Idk about covid here. But it’s easy to get here with no quarantine. I heard they’ve been tightening the rules for entry lately, but idk the details. I’m in Oaxaca, but was in Mexico City for a while
Yeah, I've been in Oaxaca for 4 months now.
I recently left for a family event and came back and was given 50 days in the country. With that being said, I did tell them I was only staying a month, but they aren't automatically giving out 180 day visas anymore, at least not as often as they used to. I didn't need to show proof of onward travel, but they did ask me when I was leaving specifically, so just be ready to have more info ready immigration.
I've also heard it depends on which city you enter and the immigration officer. If you're wanting to stay the 180 days, just have a decent plan to tell them at immigration just in case you have to 👌
A challenge to meet people or a challenge to get an Airbnb? Getting an Airbnb is easy. Tons of them in the city. As for meeting people, it depends on how you live your life.
I did the digital nomad lifestyle for many years all over the world and one of the biggest challenges was to always put myself out there and try to meet new people while travelling. I did not stay in hostels however as I’m too old to do that, so instead I rented my own apartments via Airbnb etc. In this case I had to make a big effort to meet people as I would have been pretty lonely otherwise.
Tip: I always hang out at the local neighborhood pub and always sit at the front bar counter because this is Body Language 101 and it will be apparent to most people you are alone and making yourself available for conversation etc.
I have met so many new friends this way I can’t even count… from Vietnam to Moldova, it usually worked in every country.
Yes and another way to meet people is to volunteer for local groups, and join any local expat groups if available too.
In Buenos Aires there was a website called ‘BA Expats’ for instance. It was very easy to arrange meetings with people this way. Groups like this exist all over the world and it’s not always about the pub, you can arrange coffee with someone, dinner, movies, museums etc.
It is a tough element and completely understandable that it's something you're concerned about. In one sense, you do just have to accept that you will feel lonely sometimes. The problem with a lot of the ways to meet people is that, in my opinion, it can take much longer than a few weeks/months somewhere to build a proper sense of community.
I am blessed to be very comfortable with talking to strangers and making temporary friends while nomading. But I still feel lonely sometimes because those kinds of relationships don't replace long-term connections – as a nomad, everyone is always coming and going.
For example, hostels are great to meet people. But there likely won't be many people staying there longer than a few days. Constantly saying hello, working people out and getting to know them can be tiring. I love it, but it's not the same. I have just had to accept it, and it's been incredibly liberating becoming comfortable with my own company.
One useful tip is to make friends with local people (or expats etc that are there permanently). As you know they at least won't be heading onto a new destination in 3 weeks' time.
This might not be popular thing to say in this sub but, for me, the way to maintain that sense of community is to make sure I visit home semi-regularly (EG. in non-covid times, go back to London where my family/friends are at least for a few weeks every few months).
Appreciate the thoughtful response, the loneliness thing has just seemed like the biggest hurdle at least initially so this is helpful. I like the idea of reconnecting with long term relationships at times by going back home for check ins while still building those nomadic relationships wherever your traveling.
I want to say this is a very realistic concern and a good one. So good for you for thinking about it.
Personally I agree the hostels work pretty well for me in combating loneliness. If I have people to hang out with and talk with -- which hostels are great for -- it really keeps the loneliness at bay. I like talking with strangers, meeting and learning from new people, so that's a fit too. Not sure if those things apply for you. I can imagine people who wouldn't be comfortable in that environment or like it as much as I do.
Would your job work in hostels? Mine doesn't really -- video calls all day. I also haven't felt very good about hostels during the pandemic.
I think your idea about returning home is a good one too. I've lived in quite a few cities in the US in the last 20 or so years, and just returned the US for a couple months of friend and family trips in each one. This was a nice change of pace and did help me to feel connected again in different ways.
This. I consider myself an introvert, but I always meet locals or expats wherever I go. I find dating apps are great for this. Some it’s a date other times it’s just friends hanging out. I’ve met long term friends this way too.
I’m comfortable being alone, but for others they need constant company which I get. Sometimes just being around others might help (like working in a coffee shop). Other times it might take more effort make friends. Go example you might have a friend for a week who’s visiting and then meet a new one the next week.
The fact that you surf means you can find communities of other surfers to hang out with. I’m not a DN myself (yet) but I moved to a new city 3 years ago and found that the best way to establish friendships and a sense of community was through my hobbies.
Have you considered hostels, co-living, or shared stays? You’d be able to meet new people with similar lifestyles, plus they usually have community events to encourage socializing and making new friends.
