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“Living out of a suitcase has been fun and will always stay a part of who I am. But I am craving a home that is mine and where I can come back to.”

This was a journal entry of mine from back in the summer. And I felt slightly scared to admit it… did this make me less of a creative digital ‘nomad’? Nervous, I then posted about it to Stories and I was so pleasantly surprised to learn just how many people felt a similar way (thank you guys)! And so it only felt right to begin diving deeper into this process (particularly with the release of SafetyWing’s Nomad Health Insurance)!

The Story

By definition, a digital nomad is someone who works online and travels to various locations, and while I’m glad I got the chance to try this style of travel out, I found this way of doing things:

• No longer resonated with me and the way I’ve enjoyed travel for most of my life.

• And was no longer sustainable, honestly, both for the planet and myself from an all round health perspective and maintaining somewhat of a ‘regular’ life.

Going remote full-time was not a decision I made overnight, and was something I slowly chipped away at over the course of about ten years. Trying out remote working from different offices in the UK while working full time to working hybrid between London, before making full leap in 2021. it was something I reflected, tested and experimented with. And travelling and working full time was no different. There were a few times in the last couple of years I’ve wondered if it was time for me to come back to the London industry and life full-time again (and every so often I still miss it).

However I knew I had to finally come to terms with the fact that London is not my speed - or I’ve not got the speed for it - anymore. But neither am I ready to give up the freedom of movement I now have. I want to have the flexibility to travel when I want, work where and with who I want, but know that I also have a physical base to come back to where I can deep focus when I need to, have animals around me, an IRL (In Real Life) community that knows me and a place I can create as my own (amongst other things).

Let's face it, fellow digital nomads and remote workers: as exciting as constant travel can be, sometimes we all crave a bit of stability. And as much as I still strongly believe that we create home wherever we are, an actual place to call "home" for more than just a few days or weeks can actually be good for us also. Where we can leave our things, cook, create a routine and be around our local community.

Recognising When It's Time for a Longer-Term Base

The nomadic lifestyle can be exhilarating, but I think at some point we all have a moment, even just for a chapter, where we’re interested in a more extended stay. For me, these were a couple of tell tale signs:

1. Fatigue from constant travel: I was dreading packing my suitcase up ‘so’ quickly again after a month long stay and was even slightly dreading a travel evening. So first and foremost, if packing and unpacking every few weeks is wearing you down, it might be time to stay put for a while. It can also get expensive moving around so often and, if we’re not careful, it can have an impact on our wellbeing and quality of work as well.

2. Craving deeper connections: There was definitely a moment in time that I enjoyed having extensive time alone to explore on my own terms, however I find myself missing in-person connection time with friends and colleagues now. I’m so grateful I have social media and other ways to stay in communication with my community, but there really is nothing like meeting up with your community, even for a joint work session at a local cowork space.

3. Creative block: For creative nomads, a consistent space can sometimes boost inspiration and output. While I have non-negotiables (check out The Artist’s Way for more insight about this) instead of a routine, I know having the time to consistently form some kind of regular-ish routine from time to time helps me to be more productive.

4. Logistical restrictions: If you're running up against visa limits, for example, in multiple countries but you don’t feel ready to leave (believe me, I’ve felt similar), then maybe it’s time to look at how you can make a longer stay work. Remember, opting for a home base doesn't mean giving up your nomadic lifestyle entirely. It's about finding a balance that works for you.

Choosing Your Ideal Location

I joke about not ‘feeling like a real Brit’ - and have done for a while now, especially when people are shocked to discover I am from the UK - because I grew up learning other languages (I might be about to try language number nine…) and I had lived in three different countries by the age of 20. So I found myself always identifying with a little bit of each of these cultures and, truthfully, feeling less and less like I belonged in my ‘home’ country.

