Winter is coming....as a nomad, where do you want to spend it?
As summer begins to transition into fall in the Northern Hemisphere, consider how to you want to spend this coming winter. Cooped up inside again, living your live through Zoom? Or taking advantage of your mobility to pursue greater freedom, adventure, and community? While travel might seem incredibly far away at the moment, your ability to travel or work remotely offers great freedom to choose where and how you want to live your life, even under these strange circumstances.
Last fall and winter, I was enjoying the digital nomad lifestyle in Latin America, happily enjoying summer weather on the other side of the hemisphere, far from the bleak of winter in the US, befriending locals and other expats, exploring, and working from coffee shops and coworking spaces. I flew back to the US in early March for what was meant to be a visit, with ambitions to keep traveling and notions of spending the summer in Spain or Portugal. Obviously, none of that happened, and with the adaptability learned from years of travel, I accepted the new normal. Now, restrictions have started to ease and most of my socializing and fun occurs outdoors. I enjoy going out to eat and at times life feels almost normal. I don’t feel the wave of sadness I used to at having to wait in line to enter the grocery store or wear a mask to order a coffee – it’s just normal.
But in a few months? I consider myself a practical optimist — I’m hopeful things will continue to improve, but I’m also not waiting on a vaccine to resume the life I’ve worked hard to create. I’m thinking ahead to late fall, when it becomes too cold to comfortably socialize outside, and the (likely) potential for a rise in infections and restrictions.
If you’ve been a digital nomad for a while, or the pandemic has opened up the possibility for you to work remotely indefinitely, below are ideas to inspire you to think bigger for the coming winter. Your mind will answer the questions you give it — instead of only seeing restrictions right now, where can you see possibilities? Think creatively and keep an open mind to available options!
Coworking/Coliving
Remote Year – One of the original coworking/coliving companies is piloting a domestic version of their programming called Remote Village, with US-based locations, starting with Greenville, SC and New Orleans. (Both are currently on hold.) I signed up for the October session, with full knowledge it might not happen, and sure enough in early August it was cancelled. I’m staying tuned for updates.
Wifi Tribe – Crete is currently open to citizens from countries accepted by Greece (EU, Canada, Australia). They’ve adapted their digital nomad chapter model to 6-week periods and more remote locations to limit interaction with the local community. I’m keeping my eye open for chapters in countries that I can go to.
Outsite – Noting that their houses provide homes for many nomads who permanently travel, Outsite has stayed open through COVID-19. Private rooms are still accepting reservations at US-based locations like Lake Tahoe, Oahu, San Diego and internationally like Portugal and Costa Rica.
International Travel
As infection rates ebb and flow, countries are naturally changing their policies in response to fluctuations in cases. Some countries have opened to tourists, only to close their borders a few weeks later. That being said, the entire world is not off limits.
If you reside in the US, you may be wondering where you can go. Notably, most of Europe is off limits currently, but there are countries accepting US tourists (keep checking back to this list, as it updates). Mexico is open to US citizens, and is an easy flight away for warmer weather and a change of scenery. Other countries are open to US citizens, but with a 14-day quarantine. The mandatory two-week quarantine upon arrival in a foreign country might stop short-term travelers, but not digital nomads. Working from a hotel room and catching up on Netflix, in exchange for warm weather and freedom, is a doable option for remote workers. And, when you venture out, you’re unlikely to encounter tons of tourists!
The US lifted its blanket Global Level 4 Health Advisory on August 6 (the U.S. Department of State has 4 levels of travel advisory: 1: Exercise Normal Precautions; 2: Exercise Increased Caution; 3: Reconsider Travel; 4: Do Not Travel.) Each country is now categorized differently, and you should be aware of any potential consequences of traveling to a Level 4 country. However, I take these advisories with a grain of salt, as many of the Level 4 countries have lower infection rates that the US.
Overall, this is a great time to lean on your travel skills of adaptability and flexibility, resist the urge to bank on firm plans and instead go with the flow as the situation evolves.
Remote Residency Schemes
A number of countries, looking to augment lost foreign tourism dollars, and wisely noting the rise in remote work, are offering remote residency visas.
Barbados
Barbados is offering a “12-month Welcome Stamp" for visitors, allowing people to work there remotely for a year. Proof of employment and income declaration of at least $50K/annually during your stay are required. An application fee of $2,000 is due upon approval.
Bermuda
Bermuda, a short flight away from major U.S. cities, is offering a one-year Residency Certificate Policy, which costs $263.
Estonia
Estonia is offering a Digital Nomad Visa, which allows location-independent workers the ability to legally work in Estonia for up to a year. The application fee is $125, and applicants must provide evidence of health insurance and proof of a base monthly income of $4,150/mo. Applications are only accepted at the moment from citizens of countries who are approved to enter the EU, so US citizens will have to wait. Conveniently, Estonia is part of the borderless area of Schengen, so Digital Nomad Visa holders are eligible to travel to other Schengen countries on the same visa, without fearing that they are breaking the law.
Georgia
Georgia, in Eastern Europe, is offering the “Remotely from Georgia” program, which allows workers to stay up to six months. Proof of employment is required to apply.
Ethical and Practical Considerations
As someone who has already been enjoying the digital nomad lifestyle, I’m both hugely grateful for my mobility to increase my quality of life during a time of hardship, and also excited to see this lifestyle open up for more people. That said, I’d be remiss not to point out a few ethical and practical considerations to keep in mind while traveling during a global health crisis:
Bringing your foreign dollars into countries heavily reliant on tourism for jobs is a big help to their economy, provided you behave responsibly to avoid spreading infection. For example, tourism accounted for 14% of Barbados’ GDP in 2019, with over 700,000 visitors. During the pandemic, that number was nearly zero. These countries are hurting without tourists. Yet many of these countries do not have the health care facilities available in North America and Europe. The main reason why they shut down tourism was to protect their citizens from a significant strain on the healthcare system. Keep that in mind if you go – both to keep locals safe and keep yourself out of their hospitals.
Definitely invest in travel insurance and ensure that your provider covers COVID-19 related illness. According to World Nomads’ FAQS, you may be eligible for trip cancellation if you contract COVID-19 before you leave, emergency medical and trip interruption coverage for you personally or a travel companion who contracts the COVID-19 or goes under quarantine when traveling. Slightly cheaper, but offering less coverage, Safety Wing is also covering COVID-19.
Double check when your passport expires. Given the backups at the US passport office (their website says "unless you have a life-or-death emergency, you will experience delays"), and the fact that most countries require at least 6 months of validity beyond your trip, you’d be wise to send your passport in for renewal ASAP if it will expire in the next year or so.
Finally, traveling is a luxury and a privilege. In a time when countless people have lost jobs and experienced major life setbacks, please exercise your privilege with responsibility. Don’t travel if you feel sick. Get tested before you go. Quarantine if required. Wear a mask, wash your hands, and socially distance. You know the drill by now.
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Whether you’re an experienced nomad, or newly converted, the opportunities and obstacles to this rewarding lifestyle can seem even more daunting at this moment in time. As a life coach focused on travelers and digital nomads, my jam is supporting people like you to travel with confidence, clarity and intention. Book a free 30 minute discovery call with me today!