Hi Chris! We have been following you for the past year via our personal gmail. After listening to you and others, we have implemented our location independent lifestyle. We left our corporate jobs on Aug 21, 2017 and began our nomadic lifestyle. Currently we are in India. As an empty nester couple, we are enjoying this lifestyle together. We now have a RUclips Channel to provide candid information to those folks interested and curious about our lifestyle. Thank you for all you do and your honesty regarding the good and bad.
I'm working hard to start the DN life, learning javascript atm. Your videos about programming and working remotely have been a driving force for my motivation, super inspirational mate. Can't wait for those Europe vids!
Amazing Video Chris! Thanks a lot, I love to code and now I am even more motivated. I think 1 big pro is: If you are a Digital Nomad who really knows well to code or have some other very good skills, you will always have the choice of going back home to the normal life, but also you could end up being very successful in what you do there.
Appreciate you sharing the points. Definitely more than just 'travel the world while make money' which seems to be the common misconception about being a digital nomad.
Went on a total binge of your videos tonight. You're making this whole travel thing so much clearer. I just feel more excited and that I'm on the same page now. Especially great insight into traveling Southeast Asia.
Self-awareness is a powerful tool. Before ANYONE jumps in these waters they must develop self-awareness. You brought up the question if people are willing to work their asses off? Well, we have to remember that your hard work and my hard work are likely two different things (in context of course). Someone that comes from a privileged and sheltered background and was given everything will likely have a different tolerance than some whose been busting their ass since they were 12. Self-awareness.
I have been traveling solo and working for over a year now and have totally felt a lot of these pros and cons! I had to make a call at 3:30am this morning! I am hoping to mitigate the cons by trying to focus on working on things that will afford me more time instead of more funds. My family is coming to KL to visit me for 3 weeks! Hope your time back home is rejuvenating!
This is why in learning Ruby right now after 10 years in IT support, Im going to work from home essentially then go on extended trips around Europe and further afield but Ill always use the UK as my base. I dont want to live as a backpacker who works on a laptop full time.
Great job covering the pros and cons. My husband and I working towards this kind of life-slow traveling the world. But we'll be doing it with a baby so that will add an interesting factor...! Thanks for the video!
Thanks a ton Chris. I can see you are telling all this out of experience. To me , that totally validates all those pros and cons to a great extent. Lot of people( incl. Me) taking critical career decisions, and this video of yours is a great asset to arrive at that. It's like, virtually I have experienced that situation by time travelling and got all these learnings. Thanks a ton again,keep sharing more. Happy nomading. Cheers. 😊
i've been looking into being a digital nomad and this base thing seemed a logical thing to me too. Interesting to hear you've actually tried it in practice. Though I don't think I could have my base anywhere but my home country. Just doesn't feel too permanent elsewhere.
I need the peace of mind of a home base, so I’ve kept my home in Florida. It’s a challenge financially maintaining that home base and funding 6-8 months a year of travel. Definitely the biggest challenge of being a digital nomad in my experience.
Good one Chris - nice haircut too....:-).......btw - some of us travel/want to travel - to get away from family and "friends" etc.....:-).......the thing about the "base" is crucial - as is of course insurance....:-).....I reckon that the term "lifestyle"....in all entirety, is the thing to take note of here - it has to be a LIFESTYLE........happy holidays.......:-)
Chris, that was 18 minutes of pure pleasure. Just kidding, good video and I agree with everything you mentioned - particularly on romantic relationships. It's a toughie.
Gonna be trying a few months in Thailand this spring, or that's the plan atleast. Recently joined yet another design agency startup, so gotta work on building that up first. But yeah, I wouldn't be going if I didn't have a steady flow of work coming from "home". It just makes it easier having a steady income.
Can you talk about how you get around once you land in a new location? I’m so reliant on my car. How do you figure out all the local transportation options?
Interesting that you don't mention being healthy as a consideration for the Digital Nomad? I guess it can seem really obvious however preexisting may preclude and likewise suffering a health setback might force you out of it. Might be an idea for a video to talk about how you maintain overall fitness, coverage while overseas and some of the pitfalls/benefits you've encountered? Cheers.
Fitness, I have a channel on that - ruclips.net/channel/UC8bLDXL6EW-aG9cMl1sl5Ew Coverage - I use travel insurance Otherwise, health hasn't been much of a concern to be honest.
Very true tips. In a world where everyone talks about hustle, actually taking action is the simple by key difference between success and failure I think. Also, with your amazon links, I'll be purchasing the tripod and mic from your links to support you. I want to do the same on my videos in the future. I have set up an amazon account from Aus but I'm just wondering how you get the royalties as an Aus citizen, considering the options are US bank, gift card and check? Thanks mate
You have many interesting video's! I have been a Digital Nomad since december 2015 and wouldn't go back to 9-5 in one office. Where are you currently at?
It's not really location independence though is it because if you are wanting cheap, fun lifestyle, AND easy access to reliable fast 24 hours internet and other technological conveniences, there doesn't seem to be that many choices. Thailand and Bali are unique in that respect, hence why everybody seems to be there. If you are making big dollars obviously it would be different, you could live anywhere in Europe, USA, Korea, Japan etc. But that's not cheap lifestyle.
