Feb 11, 2020 11:48:29 AM by Aziz U
Just curious if there are any fellow digital-nomads here. Would be cool to connect and share experiences. Although I've met a lot of people who work and travel, I've never met anyone who does so from Upwork.
Feb 11, 2020 03:10:26 PM by Mary W
There are a bunch, who I'm sure will chime in. Me, sadly, not so much.
Feb 11, 2020 04:10:55 PM by Christine A
I've been a "digital nomad" since before the term existed. I've lived and worked in countries all over the world.
Feb 12, 2020 05:45:13 PM by Aziz U
Christine A wrote:I've been a "digital nomad" since before the term existed. I've lived and worked in countries all over the world.
Interesting. Where have you been? What's you're favorite city/country to work from? And when you say say before the term even existed, how long ago is that?
Feb 13, 2020 11:10:07 AM by Christine A
Aziz U wrote:
Christine A wrote:I've been a "digital nomad" since before the term existed. I've lived and worked in countries all over the world.
Interesting. Where have you been? What's you're favorite city/country to work from? And when you say say before the term even existed, how long ago is that?
I've been at it for 22 years - Canada, Mexico, England, Scotland, Ireland, Australia, Thailand, France, Spain. Been coming to Mexico for the past three winters, so I guess it's currently my favourite place, but I've gone to Spain repeatedly as well. Italy will be next, then Argentina next winter.
Feb 13, 2020 12:40:19 PM Edited Feb 13, 2020 05:57:18 PM by Aziz U
Christine A wrote:
I've been at it for 22 years - Canada, Mexico, England, Scotland, Ireland, Australia, Thailand, France, Spain. Been coming to Mexico for the past three winters, so I guess it's currently my favourite place, but I've gone to Spain repeatedly as well. Italy will be next, then Argentina next winter.
Wait...what? I wasn't expecting that long ago. I thought maybe 10-12 years* at most. That's so interesting! How did you deal with lack of wifi/internet?
Feb 13, 2020 01:18:36 PM by Jennifer M
I love these pics. 😄
Aziz, the second one with the palm trees reminds me of home. Take out the mountains and that looks like Ft. Lauderdale beach.
Feb 13, 2020 02:38:33 PM by Nichola L
Aziz U wrote:
Christine A wrote:
I've been at it for 22 years - Canada, Mexico, England, Scotland, Ireland, Australia, Thailand, France, Spain. Been coming to Mexico for the past three winters, so I guess it's currently my favourite place, but I've gone to Spain repeatedly as well. Italy will be next, then Argentina next winter.Wait...what? I wasn't expecting that long ago. I thought maybe 10-12 hours at most. That's so interesting! How did you deal with lack of wifi/internet?
______________________________________
Love your photos Aziz - more than that I am in awe; they are truly superb! And I love Christine's photo too.
But re no internet - you are a real child of your times! Freelancing has existed since forever. Networking took a little longer and more finger work, but one got there in the end! We had telephones and word processors in those days - oh - and cameras albeit not digital!
Feb 13, 2020 03:20:02 PM by Christine A
Nichola L wrote:
Aziz U wrote:Wait...what? I wasn't expecting that long ago. I thought maybe 10-12 hours at most. That's so interesting! How did you deal with lack of wifi/internet?
______________________________________
Love your photos Aziz - more than that I am in awe; they are truly superb! And I love Christine's photo too.
But re no internet - you are a real child of your times! Freelancing has existed since forever. Networking took a little longer and more finger work, but one got there in the end! We had telephones and word processors in those days - oh - and cameras albeit not digital!
Wifi isn't really a problem these days (you should have been around in the days of dial-up, kid!). I carefully read all reviews before I book any hotels or holiday flats; any complaints about bad Internet, and I'll just find somewhere else to stay. I've had some problems in unlikely places, though - like I stayed in central Bristol (England) for a month last November and the Wifi was cutting out 8 or 9 times a day. I use a mobile hotspot when that happens, though.
Feb 11, 2020 04:16:35 PM by Amanda L
While I travel a lot and work from different spot, I don't really qualify. I have a home-base I spend the majority of my time. But I'll go spend a month somewhere here or there and work from that location for a month. I do that a few times a year. Not sure if it counts. I'd like to be a bit more nomadic but my business model doesn't really allow for being nomadic, more for just frequent travel.
