Frontpage
๐ Dark mode
โค๏ธ Your favorites
๐ Nomad insurance
You won't be notified by email when a reply is posted, to change your notification settings. Posts must follow the TOS: No ads, self promotion, commercial posts, surveys etc. For customer support questions, don't post here but use the feedback box in the bottom right of this page instead.
With my boyfriend weโre on a year long trip and weโre currently in Europe. But weโre thinking about going down to Chile to change environments (and because Schengen).
Weโre both fluent in Spanish, and I am Central American, but Iโd like to know what Chileโs like for digital nomads: internet speeds, coworking spaces, commuting, safety, etc.
Also, how easy/cheap is it to fly to other South American cities?
Any recommendations, stories or thoughts are welcomed 
Take personal experiences with a grain of salt. If you feel like going to Chile go!
The safest countries in South America by far are Chile and Uruguay, but still they are more dangerous than the glorified countries in south east asia than most people here crave for. Also Chile and Uruguay are not cheap places, they are expensive in comparison to SEA.
Chile is the Thailand of South America: itโs the safest and easiest country to start exploring the area. But I feel like everything is much safer and easier in Southeast Asia.
You can live the condo live in the skyscrapers of the better parts of the city. Youโll be going to malls that feel similar to being in the US, to areas without overhead wiring and to sushi restaurants just like in any other city โ but if that is was you are looking for then I wouldnโt recommend to go to Santiago. The beaches are not too nice, the food gets boring although the quality of fruits is the best Iโve ever had, the mountains are a nice thing to have but you wonโt spend as much time there as you might want to.
I have lived there for 3/4 of a year, but that was before my DN live started. I lived in a guest family in a poorer part of the city but pretty close to the center, doing a social project with street children. Taxi drivers wouldnโt want to drive me into that area unless I managed to convince them that it was safe enough for them. I heard shots at night but was told by my family, with a smile, that it was only because someone shot into the air for celebrating the win of a soccer match. I grew up as a single child and enjoyed becoming part of a large family I never had before. Once, while I introduced my new family to some drinking games, we ran out of beer and had to go out with my guest father at night to buy some more through a neighborsโ cage like barred mini shop. I then had to see two dead bodies laid out over the curbside surrounded by a crowd of weird looking people just a few meters next to my house. My guest father quickly explained to me that I had to look away and to not intervene. That was very much against all I had learned and every instinct I possessed. Wasnโt the nicest experience and makes you wonder who would intervene if you were in problems.
I am a white blonde European having ties to Germany and Spain, both having a long and totally fucked up history with Chile. I often felt racism that made me uncomfortable. To a lot of uneducated people, which of course are the majority, I was just a US-gringo and they looked at me as if every problem they had was my fault. In the city center I and other white people, especially those with a Spanish language that sounds like the one the Spanish royal family speaks, not like the Spanish spoken in Latin America, were treated in a privileged manner. I didnโt like it either. I wanted to emerge, not to be special. I remember standing in a long line of a phone carriersโ shop with around 50 people in front of me waiting to be attended. I was approached by a security guard and was pushed to the front of the line to be attended next. I was expecting the crowd to give me angry faces but, much worse, they looked at me as if it was the correct thing to do.
A lot of socialism, a lot of religion. Fucked up brainless TV, reggeaton (think of Hip Hop with more sex, one rhythm only and even much less intelligent texts), corruption, dependent media. A very divided society. People that I had contact with in my neighborhood where either scarred of me because I was shocking them with my Spanish or because they saw me walking through the streets without fear of being hijacked. At the end some respected me because they had heard that I was helping the community. Othesr thought that I was some sort of fearless rich gangster ruling the area and started greeting me in an overly respectful manner. All in all a good travel experience for adventurous people and good story to have lived but I would think about other places first if Iโd work as a DN.
Chile is extremely long and thin. Flying to other places is not common. You will take moderately priced luxury over night busses to either the north or the south because that is the only two directions you can drive in this country. I have been to impressively dry deserts in the north and just by accident, without knowing it, had been much further south than Tasmania, which is souther of Australia. Santiago already is at the same latitude as Cape Town in South Africa is. The landscapes are diverse and the national parks are nice but there are other options on the planet Iโd go first.
Thank you so much for such a detailed account of your time there @snu6eW . It really puts things in perspective. Iโve had friends doing semesters in universities in Chile and I was surprised at how nice their time there sounded, but maybe they just hung out on the rich side of town. It is funny how itโs been said that Chile is the only place in Latin America that feels like the first world, maybe itโs only that way for the privileged few.
It might not be the best to digital nomad for now, though Iโm still interested in going there, but maybe more as a tourist. Thanks again!
I was there 3 years ago and the Internet at the apartment I rented sucked. I had a suspicion that it may have been due to a mis-configuration of the DSL modem, though. Or maybe it was the provider. In any case, it created quite a few difficulties for me.