I wish we had the airfares here in the US that Europe and Asia have. Airfares in the US and the rest of the Americas are out of this world, compared to theirs. And aviation fuel is cheaper in the US than in Europe. It does not make sense.
I mean for the same flight distance within the Americas. It costs a lot more to fly the 2,000 km between Los Angeles and Seattle (as an example) than it does to fly the same distance within Asia or western Europe.
So how much do you want to downsize your luggage? to go with only carry-on? Or i don't think that's even possible with some airlines, i checked airasia, they have 7kg weight limit.
tblb1 i been traveling using airasia, their won't bother about the weight of carry-on luggage, but their do care about the size of the luggage, hahaha... just don't bring something oversize or exceed the limit size, that all(for the carry-on)...
Wayne Matthews haha you haven't got my name right :p i am pretty far from a barber tho XD guess after this i am not even going to consider being one :p
Hi Chris! We have been following you for the past year via our personal gmail. After listening to you and others, we have implemented our location independent lifestyle. We left our corporate jobs on Aug 21, 2017 and began our nomadic lifestyle. Currently we are in India. As an empty nester couple, we are enjoying this lifestyle together. We now have a RUclips Channel to provide candid information to those folks interested and curious about our lifestyle. Thank you for all you do and your honesty regarding the good and bad.
Recallibration is massive.
I think 80/20ing the lifestyle is the way forward. 9 months at home or in a base and 3 months on the road.
Hey Alex! Thanks for the contribution
I'm working hard to start the DN life, learning javascript atm. Your videos about programming and working remotely have been a driving force for my motivation, super inspirational mate. Can't wait for those Europe vids!
Hey, 11 months later, how did it go?
Go for it!!
Great video Chris! I'm just getting my savings up to become a digital nomad.
This is the third time I watch this video, I always come back here for inspiration!
Amazing Video Chris! Thanks a lot, I love to code and now I am even more motivated. I think 1 big pro is: If you are a Digital Nomad who really knows well to code or have some other very good skills, you will always have the choice of going back home to the normal life, but also you could end up being very successful in what you do there.
Appreciate you sharing the points. Definitely more than just 'travel the world while make money' which seems to be the common misconception about being a digital nomad.
Well, yeah. Those are two parts of it but there is much more to it. Thanks for the comment
Went on a total binge of your videos tonight. You're making this whole travel thing so much clearer. I just feel more excited and that I'm on the same page now. Especially great insight into traveling Southeast Asia.
Thanks Nader
Self-awareness is a powerful tool. Before ANYONE jumps in these waters they must develop self-awareness. You brought up the question if people are willing to work their asses off? Well, we have to remember that your hard work and my hard work are likely two different things (in context of course). Someone that comes from a privileged and sheltered background and was given everything will likely have a different tolerance than some whose been busting their ass since they were 12. Self-awareness.
Sounds like you watched a lot of Gary Vee :D
I have been traveling solo and working for over a year now and have totally felt a lot of these pros and cons! I had to make a call at 3:30am this morning!
I am hoping to mitigate the cons by trying to focus on working on things that will afford me more time instead of more funds.
My family is coming to KL to visit me for 3 weeks! Hope your time back home is rejuvenating!
This is why in learning Ruby right now after 10 years in IT support, Im going to work from home essentially then go on extended trips around Europe and further afield but Ill always use the UK as my base. I dont want to live as a backpacker who works on a laptop full time.
Same here. Minimalist but with panache hahah!
Good luck!! Go for it. It can be hard but just go with the flow and you'll be fine
This is very informative unlike most RUclips stuff
Great job covering the pros and cons. My husband and I working towards this kind of life-slow traveling the world. But we'll be doing it with a baby so that will add an interesting factor...! Thanks for the video!
Thank you :)
Thanks a ton Chris. I can see you are telling all this out of experience. To me , that totally validates all those pros and cons to a great extent. Lot of people( incl. Me) taking critical career decisions, and this video of yours is a great asset to arrive at that. It's like, virtually I have experienced that situation by time travelling and got all these learnings.
Thanks a ton again,keep sharing more.
Happy nomading. Cheers. 😊
i've been looking into being a digital nomad and this base thing seemed a logical thing to me too. Interesting to hear you've actually tried it in practice. Though I don't think I could have my base anywhere but my home country. Just doesn't feel too permanent elsewhere.
I need the peace of mind of a home base, so I’ve kept my home in Florida. It’s a challenge financially maintaining that home base and funding 6-8 months a year of travel. Definitely the biggest challenge of being a digital nomad in my experience.
Heather Anne Ultimate Travel Adventures Find a cheaper home base then.
Good one Chris - nice haircut too....:-).......btw - some of us travel/want to travel - to get away from family and "friends" etc.....:-).......the thing about the "base" is crucial - as is of course insurance....:-).....I reckon that the term "lifestyle"....in all entirety, is the thing to take note of here - it has to be a LIFESTYLE........happy holidays.......:-)
Thanks mate
Hey Chris, thanks for answering some of my questions!
