I am planning to apply for a digital nomad visa in Spain this year. I’m trying to figure out what is the work around for someone like me who technically doesn’t work for a company but a set of individual clients - I have my own LLC but I don’t have an employment contract with myself. Has anyone here done this? If so, what did you do - did you write yourself a contract from your LLC?

Thank you in advance to anyone who has advice!

Seriously thinking about a couple-few months there, starting in April. Southern Peru too - I’m interested in the Atacama.

I recently became nomadic. US citizen traveling in Europe atm.

I’ve been looking into getting a virtual mailbox in the US. Some services offer addresses that don’t look like mailboxes. But a lady from America’s Mailbox told me that banks can often tell anyway, and some banks (like Wells Fargo) categorically reject such addresses.

I don’t maintain a US address and I have no one in the US whose residential address I could use.

How worried do I need to be about my financial institutions closing my accounts because I can’t receive their mail? I’ve set notification preferences to electronic but during tax season a lot of them send snail mail anyway. They’re bound to find out sooner or later that their letters can’t be delivered, especially during tax season…

I’m kind of panicking, any advice much appreciated… TIA

Hello all! I’m looking for someone who is currently nomading or has recently spent time in Chile to share their experiences and wisdom. I’m looking at the possibility of spending a few months to start in Chile as my first experience as a nomad. And potentially a longer-term spot for asylum. May I chat with you 1-on-1?

Part of what’s kept me stuck from just making this move is knowing how much uncertainty there is and having a tendency to make it a flawless experience (I’m also fully aware it’s impossible to make it perfect). I know it would help me map out some solid goals for this transition.

Looking for other people in their 20s/30s looking to work and travel. I havent done this before and would love to have a travel buddy. I already have a job that allows for me to work from anywhere, just need to actually make some plans.

the main consideration for me is time zone, it would be good to stay in eastern time or something close to it but i also would like to spend some time in europe and would be willing to work some goofy hours to make this happen.

not sure if this is the right place, i just want to see if there are other people in my age group (23) who are in a similar spot and would be interested in linking up and planning some travel.

I've been in Puerto Escondido, Mexico for a several months now. You see a lot of couples from all over the world come here to visit. Occasionally I meet women from Europe who are down here for a couple of days or weeks. I don't mind shooting my shot, and every once in a while there's a spark. But I'm a little surprised by how often I've gotten the response "I have a boyfriend back home" from European women.

I assume that they're just trying to let me down gently, but if they're actually being truthful, I'm just curious how common it is for Europeans to take trips or vacations without their partners. I can't recall encountering the boyfriend back home issue with with women from anywhere else.

So I run most of my business of skype but they just removed text messages. Still can't believe it and slowly I think they will start to remove the service. Does anyone else use something similar except google voice? I heard of the app text & call now but never used. I do have an international plan with verizon but living in bali the phone connection is awful and skype was just so well rounded. Any help please.

Note: Apologies if I'm being naive about the relevant financial costs in my question. I've just entered the adult life recently.

I'm a dual-citizen of Poland and the US. I currently live in New Jersey, where I rent an apartment, and I regularly travel to Poland, where I own a house. However, due to a recent family event, it would be best for me to relocate to Poland fully within a year. This is tricky, though, because other aspects of my life require me to be in the US. I can live in Poland, but I need to be able to travel to America several times per year, for anywhere from a couple weeks to three months at a time, and have a ready place to crash there, with all my things.

The two most obvious solutions come with their own issues:

1. Rent a hotel or airbnb anytime I visit.

This would be incredibly expensive, especially for a 2-3 month stay. Plus, I own a car, furniture and various other items that I'd prefer to keep here, and which I'd like to have access to whenever I visit the US. Besides, I will likely have to travel between the two countries for many years to come, so I'd rather put money into a more long-term solution (like a stable living accommodation).

2. Continue paying for the New Jersey apartment, even while mainly living in Poland.

This would be the most convenient, because it would allow me to visit the US anytime, without worrying about scheduling, and I'd also be able to keep all my stuff here, including the car. Unfortunately, it would be even more expensive than the first option.

As I said, I just need an affordable place in the US that would allow me to store all my possessions, and crash at on-demand. It can be a trailer, a basement, etc. The only thing I am picky about are roommates, which I'd prefer to avoid (but, I can tolerate them too, if necessary). The living space doesn't have to be in New Jersey, though I would like for it to at least be within driving distance of northern NJ (but, I'll consider other options too). I would also prefer this to be an accommodation that I could stick with for at least the next few years, and am willing to spend more on something I would actually own (since I may end up moving back to the US after several years). I have up to a year to figure this out. For context, I can currently put about 50K towards a downpayment, and am saving about 35K-40K each year on around a 100K annual salary.

