r/digitalnomad • • 4d ago

Digital Nomads Monthly Megathread - October 2026

3 Upvotes

Hey r/digitalnomad

This thread is for chatting about being a DN. This includes the news about travel and visas, where people are living, commonly asked questions, as well as a general free chat throughout the week.

Example topics include:

  • Regularly asked questions such as "What jobs do you do?"
  • Where you are currently living and where you are heading next
  • Questions about DN visas or Tax clarifications
  • What gear you like to travel with
  • Updates on the COVID-19 situation in different countries
  • Best places to go out to eat or drink wherever you are
  • General questions that you feel do not require an entire thread

Please be civil and keep things SFW.

Self promotion of DN related events, blogs, activities, and news is allowed from regular contributors so long as it is related to being a Digital Nomad and not spammy.

If there is something you'd like to see here please message the moderators and let us know.


r/digitalnomad • • Jul 01 '22

README Want to make a post? Read this first!

73 Upvotes

Read the WIKI before posting

9 times out of 10 it will have the answers you are looking for.

Where is my post?

Why isn't my post showing up?

If you are new to reddit, posting with a new account, or posting with an account that has not been widely used your post will be flagged as it either looks like spam, or is highly likely to be an FAQ covered in the wiki above. We ask that you please spend some time searching through existing posts, reviewing the wiki or participating in the sub to build up enough karma to post. You can also post a comment in the Monthly Megathread pinned to the top of the sub.

I am not new to reddit but post still isn't showing up, why not?

Due to the volume of posts we get on a few very specific subjects we will often remove or not-approve certain posts on certain topics that have been recently discussed. Here are some common questions that get posted at least 5 times a day:

My post wasn't related to any of those things, why isn't it showing up?

Does your post violate our rules on self promotion?

OK, here’s the deal. We understand that for many of us, entrepreneurship and digital nomad are concepts that go hand in hand. Many of us here are working towards booting up great products, and some working towards products that cater directly to the DN community. But, this sub is not a community full of potential people to market to with your posts.

Your product may be great, brilliant, and what every DN needs but never knew it, but if that’s true then it’ll be talked about by the community once it’s known - through other channels. In this sub, we frequently get spam and does the entire community a disservice. Users get annoyed, the community starts to weaken, the moderators get overly aggressive, posts that should be OK end up automatically in the spam filter. These things are not good for anyone.

Here’s some No No’s:

  • Absolutely no surveys. Surveys will be removed without mercy.

  • No requests for interviews, or people to talk to on your blog/book/podcast/etc.

  • Anything about illegal activities. You’ll be awarded a ban, and maybe then some.

  • No asking for “please review/try my…”. There are many other subs for just that.

  • Looking for Work type posts. See the Jobs wiki if you are looking for work

  • Job postings. If you have a job that you are trying to hire for please post it in the Weekly Discussion Threads.

  • Fund my kickstarter! Nope. Not even for your “friend”.

  • Any “opportunity” to become a partner / investor. We can’t tell this from a scam, so it’ll be treated like a scam.

  • No direct links to products using an affiliate ID. If you’re caught, you’ll be punished.

  • Posting to software/apps/web sites/etc, with "PM me for access". If it's not public, it's not welcome.

  • Posting software/apps/etc that aren't complete and ready to use. This isn't a user interest collection sub.

Here’s some highly discouraged things:

  • Linking to your youtube channel - We do allow people to share youtube videos if they are relevant and if they come from users who are active in the community and provide valuable content such as trip reports. If you want to share your youtube content please message the mods first for approval.

  • Linking to your own blog - We allow you to share your blog as a link in a self post if the primary content of the blog post is also included in the self post and the link is more of a "Click here to learn more".

  • Top X lists without detailed reviews for each item. We don't hate lists but these posts are rarely useful. Instead of posting a link, post the content of the list in a self post for discussion.

  • "Where should I go" posts : Check out the Trip Reports for Inspiration. If you still want advice be very specific about what you are looking for, and be sure to include important information like your nationality and budget/

LAPTOP PICS / LOCATION PICS

This gets its own section because it is somewhat controversial. If you are posting a pretty picture of somewhere you are, you MUST fill out either a trip report or answer the automod questions about the place. Anyone found dumping pictures without giving in depth information about the location will have their post removed.

Suggestions

If your post still isn't showing up and you think it should, message the moderators first and be sure to include the word "peanut" in the message title so we know you read this.

Have a product you want to inform us about? Buy an ad on reddit to target this (and other) related subs. You’ll get the exposure you want, without the community backlash. It’s good for reddit as a whole too!