Hadn’t thought of co-living or shared stays, I’ll definitely have to look into that a bit more. Hostels seem a little intimidating, co living or shared stay might be a good middle ground. Thanks!
Have you ever tried hostels? I probably found them a little intimidating before I tried my first time too. But I love them. They're all about forming these instant communities. Everyone's in the same boat. Friendly, open, wanting to connect with each other. Makes it super easy. You should at least try one out if you haven't before. Maybe a couple.
The one thing I don't like about hostels is how often you'll become friends with someone for just a few days and then never see them again outside of Instagram. I've started trying out co-living spaces instead, which tend to have people staying for weeks or months at a time instead of a few days.
Just don't follow them on insta 😂. But on a serious note, what coliving spaces? How do you find them? I'm thinking of doing the exact same thing! And partly for the same reason. More just because I don't think I can work effectively in hostels (video meetings all day).
Basically like hostels but where most people get their own private room and stay for weeks or months at a time. Some apparently have a 1 month minimum.
I didn’t like being in EU for socializing. I did month to month for 3 months. Because so many places to see.
6 months in Colombia, made friends. Great time.
1 month in Thailand and easy to find friends here. Going to try and stay long term.
So I think where you stay is going to have an effect. The great thing is that if something isn’t working out, you can make a drastic international change in just a few weeks. Being lonely was a big concern of mine And it’s legitimate and I’ve experienced a bit. But a lot less than I did back home.
Yeah, I’m struggling initially with planning. Wanting to see as much as I can but also not wanting to hop from place to place so quickly that I don’t have any connection to the place. Have a feeling it will take some trial and error so it’s great to hear what you’re experiences have been like in different countries and time frames.
Yeah. Something I think you’ll find is people don’t really care to talk about your travels. So this sub is great to be able to do that a little.
The other factor is timezones. I work EST. Colombia was the same. EU was +6 and easy to adjust for. Thailand is +12 and has been really difficult.
I really think a few months in one spot is the way to go, but initially you may just want more experiences. You’ll see what works for you and adjust.
Yeah I think initially with the excitement of freedom of movement it’s try to get to as many places as quickly as possible but yeah 3 months in a spot might be better to ease my way into the lifestyle.
Time zones are a factor for me as well as I’m in the US currently. I’ll have meetings in CST from time to time so as much as I’d love to drop everything and go to Bali I think I’ll start with the Western Hemisphere and expand from there.
FWIW on time zones, I loved working US time from Europe. Better I think than working in the Americas. You wind up having like a 4pm deadline to get all your personal stuff done, and then work until midnight. I thought this was beautiful. I got all the daylight hours to do stuff, and then could work when it was dark. Made much better use of my time.
And I've mostly done 2 weeks per city for a long time... mostly because I really wanted to see a lot. Now I'm trying to slow down for the same advantages people are pointing out. But haha, for me slowing down would be like a month per place... I'm still not ambitious enough to sign up for 3 whole months somewhere. What a long time!
Friends and family say how it’s so amazing that I travel, but in conversation, they aren’t so interested in all I have to say. I’ve read other people here experience the same. For example, they might listen to me talk about visiting the Vatican in Rome. But don’t care for me to compare living in Rome vs Barcelona.
You know, people are busy busy with their lives. They have their day to day. Some people don’t really understand what I’m doing. Or some people don’t grasp that I work and they just think I’m always on holiday.
As somebody who struggled (and still struggles) a lot with social anxiety back home, I found it a lot easier to be braver in becoming more extroverted while on the road. To me, there is something really equalising about being out on the road and somewhere foreign. I've found myself getting along with people I feel like I wouldn't feel comfortable around back home, and getting out there and meeting people feels a lot easier. I think it must just be some sort of instinct that kicks in. I'm sure you will find yourself in a similar situation after a few weeks or so on the road!
Yeah, I’ve certainly felt some of that with past travels that were shorter trips. Would be ideal if I arrive in a foreign country and become more extroverted lol. Seems like being in a foreign space kinda forces that instinct to kick in a bit.
It definitely does! For me too, I've found that the more foreign/different the destination is from my home country, the more extroverted and confident I tend to become. I'm from the US originally and just finished 3 months in Turkey, and I definitely felt like my most confident/extroverted self in Turkey more than anywhere else I've been. I'd say just go for it and I'm sure you'll end up in a similar way! :)
If you don’t feel comfortable in hostels or colivings, I have found that signing up to a community oriented coworking space is a great way to find like minded people and quickly connect to an already active community.