Thank you for any suggestions.

Thinking of Moving to Buenos Aires as a Digital Nomad? Be Prepared for Western European Prices

Hey everyone,

I wanted to share a realistic take on the cost of living in Buenos Aires for digital nomads. If you’ve seen outdated blog posts or YouTube videos saying it’s a cheap paradise, that’s no longer the case. Prices here are now on par with Western Europe, and in some cases, even higher.

Here are some real-world price examples:

💰 Everyday Expenses

• Gym (nice, but not luxury): €70-90/month (and many exclude pool access, which costs €20+ extra).
• Yogurt (small cup): €1.50 to €3.
• Long-life milk (1L, cheapest option): €1.40.
• Local pasta brands (500g): €1-2, but if you want Barilla or another global brand: €6-8.
• Chicken breast (per kg): €13, while in Barcelona, Lidl sells it for €6-7/kg.
• Coffee in a random café: €3+, often reaching €4-5.
• Beer in many neighbourhoods (not just Palermo): €6-7 for 0.5L.
• Pizza or a simple Italian dish: €14-20 just for a main course.
• Breakfast "offers" (coffee + sandwich) at places like Havanna: €10.
• Empanada at a “mercado” in a less premium zone: €3 per piece. Small quiche: €10+.

🍔 Eating Out

• The best price-to-quality ratio is probably for burgers, as beef remains reasonably priced. But even then, a burger with a side will still cost around €10, which is fair but not "cheap".

🏠 Rentals

• You can find a decent 1-bedroom apartment in Palermo (in a building with no extra amenities) for $800-1000 USD, but you’ll need luck and negotiation skills.
• If you’re not careful, landlords will push for $1200+ USD (incl. expenses) for a decent but not luxury studio or 1-bedroom in a good area (via AirBnb).

🛒 There’s No Real "Budget" Shopping Option
Unlike in many other countries, you can’t save much by shopping at smaller stores or "budget" supermarket chains. These prices aren’t from some high-end luxury supermarket—they’re from a mix of Disco, Día, Carrefour, and Chinese corner shops. No matter where you go, prices are more or less the same, so you don’t get the usual advantage of finding cheaper alternatives by shopping in local markets or discount stores.

💡 The Bottom Line
The blue dollar rate still exists, but landlords and businesses have adjusted their pricing, so don’t expect a low-cost lifestyle just because you earn in USD. Difference between an official blue dollar rate is as per today and what my card provider charges me is around 15% (Revolut exchange rate 1081 pesos for 1 EUR vs 1250 pesos the unofficial rate.

I’ve been living in Barcelona for the past few years, and while prices there have also risen, at least you get premium products and services for the price you pay. Here in Buenos Aires, you can live a decent life, but nowhere close to a luxury lifestyle while paying similar amounts to Barcelona.

Buenos Aires is still an amazing city—great energy, nightlife, and culture—but if you’re coming here expecting to save money, think twice. There are better options in South America if affordability is a top priority.

Would love to hear from others currently living here—how are you finding the cost of living lately?

Does anyone know of DN communities online? I know there are apps like TravelBff etc, but they seem so temporary and only for that event. I just mean more of long term travel friends so that it makes the lifestyle seem less isolating. Thanks 😊

Hello fellow nomads! I've had the pleasure of working remotely from Cape Town for a month and escape the Scandinavian darkness. Here are some takeaways from me that you didn't ask for. I hope that's okay. (Don't take this as an extremely serious post.)

• Every person of European descent here loves to hike. Everyone. No exceptions whatsoever. And they prefer to do it ridiculously early in the morning. Like 5:30 AM or something.
• I live by the sea normally and am used to changeable weather. I knew it could get windy in Cape Town. But it wasn't until I'd been here a month that I realized IT CAN GET REALLY WINDY IN CAPE TOWN.
• Traffic rules are more of a suggestion than something you have to follow. Solid traffic lines? Not so important. A robot (traffic light) is more of a recommendation to some than something you abide by. And if you turn on your hazard lights, you can pretty much park or double park anywhere.
• Speaking of traffic – cars always come first in this city. If you're a cyclist or pedestrian, don't think you have any right of way.
• If you buy a high-visibility vest at the nearest hardware store, pretty much anyone can walk around pretending to be some kind of official person. A parking attendant for instance. Handy!
• The views from some parts of the city are lekker, to say the least. The views from the back alleys around Long Street are not so lekker. (But they can be fun, nevertheless.)
• Capetonians are so damn nice. Talkative, friendly, curious, and happy to have a beer. (And, as mentioned before, quite eager to hike up steep hills ridiculously early.)

