Why being an ex-pat is better than being a digital nomad?

What’s the difference anyway?

According to Google…

“An expatriate, or ex-pat, is an individual living and/or working in a country other than his or her country of citizenship, often temporarily and/or for work reasons.”

And,

A Digital Nomad is — “a person who earns a living working online, in various locations of their choosing (rather than a fixed business location).”

The major difference?

Digital Nomads tend to move around from place to place/country to country. While, Ex-pats often choose a singular destination/country to live, and work from.

After close to a year of hopping around from country to country…

Three and a half months in Jamaica.

Two and a half months in Ecuador.

Three and a half months in the United States.

I’m finally back in Ecuador, slowly settling into my new ex-pat experience.

I’m so relieved to be closing this 11th-month-old chapter of constantly moving, and hauling heavy luggage around, traveling from one Airbnb, or one temporary accommodation to another.

I can’t even begin to express how amazing it feels to be finally typing this new post from my new cozy apartment in a small village town in Ecuador, where I have stable accommodation for the next six months. Tentatively.

I never thought it would feel so orgasmically satisfying, and grounding, to have a space I can call home. A space to unpack, to decorate, arrange stuff, to cook, and to simply just be!

A feeling, I can’t say I had when I was living the digital nomad lifestyle.

I definitely underestimated what it would feel like to be a digital nomad, and what it would feel like to be an ex-pat with a space to call home.

I think being an ex-pat, is better than being a digital nomad because:

1. The feeling of stability that comes with being settled in a place is underrated.

Once again, I re-iterate — there is almost no greater feeling than being settled in a space you can call your home.

In my experience, it’s almost as if, moving around helps you appreciate more, the feeling of being settled in a singular space, and even a better, space you get to call home.

2. Time to get to know and experience the land, culture, and people of a place.

Being an ex-pat affords you the time to get to know the land, culture, and people, of a place even better.

Digital nomads are usually confined to working from their laptops a lot of the time, even when they newly arrive in a country.

Sometimes, they don’t really get to fully experience their new country/setting, besides eating from restaurants and maybe, a little nightlife, here and there.

Being an ex-pat gives you time and opportunity to acclimatize, and to slowly explore what a new place has to offer you.

3. Time to slow travel a country.

Being an ex-pat allows you to slowly travel, and to explore a country over a good amount of time.

Apart from money, time is one of the greatest assets to have, when you’re traveling and/or living in a new country/place.

This is because time allows you to slowly discover all the hidden gems, and places, a new country has to offer.

In time, you get to know all the great locations that you would love to visit, which may come from personal recommendations from other people/travelers/locals you meet along the way.

Digital nomads often don’t have longer time periods to spend in a new country, because their stays are often stipulated by visa restrictions, and a lifestyle defined by always moving on to the next place.

4. Having the stability to cultivate focus, for work and productivity:

Being an ex-pat comes with a sense of stability, that being a digital nomad doesn’t come with.

Apart from working online, digital nomads have to spend a good amount of time figuring out their next destinations — researching visas, travel, and health requirements for their new destinations. Whereas, ex-pats are much more stable because they know they are going to be living in their new country for an extended period of time.

I’ve observed from personal experience that when you’re stable — it’s easier for you to come up with a routine and to find your rhythm, which can help maximize your productivity, and ability to focus and complete tasks you set for yourself.

5. Time to adjust to your new settings.

Being an ex-pat gives you the time and chance to slowly settle and acclimatize to your new country.

I’ve already spoken at length about the gift and privilege of having time to explore and to get used to being in a new country and new environment.

Besides, you need time to truly have an informed opinion of a place.

6. Community.

Being an ex-pat, allows you to build a solid community and life-long relationships with people you get to know over a lengthier period of time, and perhaps trust.

Whereas, being a digital nomad means you’re always on the move, therefore having to form and say goodbye to superficial relationships, and connections, with people you barely know or were just in the process of getting to know better.

7. Finally, by choosing to be an ex-pat, you can apparently reduce your carbon footprint by staying put in one country, instead of frequently hopping on a flight from place to place.

After experiencing both lifestyles, I can confidently say, different seasons of your life require different things.

In one season, you may be called to be a digital nomad, and in another, you may need to be an ex-pat.

Sometimes, being a digital nomad can open up the doors to being an ex-pat.

I recommend — you do absolutely what’s best for you, and your lifestyle needs.

These are just my sentiments on why I think being an ex-pat is better than being a digital nomad. And I’d love to know yours? Have you experienced, or considered trying these lifestyles out?

Do you have a preference?

Please do share your comments with me.