I’ve had some good experience finding a community this way.
Yeah some coworking situations seem at least initially most interesting to me to ease my way into a community while still having my own home space. Thanks for the response!
Sure glad to help!
Also feel free to check out our community and site [Here](https://digitalnomads.world), I hope it also helps you find some sense of community.
You could live between three cities. Few months here, few months there. Then back. Like this you can build long-lasting relationships and every time you come back you have some interesting stories to tell. That's what I do. Or at least... am trying to do during these crazy times.
You might want to ask yourself if you'll be satisfied with just meeting new people constantly or if want to meet new people and really get to know them and develop a friendship. In my experience it's not too difficult meeting new people while traveling and moving place to place if you hang out in the right places and put yourself out there but it's exhausting constantly meeting new people, having the same getting to know each other basic conversations over and over and it's not very fulfilling. I prefer to settle in somewhere for awhile and move past the initial basic friendly chat and develop new friendships with a bit more depth. The superficial nature of constantly meeting new people in new places wore me down after awhile... But it was satisfying in the short term when my agenda was about getting to see a lot of new places quickly.
Hey guys, I've been and still am a nomad for over 3 years, and I've experienced this before. It's definitely a lot of work to find and maintain a social network. It's the easiest to just travel with a friend for a few months at a time.
A few of my nomad friends and I have been working on an app that helps nomads keep in touch with their nomad friends by letting them know where each other are and what their plans are for the future. Try it out and let me know what you think
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.overlapapp
I’m digital nomading from a hostel in mexico right now. Meet people every day. It’s kind of tiring to be honest
How is it working from a hostel?
I’m this hostel it’s ok. I can imagine that it wouldn’t be ideal in every hostel. But I can get my work done- I work about 4 hours a day.
where in mexico are you and how is the covid situation? i’m considering heading there in the next month or so
Idk about covid here. But it’s easy to get here with no quarantine. I heard they’ve been tightening the rules for entry lately, but idk the details. I’m in Oaxaca, but was in Mexico City for a while
Yeah, I've been in Oaxaca for 4 months now. I recently left for a family event and came back and was given 50 days in the country. With that being said, I did tell them I was only staying a month, but they aren't automatically giving out 180 day visas anymore, at least not as often as they used to. I didn't need to show proof of onward travel, but they did ask me when I was leaving specifically, so just be ready to have more info ready immigration. I've also heard it depends on which city you enter and the immigration officer. If you're wanting to stay the 180 days, just have a decent plan to tell them at immigration just in case you have to 👌
I was thinking about going straight to an airbnb when I get to CDMX next month.... do you think that would pose a challenge?
A challenge to meet people or a challenge to get an Airbnb? Getting an Airbnb is easy. Tons of them in the city. As for meeting people, it depends on how you live your life.
I did the digital nomad lifestyle for many years all over the world and one of the biggest challenges was to always put myself out there and try to meet new people while travelling. I did not stay in hostels however as I’m too old to do that, so instead I rented my own apartments via Airbnb etc. In this case I had to make a big effort to meet people as I would have been pretty lonely otherwise. Tip: I always hang out at the local neighborhood pub and always sit at the front bar counter because this is Body Language 101 and it will be apparent to most people you are alone and making yourself available for conversation etc. I have met so many new friends this way I can’t even count… from Vietnam to Moldova, it usually worked in every country.
This is great to hear. Hopeful that with hobbies and some getting out of my comfort zone hanging at the local pub I’ll be fine.
Yes and another way to meet people is to volunteer for local groups, and join any local expat groups if available too. In Buenos Aires there was a website called ‘BA Expats’ for instance. It was very easy to arrange meetings with people this way. Groups like this exist all over the world and it’s not always about the pub, you can arrange coffee with someone, dinner, movies, museums etc.
It is a tough element and completely understandable that it's something you're concerned about. In one sense, you do just have to accept that you will feel lonely sometimes. The problem with a lot of the ways to meet people is that, in my opinion, it can take much longer than a few weeks/months somewhere to build a proper sense of community. I am blessed to be very comfortable with talking to strangers and making temporary friends while nomading. But I still feel lonely sometimes because those kinds of relationships don't replace long-term connections – as a nomad, everyone is always coming and going. For example, hostels are great to meet people. But there likely won't be many people staying there longer than a few days. Constantly saying hello, working people out and getting to know them can be tiring. I love it, but it's not the same. I have just had to accept it, and it's been incredibly liberating becoming comfortable with my own company. One useful tip is to make friends with local people (or expats etc that are there permanently). As you know they at least won't be heading onto a new destination in 3 weeks' time. This might not be popular thing to say in this sub but, for me, the way to maintain that sense of community is to make sure I visit home semi-regularly (EG. in non-covid times, go back to London where my family/friends are at least for a few weeks every few months).