I'm looking forward to coming back someday.

Hello digital nomads!! I am a resident of the lovely island of Ireland. In hopes of avoiding the horrible housing crisis here, I plan to travel to Germany over to some friends of mine while still remaining in employment in my job in Ireland.

Anyone have experience with this in Germany? I’d like to stay for 6 months to a year, but I’m nervous I’ll be caught working outside of Germany and thus paying taxes outside of Germany.

Would love to here if anyone has any experiences / advise. Thank you!!

Hi! I'm a 25F from the Philippines and I want to experience being a digital nomad outside of my country. I'm currently earning about $1600 per month which is relatively "big" here in my country but I plan to go back to school to take up nursing sometime in August. So while I'm still free, I'd like to go around Asia (particularly those which are visa-free for Filipinos).

I have about $4000 in savings and my income is stable.

I'm planning to stay for 2 weeks for each country, unless otherwise recommended.

I plan to go to Vietnam -> Thailand -> Cambodia -> Myanmar -> Malaysia.

Interests: I don't mind not being near a beach, where I'm from, we have the most beautiful beaches! But of course trying out other beaches wouldn't hurt but I'm leaning towards something more city-like and have lots of activities!

I'm an introvert but I've decided that I want to make the most of my youth now ◡̈

Thoughts and tips please? Thank you so much!!!

As a long standing merchant on Shopify, we have recently received a demand to provide a Canadian phone number. We have always relied on a faultless VOIP service that serves its purposes perfectly but the provider is a US company. This seems like overreach but alas, what are options if not wanting or needing a Canadian phone plan ? We are a long standing apparel company who produce and reside within the EU but maintain the business from Toronto where it was originally founded.

Are there services that anyone can suggest for us as Google voice seems to be an additional cost if not American?

Many thanks

Hi everyone! I'm currently in Europe, working remotely for a company based on the U.S. East Coast. The time difference is proving challenging, especially with meetings and maintaining a work-life balance. For those who've navigated this, how do you structure your day? Any tips on staying productive while aligning with U.S. hours?

If someone would like to exchange cribs or just join me and share expenses, let’s do it. Ideally around April-May 2025

Context: I'm a 34-year-old male Product Designer from the UK and have been working remotely and on the move for the last four years, generally opting for big cities. 

I just spent the first portion of this year working from Chiang Mai. I originally visited on holiday in 2017 for a few nights and hadn't prioritised returning for three main reasons:

• I enjoyed it as a holiday destination, but it lacked the fervour and energy that cities like Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh possess
• I tend to gravitate away from 'nomad havens'. The saturation and concentration associated with places like Bali puts me off (make whatever psychological assessments you'd like of that)
• I'd read about it being somewhat overdone. Not what it was ten years ago - lacking some of that special charm it once had and overrun with tourists

Verdict: No matter what any detractors may say - it remains a unique and incredible place. If you're seeking a break from hectic metropolises, want easy access to nature, but still want to retain the conveniences and amenities of being in a city, you'd be hard-pressed to find better, especially at the price point. 

It almost certainly was quieter ten years ago. Perhaps it was indeed better in some ways. There certainly would've been fewer selfie sticks and speciality grade coffee shops. But unless you carry some personal lingering historical attachment to that experience, you can disregard these points. It's still a great place.

👍 Positives 

Peaceful, without being boring. I generally sway towards big cities on working trips, with Chiang Mai being comfortably one of the smallest places of the roughly 50 places I've worked from. The area exudes a calm and relaxed atmosphere, with enough activity to prevent feeling stale - a tough balance to strike. Could it be too quiet to live permanently? Potentially. But for a month, you're likely to emerge recharged and revitalised.

An incredible number of quality coffee options. Chiang Mai's density of speciality coffee shops is unmatched globally. Quality matches quantity - most cafés offer multiple espresso blends, featuring light and medium roasts with local and beans sourced from further afield. Interiors are modern, well-designed and laptop-friendly. From car service stations to launderettes, computer shops and cannabis dispensaries - almost every conceivable shop format offers coffee in some shape or form. Having recently spent three months in South American coffee-producing countries, Chiang Mai stands in a league of its own.

