In this article
- It’s Not a Passing Phase, It’s a Lifestyle
- Meet the Fierce Female Nomads
- The Female Digital Nomad Experience
- How Do They Stay Connected?
- Tips From the Experts
It’s Not a Passing Phase, It’s a Lifestyle
If you dream of freely traveling between sandy beaches and snow-capped mountains, you’re not alone—and the numbers back it up. Recent research shows the U.S. digital‑nomad population remains in the high‑teens millions, sustained by durable remote/hybrid work where about one in four paid workdays are from home in 2025 (MBO Partners; WFH Research). Technology enables a location-independent lifestyle, and policy shifts like Europe’s ETIAS pre‑travel authorization add new, predictable steps to cross‑border mobility (ETIAS). A World Economic Forum brief summarizing the series reported ~17.3 million American digital nomads in 2023 with continued growth since 2020 (WEF).
Who chooses this lifestyle? In the latest U.S. data, women account for roughly half of American digital nomads, a near‑even split that implies the number of U.S. women nomads has roughly doubled since 2020 (MBO Partners; Statista digest). Globally, community data from Nomad List shows women comprise about 29–31% of the actively traveling nomad community—a useful platform signal that highlights methodological differences between population surveys and travel‑community snapshots.
Common jobs for digital nomads
A digitally nomadic career spans many fields, but demand clusters around remote‑friendly categories. Remote workdays have stabilized far above pre‑2020 levels, supporting roles in software/IT, marketing/media, customer success, and certain operations (WFH Research; Indeed Hiring Lab; most industries). Security talent is especially constrained: the global cybersecurity workforce gap is estimated at about 4 million professionals, which keeps many security roles open to remote and contract talent (ISC2 2024). Marta, the founder of A Girl Who Travels, suggests securing income before you go and building your network early. Some common jobs for nomads include:
U.S. digital nomads remain in the high‑teens millions and women make up roughly half; remote work accounts for about one in four paid days in 2025 (MBO Partners; WFH Research).
- Running your own blog
- Freelance copywriter or editor
- Software engineer
- Teacher or online tutor
- Online marketing or social media management
- Illustration or graphic design
If you don’t work remotely for a company and want to go down the freelance path, use resources like Fiverr and Upwork to flaunt your skills and find something that works for you! Another option is PowerToFly, which gives women access to jobs, career advice, video training, and coaching.
“If you want to start your digital nomad journey soon and don’t have time to learn an entirely new line of work right now, start by freelancing while you figure out what it is you really want to do,” suggested travel blogger Katie Diederichs. “Freelance work is great when you’re first starting because it’s not a big commitment and it can help you test the waters of working remotely without making a huge leap.”
Meet the Fierce Female Nomads
Carolin Pilligrath, travel writer and marketing strategist
Founder of Breathing Travel and Breathing Retreats, Carolin is a marketing consultant and digital nomad. Traveling around the world since 2014, she described sitting in her apartment in Frankfurt, Germany and realizing there must be more from life. “I never hated my job, what I disliked was the lifestyle of getting up in the dark, coming home from work in the dark. Winter and cold are not something I liked much either.”
When asked what being a nomad means to her, Carolin said, “It means ultimate freedom, getting up and ‘going to work’ when I want to. Taking time off over lunch, going for a swim in the ocean and heading to a new country, when I want, not when work permits me to go. Life shouldn’t be all about work and building someone else’s dream; I want to build my own dreams.”
Jayme Serbell, co-founder of Gnomad Home
Jayme described a narrative whose threads we’ve all heard. A husband with a corporate job, juggling three jobs herself, buying a house that was too big for them, filling it with stuff they didn’t always need. Realizing they wanted more from life, Jayme and her husband, John, bought a 1996 Chevy Express 1500, who they call Gnomie. They completely renovated Gnomie and took to the open road and started Gnomad Home, leaving most of their possessions behind. Jayme described her journey thus far as something that, “revamped who we are and who we want to be.”
“Freedom. Freedom to control our income, to choose the direction we want our life to go, freedom of self.” – Jayme Serbell
Jenny Lachs, Ph.D., founder of Digital Nomad Girls
With an academic background as a chemist, Jenny started Digital Nomad Girls as a Facebook group with the intention to ask what questions she had and to hear other women’s experiences about traveling as a nomad. Digital Nomad Girls has since blossomed into an online community of female digital nomads. Jenny said that her decision to become nomadic came from the desire to travel and travel often. Starting out, she picked up any freelancing gigs she could find, from writing to social media management to German translating. Now she successfully runs Digital Nomad Girls and offers a thriving community for those who are living as a nomad or are interested in becoming one.