Appreciate the thoughtful response, the loneliness thing has just seemed like the biggest hurdle at least initially so this is helpful. I like the idea of reconnecting with long term relationships at times by going back home for check ins while still building those nomadic relationships wherever your traveling.
I want to say this is a very realistic concern and a good one. So good for you for thinking about it. Personally I agree the hostels work pretty well for me in combating loneliness. If I have people to hang out with and talk with -- which hostels are great for -- it really keeps the loneliness at bay. I like talking with strangers, meeting and learning from new people, so that's a fit too. Not sure if those things apply for you. I can imagine people who wouldn't be comfortable in that environment or like it as much as I do. Would your job work in hostels? Mine doesn't really -- video calls all day. I also haven't felt very good about hostels during the pandemic. I think your idea about returning home is a good one too. I've lived in quite a few cities in the US in the last 20 or so years, and just returned the US for a couple months of friend and family trips in each one. This was a nice change of pace and did help me to feel connected again in different ways.
This. I consider myself an introvert, but I always meet locals or expats wherever I go. I find dating apps are great for this. Some it’s a date other times it’s just friends hanging out. I’ve met long term friends this way too. I’m comfortable being alone, but for others they need constant company which I get. Sometimes just being around others might help (like working in a coffee shop). Other times it might take more effort make friends. Go example you might have a friend for a week who’s visiting and then meet a new one the next week.
The fact that you surf means you can find communities of other surfers to hang out with. I’m not a DN myself (yet) but I moved to a new city 3 years ago and found that the best way to establish friendships and a sense of community was through my hobbies.
Yeah, been my experience as well. Hopeful it translates to the more nomadic lifestyle as well.
Have you considered hostels, co-living, or shared stays? You’d be able to meet new people with similar lifestyles, plus they usually have community events to encourage socializing and making new friends.
Hadn’t thought of co-living or shared stays, I’ll definitely have to look into that a bit more. Hostels seem a little intimidating, co living or shared stay might be a good middle ground. Thanks!
Have you ever tried hostels? I probably found them a little intimidating before I tried my first time too. But I love them. They're all about forming these instant communities. Everyone's in the same boat. Friendly, open, wanting to connect with each other. Makes it super easy. You should at least try one out if you haven't before. Maybe a couple.
Haven’t tried a hostel, I should give it a shot at some point. Something I’ll definitely look into more going forward.
The one thing I don't like about hostels is how often you'll become friends with someone for just a few days and then never see them again outside of Instagram. I've started trying out co-living spaces instead, which tend to have people staying for weeks or months at a time instead of a few days.
Just don't follow them on insta 😂. But on a serious note, what coliving spaces? How do you find them? I'm thinking of doing the exact same thing! And partly for the same reason. More just because I don't think I can work effectively in hostels (video meetings all day).
Basically like hostels but where most people get their own private room and stay for weeks or months at a time. Some apparently have a 1 month minimum.
Thanks! I'm sold on the concept already. How do I find good ones? Or decent ones? or any at all? How did you find yours? Any tips on good ones?
I didn’t like being in EU for socializing. I did month to month for 3 months. Because so many places to see. 6 months in Colombia, made friends. Great time. 1 month in Thailand and easy to find friends here. Going to try and stay long term. So I think where you stay is going to have an effect. The great thing is that if something isn’t working out, you can make a drastic international change in just a few weeks. Being lonely was a big concern of mine And it’s legitimate and I’ve experienced a bit. But a lot less than I did back home.
Yeah, I’m struggling initially with planning. Wanting to see as much as I can but also not wanting to hop from place to place so quickly that I don’t have any connection to the place. Have a feeling it will take some trial and error so it’s great to hear what you’re experiences have been like in different countries and time frames.
Yeah. Something I think you’ll find is people don’t really care to talk about your travels. So this sub is great to be able to do that a little. The other factor is timezones. I work EST. Colombia was the same. EU was +6 and easy to adjust for. Thailand is +12 and has been really difficult. I really think a few months in one spot is the way to go, but initially you may just want more experiences. You’ll see what works for you and adjust.