An enviable selection of local and international cuisines. Home to its own regional Northern Thai styles as well as a great selection of other Asian and international cuisines. Even on the smallest side streets away from any hubs of activity, you'll always find tasty, freshly made, inexpensive food around every corner. Khao Soi, an egg noodle soup in a curry broth, is the most recognisable dish from the region.

Lots of like-minded people. If you're looking to surround yourself with fellow remote workers, you'll struggle to find places with a similar concentration. Yet this presence never feels overbearing, even in Nimman. At no point does the city feel overrun or overburdened. I generally don't go out of my way to proactively make social connections when I visit places, but in a similar vein to Bangkok, I naturally met people in coworking spaces and bars with an ease which doesn't happen everywhere.

A close to perfect temperature. During late December and January, the weather is near perfect. Mornings are mild, daytime temperatures are hot but still pleasant for exploring, and evenings cool enough for a light jacket. Unlike Bangkok, outdoor exercise remains an appetising prospect. I rarely needed AC in the flat, with fans often sufficing during evenings and mornings.

Immune to some of the worst aspects of tourism in Thailand. Whilst you'll still encounter overtly suggestive calling from massage parlours and proactive tuk-tuk drivers and salespeople, these elements are confined to a much smaller, isolated area of the city and are easily avoidable. Staying around Nimman, there's almost a complete absence of these unfavourable elements typically associated with the traditional backpacking scene across the country. 

👎 Negatives 

Can you call Chiang Mai a city? Even though it's the second-largest city in Thailand, it carries none of the traits you would typically associate with one. There is no mass transit system, nowhere which obviously stands out as a commercial downtown. These are, in fact, part of its charm. But it misses some of the vibrancy and intensity of a traditional city. I was intentionally seeking somewhere a little quieter and calmer to start my 2025, and with those criteria in mind, it was ideal. 

Very touristy. There's no denying that it is a city almost entirely based around tourism. Much of the economy revolves around efforts to satiate that tourist appetite. It's difficult to imagine Nimman having a true year-round necessity for 30+ coffee shops. I'd read a lot about it feeling overdone in that regard. Personally, it never felt that overwhelming to me. Wherever you are in the city, with next to no effort you can swerve off the conventional tourist trails.

💸 Value 

Chiang Mai remains almost incomprehensibly good value in 2025. Expect to pay as little as 50 THB (£1.20) for a freshly cooked meal in a modest street-side local restaurant, such as Pad Kra Pao or a simple noodle dish. If you love Thai food and have a stomach that can handle generous amounts of oil, you could quite happily eat at such places throughout your stay. 

Speciality coffees start from around 60 THB (£1.45), with cakes and pastries around 100 THB (£2.40). Domestic beers in casual bars cost around 100 THB (£2.40).

Like anywhere in Thailand, if you want to burn through money, there are plenty of opportunities to do so. Bills can quickly rack up with imported craft beers and more refined international dining carries a premium. 

The rest of your day-to-day expenses remain exceptional value. An hour-long Thai massage costs around 300 THB (£7.20), quality bicycle rental 250 THB (£6), and most motorbike journeys across the city under 100 THB (£2.40). 

It’s worth keeping front of mind that these low costs are almost always a direct result of local wages being very low. While tips aren't expected, they're always warmly received, no matter how seemingly small the amount.

🛏️ Where to stay 

While the city is compact and you're unlikely to go too wrong with wherever you pick, it can definitely impact the flavour of your visit. Each area listed beneath has distinct characteristics, though all are within an hour's walk or 10-minute motorbike ride of each other.

Even though it lacks Bangkok's oversupply of modern condo towers, accommodation is still great value across the city, even during the high season when demand is at its highest. When booking advance and away from new year, for as low as £600 PCM, you'll be able to find a quality studio or one-bedroom apartment on Airbnb. Compared to Bangkok, you'll get a lot more for your money.

✅ Nimmanhaemin - 'Nimman' leads recommendations you’ll see, and with good reason, offering numerous coworking spaces and specialty coffee shops. The area provides everything needed for comfortable living without feeling overly touristy. While under the flight path with audible planes until 1am, it's manageable. A reliable choice for those planning to work from Chiang Mai.

✅ Santitham - I spent a week here before switching Airbnbs to a spot 20 minutes from Nimman. Recommend for a more local, residential feel while staying walkable. Quieter, less busy, but plenty of food options including Hussadhisewee Road night market. Notably peaceful.

Hai Ya - Directly south of the Old City has a similar quiet, residential feel to Santitham. Worth considering if you find good accommodation, but not somewhere I would see as a priority area.