Feb 11, 2020 07:27:30 PM by Avery O
I'm in the same boat as Amanda. I travel and stay put for two weeks to a month, and then I go back to my nesting ground.
My sister, who uses Upwork, travels a lot. She's back in our home country now, but I think she'll be away again when summer hits.
Where do you usually go, Aziz? I would assume that if a freelancer travels a lot, they are most comfortable working on fixed-price contracts so as not to be tied-down by hourly contracts that are bound by a schedule, no?
Feb 11, 2020 08:35:18 PM by Amanda L
Avery O wrote:I'm in the same boat as Amanda. I travel and stay put for two weeks to a month, and then I go back to my nesting ground.
My sister, who uses Upwork, travels a lot. She's back in our home country now, but I think she'll be away again when summer hits.
Where do you usually go, Aziz? I would assume that if a freelancer travels a lot, they are most comfortable working on fixed-price contracts so as not to be tied-down by hourly contracts that are bound by a schedule, no?
The problem for me is that business is good, which requires me to stay put more. But I'm hoping to do the digital nomad thing more this year. And yes, I do work more fixed price because I can't be bound by a time tracker. Hourly or fixed, I estimate my price based on hours regardless, but I typically make more fixed price because I beat the "clock" so to speak. 🙂 I also have an assistant so I use fixed price because hourly doesn't work for having support staff.
I am slightly ashamed to say I've never been outside North America, and I will be 40 this year. However, I have seen North America and all it's corners in ways others who have traveled the globe have never done. But I hope to make it to the Tate this year. My former employer, while I worked for them, collaborated on a major exhibition, and I have loved the Tate ever since that collaboration. I follow them on social media, and I cannot wait for my visit!
May 24, 2022 11:11:36 AM by Rijul S
New to upwork and the term digital nomad 😆.
Well, I am yet to land my first client and travel somwhere with it
Hoping🤞
Feb 12, 2020 05:42:27 PM Edited Feb 12, 2020 05:45:44 PM by Aziz U
Avery O wrote:I'm in the same boat as Amanda. I travel and stay put for two weeks to a month, and then I go back to my nesting ground.
My sister, who uses Upwork, travels a lot. She's back in our home country now, but I think she'll be away again when summer hits.
Where do you usually go, Aziz? I would assume that if a freelancer travels a lot, they are most comfortable working on fixed-price contracts so as not to be tied-down by hourly contracts that are bound by a schedule, no?
Actually my work is about half fixed price n half hourly. Most of my clients know/understand that I am doing the travel/work thingy so they don't mind the odd hours, as long as the work gets done. I do however have to at times get up at 3 AM for a call.
As far where I usually go; i try not to go to the same place twice. I am currently in Mexico after spending a few months in Turkey and Greece. I do prefer Central / South America though because I am in the same time zone (give or take an hour) as clients.
Feb 12, 2020 12:35:59 PM by Jennifer M
I'm not a digital nomad, but it's nice to just decide one day that you want to move and don't have to look for a job. I would probably have to commute at least an hour for me to get a job here. That sounds pooyuck.
Feb 12, 2020 05:51:33 PM Edited Feb 12, 2020 05:59:53 PM by Aziz U
Some photos from Baja California; taken few days ago:
Feb 13, 2020 11:02:49 AM by Christine A
Aziz U wrote:Some photos from Baja California; taken few days ago:
Very nice! I'm also in Mexico for a few months (currently Sayulita).
Feb 13, 2020 12:35:33 PM Edited Feb 13, 2020 12:48:50 PM by Aziz U
Christine A wrote:
Aziz U wrote:Some photos from Baja California; taken few days ago:
Very nice! I'm also in Mexico for a few months (currently Sayulita).
Cool! I spent sometime in Puerto/Nuevo Vallarta last year. Love the area (Sayulita, San Pancho, etc). Are you moving around Mexico or just staying in Sayulita?
Love the photo btw; exactly how I remembered the area. If do you move, please share photos/update here of your whereabouts.
I'm back in Mexico City after couple of weeks in Baja.