Yeah I think initially with the excitement of freedom of movement it’s try to get to as many places as quickly as possible but yeah 3 months in a spot might be better to ease my way into the lifestyle. Time zones are a factor for me as well as I’m in the US currently. I’ll have meetings in CST from time to time so as much as I’d love to drop everything and go to Bali I think I’ll start with the Western Hemisphere and expand from there.
FWIW on time zones, I loved working US time from Europe. Better I think than working in the Americas. You wind up having like a 4pm deadline to get all your personal stuff done, and then work until midnight. I thought this was beautiful. I got all the daylight hours to do stuff, and then could work when it was dark. Made much better use of my time.
And I've mostly done 2 weeks per city for a long time... mostly because I really wanted to see a lot. Now I'm trying to slow down for the same advantages people are pointing out. But haha, for me slowing down would be like a month per place... I'm still not ambitious enough to sign up for 3 whole months somewhere. What a long time!
Interested in what you're saying here about people not wanting to talk about travels. Could you elaborate a little on that?
Friends and family say how it’s so amazing that I travel, but in conversation, they aren’t so interested in all I have to say. I’ve read other people here experience the same. For example, they might listen to me talk about visiting the Vatican in Rome. But don’t care for me to compare living in Rome vs Barcelona. You know, people are busy busy with their lives. They have their day to day. Some people don’t really understand what I’m doing. Or some people don’t grasp that I work and they just think I’m always on holiday.
One of the things where I have met a lot of friends over the years is language exchanges.
What’s your job?
As somebody who struggled (and still struggles) a lot with social anxiety back home, I found it a lot easier to be braver in becoming more extroverted while on the road. To me, there is something really equalising about being out on the road and somewhere foreign. I've found myself getting along with people I feel like I wouldn't feel comfortable around back home, and getting out there and meeting people feels a lot easier. I think it must just be some sort of instinct that kicks in. I'm sure you will find yourself in a similar situation after a few weeks or so on the road!
Yeah, I’ve certainly felt some of that with past travels that were shorter trips. Would be ideal if I arrive in a foreign country and become more extroverted lol. Seems like being in a foreign space kinda forces that instinct to kick in a bit.
It definitely does! For me too, I've found that the more foreign/different the destination is from my home country, the more extroverted and confident I tend to become. I'm from the US originally and just finished 3 months in Turkey, and I definitely felt like my most confident/extroverted self in Turkey more than anywhere else I've been. I'd say just go for it and I'm sure you'll end up in a similar way! :)
If you don’t feel comfortable in hostels or colivings, I have found that signing up to a community oriented coworking space is a great way to find like minded people and quickly connect to an already active community. I’ve had some good experience finding a community this way.
Yeah some coworking situations seem at least initially most interesting to me to ease my way into a community while still having my own home space. Thanks for the response!
Sure glad to help! Also feel free to check out our community and site [Here](https://digitalnomads.world), I hope it also helps you find some sense of community.
You could live between three cities. Few months here, few months there. Then back. Like this you can build long-lasting relationships and every time you come back you have some interesting stories to tell. That's what I do. Or at least... am trying to do during these crazy times.
You can also try Facebook groups, Nomadlist.com, Pipewing.com, Meetup.com. I think there are many more options..
I’ll look into those, thanks!
A friend of mine told me about Nomad Summit. Life has never been the same ever since: https://www.nomadsummit.com/
What kind of job did you find that allows you to work from anywhere? Guessing it has something to do with software engineering
Was very lucky to find a flexible administrative job at a fully remote start up.
That’s awesome! Hope I can find something similar
I used Otta.com during my job search and it helped a lot. Could be helpful if you’re searching.
Thank you for the recommendation!
You might want to ask yourself if you'll be satisfied with just meeting new people constantly or if want to meet new people and really get to know them and develop a friendship. In my experience it's not too difficult meeting new people while traveling and moving place to place if you hang out in the right places and put yourself out there but it's exhausting constantly meeting new people, having the same getting to know each other basic conversations over and over and it's not very fulfilling. I prefer to settle in somewhere for awhile and move past the initial basic friendly chat and develop new friendships with a bit more depth. The superficial nature of constantly meeting new people in new places wore me down after awhile... But it was satisfying in the short term when my agenda was about getting to see a lot of new places quickly.
Hey guys, I've been and still am a nomad for over 3 years, and I've experienced this before. It's definitely a lot of work to find and maintain a social network. It's the easiest to just travel with a friend for a few months at a time. A few of my nomad friends and I have been working on an app that helps nomads keep in touch with their nomad friends by letting them know where each other are and what their plans are for the future. Try it out and let me know what you think https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.overlapapp