Old City - While it is technically the centre of the city, it resembles nothing like a traditional CBD, and I would hazard a guess there are more wats (temples) than offices in its proximity. I'd stay there for a few nights if passing through on holiday, but for a longer trip, I'd recommend looking elsewhere as certain pockets do feel particularly touristy. With that being said, I wouldn't entirely rule it out if I found a suitable Airbnb.

❌ Tha Phae Gate - This area directly to the west of the gate felt distinctly backpacker-focused and somewhere I would avoid. That being said, if you're 21 years old and on a gap year, it's probably the best place in the city. In the grand scheme of what you might expect from Thailand, it isn't that bad. Loi Kroh Road has the most obvious concentration of massage parlours and slightly sleazy-feeling bars I found across the city, and the Night Bazaar is a popular tourist destination. If you've been to Thailand before, nothing you won't have seen before.

💻 Where to work 

For a city of under 130,000 people, Chiang Mai has a remarkable number of coworking options. The highest concentration is in Nimman, but options are spread citywide. 

I opted for somewhere called NIM SPACE which is a hilariously mismanaged operation, yet still a fantastic option to work from.

If you turn up at the door, there's a good chance there will be no one working there who can assist you with registering. If you manage to contact them on their Facebook page, you may wait days, if not longer, for a response. 

From what I could ascertain, the owners leased commercial office space in the building and, in order to offset costs, attempted to run a coworking space in the communal areas. But you get the impression they have run out of energy and lack the inclination to properly follow through on this concept, leaving a somewhat neglected, semi-functional operation. 

You are probably reading this and wondering why on earth, out of all the coworking spaces in the city, would you choose such a place?! 

1 - It's in a great location on the main street in Nimman - and was conveniently a 60-second walk from my apartment. Numerous coffee shops and restaurants surround it. 

2 - It's open 24 hours a day, with access provided by a face recognition system on the door. 

3 - The A/C was powerful and easily adjustable. 

4 - It was deadly quiet - there was only a maximum of 5 other people using a space which could comfortably fit up to 20. Everyone else working there was considerate and a pleasure to talk to. 

5 - The internet speeds were rapid. 

6 - The people who appeared to be running it in the adjacent office were warm and friendly. 

7 - The desks and chairs were decent quality, with plenty of space. 

8 - They offer plans by the week, at competitive prices. 

I visited many other places beforehand and nowhere else came close to ticking each of these boxes. If you are looking for a vibrant 'community' feel and a place to use as a base to make mass social connections in the city, forget it.

But if you want a comfortable, calm and professional space, look no further. Given how poorly they advertise the space, it's unlikely it will ever reach anywhere near capacity.

🏢 Others 

I have a tendency to agonise over finding the right place to work from, so I visited several options during my first week. 

Many of the spaces are smaller than what you'd find in a major city and can reach capacity quickly. If you're working European hours and starting later in the day, you may struggle to find a hot desk, as venues often fill up during morning hours. If you have your eyes on a certain space, enquire as far in advance as possible, especially if travelling during the high season.

Yellow - The largest and most famous. I had a quick scan around but something didn't quite click with it for me. Something about the space felt somewhat depressing. The air conditioning wasn't particularly strong, the interior felt a little tired and you could sense the potential for the desk space reaching an uncomfortable capacity. One of the more expensive options where the premium didn't quite seem worth it. Worth popping by, but keep in mind there are (numerous) alternatives. 

Alt_ChiangMai (Old City) - Stylish, quiet, professional space in a particularly peaceful street within the Old Town. I would have signed up on the spot, but they were at capacity until the second week of January. They have another site closer to the Ping River on the other side of town which is also worth considering. 

The Brick - Would have happily worked from here, but the hot desks were all full by 1pm. Worth considering if starting early in the day and don't need the security of a consistent desk. 

CAMP - The Maya Shopping Centre features a free coworking facility on its top floor, which is popular with local students, with two hours of internet provided with a drink purchase. For a free space, it's impressive. But as it's deathly quiet and if you'll be on calls throughout the day, it's not a viable option. A handy option if you need somewhere to focus for a few hours. 

Buri Siri Hotel - I ended up working from here for a day over the New Year holiday while a lot of places were closed. For a very reasonable 150 THB (£3.60) you get a day of coworking and a complimentary drink. Wouldn't consider it for long-term but absolutely fine for a day, plus you can pay a small surcharge to use the pool. Food from the restaurant was tasty and reasonable value. 

Punspace Tha Phae Gate - Realistically this was too far from Nimman for a daily walk but it looked a large, airy and spacious option with solid reviews online. Worth checking out if in the area.