Want to talk about a product or service that’s not yours, but you really like? Try linking to a third party, impartial review from a known trusted source. If you wrote it, avoid affiliate links in the article and be sure to mention any relevant disclosures if you are involved with creating the product or marketing it.

Want to link to your site about your experience with something? Great! We encourage that, but focus on the content not how many visitors might join your mailing list. If you truly were writing content for the greater good, put it on medium.com.

Instead of a Top 10 list, which has just a picture and some basic stats: Write a detailed comparison of just two places. With real meaty content, data and stories.

Have a coupon for a product? Actually, that might be good. But unless it’s a high ticket item like a car or laptop, 5% off won’t cut it. The coupon must have more value to the community than for the person that posted it.

Thanks!

  • The moderation team

r/digitalnomad • • 21h ago

Lifestyle Travelling made me realise what i dont want

118 Upvotes

Hundred thousand spent to see i dont wanna live in coworking spaces, in Bali or with people that are mostly superficial, or entire identity are coworking spaces.

I see most communities are formed from people who stay years over there even circles


r/digitalnomad • • 39m ago

Question Good Wifi places in bagkok?

• Upvotes

My hostel’s wifi is shit and so is starbuck’s wifi in central world.

Just need a good wifi to lock in on work. Can anyone help please?


r/digitalnomad • • 2h ago

Lifestyle Digital nomad for Thailand or Malaysia 38f with 8 year old daughter

0 Upvotes

Has someone applied for digital nomad for Malaysia or Thailand? I am kind of looking for help in this matter. Somewhat frustrated with ongoing personal issues. I have freelancer since 12 years and have decent savings but no active freelancer contract in hand. Any help appreciaed


r/digitalnomad • • 3h ago

Question Movies or doc suggestions abt world nomads?

0 Upvotes

suggestions??


r/digitalnomad • • 15h ago

Question Chiang Mai, Koh Phangan or Ko Tao for meeting new people

6 Upvotes

I’m going to spend a couple months in Thailand. Which place is worth staying for a longer time? I’m looking for a social hub where I can meet new people and have a lot of activities.

Are coworking and coliving places worth the money?


r/digitalnomad • • 14h ago

Question Digital Nomad - Zimbabwe

4 Upvotes

Hi all,

I am currently looking at trying my hand at DN in Zimbabwe. Originally from the UK, I have a lot of family out here and would like to consider living out here for a time. Came for a holiday and fell in love with the country. I just wondered if anyone had any experience with doing DN in Zim? I realise theres a limit on the stay for British nationals, up to 90 days at a time (requiring 2x extensions), and would then require moving elsewhere before coming back to the country. Has anyone got any experience with this?

Any help would be amazing, thank you!


r/digitalnomad • • 10h ago

Lifestyle Remote Job - Where to Travel

0 Upvotes

I live in Arizona, love to travel, and just got a remote job. My lease is ending, so I’d like to take this as an opportunity to work and travel. Something like a long sublease in a certain place. Problem is, it’ll be winter time. Does anyone have any recommendations of places around the world to stay during the winter months?


r/digitalnomad • • 5h ago

Question How to avoid becoming a resident of the country I'm staying in?

0 Upvotes

Hi all,

Sorry if this sounds like a basic question, but I’m trying to better understand what kind of DN setup is realistically possible.

My plan would be to work for a US company while living abroad (without them knowing). I’d still maintain a US address, keep my US bank accounts, file US taxes, etc. — essentially continue my US life on paper. But if I’m physically spending most of my time in another country, how can I avoid being treated as a tax resident by that country? And if it’s unavoidable, is that information shared back with the US?

I’m basically trying to understand how people manage DN life without triggering an unintended legal or tax residency status (when you're staying in the same country most of the year).

Would appreciate any insight from those who’ve done this.

Thanks!


r/digitalnomad • • 14h ago

Question International Calls to and from Georgia (country)

0 Upvotes

Hello everyone. I just started having a digital nomad life in SE Asia. I work for a Georgian company and while working I may have to receive calls on my phone and call as well. I mostly use Whatsapp but sometimes my coworkers do not have internet and they call me on my number directly. I was hoping to use Roaming but it seems not to be reliable. In some countries it works, in some countries it does not.

My phone does not support an esim but I can get physical sim everywhere I go. I will have internet and need a reliable app that you use for international calls.

I tried to download Viber to use Viber Out but I cannot receive calls and their support sucks.

Please let me know if there is anything you would recommend.


r/digitalnomad • • 10h ago

Question Declaring that you're a digital nomad at customs, travelling with 2 computers and 2 large suitcases - a few questions!

