8 Simple Tips To Successfully Live and Work Abroad

The number of people living and working abroad is growing. In 2020, there will be about 10.9 million digital nomads from the US.

Pieter Levels, the founder of NomadList, predicts that by 2035, we will have a billion digital nomads globally. The trend of working remotely will not stop or slow down. It is becoming the new normal.

While digital nomads come from all ages, the bulk of them is millennials.

I have been living and working abroad for the past five years, and it is the best decision I have ever made. If you are thinking of taking that leap toward working remotely, here are eight tips to help you make the best of it.

1. Do your research

Nothing is more important than researching the place from which you're thinking of living and working. Questions to ask yourself:

• Do they have specific entry requirements for digital nomads? Many countries such as Italy and Thailand are now attempting to attract digital nomads with special visas and lesser restrictions on entry.
• What is the rent there for an apartment? Can you afford it on your income?
• Is there the infrastructure you need or are used to? Access to hospitals, transportation, etc.
• Is the cost of living something you can afford?

Excellent Wi-fi

Reliable Wi-Fi is a must for working remotely. The more remote you choose to work, the harder it may be to get reliable Wi-Fi. I recall a year while working on an Island in Greece, where power outages were a regular occurrence. It was frustrating trying to meet deadlines.

According to research conducted by Project Untethered, over half of digital nomads (52%) rated finding reliable Wi-Fi as one of the top challenges of the nomadic lifestyle.

Safety

Working and living in a safe environment is a must if traveling alone as a digital nomad. If you are working from a place where few people speak your language, how will you be able to get any help if you need help? Most businesses that welcome digital nomads have service providers that talk about some level of English.

Global Adaptor

This is another must-have if you want to work and travel simultaneously. If you come from North America and intend to work in Europe or Asia, the power sources have a different voltage from what you have in your home country. It would help if you had an adaptor to plug in your computer cord. I usually take two global adaptors with me when I travel for work.

Stick With A Routine

If you want to ensure the highest level of work productivity, stick with a routine. For example, work from 9 to 12, have a short lunch break and work for another two or three hours.

However, because of time zone differences, the hours you choose to work will depend on your work and who you are working for.

For example, if you work for an American company based out of New York but live in Bali, you must make conference calls. Your routine will have to adapt to the different time zones.

Keep to your rituals. Maintaining rituals is key to keeping you anchored. This includes regular sleeping hours, exercise, and mealtimes.

Most people choose to work remotely for the flexibility and freedom it gives them. But it's easy to forget to take time off work to enjoy the life you want. Sitting at a cafe by the beach is excellent, but remember to spend time on the beach and in the ocean! Not just work near it.

If your job requires you to work online, you must take breaks by going offline. Don't spend six hours working from the computer only to spend the next six hours on social media. Instead, go out and enjoy the local haunts.

Build A Community

By spending time in one place, you can better build community. We all need community and connection. Traveling to a new home can be both adventurous and isolating. Anchor yourself with a community. It will make your life that much richer.

So, for various reasons, you want to travel and work simultaneously. Maybe, you'd like the freedom to work wherever you want, whenever you want. Or, like me, you're tired of the corporate grind and the rain on the "wet coast." Being prepared ensures your move to work location-free is a successful one!