Pros and Cons of being a Digital Nomad after 6 Years of Working Remotely

In recent years, the digital nomad lifestyle has gained significant popularity—and for good reason. After nearly two years of lockdowns, more people have realised that remote work is not only possible but also offers the freedom to be location-independent. For many 9-to-5 workers stuck in offices, missing daylight, this flexibility is a tempting idea. Additionally, this lifestyle has become more recognisable and widely understood, sparking curiosity among those eager to see if the so-called “dream life” truly lives up to its reputation. However, like anything, it comes with its challenges. In this article, we’ll explore both the advantages and drawbacks of being a digital nomad, drawing from our six years of experience.

What Are the Advantages of Becoming a Digital Nomad

The pros are often what draw us into a particular lifestyle, so let’s start with everything that becoming a digital nomad allows us to do. As experienced digital nomads, we’ve found plenty of reasons to continue pursuing this way of life.

Being Location-Independent

One of the biggest advantages of being a digital nomad is the freedom to be location-independent. The ability to work from anywhere—whether it’s a tropical beach or your own home — allows you to travel the world while maintaining your career or simply structure your day in a way that suits you best.

Cost-effective living in lower-cost countries

Another major benefit is the flexibility to choose a home base that is more affordable than where your job is located. For instance, if your employer or clients are based in the U.S., but you live in Thailand, your cost of living can be significantly lower while maintaining the same income. This financial advantage not only improves your quality of life but also allows you to explore more places, experience new cultures, and make the most of your earnings.

Flexibility in work hours and lifestyle

A major perk of being a digital nomad is the freedom to set your own work hours. Unlike traditional jobs, you can structure your day around your energy levels, whether that means working early, late, or in focused bursts. This flexibility allows you to balance work with travel, sports, socialising, or simply taking time to rest. You can also use time zone differences to your advantage—finishing tasks before your employer or clients start their day, reducing interruptions, and improving productivity. Ultimately, this freedom leads to a better work-life balance, less stress, and a lifestyle tailored to your needs.

Building a Sense of Belonging

Staying in one place longer allows you to connect with the local culture, understand daily life, and feel like more than just a visitor. You become familiar with neighbourhoods, routines, and local customs, making life more comfortable and fulfilling. Forming meaningful relationships with locals and other expats also creates a sense of community, reducing the isolation that frequent travel can bring. However, this requires effort—attending events, engaging with the culture, and being open to new connections. Many digital nomads find balance by slowing down travel or establishing a few “home bases,” combining stability with location independence.

Opportunity to meet likeminded people and build a global network

Basing yourself in digital nomad hubs gives you the chance to connect with people from all over the world who share a similar mindset and lifestyle. These connections can lead to lifelong friendships, work collaborations, or even new business ventures. Meeting new people is one of the most exciting aspects of this lifestyle, offering fresh perspectives and experiences.

However, there are challenges. The stronger the friendships, the harder it is to say goodbye when it’s time to move on or return home. It can also be difficult to build deep relationships when people know you’re only staying for a few weeks or months. Many local expats are hesitant to invest in friendships with nomads since the transient nature of their lifestyle often leads to inevitable goodbyes. That said, meaningful connections are still possible, and some relationships will withstand the test of distance and time. The key is to embrace the experience while understanding the realities of a constantly shifting social circle.

What Are the Drawbacks of Becoming a Digital Nomad

Like anything in life, the digital nomad lifestyle comes with its challenges, making it clear that it’s not for everyone. While the freedom and flexibility are appealing, there are significant drawbacks that aspiring nomads should consider before making the leap.

High Barrier to Entry and Uncertainty

Becoming a digital nomad isn’t as simple as packing a bag and working from anywhere—it requires having a skill that can be monetised remotely. Many high-paying remote jobs demand experience, a proven track record, and the ability to work independently without direct supervision. Building this trust with employers or clients can take time, making the transition difficult for those without prior remote work experience.

