Most people are likely to be most productive and have the best work experience when they’re stationary and within the comforts of a home office.A digital nomad sounds cool, and has the perks of going to new places and meeting new people. But when work is supposed to be done, nothing beats home!

The Verdict

There’s a good chance that you need faster internet and more bandwidth than you realize. And an even better chance that you’ll have difficulty finding it when you travel. Most coffee shops and hotels that offer Wi-Fi often can’t match what you’re used to in an office or at home. This is especially true if you’re like the millions of people who keep <a href="https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/570709/yes-you-have-too-many-tabs-open-your-computer-and-your-brain-probably-blame">lots of tabs</a> open at once.

Wi-Fi Strength And Reliability

There’s also the crucial matter of security. Using public Wi-Fi can expose your information, and that of your employer, to hackers. It’s important to use technology like a VPN to protect your data. But there’s also the matter of “<a href="https://www.aura.com/learn/how-to-protect-your-personal-information-on-social-media">shoulder surfing</a>,” in which people nearby see what you’re typing. Hackers prey on digital nomads, and some have gotten very good at disguising what they’re up to.

Unsecure And Unsafe

When you hit the road, you’re not bringing an ergonomic chair or standing desk with you. The chances that you’ll be able to set up a workstation that’s comfortable are slim, so prepare for <a href="https://ehs.unc.edu/workplace-safety/ergonomics/office/">back and neck pain</a> and carpal tunnel syndrome. That’s just for starters. You can’t do much to control the lighting, so you’re likely to experience eye strain as well. And temperature control can be evasive—during my months in Mexico and South America, I was almost never able to get a room to a comfortable temperature. This damages sleep as well.

Physical Discomforts And Time Spent Adjusting For Working

In most American offices and restaurants, workers can count on a basic level of sanitation to be kept up—partly due to health codes. But in some other places, it’s just not the same. Unclean restrooms, unavailability of certain diet choices and food poisoning from water are quite possible. Be careful, and beware.

The Adventurous Outdoors: Sanitation Issues

Mosquitoes and spiders are a big nuisance while travelling and working across the world.The clamour of traffic, crowds, construction, nearby airports, and more can make it especially difficult to take calls or do Zoom meetings. Sound can also dramatically <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4844473/">decrease productivity</a> when you’re trying to concentrate, and noise-cancelling headphones can’t get rid of everything. Continuous <a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/noise-pollution-health-effects#mental-health">noise pollution</a> can also make you more irritable and stressed.

Bugs And Noise

Some other digital nomads we encountered on our travels are the definition of lonely. Many people working remotely, even from home, have <a href="https://www.fastcompany.com/90544975/4-major-long-term-psychological-effects-of-continued-remote-work">wrestled with</a> loneliness in recent years. But in tourist sites, such as coastal cities and towns, where people are working remotely, they run into a tricky situation. Vacationers show up looking for a quick fling, but the digital nomads are looking for deeper connections and real conversation. It can lead to frustration.

Loneliness and Hookup Culture

While some people understandably got tired of working from home during the pandemic, my time as a digital nomad has given me the opposite experience. There’s nothing like time spent trying to be productive from hotels and cafés to make you appreciate the benefits of a home office.If you’re thinking about taking off for far-flung locations so you can keep your job while seeing the world, think of this as a checklist of things to prepare for—and a warning that it won’t be as glamorous as you may imagine.

Work From Home Is Way Better Than A Digital Nomad

Sometimes, there’s no place like home for the best remote work experience, says a tech professional after working abroad in Mexico and South America.


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