Did not quit my job, but instead went full remote in 2018 (age 55 at the time).
Still doing it, but the pandemic forced me to stay in one country for just about a year now.
In that year I put down roots, got long term visas and maybe will spend another few years there while we see how things shape out this and next year.
But ya, 2-3 months minimum in a place is what you need, with just a small backpack.
Make local friends.
Don't hang around or go out with other tourists or expats. This is the kiss of death.
Make it a rule to eat only the food of the city or the country that you find yourself in.
Learn a few words of the language "hello", "thank you", "bathroom", "stop", etc.
Don't think people are less than you. They're not. They want the same things as you.
As an introvert, being forced to make friends with people who speak another language and look the opposite of me (black guy in Asia), was exactly the ticket.
Well recommended to do it.
The main thing I would say - is have a mission when you travel. Seeing the sights and drinking the bars and mingling with other tourists and shtupping the local girls is fun, but not a mission.
You will get bored after some time of doing that.
Have some particular work or meaning to each day to keep you grounded, and you can do the moving around for a super-long time.
You will find that you'll set some schedules for work, play and discoveries - regardless of where you are.
Just don't quit your job. Instead go remote (even if you have savings). Ok?
I did something similar a few years back. I went fully remote while working at a startup and traveled through Asia. While I agree with many points, my experience was more of a mixed bag.
1. Not every job is suitable to do while traveling. Especially if it's kind of unstable like early stage startups. Putting of fires at work on a flaky internet connection while sweating from heat is not that fun and leaves you quite exhausted. It's also hard to plan for anything more serious, if you have to be available when anything breaks.
2. You really need to stay in one place much longer when having a job (2-3 months), as you will have much less free time to enjoy wherever you are.
3. If you work 5 days a week it will limit you excursions into less developed places (with really bad internet) to only 2 days. Quite often these places are what's the best about area you are in.
4. I think going out with expats is not a complete no, no. Just don't do that exclusively. You can get some great tips and avoid many stupid mistakes thanks to other fellow travelers. Especially when you are in a new place that's really different from what you already know.
5. Try to connect with people as much as possible. At the end of the day, that's what you'll remember and what will affect you the most.
As someone following your footsteps a few decades behind, this is gold, thank you. One question, how do you handle work commitments with the uncertainty of travel? One of my best adventures is being stuck on an island for the night due to unforeseen circumstances, alas without much in the way of network connectivity.
so happy to have more open access to SIM cards and data packages now in case of an emergency when we used to travel. I remember my family used to go no phones just local payphones and maps.
Fascinating mind if you share some more details? Do you have kids? How about family? Do you consider a city your anchor or you feel totally like a world citizen
Yes I do have a kid.
She will move here with me when she finishes high school (currently lives with her mom).
This kind of life is not really compatible for younger children unless you have the funds to travel with them and can home school them as you go.
I try to maintain at least 3 permanent or semi-permanent bases in 3 countries but that’s now down to 2 because of the pandemic.
Yes, it’s good to have a few anchor cities where you put down some roots and make good local friends - they can help you settle in. A bunch of fellow tourists or expats are not deep in the culture and will not be of great help which is why I don’t pal around with them.
It’s quite easy to start a business in other countries if you have local friends to point you in the right directions and translate for you. Another reason not to hang around other tourists. And that will diversify your income - not every business needs to be online.
No one knows how the world will turn out in the next few years, so I believe in hedging my bets and having options both in income and second and tertiary places to potentially live if needs be.
Sort of like a prepper - but international.
Follow the Nomad Capitalist channel on YouTube. It’s a good resource and has great tips.
Still doing it, but the pandemic forced me to stay in one country for just about a year now.
In that year I put down roots, got long term visas and maybe will spend another few years there while we see how things shape out this and next year.
But ya, 2-3 months minimum in a place is what you need, with just a small backpack.
Make local friends.
Don't hang around or go out with other tourists or expats. This is the kiss of death.
Make it a rule to eat only the food of the city or the country that you find yourself in.
Learn a few words of the language "hello", "thank you", "bathroom", "stop", etc.
Don't think people are less than you. They're not. They want the same things as you.
As an introvert, being forced to make friends with people who speak another language and look the opposite of me (black guy in Asia), was exactly the ticket.
Well recommended to do it.
The main thing I would say - is have a mission when you travel. Seeing the sights and drinking the bars and mingling with other tourists and shtupping the local girls is fun, but not a mission.
You will get bored after some time of doing that.
Have some particular work or meaning to each day to keep you grounded, and you can do the moving around for a super-long time.
You will find that you'll set some schedules for work, play and discoveries - regardless of where you are.
Just don't quit your job. Instead go remote (even if you have savings). Ok?