17 Location Independent Jobs For A Digital Nomad Lifestyle

Looking for the best location independent jobs that will allow you to move toward a digital nomad lifestyle?

Then keep reading.

Look, there is a giant world to explore.

Unfortunately for those working a traditional nine-to-five job, it can be tough to find time to visit other countries — especially in the USA, where the norm for time off is one or two weeks per year.

If you want to change that, then you’re in the right place.

In this blog post, 17 travelers share their advice on how to work and travel, with examples of digital nomad careers as well as remote part-time work you can do from anywhere.

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Best Remote Jobs For A Location Independent Lifestyle:

1. Jessie Festa, Travel Blogger, Tour Guide & Blogging Coach

I was bitten by the travel bug after studying abroad in Australia.

Until then, I’d always envisioned I’d have a swanky public relations job in Manhattan after college; however, it soon became apparent I had to find a flexible career that allowed me to travel.

In short, I didn’t find one…so I made one!

Basically, I answered my own question about how to make money online from anywhere in the world by creating a travel blog.

Jessie on a Journey was born in 2011, and I was able to take it full time in 2012.

Over the years my travel blogging business has evolved tremendously, as I now offer:

• Online blogging courses
• Photo tours in NYC
• Brand partnership services
• And more!

To grow an audience who would benefit from these offerings, I love creating valuable free content that can help them, like my free travel blogging course, my free workshop on boosting your travel blogging income, and my Profitable Travel Blogger Podcast.

Additionally, I’ve built an online sister publication, Epicure & Culture, which runs more like a magazine.

All of these offerings came about from knowing my audience, understanding their needs and listening to their requests.

In my opinion, blogging is one of the best digital nomad jobs out there, as you get to be your own boss while helping others.

Moreover, if you’re curious how to become a digital nomad with no experience, know that blogging allows you to monetize your passion and expertise. Just note that it does take time to grow your blog traffic and gain visbility, so the sooner you can start it, the better.

Jessie’s Advice:

If you want to be a professional blogger, it’s imperative you’re able to fill in the blanks to following statement:

“I help ____ (group of people) do ____ (how you help).”

Once you have this mission filled in, it becomes so much easier to create purposeful blog posts, email newsletters, social media shares — not to mention products that help you serve your audience.

Yes, working with brands is a great way to monetize your blog; but having products and services that help your audience allows you to create a more passive income strategy that’s also ethical!

2. Kelly Hayes-Raitt, Writer & House-Sitter

I sleep around. Usually with animals.

I’m a full-time traveler and pet-sitter, and have been since 2009.

My nomadic lifestyle is supported by a job as a columnist and book editor. These can be done from anywhere in the world — from the jungle of Malawi to an eco-lodge in Vietnam.

While housesitting, I’ve reported on newly arrived Syrian refugees in Berlin, the 70th commemoration of the bombing of Hiroshima, the London Olympics, women’s rights in Malaysia and Central American refugees in Mexico for my column.

Kelly’s Advice:

Know your limits.

Full-time travel comes in a lot of flavors, so experiment to learn what works best for you:

• Are you more rural or city?
• Do you like to be in one place for a long stretch, or do you prefer moving around?
• What climate, culture and time zone work best for you?

Also, sightsee and take advantage of your foreign location.

That may sound counter-productive, but knowing that I’m not working tomorrow fires me up to finish my work tonight.

And the sightseeing recharges my creative batteries.

I recommend housesitting instead of staying in hotels. You can use a platform like TrustedHousesitters to find these opportunities.

In fact, I document my housesitting adventures on my blog, House Sit Diva.

I live at no cost in someone’s home and care for their pets while they vacation. This allows me the opportunity to maintain a routine based on my schedule — not on a hotel’s.

Moreover, I have better and more secure internet for researching and filing stories than I’d have at a hotel. And I can create my own work space in a home.

Bonus:

I can afford to stay longer at my destination, so I can research stories more deeply.

My final tip:

Stay in touch.

I keep World Clock Deluxe open on my blogging laptop screen so I can instantly see what time it is at my editor’s desk.

Hey, I don’t want to blow deadlines because I miscalculated the time zone difference!

3. Meredith Castin, Physical Therapist, Career Coach & Freelance Writer

Three years ago, I was a burned out physical therapist who was physically and emotionally tired of the grind of patient care.

I was frustrated by the inflexibility of my job and wished I could get home to see my family more often.

So, I set a goal:

To leave patient care within two years.

I never wavered from that goal.

During that time, I was able to begin a freelance writing career, creating health and fitness content for a number of publications and organizations.

From there, I was able to land better writing gigs, and now I’m a freelance writer for several rehab publications.

I also run my own career coaching business, The Non-Clinical PT.

My specialty:

Helping physical and occupational therapists find non-clinical ways to leverage their degrees.