🍜 Food & drink 

🎸 Seven Pounds

Set down a back road which you would probably struggle to stumble across, this secluded bar had great live music each night I visited. A large garden at the rear features a fire pit, with great-value drinks. Open officially until midnight but generally stays open much later into the evening.

☕️ ALL BLACK COFFEE

The name would probably be better changed to 'Only Black Coffee', as you won't find any milk or other options aside from black coffee here. However, if you are a fan of iced Americanos, you've got a range of 10 blends of both Thai and international beans to choose from. Beans are conveniently available to take away in smaller 20g and 100g bags.

☕️ Blue coffee at Agriculture CMU

Perfect spot for a few hours' work, set in the scenic grounds of the Agricultural Faculty at Chiang Mai University. Would recommend sampling the 'Mixed Berries' blend. 2 hours free wifi are provided with each drinks purchase. 

🍛 Roast Chicken Wichienbury

The best gai yang (grilled chicken) I have sampled in Thailand. Housed in a shed-like structure, you would likely miss it if it weren't for the vast plumes of smoke coming from the roof. Half a chicken, sticky rice and papaya salad comes in at 150 THB, and it's somewhere I'd make a must-visit when in the city. Arrive early to avoid any queues.

🥾 Hikes

Doi Suthep

Consider this hike during your stay. Trail starts at 'Monk's Trail' (Google Maps), passing Wat Pha Lat before steep stairs. Short but challenging. Return via quieter Montha Than Waterfall route. Water vendors available at temple car park.

Doi Kham 

A quieter alternative to Doi Suthep. Get a Grab to Royal Park Rajapruek, follow the road around it's perimeter then follow long staircase to temple. Worth stopping in at ‘Baan Pie Charin Café’ beforehand. Return via a secluded trail over wooded hill through villages.

🚲 Cycles 

Ping River North 

Past Highway 11 lie quiet roads leading to villages and farmland. Worth visiting 'The Baristro x Ping River'. Can extend route to Huay Tueng Thao Reservoir, which has dedicated bike path back to city.

Ping River South 

Heading south along the river brings quiet roads and villages dotted with temples. Worth stoppiung at the distinctive Wat Chedi Liam. If cycling to Lamphun, try Mafe Café Minimal Space for light-roast iced Americano.

📆 When to go 

Christmas and New Year felt an ideal time to be in the city. During the dry season, which runs from November to February, there wasn't a single day of rain and nothing but wall-to-wall sun throughout.

Around New Year's Eve, there was a noticeable spike in how busy the city felt, though this never felt overwhelming. The 'burning season' runs from February to April and is widely considered the worst time to visit due to poor air quality from agricultural burning practices across the region. Tourist numbers typically drop throughout this period.

The rainy season from May to October is considered the off-season, with short bursts of daily rain expected, peaking in August and September. If it's your first time in the city, visiting during the high season will give the best impression and the greatest opportunity to explore the outdoors. The higher costs during this period aren't particularly significant by international standards.

If you're on a time-restricted schedule, you could experience everything you need to in two weeks. If not, there's enough to enjoy for a relaxed month or longer.

📋 Tips 

You'll need plenty of cash. Aside from ordering taxis and food via Grab, practically every transaction I made was in cash, with very few smaller vendors accepting cards. Get as much out as you can.‍ 

Consider picking up Thai Baht from Western Union. ATMs are notoriously expensive in Thailand, with withdrawals costing a flat 220 THB, so you want to minimise their use as much as possible. Using Western Union, you can often get a free transfer using a promo code, and the exchange rate tends to be more competitive than what you'll get via an ATM.

If you are looking for Gym access, check out 'The Wall Fitness'. A 2-minute walk from the Maya Shopping Centre, the gym is modern, well-maintained and you can get a day pass for 100 baht by simply walking in. (Google Maps) 

Head to 'VX Shop Chiang Mai' for sports nutrition goods. Good quality protein and other food supplements, all available at competitive prices by international standards. (

If you want to rent a bicycle, look no further than 'NK Bike Rentals'. Great quality mountain bikes can be hired for 250 THB per day, requiring only a photo of your passport and a 1,000 THB deposit. If you enjoy cycling, I'd highly recommend exploring the routes out of the city where the roads have light traffic and are well-paved, making for serene journeys through the countryside.

Get comfortable taking trips via motorbike. They are undoubtedly the quickest and cheapest way to get across the city. I found car availability on Grab was much better than in Bangkok, but for most journeys, a bike will get you there much quicker. Police often patrol around the Old City checking for passengers without helmets, so consider wearing one during daytime hours. 

