In October 2014, when I packed my bags and boarded my flight from San Francisco to North Carolina, I stood on the threshold of an adventure filled with exciting opportunities and inevitable challenges. My decision to embrace the life of a digital nomad meant leaving behind the familiarity of family, friends, and possessions and entering a world without the comforts of a permanent home, a personal car, or reliable high-speed internet. The transition was daunting, yet it unlocked a door to liberation, unattachment, and endless possibilities.
In the era of technological innovation, the gap between me and my loved ones has been bridged through platforms like FaceTime, Google Hangouts, Facebook, and Instagram. These connections have allowed me to share my experiences and nurtured a sense of community among fellow digital nomads. Over the years, as I’ve called incredible places like Barcelona, Berlin, Tamarindo, Portland, San Francisco, Alicante, and now Madrid my home, I’ve honed my understanding of the tools that can make this lifestyle seamless and rewarding.
The nomadic lifestyle is as varied as the people who choose it. Some digital nomads bounce from location to location in rapid succession, while others, like me, prefer to savor each new destination for months at a time. This approach allows me to immerse myself in every locale, absorbing the culture, scenery, and unique experiences each offer.
In this article, I’ll be sharing the resources and services that have become vital to my daily life as a digital nomad. Far more than just tools to facilitate work or enhance productivity, these resources have shaped my location-independent lifestyle, making it more comfortable, efficient, and satisfying.
The concept of digital nomadism, once an unconventional path, has become a mainstream and fulfilling career choice for a growing number of professionals. Let’s explore together 21 essential resources that can transform remote life into a rich, rewarding, and truly productive experience.
Collaboration, Communication, and Organization Tools
For Team Interaction and Work Management
Slack: Slack simplifies team communication by providing channels and direct messages. It integrates seamlessly with other tools, allowing file sharing, video calls, and real-time collaboration. Its app ecosystem ensures that you can tailor it to fit your team’s needs, making it an ideal choice for remote work.
Whereby: Known for its user-friendly interface, , like Zoom, is essential for virtual meetings and webinars. Its stability, HD video quality, and various features like screen sharing make it a go-to tool for remote teams. From one-on-one meetings to large conferences, Wherby caters to all communication needs.
Trello: Trello’s visually appealing boards make project management a breeze. Its intuitive design enables teams to track progress and manage tasks efficiently. Trello offers flexibility and customization, allowing teams to create a workflow that best suits their project, making it a top choice for remote collaboration.
Asana: helps manage projects and assign tasks, ensuring everyone stays on track. Its visual project timelines, task assignments, and progress tracking make it a robust tool for remote teams. With Asana, you can stay organized and connected, making it vital for remote work.
Notion: combines note-taking, task management, and collaboration. It enables remote teams to create a shared workspace, integrating notes, tasks, and files. Its flexibility to adapt to different workflows makes it an essential tool for remote working.
WorkFrom: WorkFrom helps you discover the best coworking spaces, cafes, or any place suitable for remote work. With user reviews and details like Wi-Fi speed, it’s perfect for remote workers on the move. Its community-driven approach ensures that you find the right spot to work, no matter where you are.
NomadList and the NomadList Slack Community: NomadList provides detailed insights into various cities for digital nomads, while the Slack community offers connections with fellow nomads. Together, they create an essential resource for remote workers seeking new destinations or wanting to connect with like-minded individuals.
Self-Care and Mental Wellness Resources
Headspace: provides guided meditations tailored to different life aspects, including stress and sleep. It’s an essential tool for mental well-being, offering support for mindfulness and relaxation, crucial for remote workers seeking balance and focus.
Calm: Calm offers a wide range of relaxation techniques and sleep aids. Its diverse content supports mental wellness, making it vital for remote workers. Calm can help reduce stress, enhance sleep quality, and maintain mental health, all of which are essential for productive remote work.
Muse Meditation Headband: This physical device aids in meditation by providing real-time feedback on brain activity. Muse offers a unique, tech-driven approach for remote workers seeking to enhance their meditation practice. It helps in achieving deeper relaxation and mindfulness, crucial for a balanced remote life. If you are interested in trying out Muse for yourself, enjoy 20% off with code WELLNESSBUM!
Educational, Skill Development, and Networking Platforms
LinkedIn Learning: With access to numerous industry-relevant courses, stay ahead. Its curated content, guided learning paths, and expert instructors make it an essential tool for continuous growth and development in remote careers.