Parque Mexicana, SantaFe, CDMX:
Feb 13, 2020 03:25:44 PM by Christine A
Aziz U wrote:Cool! I spent sometime in Puerto/Nuevo Vallarta last year. Love the area (Sayulita, San Pancho, etc). Are you moving around Mexico or just staying in Sayulita?
Love the photo btw; exactly how I remembered the area. If do you move, please share photos/update here of your whereabouts.
I'm back in Mexico City after couple of weeks in Baja.
Really nice photos! PM me if you want to connect on Instagram. I still haven't been to CDMX - maybe next winter. I just spent January in Chiapas, based in San Cristobal de las Casas - put that on your bucket list if you haven't been there already. Fantastic town, briliant scenery, great bars, cool vibe.
Feb 13, 2020 05:18:20 PM by Avery O
Oh my! All the photos posted on this thread are really lovely!
Feb 14, 2020 09:22:14 AM by Aziz U
Really nice photos! PM me if you want to connect on Instagram. I still haven't been to CDMX - maybe next winter. I just spent January in Chiapas, based in San Cristobal de las Casas - put that on your bucket list if you haven't been there already. Fantastic town, briliant scenery, great bars, cool vibe.
Wow, I've heard so many great things about Chiapas. Will be sure to check it out. And definately, will PM.
Feb 21, 2020 11:37:05 AM Edited Feb 21, 2020 11:38:51 AM by Petra R
Christine A wrote:
Aziz U wrote:Some photos from Baja California; taken few days ago:
Very nice! I'm also in Mexico for a few months (currently Sayulita).
That's an awesome photo!!!
Actually all the pics on this thread are inspiring!!!
Feb 15, 2020 11:46:13 AM Edited Feb 15, 2020 11:48:41 AM by Aziz U
Back in Roma Norte, CDMX. Morning run:
Feb 29, 2020 11:45:50 PM Edited Feb 29, 2020 11:46:28 PM by Aziz U
Good morning from Acapulco, Guerero. Wouldn't mind waking up to this everyday 🙂
Mar 3, 2020 11:02:12 AM by Eve L
I used to be a digital nomad, but now I've slept in the same bed for 2 months (besides 3 nights at a hotel just because I like hotels), so I don't think I qualify anymore. Think I traveled for about 2 years, visited about 20 countries, and then I got sick of packing and unpacking my bag. I've decided to stay put for a while now, but I get this feeling about once every second week that it's time to travel again. I'll try to wait until August, or perhaps even September.
Mar 4, 2020 04:13:45 PM by Aziz U
That's cool, being a digital nomad can mean a lot of things, you don't necessaily need to always be on the move.
What was your favorite place during your travels?
Mar 6, 2020 06:35:25 AM by Eve L
It's hard to decide on what was best.
I loved Bali and Cambodia. And South-Korea. Think those are my top 3 in Asia.
In Europe, I think Budapest and Thessaloniki were my favorites. I actually would love to live in Thessaloniki, but before I do Greece has to fix their plumbing. Can't live in a country where you can't flush toilet paper. That's a dealbreaker.
The worst place is easier. Thailand. I don't care to ever go back there, at least to the places I were. I think I'm going for a quick trip there in November for a conference, but I'll leave as soon as that's over.
Mar 8, 2020 01:37:47 AM by Aziz U
Cool, loved Thessaloniki. Was there for a month in September last year. And yea, agree about Thailand...
Mar 8, 2020 12:45:48 PM by Petra R
I used to have that idea of creating a freelancer-couch-surfing platform where freelancers around the world open their homes to other freelancers and trade rooms or whole homes.
That way digital nomads would always find the infrastucture they need to freelance and get to visit other places at a low cost.
The people whose homes they stay in get someone to water the plants and feed the cats while they stay in in someone else's home that is equally well equipped for freelancing.
Mar 8, 2020 02:09:54 PM by Aziz U
....umm that's actually a really great idea. Kind of an Airbnb exchange program. I like it!
Mar 8, 2020 02:40:55 PM by Eve L
There are sites for staying at someone's home for free, as long as you look after pets, like TrustedHouseSitters. Not that these homes are necessarily made for freelancers, but still quite some are well equipped, as far as I know. You just get to live in someone's house for free while they are away, and you look after a cat or a dog or something. Some want you to look after a whole farm though with 10 horses and 50 cows and god knows how many other animals, but most are just one or two pets. Never tried it though.