Book accommodation and trains well in advance. If your trip is likely to coincide with the New Year period, book as far in advance as possible, as accommodation on both Airbnb and hotels was very limited when I was looking 4 weeks ahead. Similarly, if you are planning a sleeper train from Bangkok, these tickets can often sell out well in advance, so plan ahead. 

'The Square Massage' in Nimman comes highly recommended. If you are looking for a professional, modern place for any number of treatments, it stood out to me as one of the best in the area. 

If you need any electrical goods, head to 'Computer City'. Located just outside the northern perimeter of the Old City, there’s about 20 small independent electrical goods outlets selling just about every conceivable power cable, adaptor and accessory, all at competitive prices.

Three years as a digital nomad taught me two things:

1. Living out of a suitcase gets old.
2. Melbourne, while amazing, is expensive and far from... everything.

So here’s the plan: I bought an apartment in Melbourne (for stability), but I’m renting a place in Chiang Mai to use as my new home base. Here’s why:

Cost:

• In Melbourne, rent for a nice condo is $2,000 AUD/month.
• In Chiang Mai? Same vibe (but with a pool) for 1/4 of the price. That extra cash = more travel, better food, and not stressing about bills.

Travel Made Easy:
Melbourne feels isolated. From Chiang Mai, I can hop to Tokyo, Singapore, Seoul, etc., for cheap. No 12-hour flights just to reach Asia.

Setting up a home base in Chiang Mai solves logistic problems. I’ll keep my Melbourne apartment (hello, long-term security!), but in Thailand, I’ll rent a place where I can actually unpack my clothes, hang art on the walls, and pretend I’m a functional human. No more 2 AM check-ins or Wi-Fi roulette. Plus, flights across Asia are shorter, cheaper, and far less soul-crushing than trekking from Australia.

Life Upgrade:
In Melbourne, I spend weekends cleaning and grocery shopping. In Chiang Mai? Hire a maid for less than my coffee budget. Eat street food daily. Focus on work and fun.

The Best Part?
I’m not “leaving” Melbourne—it’s still home. But Chiang Mai lets me live well, travel often, and keep my sanity. Win-win.

They say it has two options of 3days and 14days but some online reviews say that even if you get the 14day, you will see that it has disappeared from the system after 3days, once you check the flight online.

I need a throwaway ticket that is valid for atleast 14day and preferably more than that around 20days. Do you know any?

I have a ring light at home that I set up behind my computer at home for Zoom calls to make the lighting look good, but it’s on a pretty large tri-pod that isn’t really convenient for transporting.

I’m gonna be heading out on my next digital nomad adventure soon with only 1 bag so trying to pack as light as possible. Anyone know any good light setups that are easy to travel with?

Doesn’t need to literally be a ring light really just anything I can set up behind my computer to give some better lighting if I’m in some hostel with bad lighting…

Hey guys! Wondering if someone might know more about this.

So, for digital nomads in Spain, income earned from Spanish companies can’t make up more than 20% of your total income.

However, does anyone know if the 20% is measured across a year or quarterly? Or maybe something else?

I think mine was slightly over for Q4 last year and I’m panicking a little 😅

Hello everyone,

I’m trying to apply for a digital nomad visa in Taiwan which just began on Jan.1 2025.

Anyways, if anyone has some insight on some questions I have it would be very much appreciated.

1. When I report my income, it is gross income correct?

In Taiwan the age range income for 20-29 year olds (which I am) is $20k min which I meet only with my gross income —I am in my masters program but once I get out of school this July I have a job lined up that will pay me more and has allowed me to work out of the country as long as I have my paper work in line. Just want to make sure gross income is okay.

2. It says I need to have an average of $10k in bank deposits for 6 months which is not possible on a $20k salary. I want to clarify that does it mean I need to have $10k in my checking account of do I have to deposit $10k each month for another income source?

I have enough money in an investment account to do this but I want for it to continue accruing value.

Do you think if I show them the investment account they will allow it instead of the $10k a month deposits?

I just don’t want $60k in my checking account for obvious security reasons and am personally not comfortable with it.

Is this how this works? Please let me know! Thank you

Hey everyone,

I recently started a new remote job and am planning to work remotely for about a month. I’m doing my research, but honestly, I’m not sure what I want out of the experience yet. Just got blindsided by the end of a 7-year relationship, so I’m mainly looking to unplug, get some fresh perspective, and keep my soul intact.

