If you’re a digital nomad, then you know that the best thing about your lifestyle is the freedom to work from anywhere in the world. But what do you do when you arrive in a new city? How do you get started?
Of course, it can be tempting to just stay in your own little digital nomad bubble. But if you really want to get to know a place, it’s important to try and live like a local. This means doing things like going to the local markets, taking public transport and eating in local restaurants.
In this blog post, we will give you 5 top tips for digital nomads arriving in a new city, and for those working abroad for the first time.
1. Head to the best coworking space in town
One of the first things you’ll need to do when you arrive in a new city is to find a place to work from. If you’re new to the area, then we recommend finding a co-working space for at least your first few weeks in a new spot. This way, you can easily meet other digital nomads and get some work done at the same time.
A great co-working space however, can be a whole lot more than just an office for the day. Many of the best put a lot of effort into creating a friendly environment, and in particular some will organise a lively social calendar to give you plenty of opportunities to meet new people and fill your evenings.
For this reason, if you’re new in town I’d recommend not settling for anything less than the best cowork space in town for your first few weeks – even if it means a little stretch of the budget in the short term. A quick google search or a scan on a co-work booking app like Croissant will likely pull up dozens of options – or try asking around on forums etc. for any tips or recommendations.
In particular look for places that offer a good dining / lounge area – if you’re bad at introducing yourself to strangers, one of the easiest places to kick up small talk is by sliding up at a shared dining table and just saying hi.
2. Explore the city on foot
Once you’ve found a place to work from, the next step is to start exploring your new surroundings. Get out and walk around, go to local cafes and restaurants, and just generally get a feel for the city. If you’re going to be in town for a while it’s great to get to know the various districts and areas – who knows where you might want to rent an apartment long term?
Most major cities, especially those popular with tourists, will have some sort of walking tour available, either free or paid. If you’ve got a spare afternoon this can be a great way to get your bearings and to learn a little about your new home. Check out a site like FreeTour for some free offerings in the area or there are plenty of good apps offering self guided tours.
The key is just to cover ground in the city, and it’s really best you do this on foot if possible, nothing gives you a better understanding of a city’s streets and gives you plenty of time to take it all in, and maybe stumble across a couple of hidden gems too!
3. Prep all your documents, before you arrive
It may not be glamorous, but another important tip for digital nomads arriving in a new city is to make sure that you have all of your documents in order, before you arrive!. Once you arrive, with a million new things to explore, and a new city to get to grips with, the last thing you’re going to want to do is try to track down a printer in town to sort out any needed paperwork.
This includes making sure your passport isn’t due for renewal too soon, your banking arrangement are all in place, and any visas are all in place. Visa applications in particular and any residency papers you might need are worth getting filled in and ready to go as soon as possible.
If you’re planning on getting residency in the country your staying in, get any tenancy contracts or airbnb booking details printed out and ready to go as many countries will request proof of residency. Likewise you’ll likely need some sort of proof of income for plenty of reasons, like renting an apartment, so its best to have all these to hand and printed out (most government offices still prefer printed paper over digital)
It’s also a good idea to get travel insurance before you leave home, just in case something happens while you’re away. Travelling long term and working as a digital nomad abroad is often not covered by regular travel insurance, so its worth looking into a specialist digital nomad insurer, such as Safety Wing, which offers both travel and health insurance for nomad travellers.
4. Be proactive in meeting new people
When you’re starting out in a new city as a digital nomad, it can be hard to meet new people. One of the best ways to do this is by getting involved in the community. This could mean attending meetups, going to coworking spaces or even just saying hello to strangers. Here are a few tips for meeting new people as a digital nomad:
1. Join online communities and forums
There are many online communities and forums for digital nomads. This is a great way to meet people who are in the same situation as you, and who can give you advice on where to go and what to do in the city.
Facebook is a great resource for this, so a few weeks out before arriving in a new city, look into any local expat / nomad groups and join. Drop a message in there letting people know you’re coming to town and suggest meeting for a coffee, you’ll be surprised how effective this can be!
2. Attend meetups and events
There are often meetups and events organised for digital nomads in new cities. This is a great way to meet other people who are new to the city, and to find out about the best places to work and socialise. Meetup.com is a great resource for this – as there are often dozens of events planned in any major city, with plenty of groups for more niche interests.
3. Say hello to strangers
When you’re out and about, say hello to strangers. This is a great way to make new friends, and you may be surprised how friendly people can be.
This is why working out of a cowork space in your first few weeks can be so valuable. You’ll likely be surrounded by people doing exactly the same as you, working and travelling the world. So you’ve already got something in common. Many people will be in the same situation, looking to meet new people, so will be more than happy to chat over coffee or lunch.
5. Make sure you give yourself time to immerse yourself
One final tip for digital nomads is to make sure you have the time to enjoy your new city! You want to be able to take advantage of everything it has to offer, and make the most of your time there, so now’s not the time to start pulling 16 hour days in the cowork space!
If possible, in your first few days and weeks it may be a good idea to book a couple of days off to give yourself the chance to explore further afield, and to better familiarise yourself with the city. Go for a run, do a walking tour or a wine tasting, whatever it is, give yourself time.
A huge part of the digital nomad lifestyle is about re-balancing life and work, so especially as a new arrival its key to prioritise your free time. Be strict and make sure you take that lunch break each day (and sit with some new friends!) Sign up to meetups and make sure you finish work with plenty of time to go to these.
A new city doesn’t have to be daunting
Digital nomadism is a great way to see the world and experience new cultures, just make sure you’re prepared before you go, but once you arrive – have fun! Digital nomads should take advantage of everything their new city has to offer! work hard, play hard, and create some amazing memories. Thanks for reading, and we hope these tips help you as you embark on your digital nomad adventure! safe travels!