Katie Diederichs, co-founder of Two Wandering Soles
Originally from Minnesota, Katie started her journey traveling and living abroad over a three year period that included teaching English in South Korea. When the money started to run low, her desire to travel (and her need to pay her student loans) didn’t lessen. Katie has been working remotely for nearly four years, two of them as a full-time travel blogger. She started Two Wandering Soles in 2014 with her husband, Ben.
Katie said, “Becoming a digital nomad has given me the freedom to build a lifestyle I love and schedule my work around that. I don’t have to say ‘no’ to opportunities or travel plans because I can bring work with me or carve out ‘time off.’ But all this freedom comes at a cost. I am incredibly grateful that I’m doing work I’m passionate about, but this means that I rarely really ‘clock out’ or turn off my work brain completely. I have to try extra hard to maintain a work-life balance that doesn’t leave me burnt out (which is still something I’m very much working on).”
Di Minardi, travel blogger at Slight North
Di made her decision to pursue a nomadic lifestyle because of her love to travel and her dislike of how limited vacation time is in most U.S. companies. After graduating in 2014, she started her journey and spent two years teaching in the UAE. During this time she was able to travel for about 7 months because the vacation time that was allotted was so generous. Moving about every 5 weeks with her husband and 55-liter backpack, Di has been living as a digital nomad since 2017. She is a travel blogger at Slight North, which offers travel guides, nomad tips and some of the mistakes and triumphs she made along the way.
Marta R, founder of A Girl Who Travels
Quitting her office job in northern England back in 2010, Marta spent half a year traveling through south and southeast Asia. She created A Girl Who Travels as a way to inspire other women to follow her footsteps and take complete control of their lives. Marta cites the freedom to live on her own terms as what started her down the nomadic path.
Sarah Vandenberg, founder of Vandenberg Digital Communications
Sarah’s first trip abroad was a sea turtle conservation volunteering program when she was in college. Living as a nomad since 2017, Sarah owns Vandenberg Digital Communications, a consulting company that supports startups and small businesses with innovation and development. Sarah also operates the Frayed Passport, a travel blog that includes travel tips, helpful guides, and destination information.
Johanne Jacobsen, Founder of Climate Vagabond
A speaker for sustainability and climate change, Johanne travels solo around the world and focuses on demonstrating via her website Climate Vagabond how traveling can be done in an eco-friendly way. Currently living in Indonesia, Johanne recently finished creating a documentary about plastic pollution in West Papua. When asked about her lifestyle, she said, “Being a digital nomad gives me the freedom that I always wanted. I was stressed and depressed back in Denmark and hated going to work and school – I feel like being a digital nomad saved my life.”
Katie Marshall, co-owner of Round The World Magazine
Katie and her partner Nicola have been digital nomads for the past five years. She described the start of her journey as a 9-to-5 job at an IT corporation that left her wanting more. A nomadic lifestyle gave her just that: freedom and flexibility. Katie co-owns Round The World Magazine, which covers topics like living as a vegan, travel, well being, and being part of the LGBTQIA+ community. She spoke about how the LGBTQIA+ experience is unique to both the traditional male or female nomad experience.
Melissa Smith, CEO of the Association of Virtual Assistants
The CEO of the Association of Virtual Assistants, Melissa has been location independent since 2017, when she traveled to 16 countries in 12 months. Unique among most nomads, Melissa described a lifelong fear of flying that she finally overcame in 2015. She took the trip of a lifetime and attended the Monaco Grand Prix in 2016 and spent 11 days in south France. When she cried almost the entire way home, it wasn’t because she was scared. It was because she knew she couldn’t wait to travel again.
The Female Digital Nomad Experience
U.S. survey data shows a near‑even gender split among digital nomads, but global traveling‑community snapshots still skew male (≈29–31% women on Nomad List). That divergence reflects methods and mobility patterns. Regardless, women often face additional safety and legal considerations abroad: consult official guidance for women travelers and country advisories, and pair it with current risk maps (U.S. State Department; UK FCDO; Global Peace Index 2024; International SOS Risk Map).
Safety
Plan with both on‑the‑ground and online risks in mind. Government guidance for women emphasizes understanding local laws and customs (dress codes, public behavior, alcohol rules), choosing secure accommodation, using licensed transport, and sharing itineraries (U.S. State Department; UK FCDO). Cyber‑enabled crime continues to rise globally; the FBI’s latest report shows record financial losses, so protect accounts with phishing‑resistant MFA and keep devices encrypted and updated (FBI IC3; CISA MFA). For destination screening, combine peace and risk indices with community reports and local women’s groups; adjust plans quickly if advisories change (GPI; International SOS).