I’ve looked into Costa Rica and Colombia, but I keep seeing mixed reviews. From what I've read up on, San Theresa and San Jose are made out to be boring and people are getting Dengue, and Colombia’s crime wave is a bit concerning. I’d consider Mexico, but I’m Mexican-American and heading there in March, or maybe I could just stay for two months. Thinking about Panama too.

A bit about me: I’m into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, yoga, hiking, sipping on coffee, and hoping to get back into making playlists for DJing. If anyone has a favorite place in Central or South America that fits a mix of those vibes, especially with good hostels or Airbnbs, coworking spaces, or just a good community for meeting people, I’d love to hear about it.

Also, if anyone has gone the "work remote to deal with a breakup" route, I’d appreciate any advice.

Ridiculously depressed at the moment, so if you reply, just know it means a lot. Thanks, everyone. I’ll keep researching through this subreddit, YouTube, and TikTok see what I can find.

After using them once in Peru 2 years ago I swore to myself that I would never use this airline again. However, now with their partnership with American airlines I am trying to right now. Currently I'm Buenos Aires, but looking at flying them from Santiago, Chile to Colombia... However, their website is complete shit and will not allow me to book. I've been trying for days, and flights just keep becoming more expensive.

How in the world do you book with this company? You can't call them, either. As my one-time flying them confirmed, this company is an absolute mess.

26M, USA citizen only, currently traveling throughout Europe (been here ~8 months) looking at DN Visas in Italy and Portugal. I already have a Bachelor's in Business Administration and run my business remotely (which I would continue to do while in school). I qualify for IT and PT DN visas, but am also looking to return to school (either for another bachelor's in a STEM field or an MBA).

The reason I am not jumping right into the student visa route is because 1) I am unsure of which area of study I would like to pursue & want to spend a while researching and 2) it is not yet confirmed (at least for IT) if a student visa can be converted to a DN visa upon graduation for a continuation in my residency years to count toward PR (and eventually citizenship).

Does anyone have experience with attending university while on a DN visa? I have spoken to immigration specialists/lawyers, specifically for IT, and 2 have said yes while 2 have said no.

I know Bali gets a lot of bad rep, but I really enjoyed a quiet life in Ubud (away from the tourist areas) and I never felt alone as any cafe I went to, I met people really easy.

I have been to Tulum (really hated it) and I really didn't feel this community and friendliness. Are there places where you felt really welcomed and met people easy. Prefer no huge cities, but can be if its like Buenos Aires :)

Hey Everyone,

I looked through the first post rules and I think this question is allowed, but apologies if it’s not.

I’m currently working remotely for a US based company with no restriction moving in between states.

I’m wanting to start working from other countries, but I’m not sure if my employer allows it. I know that there aren’t any workers currently abroad. I’m planning on having a manager about this, but just want to be aware of any issues they might have.

The only problem that I can think of is potential tax liability, but I’m not planning on staying in any country long enough to trigger tax status, only staying there on the digital nomad/various other remote worker visa’s.

Anything I’m missing here on why they wouldn’t allow it/things I could do to reassure them as to compliance matters?

Thanks!

Hey everyone! 👋

For those of you living the digital nomad life, how do you structure your time? Do you go full-on work mode, take breaks to focus on fitness, pick up new skills, or just enjoy the slow travel lifestyle?

We’ve been seeing a trend of nomads using their flexibility to take short career breaks or mix work with adventure. At our digital nomad hub in Mallorca (Pollenca), right by the beach, we’ve had a mix of people spending their summers with us—some work remotely while squeezing in workouts, some get into diving, and others just take time to reset. It’s interesting to see how differently everyone approaches location independence.

I’d love to hear from you—how do you balance work and lifestyle as a digital nomad? Do you have a steady income stream, freelance, or run your own business to sustain it? And do you ever take full breaks from work, or do you always keep something going?

Looking forward to your thoughts!

I'm trying to send some money to someone in Brazil, from the US, but it is important they do not know who it came from. I want to use my cash, not digital forms, and hopefully they can pick up the cash on their end.

We aren't talking about large amounts, maybe $100 or so.

From what I can tell, it's illegal to send cash in Fed Ex or US mail. Western Union requires my ID to send it, and I don't know if that will be seen on the receiving end. This isn't anything nefarious, this is a gift, but it is important the recipient doesn't know who it came from.

Any ideas?

Curious to get some advice from those that have already gone through the process of getting approval from a company to work as digital nomad.

Are most folks 1099 and not w2?

Did your company already allow other employees to do this or were you the first to get approval?

How high up in your company did you end up going to get approval and the proper paperwork?

Obviously this will end up being super specific to the company itself but just curious. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.