When Your Office Is Anywhere in the Country You Want It to Be

Be Free To Roam and Work!

Working as a digital nomad means not having to worry about office space or commuting time. You can work from anywhere there’s a Wi-Fi connection, phone service, and a nearby office for things like mailing packages or making prints.

And when you feel like you’ve seen and done everything you set out to do in that city, you can travel somewhere else. Here are some tips from Speaking of Travel to help you get started.

Home Hunting

No matter where you want to move to, the first thing you’ll want to do is search ahead of time for a place to live. Apartment searching is easier than ever now that you can filter for size, neighborhood, prices, amenities, and reviews right online.

Of course, prices right in the heart of the city will be higher than in the surrounding areas, but if you’re not coming there by car, then the availability of public transportation will offset any savings you might have by moving further out.

New York City, New York

New York City has long been the favorite place for digital nomads to work and play. It famously has anything you could want or need, all within a short hop on a train.

Most nomads, though, don’t look for fancy high rises with doormen and concierge services. Instead, Manhattan’s digital nomads are in places like the East Village in the south end of the city. East Village is an eccentric and artistic neighborhood full of unique restaurants, classic pre-war architecture, and a flavorful ambiance. The East Village is also a vibrant co-working community with a plethora of shared working spaces.

You’ll probably want to hire a professional real estate agent who can find you the rental that suits your needs and is in your price range, usually $3,000 per month for a one-bedroom in the East Village.

Jacksonville, Florida

Who doesn’t dream of working while sitting at a beach or poolside, basking in the sun and relaxing to the sound of the surf? Jacksonville has great weather year-round and some of the best shared-working places in the country. Jacksonville metro’s typical rent of $960 and plenty of rental availability are big factors in luring digital nomads to the city too. If you’ve got high school-age children, you’ll be interested to know that five of the six highest-ranking high schools in the state are in Jacksonville. It’s also got museums, parks, attractions, and arts to keep you happy on the days you’re not working or lazing at the beach. 

Nashville, Tennessee

Music City USA has become a mecca for digital nomads. With factors like trip time, wireless carriers, population, internet speed, coworking spaces, and flexible living communities, it’s no wonder nomads are flocking there. Nashville's cost of living fits within the national average of most US cities of its size, with $1,800 being the norm for an 850-square-foot apartment.

Nashville is a transplant city, and nearly everyone you meet is friendly. Of course, the music scene there is legendary, but the city is also known for its great food and beautiful parks and scenery. You’ll find plenty of public transportation if you don’t have your car, and the airport is easy to get into and out of.

Las Vegas, Nevada

With its unique combination of great entertainment, food, and fun with the beauty that is the southwestern desert, Las Vegas has something for everyone. Amenity-rich places with a lot of affordable rental units with shorter leasing terms make moving there appealing to many nomads. For instance, a one-bedroom apartment is lower there than in most cities of its size and population, priced at an average of $1,100.

Shared working spaces in the city consistently rank high and can be found within an easy commute from any area of the city. In Las Vegas, you can find friendly suburban neighborhoods, hip downtown historic areas, and, of course, round-the-clock dining and entertainment in the heart of the city.

Being Business Smart

Self-employed people usually take advantage of The Affordable Care Act to purchase their health insurance, but there are also plans to protect you if you plan to work outside the US.

Structure your business in a way that will require the least amount of paperwork but will also give the best protection as far as keeping your personal assets safe. If you structure your business as an LLC, you can do it yourself, avoiding having to hire an attorney. But do check the rules in the state you’re setting up your business in since they do vary from state to state.

Finally, don’t forget to spend some time marketing! Spreading the word via social media is an obvious necessity, but it’s also a good idea to keep plenty of business cards on hand so that you can pass them out to potential clients or leave them in coffee shops. Not sure where to start? Try using this business card design tool, click here and take advantage of their free templates!

Working as a digital nomad gives you the flexibility to work from anywhere you want, around the country or around the globe. Being smart about how you find a place to live and how you run your business means you can be happy and productive anywhere your traveling heart takes you.

Speaking of Travel is here to share positive and inspiring travel stories. We’d love to hear from you! Please email us at mb@speakingoftravel.net.

Thanks to Kurt Brown for his contributions to Speaking of Travel!