’s a dream!
- Portugal: With its friendly people, Instagrammable architecture, beautiful beaches, and low living costs, Portugal offers several digital nomad hotspots including Lisbon, Peniche, Madeira, and Porto.
- Sri Lanka: Some locations in Sri Lanka are giving Bali a run for its money!
- UK: The UK is great for digital nomads too, with cafes supporting remote work and an abundance of coworking spaces. Edinburgh is a standout for many.
- Georgia: Tbilisi has a small but prominent digital nomad community, along with stunning landscapes for exploration during downtime from work.
- Malta: A very affordable destination to fly to from many European countries, Malta offers a digital nomad visa and numerous coworking spaces and cafes.
- Nepal: Nepal boasts sufficient internet speeds, an emerging cafe culture, outdoor activity opportunities, and a welcoming hospitality environment.
- India: In the mountains, particularly around Dharamkot, Macleod found a calmness that inspired her creativity. The tight-knit community and low living costs make it appealing for remote work.
- Poland: Poland presents many cities that are both attractive and practical destinations for digital nomads with a relatively affordable cost of living.
- Mexico: Mexico’s great weather, rich culture, and relaxed lifestyle make it a popular digital nomad destination.
The Toughest Countries to Work From as a Digital Nomad
- USA: Though a top dream destination, the high living costs and lack of suitable working environments can be challenging for digital nomads.
- Morocco: Visitors may face uncomfortable situations, and forming a community can be difficult.
- Oman: While the friendliness of Oman is commendable, the internet infrastructure still needs improvement.
Macleod’s Top Tips to Live Like a Digital Nomad
1. Travel slowly and start with co-living spaces in well-known digital nomad hotspots to find your community.
2. You don’t necessarily need to apply for a digital nomad visa; tourist visas can suffice if you plan accordingly.
3. Securing travel insurance is essential. Consider options like SafetyWing, which is tailored for travelers.
4. If applying for a digital nomad visa, be aware of the taxation policies in your home country.
5. Local SIM cards are typically the cheapest option; do not solely rely on local Wi-Fi connections.
6. Tools like Trello can help manage itineraries, flights, and bookings efficiently.
7. Packing cubes are invaluable for organizing your belongings.
8. Macleod also recommends exploring van life. “During the pandemic, I self-converted a van, and it significantly broadened my ability to work from anywhere.”
The Downsides
Despite the picturesque locations and culinary experiences, Macleod faces challenges such as working from airports and railway stations for extended periods. “Naturally, our surroundings are constantly changing; the people, climate, and living conditions may vary. Therefore, nomads must remain determined to maintain fitness routines, sleep patterns, and eating habits,” she notes. While it may seem like a continuous vacation, she emphasizes that the reality of traveling constantly can be exhausting.
To those considering a similar lifestyle, Macleod suggests minimizing expenses. “It’s about learning to live without relying on the next paycheck. You’ll find traveling is often cheaper than living a static life burdened by debts and mortgages,” she continues. Finally, she recommends learning to gracefully say goodbye, as it allows for future adventures.
A carefree lifestyle as a digital nomad is indeed appealing to Macleod, who does not envision returning to a full-time desk job anytime soon. She believes that the world is increasingly adapting to remote work, a shift expedited by recent events.