Udemy: diverse course catalog caters to both professional development and personal interests. Its self-paced learning, affordable pricing, and access to expert instructors make it a valuable resource for remote workers looking to expand their skills.
Skillshare: Focusing on creative and lifestyle classes, Skillshare offers an engaging platform for learning new skills. Its community-driven approach and project-based classes make it a unique space for remote workers looking to explore creative pursuits. The best part is that Skillshare offers a free 30-day trial!
MasterClass: MasterClass provides access to lessons from renowned experts in various fields. For remote workers looking for inspiration and excellence, it’s a unique opportunity to learn from the best. Its high-quality content is not just educational but also inspirational. I’ve taken so many classes on MasterClass to help level up my skills in business and in the kitchen. Save up to 50% on annual memberships to MasterClass!
Living the Remote Life to the Fullest
EatWith: offers unique dining experiences with locals. For remote workers and digital nomads, it’s a way to connect with local cultures. Its community-driven approach makes it a delightful way to explore culinary experiences while working remotely.
1Password: Managing passwords can be tricky for remote workers, ensuring you never lose access. Its seamless integration across devices makes it a must-have tool for remote professionals.
Surfshark: Surfshark offers an encrypted connection to the internet, ensuring safe browsing. Its features like CleanWeb (blocking ads and malware) and Whitelister (allowing specific apps to bypass VPN) make it an ideal choice for remote workers. It ensures that your online activities remain private and secure, an essential aspect of remote work. Grab your jaw-dropping VPN deal $2.49/mo!
Airbnb – Finding cool and unique places to live.
Airbnb has become my go-to platform for discovering intriguing and one-of-a-kind accommodations. Since embracing this San Francisco-based service in early 2012, it’s become an integral part of my travel planning for short visits and extended stays. Whether I’m flying to a new destination or returning to San Francisco, I often turn to Airbnb to find my temporary home. Even when planning to reside in a place for six weeks or more, I find the platform incredibly handy.
While the pricing on Airbnb might initially appear steep, I’ve found that negotiation is key. By directly contacting property owners and discussing terms, I’ve successfully arranged accommodations for months at a time at negotiated rates. Many hosts are open to this approach, and it can lead to surprising deals.
Insider Tip: If you’re planning to stay in a location for over four weeks, it might be worth exploring other options alongside Airbnb. In Madrid, HomeClub has been a favorite of mine. Travel better with Sonder. Book stylish spaces with the comforts of home with Sonder in Mexico City. While Airbnb remains a fantastic resource, it’s worth noting that prices, particularly post-pandemic, have soared, sometimes rivaling or even exceeding hotel rates. Therefore, considering local real estate agents or alternative short-term rental platforms could be wise for your accommodation search.
CoWorking- the freedom to work anywhere
Croissant: Croissant is a monthly coworking membership for entrepreneurs, freelancers, and remote workers, providing access to hot desks worldwide. Easy to use via an app, it offers beautiful, cafe-like workspaces without the usual cafe drawbacks like fighting for a seat or unreliable WiFi. The name hints at avoiding the need to buy croissants to keep a seat in a cafe. Co-founder Nisha Garigarn emphasizes focusing on work rather than maintaining a cafe seat. Those tired of traditional workspaces can sign up with WiFi Tribe for community knowledge on remote workspaces or personalized assistance in finding them.
CoWorking. CoWorking is a global membership that lets you access a network of independent coworking spaces, fab labs, hacker spaces, or any collaborative spaces. Designed for frequent use, whether the person is a permanent member of a space or not. CoPass members can use it on a daily basis to switch between space A and B. It also enables groups of people to work in different coworking spaces with one single account and offers community-oriented services.
WorkHardAnywhere. WHA is a popular app among digital nomads for finding coworking spaces, allowing users to rate locations based on WiFi quality, coffee prices, seating availability, and power outlets. It’s mostly used by remote workers, ensuring that unsuitable locations like schools or thermal baths aren’t listed, making it a favorite for WiFi Tribe members. The only limitation is that WHA is currently only available for iOS.
Elevating Your Remote Experience: Final Thoughts
The tools and resources mentioned above cater to various aspects of remote life, from collaboration and education to wellness and leisure. Whether you are a freelancer, a digital nomad, or a remote employee, these tools offer tailored solutions that enhance productivity, connectivity, and well-being. Explore them to create a more satisfying, balanced, and efficient remote working experience. Seamlessly integrating these resources into your daily routine can elevate your remote experience, making work more engaging and life more enjoyable.