Breaking free: The explosive growth of digital nomads in America

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A record 17.3 million Americans identified as digital nomads in 2023, according to the latest Digital Nomads Trends Report published by MBO Partners.

These skyrocketing numbers reflect a larger global trend — approximately 35 million people worldwide self-reported as digital nomads last year.

Every year, more Americans are not just leaving the traditional office, they are getting on a plane and leaving the country.

What Is a Digital Nomad?

“Digital nomad” is a term often tangled up with other buzzwords like “remote worker,” “expat,” or “global citizen.” However, a digital nomad can be some or none of those things.

Freedom and flexibility are the main priorities for digital nomads. These professionals work online and choose lifestyles that allow them to travel at their leisure.

Unlike remote workers who live close to the office, digital nomads continuously move across cities, countries, and continents.

They do not aim for permanent residency or work for local companies at their destinations, which differentiates them from expatriates. Many digital nomads consider themselves ” global citizens ” of a borderless world — their home is wherever they can connect to the Internet.

“Being a digital nomad opens you to new cultures and helps to challenge your perceptions about countries and cultures,” says Daria Bachmann, travel blogger and self-described ” full-time passport stamp collector.” Her social media account showcases recent trips to Costa Rica, Spain, and Mexico.

Bachmann, who runs The Discovery Nut, admits the lifestyle is not always smooth sailing. “It’s an incredibly humbling experience, but it can also be very challenging, as you have to adapt to new places and accept cultural norms that are often different from your own.”

Digital Nomadism Is for All Age Groups

According to the MBO Partners report, young professionals represent the majority of digital nomads. Millennials make up 37% of digital nomads, and 21% are Gen Z. The increasing numbers of Zoomers entering the workforce drive community expansion, as the oldest cohort members graduated from college in 2018.

Not all digital nomads are twenty-somethings; older generations also fly the nest and travel the world. Forty-two percent of digital nomads are Gen Xers and baby boomers, up from 36% in 2022.

Male digital nomads outnumber women by 13 percentage points, while 1% of respondents identify as non-binary.

Digital nomads are not always alone. Fifty-three percent of respondents reported being married or living with a partner, and one-quarter travel with children. Nomads with kids tend to adjust their lifestyle, spending more time in fewer places, respecting the school year, and traveling domestically.

Life as a digital nomad also has its responsibilities. Digital nomads typically work 40 hours a week from home offices, co-working spaces, or cafes and report high levels of job satisfaction. Eighty percent stated they are highly satisfied with their job, mainly due to the flexibility and freedom their lifestyle affords.

Top Destinations for Digital Nomads

Widespread adoption of remote work policies enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic propelled digital nomadism’s growth. Many countries now offer digital nomad visas.

“When the pandemic hit, I had just bought a van and decided to give up my rent in L.A. to become the digital nomad I so dreamed of. I spent nearly two years roaming the western USA while working full-time as a corporate consultant,” recalls Cat Xu, author of the travel blog Nomadicated.

“Eventually, I transitioned to full-time blogging and now split my time between traveling in Asia and visiting friends and family around the USA,” she explained. Xu’s travels span five continents, 64 countries, and 38 U.S. states.

With the increasing popularity of digital nomadism, several destinations worldwide have become hotspots due to their favorable conditions for remote work.

Global Citizen Solutions’ 2024 Global Digital Nomad Report highlights Europe as the leading destination for digital nomads. Nine of the report’s top ten countries are European, with Spain leading. These places are not just dream destinations; visa benefits, technological infrastructure, and quality of life drive high scores.

Mediterranean countries like sunny Spain and Portugal are among the most affordable destinations in Western Europe, and both offer digital nomad visas. Both countries boast vibrant cultures, favorable climates, and a high quality of life. The Spanish Start-Up Law, introduced in 2023, is a standout visa program available to any nomad wanting to relocate.

Despite cooler weather, northern countries like Germany, Norway, and the Netherlands have much to offer: excellent healthcare, education, social systems, and a robust digital infrastructure. Stable high-speed internet is crucial to remote work.

Taiwan, positioned at 12th place, ranks highest among Asian countries. Tourist favorite Japan trails behind at 16th due to complicated visa processes. Other Asian countries like Thailand and Indonesia offer easier visa processes but suffer from subpar digital infrastructure.

Only Canada made the top ten in the Americas. Although this region offers the most digital nomad visas, few countries rank highly in the other necessities for nomad life.

The Downsides of the Nomadic Lifestyle

More Americans are considering becoming digital nomads than ever before. Of 70 million people interested in the lifestyle, 16.8% plan to become nomads in the next two to three years.

“There are a lot of advantages to being a digital nomad,” says Tiffany McCauley from SlappyToad.com. “There is a lot of freedom in being able to go wherever your heart leads you. To be able to experience things in person and to be able to say, ‘Yes, I’ve been there.'”

However dreamy the prospect might sound, digital nomadism also has its drawbacks. While the lifestyle might be a dream for many, it is necessary for some. Younger generations are accepting they might never be able to afford homeownership in their own countries. Digital nomadism could also reflect a cultural shift from valuing material possessions to valuing experiences.

Lifestyle criticism also points to digital nomads’ effect on local populations and emerging economies. Remote workers often have higher purchasing power than locals, which generates discontent among residents who feel they are being priced out of their homes. Recent anti-tourism protests in Barcelona and the Spanish islands show that not everyone is happy about digital nomadism.

There is also the emotional toll of lengthy travels. “While the excitement of constantly moving is hard to give up, it gets exhausting. After years of this lifestyle, there’s a part of me that longs for stability, staying put for months at a time rather than days. In this lifestyle, people who make an indelible mark on you come in and out of your life extremely fast,” shares Xu.

“No doubt I’ve seen epic things and shared amazing moments with other travelers, but there’s a part of me that is jealous of the lasting friendships my friends have at home.”

For other nomads, the drawbacks are much more straightforward. “So far, the only real downsides are loneliness from time to time, and dealing with the mishaps that can occur on travel days,” adds McCauley. “Missed planes, and the like.”

This article was produced by Media Decision and syndicated by Wealth of Geeks.

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