I say this to you in case you’ve been feeling similar, and I believe it’s important we pick a location based on where we feel a sense of belonging first and foremost. For example, for me I’m leaning towards a longer term base in Portugal at the moment for the fact that I speak the language, enjoy spending time in the country (specifically on the Silver Coast) and I know there is a similar-minded community nearby, if I’d like to meet up with them. Here are some other factors to consider:

1. Cost of living and cultural fit: While it's tempting to go for the cheapest option, look for a balance between affordability and quality of life. Tools like Nomadlist can give you a rough idea of life in different places. Consider also how well you might integrate into the local culture. Is there a language barrier? Are there cultural norms you need to be aware of?

2. Internet reliability: As remote workers, this is non-negotiable. Research average internet speeds and reliability in potential locations. Websites like Speedtest Global Index can provide valuable insights.

3. Visa situations: Some countries are more remote worker-friendly than others, so look into visa options, including specific digital nomad visas where available. There are a couple of websites that help remote workers specifically, but the government website in your country of origin can also typically provide some indication around this.

4. Climate and seasons: Do you prefer a destination with four seasons or one fairly consistent climate all year round? Do you like being in the mountains? Or by the beach? Consider your weather preferences and how they align with your productivity. Also, be aware of any extreme weather seasons that might affect your stay.

5. Safety: Research crime rates and general safety information. Join expat and digital nomad Facebook groups for real-time insights from people already in the location.

We’ve already briefly touched upon visa, cultural and language considerations, but one other thing to mention is: health insurance. I find maintaining my health (physically and mentally) is important for my wellbeing in general, but also for productivity. And what I like most about remote-specific options, like SafetyWing’s Nomad Health, is that I will still have access to things like dental cleanings or regular check ups. Whether I have a remote base and continue to travel or not, because this health insurance can actually be tailored to my remote life with:

• Global Coverage: Access to healthcare in 175+ countries, including your home country.

• Comprehensive Benefits: Covers a wide range of medical services, including hospital stays, doctor visits, surgeries, emergency medical evacuation and even maternity care.

• Mental Health Support: Including coverage for virtual therapy sessions with licensed therapists.

• Flexible Plans: Two plan options (Standard and Premium) with different coverage levels and co-pay structures, allowing you to customise your coverage to fit your needs and budget. You can also add dental and vision coverage to your plan.

• No Deductible (except for visits in the USA): This means you won't have to pay out-of-pocket before your coverage kicks in for most medical expenses. 

It is designed specifically for the needs of individuals living and working or studying abroad, making it a seamless and convenient option for those with a global lifestyle - it’s also a requirement to have before entering certain countries, so this way I’ll feel ahead.

Setting Up Your Creative Space

For creative remote workers and digital nomads, our living space often doubles as a studio or workspace, so it’s important to think about what is important for us in our ‘working environment’. These are some of the ways I’ve optimised my ‘home’ bases for creativity:

1. Natural light and sound considerations: Finding a space with plenty of natural light, which is not only good for content, but can also boost mood and creativity. If you're also a podcaster, look for spaces with good acoustics or the potential for sound treatment.

2. Flexible spaces: Looking for areas that can serve multiple purposes, like a living room that can transform into a photo studio, for instance. Consider designating an area in your base to display inspiring objects, photos, or artwork that fuels your creativity.

3. Storage solutions: Investing in versatile travel and storage options to keep equipment organised but accessible - my packing cubes all have a system…

4. Local art scene and creative community: Research the local creative community (there is also The Remote Creatives community here), as well as the nearest galleries, music venues, creative co-working spaces and other places of interest for you.

And remember, the beauty of being a remote worker is the freedom to move. If a place isn't working out, it's okay to cut the stay short. On the flip side, if you're loving your new home base, extending your stay is always an option!

Finding the perfect home base is a journey of self-discovery as much as it is about finding the right location. It's about balancing work needs, personal preferences, and respect for local communities. So take your time, do your research, and most importantly, enjoy the process of creating your next home! I know I am, and I’m excited to keep you updated on things!

Have you found your perfect remote home base yet?

Han x