For freelancers and entrepreneurs, the challenge is even greater. Finding clients, securing consistent work, and ensuring a steady income can be unpredictable. Payments may be irregular, and financial uncertainty is a reality, especially in the beginning. Without a reliable income stream, sustaining the digital nomad lifestyle can be stressful and unsustainable in the long run. Additionally, setting up a remote career often requires investing in skills, tools, and networking before seeing any financial returns. This initial hurdle makes it difficult for those without savings or a backup plan to dive in immediately.

Starting Life from Scratch

Constantly moving as a digital nomad means frequently starting over in new places, which can be both exciting and exhausting. While travel offers endless new experiences, it also makes you appreciate the familiarity and stability that come with staying in one place—things you might take for granted when living a settled life.

Simple tasks like finding a good hairdresser, a reliable barber, or even your favourite products can become a recurring challenge. Locating affordable restaurants, gyms, co-working spaces, and other essentials requires time and effort in every new destination. On top of that, searching for accommodation, learning about safe and convenient neighbourhoods with reliable internet and navigating public transportation systems can be frustrating in the beginning.

Beyond logistics, building a sense of belonging in a new place takes effort. Establishing routines, making friends, and adapting to cultural differences can be mentally draining when you’re always on the move. Over time, this cycle of constant adaptation may lead to decision fatigue, making it harder to fully enjoy each new location.

Loneliness and Sense of Isolation

While meeting new people is one of the perks of being a digital nomad, the downside is the lack of deep, long-term relationships. Constantly moving makes it difficult to form meaningful bonds, and maintaining friendships from back home can become challenging as you miss out on small but significant moments—birthdays, celebrations, and everyday experiences that strengthen connections over time. This distance can slowly weaken even the closest relationships.

Romantic relationships can also be difficult to sustain, as travel schedules and differing future plans often create obstacles. Additionally, the transient lifestyle makes having a pet nearly impossible, as frequent relocation and long-term travel restrictions add logistical challenges.

Forced Minimalism

Living as a digital nomad requires embracing minimalism, as everything you need must fit into a backpack or suitcase. You have to be highly selective about what you carry, prioritising essentials while letting go of unnecessary items. The challenge becomes even greater when traveling to remote or budget-friendly destinations, where lighter packing is often necessary due to limited transport options or baggage restrictions. Your luggage needs to cover all aspects of daily life—work essentials, health and hygiene products, clothing for different occasions and climates, and other necessities. Striking the right balance between traveling light and being fully prepared can be tricky.

Over time, many nomads become experts at packing efficiently. We’ve learned to fit our entire lives into a backpack and suitcase each, allowing us to travel for six months to a year without feeling weighed down. While forced minimalism can be limiting at times, it also brings a sense of freedom—owning less means fewer worries and more flexibility to move whenever and wherever you want.

Visa, Legal, and Travel Restrictions

Every country has different visa rules, entry requirements, and stay limits, making travel planning a constant task. Some destinations have straightforward policies, while others—especially in Asia—can be unclear, with poor translations requiring extra research. Beyond visas, digital nomads must navigate tax obligations, work permit restrictions, and legal gray areas since most tourist visas don’t officially cover remote work. Airline baggage policies also vary, meaning your luggage might not meet new size limits mid-trip.

Lastly, as a foreigner, you’ll always be an outsider. While locals may be welcoming, cultural differences and legal limitations can remind you that your stay is temporary. Adapting and staying informed is key to avoiding complications.

Final Thoughts: Is the Digital Nomad Life for You?

While the digital nomad lifestyle comes with its challenges, the rewards can be life-changing. The freedom to work from anywhere, experience new cultures, and design your ideal work-life balance is something many only dream of. Yes, it requires adaptability, planning, and discipline—but for those who embrace it, the journey is incredibly fulfilling.

If you crave adventure, flexibility, and the ability to shape your own path, becoming a digital nomad might be the perfect choice. Start small, build your remote career, and take the leap—your world is waiting to be explored.