I liked Santiago well enough, and I hope to return at some point in the future, but didnโt think it was anything extraordinary โ certainly not by European standards. One thing that struck me as funny is how โupscaleโ areas to the east are actively importing lowest-common-denominator fast food brands and how people living in those areas consider them cool โ for example, there are Dunkinโ Donuts coffee shops in expensive areas of Las Condes.
I have a bit of an old-school-European-city bias: I am in favor of dense and walkable urban layouts. Santiago is not perfect in that regard: there are a few dense neighborhoods downtown, but mostly itโs low-rise almost everywhere except large commercial streets (where itโs high-rise).
Safety-wise, I personally had no problems (stayed in Santiago proper, but close to Providencia), but I saw a weird fight on the street, in the middle of the day, heard police helicopters overhead on a regular basis (although it probably had more to do with the ongoing protests and post-soccer-match crowd control rather than street crime) and unfortunately witnessed a suicide, which was the most shocking for me โ all in the space of 3 months.
I think I also have that bias, Iโve enjoyed my time in Europe greatly because of that: just being able to walk anywhere.
Thanks @bisonravi!
Hey @andredardon,
So I lived in Chile for about 3/4 of a year, traveled from Arica to Santiago to Chiloe and in a fair amount of the small mountain and beach towns.
A quick rundown on my experience there:
I could continue about other places, but how about if I just follow up one day here with links to some of my blog posts about it, where the info is already aggregated?
To address someoneโs comment about Chileans being racist, Iโd say this: they just stare a lot. A woman alone? They are going to stare even more. Just ignore it; itโs not meant to be anything more than a culturally accepted practice. You can even stare back 
P.S. This is coming from a fluent Spanish-speaking multiracial brown girl of indiscernible racial heritage. The closest accent I ever got to Chilean was an Argentinian version. Good look with Chilenoโฆitโs tough.
As part of signing up for this website I was hoping I would come across a list of Visa and/or Residency requirements by country ideally in a table format to assist with decision making. Does anybody recommend any other websites that might present the information in this format (or Google Spreadsheet)?
I have a slightly above average US income which I can work remotely from paired with a $1000 a month income stream and more than enough to purchase a middle end Flat in Ukraine. Does anyone with knowledge of this process have any advice to acquire a reliable way to stay in the country?
I am new to working out of coworking spaces. My business entails a lot of video conferences. I haven't chosen a specific coworking space yet but generally, what are the potential solutions for this? I have a microphone and headphones but still fell like it may be inconsiderate to take the calls anywhere in the coworking space. For a solo person, what are some general solutions? Are there usually options to rent a private room by the hour with just enough room to set up my microphone and laptop? Sidenote: any coworking space recommendations in Florianapolis, Brazil would also be appreciated. Thanks in advance!
Hey Nomads, would love to know any thoughts here.
Top of the list are currently Tenerife, Lagos/Ericeira (Portugal) & Malta??
Would love to know if anyone can vouch for these at this time of year.
Beautiful beach would be the dream. Basically European Bali! I'm sure something many of us are searching for.
Thanks a million. Much love.
Leo
Eager to find out what age most start out as a DN? (Me)โฆ 27 and just started out in the last 6 months or so. Not presently 100% location independent, probably more like 90% as still required to visit the office from time to time
Finally found a site with proper info that's updated daily about which places will reopen made by Skift: reopening.travel/reopening/
Background:
Iโm an EU national IT specialist, recently decided to become a digital nomad. I just left my permanent job in Germany and opened a UK based LTD (for a better taxation) to start a new career as remote working IT contractor. I also want to become a UK resident and pay personal income tax there BUT I donโt want to rent/buy a place because I have no interest in physically living in the UK, as a nomad I will be traveling abroad 100% of the time.
So I just need a UK address where Iโm registered as a resident and could receive mail, but I would never actually be there. I could rent a place and keep it empty but that would be a total waste of money.
Question:
How do I find somebody who could give me an official residence at his/her address and keep my name on the door? Iโm ok with paying a reasonable monthly fee for this โserviceโ (but not as high as a rent), and give assurance in whatever form that I will never pretend to physically live there. I have no close friends in the UK to ask for this favor, and trying to propose this to a random landlord would be just weird since they are not familiar with the needs of a digital nomad.
Maybe you guys can suggest me somebody who understand the situation and want to make some extra cash every month to pay the bills? Iโm ready to meet in person, provide full proof of identity or any other document, and to make a written agreement that gives the landlord the freedom to cancel this โsituationโ at any time.
Note:
This is NOT for tax evasion, itโs the opposite! I WANT to pay full tax as UK resident, I just donโt want to waste money on a rent which I will literally never use.
I would be very grateful for any advice!
Pavel
Hey Community, Did you ever come across any YouTube videos that sold the freelancing gig to you? That taught you how to freelance? Where to start? The good and bad points of freelancing? or just follow any YouTubers that specialise in freelancing (for inspiration)?
