Having the freedom to travel all around the world with your job in tow is almost too good to be true but choosing a place to call home for any extended period of time can become a bit overwhelming with all of the options out there. Before making a decision about where in the world you will be calling home next there are a few things you should take into consideration.
- Visas — Choosing a country with strict visa controls may lead to headaches down the road in the form of visa runs, complicated renewal requirements and the possibility of having to deal with strict immigration officials if you happen to overstay your visa. Choosing a country with relaxed visa rules and low or no visa fees will makes life easier when the time comes to renew.
- Internet Connection — Choosing a country where the internet is fast and reliable is something that is pretty important for me. Heading to the jungles of Papua New Guinea to live would be an adventure, but it probably wouldn’t make sense if you need the internet.
- Cost — One of the major advantages of working remotely is that the wages you earn in your home currency can be spent anywhere in the world you choose. So if you choose to live in a cheap country then you might have the potential to live it up on a wage that you might barely be able to scrape by on at home.
- Currency Rates — Have a look at the current exchange rates to decide where in the world is the best value for money. Argentina and, more recently, Iceland are good examples of countries that have become a lot more affordable due to problems with their economies and the devaluing of their currency. Taking advantage of shifting currency rates will allow you to get better bang for your buck and might open up new, previously expensive destinations to you.
- Language — Depending on your outlook, heading to a place where you don’t understand the language could be deemed a huge hassle or a great opportunity. If you want to arrive in a place and get settled in without too many headaches then choosing a place where you speak the language will help. But if you have the patience and want to challenge yourself then heading to a place to learn a new language might also be appealing.
- Safety and Security — Danger is something that appeals to some people but, for most of us, living in a safe place is a top priority. Places are rarely as bad as the media makes them seem but keeping out of war zones is probably a good idea.
- Health — Having the ability to go to a hospital if you get sick or injure yourself is a good thing so doing a bit of research on the healthcare in your potential new home would be wise. You might also want to avoid heading to places that are in the midst of an outbreak of some random disease.
- Festivals and Events — Major events like the World Cup or the Olympics are pretty good reasons to move to a city if you’re into that sort of thing and your friends and family will love you for letting them crash on your couch during the big events.
- Weather and Seasons — Being somewhere when the weather is miserable can have a huge impact on your experience in a city. Trying to hit a place during the season that works best for you will add to your overall enjoyment of your newly chosen home. It might also be a good idea to keep informed on when hurricane or cyclone season is in certain places to try to avoid getting caught up in any nasty storms.
- Activities and Hobbies — Take the time to research the places that will let you get the most out of your hobbies so you’re able to fill your down time with things you enjoy doing whether that be diving, skiing, surfing, dancing the tango or whatever.
- Culture and Customs — Choosing a place that is totally different in culture to what you’re used to is appealing from an adventure point of view but might present some challenges when it comes to more practical things. If you’re not the type that is willing to adapt then sticking to a country that has a similar culture to your own would be the safest bet.
- Travel Connections — If you plan to do a lot of travelling from your new home base then choosing a city that is well connected is a good idea so that trips away will be easy and affordable. Stranding yourself in the middle of nowhere might be more your thing but if you want to travel a lot you might find that it will become pretty expensive and time consuming.
- Friends — Having a couple of friends in your new home city is a great way to kick start your social life and adapt to your new surroundings quickly. Plus, getting to visit with old friends for a long period of time and to explore their home town can be pretty appealing.
As someone who can work from anywhere I’m pretty much free to choose to live anywhere I want and the world really is my oyster. This can almost be a little overwhelming and finding a city that is a perfect fit is a big challenge but not a bad problem to have!
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