We’ve got six suggestions to help you avoid starting your digital nomad experience on the wrong foot. Remote work has never been easier than it is now, but that doesn’t mean you can find something overnight. The most common jobs for digital nomads usually revolve around some combination of social media and technology, and these aren’t typically entry-level jobs. You’ll likely need a decent amount of experience and cache with a company before you can get the green light to take your work on the road.  I recently read about a full-time digital nomad trying out New York City for a few months. As glamorous as that sounds, she spends 10+ hours a day working out of a tiny apartment in order to afford the touristy attractions on the weekends. Fast-forward a few months and now she’s burnt out and looking to buy a home and settle down. Keep in mind this is a person who worked remotely for years and had a reliable job. We all love the idea of digital nomadism being more like a semi-permanent vacation, but you’ll likely still need to work 8+ hours a day. As long as you understand that going into it, you’ll have an easier time striking a work/life balance. The easiest way to find a comfortable working solution is just to rent an Airbnb with a desk setup. If you’re living the van life, set aside a corner as a mini-office where you can comfortably work from a laptop without hurting your back or neck.  For Slack, you can set a status by clicking your picture in the top-right corner and selecting “Update your status”. As far as coverage goes, Verizon currently covers about 70% of the country with 4G LTE coverage, with AT&T not far behind, covering 68% of the country. Check out coverage maps for each carrier and compare them with where you plan traveling. For example, if you plan on hitting up the regions like Utah, Nevada, and Idaho, Verizon will offer better coverage than any other carrier for those areas. If you want high-speed hotspot data that allows you to host Zoom meetings and stream Spotfy while you work, we recommend Boost Mobile’s $50 Unlimited plan.

Satellite internet can also work

You can also use satellite internet instead of mobile hotspot data. Satellite internet doesn’t offer the fastest data speeds, but you can get internet access just about anywhere. Check out our picks for the best satellite internet providers:

Secure a remote job first Remember you’re not on a permanent vacation Make your work life comfortable Take advantage of Airbnb discounts for extended stays Let your coworkers know you’re traveling Get a good cell phone plan with hotspot data How to Avoid Common Digital Nomad Mistakes - 82How to Avoid Common Digital Nomad Mistakes - 46