How to Build a Career While Living Abroad; A Real-World Guide for Digital Nomads
- Kiarra Huettes
- Jun 6
- 4 min read
Embracing a life where your office could be a beachside café in Portugal one month and a mountaintop cabin in Chile the next isn’t just a dream anymore—it’s something people are actually doing. Digital nomadism isn’t a buzzword for wanderlusters; it’s a lifestyle rooted in work, flexibility, and intention.
But here’s the thing most people gloss over: it takes real strategy and more than just a plane ticket to make it sustainable. If you’re someone eyeing that lifestyle but unsure how to make a living on the road, this is where you start mapping it out.
Let Go of the One-Path Mindset
You’ve probably been told that careers are ladders—you climb one step, then the next, and hope it leads to the top. But nomadic living demands a shift away from that mindset. Your career might look more like a jungle gym, with lateral moves, creative pivots, and passion projects that pay the bills in between. The key is being open to new ways of working, even if it doesn’t look linear or impressive on LinkedIn.
Choose Skills That Travel Well
Before you start packing bags, you’ll need to figure out how you’re actually going to earn. Certain skills lend themselves beautifully to location independence—think design, writing, programming, marketing, consulting, teaching English online. The real advantage isn’t just the skill itself but how portable and in-demand it is. Focus on building a skill set that doesn’t rely on local networks or physical presence to make you valuable.
Don’t Freelance Blindly—Treat It Like a Business
There’s a difference between freelancing to survive and running a solo business that supports your lifestyle. Too many nomads treat their work like a side hustle, which leads to burnout and chaos. You need structure: contracts, consistent rates, systems for onboarding clients, and actual business goals. If you treat yourself like a professional, clients will follow suit—and you’ll find yourself with more stability than you'd expect from life on the road.
Start Your Own Online Store
If you're aiming to build a business that travels with you, launching an e-commerce brand can be one of the most accessible and flexible paths. From selling handmade products to curating drop shipped goods, you can run the entire operation from your laptop, no matter where you are in the world. Choosing to form an LLC offers credibility and protects your personal assets in case things ever go sideways.
These days, you can use online formation services to form an LLC with registration packages that include everything from EIN filing to registered agent services tailored to your business.
Build a Routine That Anchors You
The freedom to work from anywhere is intoxicating, but it can quickly morph into chaos if you’re not careful. Routines help keep you grounded, no matter where you wake up.
That could mean morning journaling, setting daily work hours, or using one day a week for admin and planning. Just because you’re constantly moving doesn’t mean your habits should be all over the place too.
Find the Right Places to Stay with Tools Built for You
Accommodations make or break your productivity, and no one talks about that enough. Trying to work from a loud hostel bunk bed or an Airbnb with trash Wi-Fi can derail your week. That’s why platforms like Nomadico are game-changers. They curate stays that are specifically designed for people working remotely—places with fast internet, desks that don’t double as kitchen counters, and communities that get what you’re doing.
Connect with Other Humans, Not Just Wi-Fi
Loneliness can sneak in, even if you’re waking up in new places every few weeks. Building a network of fellow nomads, both online and in person, is what keeps the lifestyle sustainable. Co-working spaces, digital nomad meetups, or simply DMing someone you admire on Instagram to grab coffee can go a long way. Just because you’re choosing independence doesn’t mean you need to be isolated.
Save Like You’re Not Invincible
When you’re chasing sunsets in Bali and sipping espresso in Barcelona, saving money might feel like a future-you problem. But there’s no safety net when you live outside traditional systems—no HR department, no benefits, no fallback. Set up a real savings plan, budget like you’re your own CFO, and always have an emergency fund. Financial stability is what lets you say yes to the next adventure without spiraling into panic.
Stay Curious, Always
This lifestyle rewards people who are endlessly curious. Whether it's about culture, technology, or new ways of earning, staying curious keeps you adaptive and open to new possibilities. Don’t just do what every other digital nomad is doing—ask questions, try new platforms, build something no one else is building. The road is long, and the most fulfilled nomads are the ones still learning, still tweaking, still evolving.
Living as a digital nomad isn’t about chasing some aesthetic ideal of working poolside with a laptop and a smoothie. It’s about constructing a life that reflects your values, your goals, and your version of success. It takes grit, clarity, and a willingness to figure things out as you go. But if you can build a strong foundation and stay honest with yourself along the way, this lifestyle isn’t just possible—it’s deeply rewarding.
Discover authentic coliving and coworking experiences with Nomadico, where community and adventure await digital nomads and remote workers around the globe!