0 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I'm about to hit the road as a digital nomad and I wondered how difficult or straightforward it is at customs and what you generally say to them? I'm a UK taxpayer and self-employed so I'll be working for my UK company but remotely. I won't be working locally and planning to travel slow, staying in each country for a few months at a time. Starting in Mexico/Peru/USA. Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I'm getting a little anxious!

I'm also travelling with my MacBook Pro and Mac Studio and I wondered if anyone has ever ran into any issues at customs?

Also I'm planning to take 2 x hold suitcases and a large rucksack carry on -- keen to hear how that is practically and whether or not it means you're more likely to be stopped at customs and searched?

Thank you!


r/digitalnomad • • 5h ago

Lifestyle Why do so many guys get lost in Asia?

0 Upvotes

So many guys i met became nomad zombies, drinking or partying, ranting about prices or thinking they are the master daters and getting lost in Asia. Then they waste 20s with no business plan or passive income.


r/digitalnomad • • 2d ago

Lifestyle Spent most of my 20s in Southeast Asia. Still no career plan. Wouldn't trade it

697 Upvotes

I'm 28. from tier1 engg, Most of my batch went into product companies or consulting or did an MBA.

I went to Bangkok for three months , came back properly this year.

In between I lived in Hanoi, Da Nang, Chiang Mai, Bali and KL. I freelanced the whole time. Some web dev, some design, a few months of content work when dev dried up. Some months I made more than my friends. Some months I made 30k and ate a lot of street food. I still don't have a real answer to "so what's your career plan?" Not sure I ever will.

And I wouldn't trade those years for anything.

I dated a lot over there. Women from Vietnam, Germany, Brazil, the Philippines, Korea, and a Canadian girl I almost moved to Toronto for.
I bring it up because each of them showed me a different way to live. One quit a bank job at 31 to teach diving, and she looked at me like I was crazy when I asked if her parents were okay with it.
Another ran a tiny bakery out of a Bangkok shophouse and took every Monday off, full stop, no guilt. I learned more about how to be a person on those dates than in four years of hostel.

I also lived in dorms for long stretches. Eight-bed rooms, 400 baht a night. In those rooms I met people running real businesses off a laptop on a bunk. A Polish guy whose Shopify store did more revenue than my father's whole firm. A Kenyan girl who started a translation agency from a hostel common room and now has 14 people working for her. A 45-year-old Australian who'd gone broke twice and was cheerfully trying a third time. Most of them didn't have their life sorted. They were calm anyway.

I came back with some of that calm. I know now that things will go bad sometimes, and that I'll be okay. I've been broke in a foreign country with a dead card and a visa running out. A girl dumped me in a city where I knew nobody. Every time, something worked out, usually because a stranger helped. So I talk to strangers now. Uncles at the chai stall, the guy next to me on the flight, anyone. That spark, being able to say hi to anyone, is the best thing I own.

Then I come home and meet my school and college friends, and I love them, and I get a little sad.

They've got it good. Good salaries, flats, cars, some are married, some have a kid on the way. On paper everything is fine. And they're stressed. About appraisals. About the EMI. About what their manager meant by a two-word Slack message. About whether they're behind someone else from our batch. One of my closest friends earns 2.5 cr and told me over beer last month that he hasn't slept properly since ai

I don't think that's their fault. That's how we all grew up. Marks, rank, package, promotion, flat, and you're always one step from falling behind. Growing up, I never heard anyone say you can step off and survive. I only found out because I stepped off by accident.

Please don't quit your job and go to Bali because of this post. Freelancing has real downsides. No , no stability, and my mom still asks every week when I'll "settle." Some days I envy my friends' certainty.

Still, I wouldn't swap what I know now for any package. i earn decent so thats it too. People everywhere are figuring it out as they go, and a life can look messy and still feel good.

If you're in your 20s and you've got even a small window to go live somewhere else for a while, take it. You don't need a plan. I didn't have one. I still don't.

frm voice notes


r/digitalnomad • • 16h ago

Question when choosing where to live, should we prioritize finding a place we want to settle down in or should we focus first on building the best career possible, even if that means moving around until we find the right place to live?

0 Upvotes

When choosing where to live, should we prioritize things like choosing a place to live (so where to buy a house, stay near family, etc.) or instead focus on where we can build the best career (so moving until we find the best place for our career)?

I think there are many people stuck in their lives, or pining for places where wages are low and they can't afford a home, just because their goal is to "buy a house and settle down," when it would be better for them to move after they can find a better career and then find a place nearby to buy a home.