I'd be interested in learning more...
Thanks in advance.
Anyone know of any groups or resources for Ph.D. students working on dissertation while living as a digital nomad? I know there are several virtual writing groups around, but wondered if there were any specifically for digital nomads, particularly those who are dissertating.
Thanks!
How do you guys deal with the dreaded โproof of addressโ for banking and investing and other random stuff?
I donโ have the option to have a family member do this for me, sadly (not wanting to use that country as residence for tax implications).
This has to be a pretty regular problem for most who arenโt doing the old timey โlive in one place and pay bills there foreverโ thing. Suggestions? Services? Hacks? Workarounds?
Anyone with knowledge regarding complications of not being a tax resident anywhere in the world? Iโm aware that primary health care, bank account opening and incorperation can be problematic but are there other practical or legal factors I should be aware of?
And what about paying myself salary from a self-owned OECD company? I would like to know if I risk potentieal issues with the tax authorities in the jurisdiction of the company, especially regarding withholding tax.
Appreciate your input!
I know from experience that if you have residential status in countries where IG (a broker) serves, you can buy stocks and other assets through this broker. But I wonder what doors to the stock market, asset market or broker can be unlocked with e-residency? Some banks open a terminal for customers to buy assets overseas too, is one of the e-residency friendly bank offering a good portfolio of assets to invest in?
Hello digital nomad!
I dream of being an independent digital nomad. But it feels very elusive & unattainable with my success rate. In full disclosure, whilst I have dreamed about making money online since high school; I have not earned a single cent making money online. $0, nada, zilch!! On the contrary, I have spent a lot of time & money on books, podcasts. Even though I have spent a lot of time reading/listening to others, I do not have anything to show for it!
I have made attempts in the past to start an online business, but these fizzle out quite quickly when I do not see traction especially when the goal I have set myself is too high.
Instead of reaching for the ultimate nomadic lifestyle goal, I want to start much smaller. Really small! I am simply looking to make $50 profit per month from a new online business. Thatโs it.
I need some advice from you please!
Is $50 profit too low? How long did it take you to earn $50 profit per month?
What is a good way of achieving this goal?
Thanks
Mark
aka the $0 online business entrepreneur
All members of my family has different needs and hobbies so how do you pick the perfect places?
Hey everyone!
Iโm getting ready for my first trip abroad alone (this Oct). I decided on Chiang Mai because I feel like it might be the best place to get my feet wet. Plus Iโve been planning on going to Thailand now for about 3 years. Dream started 3 years ago, started my business 2 years ago, finished college/moved out of my parents 1 year ago, left my part-time crutch job a few months ago and now I make enough online to be location independent.
But now that my dream is becoming a reality, Iโm actually kinda scared. Just thinking about boarding a plane with only a backpack in my possession is liberating but also frightening. Probably the craziest thing Iโve done in my life and Iโve worked so hard to get to this point.
Iโm sure that most people here had to deal with the fear of leaving for the first time, the uncertainty of what will happen, and maybe even some resistance from your family. Iโm just wondering how you dealt with it? Maybe I just need to re-read some of the books (4 hour workweek, vagabonding, The $100 startup, etcโฆ) that gave me the motivation and courage to start in the first place. What motivates you to keep going?
Thanks!
Iโm French and Iโm leaving Paris and my current full time job. In a few month, Iโll move to Bali to be a fresh digital nomad in web development. I learn about the different possibilities to create my own business and I would have feedbacks. whatโs the best ? Iโve an opportunity to work with my actual french company as a freelancer, remotly, on specific missions.
But I donโt know If I have to create my company in France to continue working with them or maybe one in Singapour like with sleek.sg. I donโt know if itโs it easy to work with a french company with a singapore company. I then plan to find other missions with fewer time differences, (Australia โฆ)
If someone could help me 
thanks!
Planning ahead for the winter. Iโll be in Spain in the Fall and want to go someplace warm for the winter in or near Europe, but not Schengen. Was first thinking Cape Town, but the internet is slow and it is very far. Was also thinking:
Israel - but airbnb listings are very pricey.
Morocco?
Turkey - maybe a little chilly.
Any other suggestions?
I previously use Profia. Contract is ending and I want to have someone who accepts crypto payment instead.
Can't login? See the FAQ
Nomads.com
By signing up, you agree to our terms of service and community guidelines.
One-time-payment: $39.98 $19.99 ๐ซ 0% off
Billed once. Then never again
Nomads.com members
work remotely at
Nomads.com
๐ Thanks for signing up! I hope you like my site. I put a lot of effort into making it.
๐ฌ First, please go to your email and click the confirm link first to verify your email address, check your spam folder if you can't find it
๐ After you confirm your email we'll send you an email with more info
๐ฉโ๐ป You can start using Nomads.com's member-only features now!