Today, my business is completely online and I can work from anywhere.

In my opinion, my ability to make the change stemmed from having a vision for myself and sticking with it.

Even now, I have a clear vision of where I want to be in five, 10, and 20 years, and I make all of my professional and personal decisions based on that vision.

Meredith’s Advice:

My advice to anyone considering this path is to be purpose-driven and take steps — big or small — toward your purpose every single day.

Moreover, I strongly recommend making friends with social media; I resisted using it for a long time, but it has been instrumental in my career path.

Lastly, just because something pushes you a bit out of your comfort zone, that’s not an excuse to say “no” to an opportunity.

Say “yes” to anything that gets you closer to your purpose!

4. Karen Cordaway, Podcast Guest Booker

I was a teacher turned writer/podcast guest booker at my website, Karen Cordaway. In short, I help entrepreneurs gain visibility by getting them on podcasts.

Doing this, I can work from anywhere using my computer or phone, whether that’s responding to clients or emailing podcasters.

I often get back to people even if I’m waiting in the car to pick up my child from school, at the grocery store or sitting at a cafe.

I’m also able to work while driving — yes, I said driving — or when working out at the gym because listening to podcasts is a big part of my job!

Karen’s Advice:

If being location independent sounds appealing, reach out to people who have jobs you’re interested in. Network at free or low-cost events locally, or reach out to people online.

If you’re not quite sure what you’d like to do, allow yourself to explore your interests.

Figure out what types of jobs people can do from anywhere.

For example, most people think of professional organizers as needing to come to your home; but, I know of one that gives people guidance for what to do via Skype for a fee.

5. Nicole Faith, Niche Business Founder

I’m a location independent entrepreneur that crafts online service businesses — think niche, packaged services, website, copy, tech, and e-commerce — for aspiring digital nomads.

Through my niche business 10 Carat Creations, I can finish a project in just one week so they can work with clients as they travel the world.

Nicole’s Advice:

Don’t freelance.

Instead, build a business.

The two are not the same thing. A business has processes, procedures and packaged services.

Carve out a niche you can own that is fairly underserved.

Do one thing and do it well.

Just because you can illustrate or write or consult with many different people doesn’t mean you should.

It’s easier to build a premium brand when you focus on something very specific.

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6. Charlotte Addicott, Freelance Content Writer

I left my job as an accountant in the United Kingdom at the start of 2017 to take a year-long sabbatical and travel.

Almost as soon as I started my trip, I realized I wasn’t going to want to go back to my old life.

I started building a surf and travel blog, A Broad on a Board, but I knew it wasn’t going to be enough to support me financially.

At the end of the year, I approached a Search Engine Optimization (SEO) agency that I’d met at a free SEO workshop in Bali, and started content writing for them.

Fortunately, I was able to use my blog as an example of my work.

The SEO content writing then led to other writing opportunities and my work has grown from there.

In January 2018, I officially resigned from my job and am currently traveling and surfing in South East Asia.

Charlotte’s Advice:

To be a content writer you must have strong writing skills and an eye for spelling and grammar.

Read and write as much as you possibly can to develop your skills.

It is possible to find work through platforms such as Upwork, Contently and Skyword, or you can network as you travel and create your own opportunities.

Editor’s Note:

Speaking of Bali, the destination is mentioned in some interesting digital nomad history, as in 1964 Arthur C. Clarke predicted remote working in Bali in as little as 50 years from then. Oh, how right he was!

7. Caroline Duterque, App Content Editor

I currently live in St Martin — a half-Dutch half-French island located in the northeast Caribbean — and work for an exciting start-up based in Boston.

I recently joined the team of a business travel mobile application, Jack’n’Ferdi, after working in the luxury hospitality industry.

As an editor, my job duties include:

• Oversee the quality of the content provided by the data researchers
• Approve and enhance the data
• Make sure all content is aligned with the branding and positioning guidelines of the company

The best part:

As long as I have WiFi, I can work from anywhere.

For me, a remote job is synonymous with finding what works for me instead of just accepting a traditional 9-to-5 job.

Leaving the typical office environment was a big jump; however, it’s been nothing but a positive experience.

Actually, it’s showed me that efficiency can be found in other work formats.

Managing my own time allows me to put out quality work without being constrained to certain time periods during the day.

Caroline’s Advice:

If you’re wondering how to travel and work around the world, I’ll say this:

Working remotely as an editor has a lot of upsides, but requires strong self-management.

Once you understand how to do that, you have the capacity to be productive with the freedom that you desire.

8. Alec Rose, Freelance Copywriter

I work as a freelance copywriter, finding work through online platforms like Upwork.

I had worked at an agency for four years but had always had itchy feet to explore the world.