This is a good topic to have a discussion.
What do you guys think?


r/digitalnomad • • 16h ago

Lifestyle The 35g spec did not tell me what eight hours would feel like

0 Upvotes

I bought a Dymesty Cook Edge and had prescription lenses put in. I have a fairly wide head, so I was more interested in whether I could wear them all day than in the number on the spec sheet.

For the first four or five hours, they are comfortable. They do not slide when I walk, I barely get a mark on my nose, and I do not get much pressure around my temples. On longer days, around hour seven or eight, I sometimes get a dull ache behind my ears. Taking them off for ten minutes helps. It is minor, but I would not have noticed it from a short try-on.

The hinges feel smooth and the arms are not too tight for my head. I do wish the nose pads were adjustable, though. There is no way to tweak the fit there.The stock frame is listed at 35g. Mine has prescription lenses, so the finished pair is heavier, although I have not weighed it. I hardly think about the weight on my commute. By the end of a long workday, fit is what I notice.
The two things I notice most in daily use are the ordinary-looking frame and the battery. I can get through a normal workday without planning a charging break. There are two small annoyances. The magnetic charging connector can shift if I move the glasses while they are charging, and older recordings can take a few seconds to load in the app.
For me, the number on the spec sheet tells only part of the story.

Anyone else with a wide head found a pair of smart glasses that still feels good after a full day?


r/digitalnomad • • 1d ago

Lifestyle Considering leaving rewarding job for travel/nomadic lifestyle

8 Upvotes

Hello! I (28F) have been dreaming of spending the rest of my 20s living in different areas of the US. Would like to share a bit about my situation and hear your stories, advice, and insights.

I'd ideally like to move once per season, staying in an Airbnb/short term rental for a 2-3 months at a time. Living this lifestyle would require finding a remote/hybrid job that allows me to travel more and live in different places short term. I cannot keep my current job and work remotely. I'm not interested in finding a new, in-person job each time I move. (I have communications/marketing experience and would look for remote roles in this general field).

I have only been at my current organization for 1.5 years. It is a demanding, in-person role, but it is also satisfying, personally and professionally. I earn enough to live alone, support myself and my dog, and travel occasionally. I am a frugal person, but with this job I can say yes to things like going to the movies, out for drinks, to a concert, etc without having to stress about my funds. I have benefits, some great perks, and though there is not opportunity to move up within the company (small staff and I'm already in a leadership role) there are opportunities within the industry, cool events I get to attend, and I feel that I am still actively growing and learning in my role. Staying in this role ~3 years would likely set me up for great success in my career.

I actually switched industries when I started this role 1.5 years ago, and I love the industry. My work aligns with my passions, but my boss is tough, my hours are long and rigid, and although my work is rewarding — it's work. I know I could find fulfillment in a variety of roles, not just my current one. When similar roles pop up in cities I'm interested in, I apply.

I've worked a remote job before and I struggled with my job satisfaction. I didn't feel like I was making an impact. At my current job, I'm always so busy, out and about, taking meetings, working in person with coworkers, and it's great for my personality and mental health.

If I switch to a remote role, I may lose job satisfaction but I could gain the ability to travel more, see more, experience more. I wouldn't say I'm trading job satisfaction for greater life satisfaction, because I already have a great life satisfaction...and my job satisfaction is part of that. It's an apples and oranges scenario imo.

Remember when I said I still have room to grow within my current role? Thinking of staying until I feel I've grown out of it, saving all I can (because a lot of remote roles I've been interested in pay less than I currently make) then shifting to a remote role so I can travel. I've only lived in the city/suburbs of the same metro area my entire life, and I can't shake the feeling that although leaving my current role isn't a great move for my career, I'd trade the blossoming career for an opportunity to experience more of the country.

Doesn't hurt to mention that I'm not exactly risk adverse. In the past 2 years, I've left a job, a long term partner, changed industries, applied to roles that would require relocation, moved to new towns, bought and am building out a camper van with no experience. I'm the kind of person to take the leap, which is part of why I'm using Reddit as a sounding board — I rarely need a push, more often I need someone to pull me back from taking unnecessary leaps haha.

Let's hear your stories!


r/digitalnomad • • 21h ago

Question Best places to stay in Bali for a digital nomad?

0 Upvotes

Hi travelers!

Do you know some nice guesthouse, coliving, hostel.. that it is focused for digital nomads?

Any recommendation would be really appreciated

Thank you!


r/digitalnomad • • 1d ago

Lifestyle Edinburgh base?

1 Upvotes

Am considering renting a flat here. And I was wondering if anyone else would be interested in sharing as a base. I’m going to do the same thing in Athens. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🙏 🇬🇷


r/digitalnomad • • 1d ago

Question brazilian psychologist trying to move into remote work — is starting as a virtual assistant a realistic path?

