New Nomad Checklist

Thinking of becoming a digital nomad? I had this thought once and then I made it happen. While it sounds sexy, and sometimes it is, the leap to becoming a digital nomad was a tad stressful.

If you need help getting over the fear, visit Getting over the fear of getting started as a digital nomad.

If you're beyond that, or beyond it enough to take the next steps, below is a checklist I created after making the leap. As I learn more throughout my travels, I continue to add to this list.

-- Pat

The Short

Forget the travel bag packing list. If you want to live anywhere, you need the same things you need to live where you are right now:

• Income (or a pile of cash)
• Legal right to stay and work there
• Couple changes of clothes
• Some common sense

Calling yourself a digial nomad doesn't make these basic needs go away.

The Long

Documentation & Legalities

• Passport w/ at least 6 months validity
• Necessary visas
• Copies of important documents (passport, visa, drivers license, insurance)
• Travel insurance (health, belongings, cancellations)
• Health & vaccination records

Finance Management

• Notify your bank(s) of your travel plans to avoid fraud alerts
• Find a travel credit card (w/ no foreign transaction fees)
• Create & know your budget
• Setup an emergency fund

Health and Safety

• Vaccinations specific to your destination(s)
• Understand how medical treatment works in destination (hospitals, clinics, co-pays)
• List of emergency contacts
• Health check-up before leaving

Connectivity

• International SIM card or a mobile roaming plan.
• Subscription to a reliable VPN service for secure internet access.
• List of coworking spaces in your destination(s).

Accommodation

• Research and book initial accommodation.
• Join housing networks or forums for digital nomads (ex. Digital Nomad (opens in a new tab)).
• Consider options like Airbnb, hostels, or co-living spaces.
• Understand the cancellation policies and terms of stay.

Packing

See Packing List.

Work Preparation

• Plan or schedule for your work hours considering different time zones.
• Backup storage solutions like external hard drives or cloud storage.
• List of goals and projects to work on while traveling.
• Membership on online platforms for remote work and freelancing opportunities.

Cultural Preparation

• Basic understanding of the local language(s) at your destination.
• Cultural research to avoid faux pas and to understand local customs.
• Download apps for language learning and translation (ex. Google Translate (opens in a new tab)).

Networking and Social

• Join digital nomad communities online (forums, Facebook groups, etc.).
• Research local meetups or events for digital nomads in your destination(s).
• Plan to attend networking events or conferences for digital nomads.

Miscellaneous

• Cancel or forward your current postal mail (ex. Traveling Mailbox (opens in a new tab)).
• Inform family and friends of your plans and how to reach you.
• Make digital copies of all important documents and store them securely online.
• Set up a blog or journal to document your travels and work experiences.
• Mental preparation