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Two truths and a lie about life on the road.

It’s common to consider downsizing as you approach retirement, but maybe not to the extreme some are now doing. Think “no permanent residence.”

There’s a trend of so-called digital nomads, defined as people who choose to live “a location-independent, technology-enabled lifestyle” that gives them the freedom to travel while they work remotely. According to research by MBO Partners, the population of digital nomads in the U.S. increased by 42% between 2020 and 2021.

Digital nomads are leveraging technology to give them the freedom to work wherever their curiosity and explorations take them. The disruption of the pandemic has lent itself nicely to this lifestyle. It has caused people to assess what’s important to them, such as life experiences and time with family, as well as increased opportunities to work remotely. If this sounds like something you could see yourself doing, these two truths and one lie can help determine if such a lifestyle would be a good fit.

Truth: You’ll gain new experiences constantly

Traveling exposes you to new landscapes, people, cultures and ways of life. Many budget-friendly countries offer hotels or rental homes that provide a few must-have, modern amenities (like a decent bed) and reliable Wi-Fi. Learning new things, setting objectives and staying active top the lists for staying motivated in retirement. Roaming the world certainly ticks all those boxes.

Truth: Visiting far-flung family and friends is easier

Especially as your children get older and spread out all over the country (or globe, for that matter), this gives you the chance to stay for an extended period of time – without being a guest. It’s a time to stay near the grandkids while they’re out of school for the summer or travel to your kids to celebrate big milestones, like buying a new house or having children.

Lie: Digital nomadism is a way of life everyone should try

You certainly get a strong sense of freedom being a digital nomad. However, all that freedom can be overwhelming. Having a plan of sorts – whether you figure you’ll be staying for a defined period of time somewhere or for a specific purpose – will help. Something else to consider before you hit the road is how you’ll do healthcare. Perhaps a telehealth provider or healthcare concierge could monitor your health all over the map. If you’re going it alone, you may even feel lonely at times. This is where traveling to visit friends and family might be nice. A well-planned budget will make sure you’re balancing your short-term objectives to travel and enjoy life with your long-term financial goals.

With a little planning and a lot of curiosity, digital nomadism is a way of life that can be fun and exciting, and might just be what shakes it up for you.

Next steps

When ditching the office to travel and work remotely, you will need these to operate effectively:

• Reliable internet sources and mobile hotspot capability
• Plug adapters for your devices
• Backup battery pack for your computer
• Comfortable and presentable workspace

Sources: insider.com; theremotenomad.com; mbopartners.com

Raymond James is not affiliated with any other entity listed herein.