Sarah spoke about the different cultural considerations women have when traveling between countries. “Different countries’ customs and lifestyles are incredibly important, say when it comes to how to dress and how to act in public. While it is a truly amazing lifestyle that affords you a great deal of freedom, it’s super important to understand some destinations are more conservative, particularly with women’s rights and lifestyles, than we might be used to at home.” Also note legal context: in some jurisdictions, women’s legal rights in areas like mobility or contract signing are constrained; LGBTQ+ laws also vary widely—verify before travel (World Bank WBL; ILGA World).
Pregnancy and traveling with children
Family planning introduces additional logistics. Airlines have specific policies for late‑stage pregnancy and may require medical documentation—confirm with the carrier well in advance. Ensure your insurance covers maternity, newborn care, and evacuation where needed; many travel policies exclude routine pregnancy care. The U.S. State Department advises that most domestic health plans (including Medicare) generally do not cover care abroad and recommends evacuation coverage (Your Health Abroad). For long‑term care, compare comprehensive international options (IPMI or nomad‑tailored global plans) with telehealth access for routine and pediatric needs (Cigna Global; GeoBlue Xplorer; SafetyWing Remote Health; PassportCard Nomads). If you’ll apply for visas, verify any minimum insurance requirements and proof‑of‑funds rules in advance (EU Visa Code).
Di highlighted sexual health logistics while traveling—extended prescriptions can be hard to manage across borders. Telemedicine and global prescription support offered by international plans can reduce friction; pack a written list of medications (generic names), and identify 24‑hour pharmacies and pediatric clinics at your destination (Your Health Abroad).
How Do They Stay Connected?
Connectivity is the lifeline of nomad work—and it’s improved markedly. 5G now covers a majority of the global population, eSIM makes it easy to add local data plans on arrival, and low‑Earth‑orbit (LEO) satellite services provide a viable backup in remote areas where regulations permit (GSMA; GSMA eSIM; Ookla on Starlink). Modern Wi‑Fi standards (6E/7) further reduce congestion in busy hotels and coworking spaces (Wi‑Fi Alliance). As a planning baseline, test for sufficient upload as well as download speed, and aim for consistently low latency for video calls and cloud collaboration; verify options for redundancy (local eSIM + personal hotspot + coworking backup).
“I use a number of apps, the nomad list slack chat is also very handy, and I have a mobile wifi hotspot as a backup. I often get a local SIM card too, especially when I will be in the country for a while or I know I have to get work done and cannot waste time searching for internet every day,” said Carolin Pilligrath. With eSIM and widespread 5G, activating a local plan can take minutes, and LEO satellite can keep you online off‑grid—just confirm country‑specific rules before relying on it (GSMA eSIM; Starlink performance).
Ways to find consistent internet
“A quick google search will tell you the state of the internet in any country before you travel there, and some of the results may surprise you,” said Di Minardi. “I loved living in Romania because they have some of the fastest internet speeds in the world! However, even if a country has generally fast internet, it can vary from city to city and home to home.” Also check mobile coverage/eSIM options ahead of time and plan multi‑path redundancy; 5G availability has expanded rapidly worldwide, improving tethering performance (GSMA).
Mobile hotspot
For those who are a part of the Van Life movement, mobile hotspots are a way of life. Jayme cited her successful use of the internet while on the road to her cell phone booster and mobile hotspots. Carolin also mentioned always having a mobile hotspot as a backup, “which has worked great for me around the world and hasn’t even let me down while driving around Iceland in a campervan.” For resilience, carry an unlocked 5G device, load a local eSIM, and consider satellite failover where permitted; remember airline rules for spare lithium batteries in carry‑on only and watt‑hour limits (GSMA eSIM; Starlink; FAA Pack Safe).
Contact your host
Another way to make sure you will have access to dependable internet is to contact the host of where you will stay next. Jenny, Di, and Sarah, who are frequent Airbnb users, suggest that you always ask the hosts for confirmation of internet access and a screenshot of a speed test they ran. Internet speed tests assess the latency, download speed, and upload speed of the internet connection. The score you receive from your host will give you the best possible idea of their internet status. Some popular speed testers are:
Coworking space
Coworking spaces offer both the opportunity to connect with other nomads, but also a steady source of internet. Thankfully, coworking spaces have cropped up all across the globe. If at any point you find you are in an internet gap, deferring to a coworking space or public space with Wifi is recommended. Carolin spoke about how frequented digital nomad spots and coworking spaces make it easier to meet new people and connect over shared topics. Destination‑backed programs and community platforms can accelerate onboarding and provide event calendars (for example, Digital Nomads Madeira Islands and city hubs on Nomad List).
