How I Became A Digital Nomad Aged 54
Eleven and a half years ago I set out to see the world. I was 54 years old and had spent the last 36 years working at various jobs that had included, among other things, selling newspaper ads, managing a women’s department store, owning a public relations firm and managing real estate franchises. At one point I even co-owned and operated a Sno-Cone kiosk in the largest water park in Puerto Rico.
None of my jobs, or the comfortable lifestyle they afforded me, had ever made me happy. In fact, I was miserable. But rather than changing my life, I kept repeating the same behaviour and expecting different results. And that, as they say, is the definition of insanity.
Fortunately, a severe illness kicked me out of my complacency. When I realised I might die, I promised myself that if I recovered, I would walk away from corporate life to pursue my true passions of travel, photography, and writing. A year later, I slung a backpack over my shoulder and set off on a six-month around-the-world journey. One of my stops was Thailand. I’d visited in 2004 and loved it. After my second visit, I was addicted.
“None of my jobs had ever made me happy. In fact, I was miserable. But rather than changing my life, I kept repeating the same behaviour and that, as they say, is the definition of insanity.”
In 2009, I finally gave up my apartment in Florida and became a full-time digital nomad with no home base. I worked wherever I could get a Wi-Fi connection and carried everything I needed in a 55 centimetre carry-on suitcase and a small backpack. More than 3000 stories and thousands of photos later, I’d successfully recreated myself as a travel writer, but I was also searching for my perfect paradise.
During my 14-plus years on the road, I visited 94 countries and seriously considered a number of destinations as potential homes. Possibilities such as Budapest, Croatia and Bulgaria, though intriguing, just weren’t right for one reason or another. But the idea of choosing an expat life in Chiang Mai, Thailand, kept drawing me back there.
A couple of years ago, I began having severe problems with my knees and hips. It was no longer easy for me to carry my suitcase up and down the stairs of Metro and train stations around Europe, much less deal with the poor infrastructure in developing countries. Eventually, my chronic joint pain began impacting more than just my physical body. My childlike wonder disappeared. Every destination looked the same. Travel became a chore rather than a joy. My writing lost its lustre. I needed a good long rest. I needed to find a home again.
I’d come close to putting down roots before, but never seemed to be able to make the final commitment. I was scared of falling back into “material girl” mode, afraid that I would once again begin to collect unnecessary “stuff.” And what if I didn’t like being in one place?
I’d spent winters in Chiang Mai for several years. The northern Thai city never seemed to lose its allure and I was gutted each time I left. Over the winter of 2016-2017 I spent five months in the city known as the cultural capital of Thailand and still I was distressed when it came time to hit the road again. There was little doubt that the expat life in Chiang Mai was for me so I met with the management of the serviced apartment complex where I’d been wintering and arranged to rent a year-round apartment when I returned. My days as a digital nomad would be coming to an end, but I eagerly looked forward to my new life.
I moved into my apartment in February 2018 and I’m still deliriously happy. Frankly, I don’t know what took me so long. At some level, I’ve always known I would end up in Chiang Mai. I guess I just had to check all the other places off my list before I could truly admit that there is no better place for me. It’s wonderful to have a home again, where I can plant my “stuff”.
My 90-day non-immigrant visa was subsequently extended to a year, based on retirement. The “retirement visa” is renewable on an annual basis for an affordable fee. And speaking of affordability, the cost of living in Thailand is extremely attractive. I’ve chosen to rent a more expensive modern apartment in a newer building that has a pool, gym and 24-hour security, however it is entirely possible to rent an apartment or house here for less than $US400 ($528) a month.
Settling down as an expat was not designed to slow my travelling and I did some great trips in 2018 and 2019. Of course in 2020 travel ground to a halt but I have felt very safe in Chiang Mai because the Thai government has done an exceptional job of managing COVID. I can travel domestically, and there are many places in Thailand I haven’t yet visited. But I have to admit that I’m getting itchy feet. I accomplished my personal goal of visiting all seven continents and 100-plus countries earlier this year, but there are still so many more places that I want to experience.
Words Barbara Weibel This was originally posted on the Hole in the Donut travel blog
Photo_ Leonardo Yip /UnSplash