Mar 11, 2020 08:03:47 AM by Petra R
Eve L wrote:There are sites for staying at someone's home for free, as long as you look after pets, like TrustedHouseSitters. Not that these homes are necessarily made for freelancers, but still quite some are well equipped, as far as I know.
Yeah, I meant something a bit more specific for freelancers, also including just staying a few days with the actual homeowner, who is also a freelancer, at home. Freelancers understand each other's lifestyle.
Mar 11, 2020 02:43:29 PM by Eve L
Petra R wrote:
Eve L wrote:There are sites for staying at someone's home for free, as long as you look after pets, like TrustedHouseSitters. Not that these homes are necessarily made for freelancers, but still quite some are well equipped, as far as I know.
Yeah, I meant something a bit more specific for freelancers, also including just staying a few days with the actual homeowner, who is also a freelancer, at home. Freelancers understand each other's lifestyle.
I would love that, I think. I would try it at least. If you create an app or something I'll sign up. (Just perhaps wait for this virus-business to settle first. Don't think this is the best time to launch something like this.)
Mar 12, 2020 07:03:40 PM by Christine A
Petra R wrote:Yeah, I meant something a bit more specific for freelancers, also including just staying a few days with the actual homeowner, who is also a freelancer, at home. Freelancers understand each other's lifestyle.
I think that's a great idea (once the Coronavirus is under control, of course). There are starting to be more and more accommodations geared towards freelancers, but the ones that I've seen so far are really expensive. A Couchsurfing/Airbnb type website specifically for freelancers would be way better.
Mar 13, 2020 12:57:02 AM Edited Mar 13, 2020 12:57:27 AM by Aziz U
Wouldn't mind working on it on my off time. So esentailly you can put info about yourself (linkedIn/upwork profile) and the place you can offer. You can choose to swap or just share your place with another freelancer.
Any ideas for name? Freelancebnb? Nomadbnb?
Mar 13, 2020 01:32:46 AM Edited Mar 13, 2020 01:33:39 AM by Petra R
Aziz U wrote:Wouldn't mind working on it on my off time.
Seriously, shall we?
Aziz U wrote:Wouldn't mind working on it on my off time. So esentailly you can put info about yourself (linkedIn/upwork profile) and the place you can offer.
Good idea! That would make it a little safer.
Aziz U wrote:Wouldn't mind working on it on my off time. So esentailly you can put info about yourself (linkedIn/upwork profile) and the place you can offer. You can choose to swap or just share your place with another freelancer.
Any ideas for name? Freelancebnb? Nomadbnb?
Maybe have a points / coins / connects based system. different models - outright renting without swapping, sharing with owner in situ (I can see that being pretty popular as it can lead to more friends-making and the creation of an international freelancer network)
How about also having options for groups of digital nomads to rent larger holiday accomodation together.
Like 7 strangers freelancers from all over the world renting a villa in Tuscany for 2 weeks in September
I think this has real potential!
Mar 14, 2020 12:40:11 AM by Eve L
Renting things together is quite common. I see loads of posts in DN forums for people wanting someone to share a house with for a month or two. It's also a great way of networking, as long as the other ones are real freelancers, not just people who travel without money and think being a DN is a career itself. So some kind of vetting of members would be needed. Think this means you'll need some sort of FSS – Freelancer Success Score...
Mar 14, 2020 08:48:22 AM by Aziz U
Eve L wrote:Renting things together is quite common. I see loads of posts in DN forums for people wanting someone to share a house with for a month or two. It's also a great way of networking, as long as the other ones are real freelancers, not just people who travel without money and think being a DN is a career itself. So some kind of vetting of members would be needed. Think this means you'll need some sort of FSS – Freelancer Success Score...
Hmmm...DN forums? Mind sharing which ones? Didn't know there were forums for DNs (not sure if you are allowed to share links here)
And yea. I agree, vetting is really important.
Mar 15, 2020 05:51:51 PM by Christine A
Aziz U wrote:Hmmm...DN forums? Mind sharing which ones? Didn't know there were forums for DNs (not sure if you are allowed to share links here)
There are loads of forums - I belong to one on Facebook that's for women only (sorry), but you can find loads more there, or just by doing a Google search.
Please keep us posted if you do decide to go ahead with creating a website.