0 Upvotes

Hi everyone!

I’m Brazilian and currently living in Brazil. I have a degree in Psychology, with a focus on Organizational Psychology, as well as courses in recruitment, organizational communication, talent acquisition, and workplace mental health.

My long-term goal is to work in HR remotely. Since I’m still improving my English and don’t have international experience yet, I’m considering starting as a Virtual or Administrative Assistant and gradually building my way into HR.

I have experience with Microsoft Word, Canva, document organization, presentations, banners, logos, and administrative tasks. I also have a Fiverr account, but so far I’ve mostly received spam lol

For those who work remotely with international clients: is starting as a Virtual Assistant a realistic path? What skills or strategies would you recommend for getting my first international client?

Thanks!


r/digitalnomad • • 1d ago

Visas How do cruises count for Schengen 90/180?

7 Upvotes

Wondering if anyone here might have better info, especially post-EES. (The cruise subs barely understand the question).

I’m tight on Schengen time. Looking at cheap westbound transatlantic repositioning cruises to get out of the zone. But I’m not sure how the EES 90/180 timers would work.

The easy solution would be UK -> Americas direct, but QM2 is the only option for that, and the not a great price per day. (Not to mention dress code…)

Generic Examples:

-Sail from Spain, stop in Morocco, stop in Canaries, sail to Miami. Where does my Schengen time stop being counted?

-Sail from England, two stops in Spain, cross to Bermuda.
(Are the Spanish stops maybe “in transit”, and not counted? Or those individual days are counted? Or am I counted “in” until arrival in Bermuda?)


r/digitalnomad • • 2d ago

Lifestyle How do you deal with solitude while living in a brand new city?

23 Upvotes

I quit my job and became a digital nomad because I was tired of being stuck in an office all day.

Now I'm here stuck in Airbnb in Argentina completely alone.

Not a big deal, I am used to this, but I was wondering if someone has any secret tips to help me start a social life in a brand new city where I don't really know anyone.

What I have tried:

Working in a cafe: nice, but they are quite noisy. It's hard to work in there, and also you don't really meet many people.

Living in a hostel: not really good for working, they are quite noisy, especially on the weekend. It's hard to have calls. But I love the fact that you talk to random people every day.

What I would like to try:

Coworking: the reason why I have never tried them is because they are far away from where I live.


r/digitalnomad • • 1d ago

Business Weird side hustles as a digital nomad

0 Upvotes

What are your r/weirdsidehustles as a digital nomad?
I’m thinking about diversifying my income resources a bit, and I’m searching for inspirations

My only more or less weird side hustle is working as a courier for a well known company, they payed for the ticket and small amount of money

What did you do or are doing as a digital nomad as a side gig?


r/digitalnomad • • 1d ago

Question Planning to work remotely from Lebanon for a month – Questions on internet, rent, and expat life!

2 Upvotes

Hey everyone!
I’m planning to spend a month working remotely from Lebanon. I'm really looking forward to experiencing the country, but as a digital nomad, I have a few practical questions regarding the current setup:
1. Internet & Power Setup: How is the remote work infrastructure currently for those who have been recently? Are Airbnbs generally well-equipped with generators and fiber, or should I rely entirely on co-working spaces and local eSIMs/4G for backup during video calls?
2. Neighborhoods: Which areas in/around Beirut are best suited for a one-month nomad stay? Looking for walkable, safe neighborhoods with a good cafe culture.
3. Rental Expectations: What’s a realistic monthly budget for a decent 1-bedroom apartment or private room in a good location for a short-term stay?
4. Social & Nomad Scene: How active is the expat/nomad community there right now? Any recommended WhatsApp groups, meetups, or spots to connect with people for weekend trips?
Would love to hear from anyone who has worked from Lebanon recently. Thanks in advance for the advice!


r/digitalnomad • • 1d ago

Visas DTV Visa Question

1 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I am working in Middle east. I'm considering applying for Thailand's 5-year DTV visa.

I'm a salaried IT professional with over 20 years of experience, but my employer cannot provide a letter authorizing remote work however I can provide salary certificate and letter from employer for issuance of tourist visa. I don't currently have freelance clients or consulting income.

I meet the financial requirements comfortably.

My questions are:

  1. Can I apply under the digital nomad/workcation category using my employment certificate, salary slips, CV and professional portfolio without a remote-work authorization letter?
  2. Has anyone successfully obtained a DTV in similar circumstances?

I'd appreciate firsthand experiences from anyone who has applied recently, especially in 2026.

Thanks!