Nice one man, it's definitely not for everyone!
Great advice video! Some really good things to think about.
Chris, that was 18 minutes of pure pleasure.
Just kidding, good video and I agree with everything you mentioned - particularly on romantic relationships. It's a toughie.
You can hire VA’s for a few of them cons! 😁 great video !
Gonna be trying a few months in Thailand this spring, or that's the plan atleast. Recently joined yet another design agency startup, so gotta work on building that up first. But yeah, I wouldn't be going if I didn't have a steady flow of work coming from "home". It just makes it easier having a steady income.
Good insight . I think this would be exciting lifestyle but only when you are young and single.
Can you talk about how you get around once you land in a new location? I’m so reliant on my car. How do you figure out all the local transportation options?
hmm, completely different in each location. Can you be specific?
Interesting that you don't mention being healthy as a consideration for the Digital Nomad? I guess it can seem really obvious however preexisting may preclude and likewise suffering a health setback might force you out of it. Might be an idea for a video to talk about how you maintain overall fitness, coverage while overseas and some of the pitfalls/benefits you've encountered? Cheers.
Fitness, I have a channel on that - ruclips.net/channel/UC8bLDXL6EW-aG9cMl1sl5Ew
Coverage - I use travel insurance
Otherwise, health hasn't been much of a concern to be honest.
Omg that's hilarious hahah. You got all the bases covered Chris =) Fuck you're a hard worker! Keep it up champ!
Great video Chris!
Where did you have you hair done? I love your haircut 😅🤩
Sarcasm I'm assuming 😂
Very true tips. In a world where everyone talks about hustle, actually taking action is the simple by key difference between success and failure I think. Also, with your amazon links, I'll be purchasing the tripod and mic from your links to support you. I want to do the same on my videos in the future. I have set up an amazon account from Aus but I'm just wondering how you get the royalties as an Aus citizen, considering the options are US bank, gift card and check? Thanks mate
Not sure man. I made less than $100 on Amazon associates, 4-6% is just such a small commission without tonnes of volume.
Thanks for the support btw
Great vid mate, I gave it a thumbs up :) the audio quality is great, what microphone do you use, it's not the phone/camera mic, right?
I use a rode Lapel mic - amzn.to/2rtDlPr
Top digital nomad lifestyle destinations with young kids?
You have many interesting video's! I have been a Digital Nomad since december 2015 and wouldn't go back to 9-5 in one office. Where are you currently at?
I'm in Chiang Mai this morning but flying out to Bangkok today and then Bali tomorrow. Full travel plans here -> nomadlist.com/chrisrdodd
nice balanced vid. I'm curious - do you meet any digital nomads who are past their thirties and are there any special considerations for them?
When you say 'past their thirties' do you mean past 30 or past 40?
When you say 'past their thirties' do you mean older than 30 or older than 40?
past 40
Hello Chris, when r u going to be in Melbourne? I would love to meet with you and have a chat. I am planning to move to Thailand next year.
It's not really location independence though is it because if you are wanting cheap, fun lifestyle, AND easy access to reliable fast 24 hours internet and other technological conveniences, there doesn't seem to be that many choices. Thailand and Bali are unique in that respect, hence why everybody seems to be there. If you are making big dollars obviously it would be different, you could live anywhere in Europe, USA, Korea, Japan etc. But that's not cheap lifestyle.
Good points
Thanks for these great clips! Do you recommend Chaing Mai over Bali for digital nomads?
Hard to say as they are both good. Canggu in Bali is now my favourite after coming back in 2018.
Thanks Chris, I love Canggu and will be checking out Chang Mai next month.
I wish we had the airfares here in the US that Europe and Asia have.
Airfares in the US and the rest of the Americas are out of this world,
compared to theirs. And aviation fuel is cheaper in the US than in
Europe. It does not make sense.
I mean for the same flight distance within the Americas. It costs a lot more to fly the 2,000 km between Los Angeles and Seattle (as an example) than it does to fly the same distance within Asia or western Europe.
Likes from Brazilian Nomad 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
So how much do you want to downsize your luggage? to go with only carry-on? Or i don't think that's even possible with some airlines, i checked airasia, they have 7kg weight limit.
Usually your carry-on doesn't get checked. The checked baggage amount depends on how much you're willing to pay
tblb1 i been traveling using airasia, their won't bother about the weight of carry-on luggage, but their do care about the size of the luggage, hahaha... just don't bring something oversize or exceed the limit size, that all(for the carry-on)...
Find a good wifi and good work location is not easy and is a con of this lifestyle
You need to go and get a refund on that haircut..........
Denise will love to hear this. She hated it as well. It's a DIY job lol
Chris the Freelancer I think it looks cool :D and definitely unique
barbergirll I would seriously consider a change of professions if you consider this cool
Wayne Matthews haha you haven't got my name right :p i am pretty far from a barber tho XD guess after this i am not even going to consider being one :p
MarshMallon pineapple pen!
Women always want their family.
Nah.