Remote work accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic and has since evolved into a lasting shift in how people balance work and personal life. Around 63% of people work remotely at least some of the time. If their jobs let them work remotely, many just go. A few start with a short trip, then don’t stop. One country leads to another. Before long, the idea of going back to one office in one city feels distant.

The rise of the digital nomad lifestyle isn’t just a trend. It’s driven by people’s need for personal exploration, with individuals seeking adventure and inspiration from new environments, and a better work-life balance. While the desire to connect with the world is intrinsic, digital tools have made it possible to turn that desire into an achievable and sustainable lifestyle. You can send files from a mountain town, take a meeting from a guesthouse kitchen, and even finish work before lunch.

Seasoned digital nomads care not only about Wi-Fi. They look for somewhere livable. Somewhere with a desk, good food, reliable transport, and maybe other people doing the same thing. That’s how informal nomad hubs form.

It’s Not Always Easy

The digital nomad lifestyle, while appealing, comes with its own set of challenges. Constant travel can lead to feelings of isolation, while navigating different time zones, managing varying internet quality, and dealing with visa restrictions can also add stress. The lack of a permanent community or network can make long-term personal and professional connections harder to maintain.

But for many, the trade is worth it. The ability to choose where to live, when to move, and build a rhythm that works can feel quite liberating and empowering.

Work isn’t always steady – payments come late, projects fall through, flights, insurance, and new equipment cost more than people expect. This kind of lifestyle needs planning, even if it looks spontaneous, so preparing your digital setup in advance can go a long way in making your nomadic life easier.

Staying Online Without the Hassle

Internet access determines whether someone can work. Most nomads learn this early. If the connection isn’t strong, nothing else works – not the meeting, not the upload, not the income.

That’s why new technology, such as eSIM for international travel, changed things. With a few taps, you can load a local data plan. You don’t need to visit a phone shop or find the right-sized SIM. You don’t even need to speak the language. You land, open an app, and you’re connected.

It doesn’t seem like much – until your job depends on that connection. Then it becomes the difference between a normal day and a disaster.

Living With Strangers

Working alone in a new city can feel strange. Some try hostels. Some try rentals. But more and more, people choose co-living.

These spaces aren’t the same everywhere. Some are quiet houses with fast internet. Others look like small hotels, with yoga rooms and shared dinners. What matters is not the format, but the function. You get a private space, a shared environment, and a chance to meet people who understand your rhythm.

Visas for Remote Workers

Governments noticed the shift. Countries like Portugal, Georgia, Indonesia, and many more have introduced visas for remote workers. They want people who earn abroad but live, spend, and participate locally. In return, they offer stability. You get a year – or more – without needing to reset your visa every 90 days. It removes friction.

Where People Are Going and Why

Certain places keep coming up in conversation. Not because they’re cheap or famous, but because they work.

• Lisbon draws people with its weather, easy transport, and walkable streets. You can join a co-working space in the morning and reach the ocean in under an hour.
• Tbilisi is smaller and less polished. But the food is good, and the cost of living stays low. Georgia’s one-year visa for remote workers makes it simple to stay.
• Bali still draws a steady crowd. Co-working spaces, fresh fruit, and a built-in wellness scene give it a rhythm that some people return to every year.
• Medellín used to surprise people. Now it doesn’t. The city runs on spring weather and fast Wi-Fi. Many arrive for a month and decide to stay longer.

These cities don’t offer the same thing. But they make space for a similar kind of life.

What Comes Next

With the help of digital tools and conditions that support this kind of lifestyle, digital nomadism will keep evolving. More countries will offer visas, more companies will stay remote, and more people will realize they can take their work elsewhere without losing their jobs.

This work model isn’t about avoiding supervision and the office. It’s about exploring new places, experiencing different cultures, and finding a better balance between life and work, where you can grow both personally and professionally without sacrificing stability or connection.