Tips from the Experts
From connectivity stacks to visas and insurance, the expert nomads we spoke to underscored thorough prep. Use the research‑backed checklist below to reduce surprises and tailor plans to your risk tolerance and budget.
Do your research
Entry and compliance: Verify entry rules and any pre‑travel authorizations 4–6 weeks before departure and again within 72 hours. For Europe, travelers from visa‑exempt countries will complete ETIAS (validity typically three years, ~€7 fee). Many countries now offer digital‑nomad or “workation” routes that typically require proof of income, private health insurance, and that you are paid by a foreign employer/client; examples include Japan’s 2024 digital‑nomad framework (Immigration Services Agency of Japan), Korea’s workation pathway (Korea Immigration Service), and Malaysia’s DE Rantau Nomad Pass (MDEC). Always confirm details on official government sites.
Budget and timing: Since 2022, inflation has eased but remains uneven, and currency swings can quickly change affordability; price in lodging, coworking, insurance, and flights with a buffer and consider multi‑currency accounts (IMF World Economic Outlook). Extreme weather is increasingly common and can disrupt power and connectivity—build redundancy (local eSIM, coworking backup, portable power) and monitor seasonal risks (WMO State of the Global Climate 2024; GSMA).
Safety and health: Review country advisories and women‑specific guidance before booking; register travel where available and ensure your insurance includes medical evacuation (U.S. State Department Advisories; Your Health Abroad). If you need routine/pregnancy care, compare IPMI or nomad‑tailored global plans with telehealth access (Cigna Global; GeoBlue; SafetyWing Remote Health; PassportCard Nomads).
“There is such a hype around this lifestyle, and there’s a message out there that, ‘everybody can do this! Just quit your job and move to Thailand! You can do it’ And I think you have to be really careful with that …” warned Jenny Lachs. “This is not a lifestyle that is suitable for everyone because it’s actually quite exhausting, you’re uprooting your life every couple of months.”
Define your values
Design for sustainability, not just mobility. Remote workers consistently cite loneliness and burnout among top challenges; slow travel (6–12+ week stays), structured routines, and clear work boundaries help (Buffer 2024). Align your work with portable roles that fit time zones and visa constraints; remote‑friendly demand is strongest in software/IT, marketing/media, and customer‑facing operations, with durable opportunities in AI‑adjacent and cybersecurity roles (Indeed Hiring Lab; ISC2).
When Carolin was asked what tips she had for budding nomads, she said, “Don’t compare yourself to other people, just start doing and do it your way and you’re already ahead of everybody else. Remember WHY you started and keep at it.”
“Your days aren’t necessarily all going to be spent at a pool with a cocktail in hand and your laptop at your side. There will be times when you get tired and lonely and want to give up. And the most important thing you can have is a belief in yourself and your dreams. You’ll need to spend time learning skills you were never taught in school, and you’ll need to keep up with an ever-changing digital workforce,” said Katie Diederichs.
Find a community
Intentionally build your network: pick hubs with reliable infrastructure and active communities (e.g., Madeira/Lisbon, Bali, Chiang Mai, Medellín, Mexico City), anchor in a coworking space, and join destination programs to shorten “time to connection.” Mix online discovery with offline rituals—city chats and events on platforms like Nomad List and Digital Nomads Madeira Islands help you find density fast (Buffer 2024).
Jenny emphasized how surrounding herself with people who understand what she was doing was a game changer and cut out the need to justify her dreams. She went on to say, “surround yourself with other people who are doing it. It’s already a scary thing to do something totally new. You have to learn new skills and you have to put yourself out there.”
Katie Diederichs stressed the importance of finding mentors who are already living the digital nomad lifestyle. “Reach out to them with succinct and specific questions (being respectful of their time). Creating connections like this and having someone to ask all those questions swirling around in your brain can make this process so much easier.”
Hold yourself accountable
One of the most important facets of succeeding as a digital nomad is personal accountability. At the end of the day, if you are a freelancer or work for yourself, the pressure to do your work comes from you. Find a way that works best for you. Jayme said, “It’s up to you if it’s going to work out or not.” She mentioned using a daily journal to keep track of what her goals are, how she made progress and what she learned. Protect the work that powers your income: enable phishing‑resistant MFA (passkeys/FIDO2), keep devices encrypted and updated, and use zero‑trust or least‑privilege access for work apps—especially on untrusted networks (CISA MFA; CISA Zero Trust).
The life of a digital nomad is rewarding in so many ways, but no one can deny it’s hard. From the time of adjustment to the intense planning, this way of life is not something anyone should go into lightly. Thankfully, there are a ton of online communities that foster friendship, travel and the desire to control your life.