While working in the agency, I built an online presence on these hiring platforms as a reliable and quick copywriter. Within two years, I was earning more from this side gig than through the agency.

Eventually, I even started my own website, Today Testing, where I cover marketing automation and social media marketing topics.

A typical day involves clarifying briefs that clients have sent through email or Skype, and researching the product or service that I’ll be writing about.

The final copy will be written then based on my most pressing deadlines.

The great thing is that I can write in my pajamas at home or in a beach bar in Spain.

My job requires strict discipline; just a few bad client reviews can seriously damage your online reputation, so you must be focused in terms of your working hours and acting as your own boss.

Alec’s Advice:

Build your online profile before quitting your day job.

Additionally, realize that while becoming a digital nomad is rewarding, it isn’t for everyone.

Listen to podcasts about the digital nomad lifestyle to see if it fits you.

9. Lola Mendez, Travel Journalist & Blogger

I made the switch to being location independent just over three years ago when I left my career as a fashion publicist at a strategic branding agency in NYC.

Since then I’ve been traveling full-time, which has taken me to over 50 countries.

Initially, I was still working with clients in communications and marketing, but that naturally transitioned into travel writing.

I’ve been fortunate enough to have articles published in a variety of publications that focus on cultural phenomena and community-based tourism.

My work as a freelance travel writer has allowed me to directly fund my travels, which gives me the opportunity to generate new story ideas.

It’s a total win-win!

I also share my personal travel experiences on my responsible travel blog, Miss Filatelista.

My first big break was writing for a publication that focuses on travel and style, which combined my two passions.

The editor was incredible and helped me form my writing style, giving me confidence in my ability to start working as a freelance travel writer full-time.

This gig was found through a post in a Facebook group over two years ago.

Facebook groups are still a huge resource for me when searching for new writing opportunities, as are Craigslist and industry-specific job boards.

Lola’s Advice:

Don’t limit yourself to the remote worker websites such as Upwork, as those opportunities tend to be low quality and underpaid.

If you’d like to become a travel writer, remember that your words are valuable, as are your unique memories.

To get started, launch a blog so editors can get a feel for your writing style.

Once you’ve published a few entries, reach out to publications or digital platforms that you love with a story idea.

Yes, you may have to write a few for free at first to get some bylines; but don’t get discouraged. Continue sending pitches and update your blog weekly.

Network everywhere you go, and with dedication, you can become a travel writer!

10. Nic, Online English Teacher

I’m an online English teacher who travels the world while housesitting.

I started my career as a middle school science teacher. While I loved my sweet students and the challenges of teaching, I always knew I wanted to travel.

When I got a job with VIPKID — an online English learning platform — I combined my two passions.

And because I work online, I can travel anywhere in the world and take my job with me!

VIPKID allows me to set my own schedule and decide how much I work each week. Their flexibility coupled with location independence is the perfect combination for adventurers ready to see the world.

It also gives me time to work on my travel blog, See Nic Wander.

Nic’s Advice:

My advice to those looking to become location independent?

Find your job and get your first paycheck before moving abroad.

It is much easier to gather the supplies you need and handle job-related paperwork at home before you head off on your adventure!

11. Nina Ragusa, English Teacher, Waitress & Blogger

I’ve always wanted to travel more.

After graduating university it took me a while to gather the funds — and the courage — to buy a one-way to ticket to Thailand, one of the more popular digital nomad locations.

I knew I couldn’t survive for long on my savings, so I made it a point to go abroad with the intentions of teaching English.

It was all so easy the second I landed; I couldn’t believe I freaked out for so long prior to going.

I was hired within a few days — through word of mouth — and was making enough money to live and save. Admittedly I made very little, but the living costs are also so cheap.

This propelled me into thinking:

“Well, what else can I do abroad for work so I can travel more?”

You learn a lot traveling, and I learned through others that I could get a working holiday visa for Australia.

I was pretty scared at the costs of Australia at first; but by this time I had become a pro traveler; which meant, I knew how to live and travel for cheap.

I worked my butt off in Australia with one goal in mind:

Save all the monies!

And I did exactly that through waitressing and bartending.

Despite the high price tag of Australia, I was able to save over $17,000 USD.

Nope, that’s not a typo.

Again, getting these jobs was very easy. You literally just apply as you would at home, start making money, don’t spend money on going out, and watch those coins stack.

Nina’s Advice:

The best tip I can give is to literally just go.

Don’t fret

Don’t try getting a job before you go.

Just. Go.

You’ll need some money saved to last you a few months as a backup; but otherwise, working abroad is far easier than you can imagine.

And it only becomes easier once you land at the destination you want.

Working abroad is how I’ve been on the road for seven years and counting. I do most of my work online now — mainly through my travel blog, Where in the World is Nina — but I wouldn’t rule out working abroad in physical locations again if the opportunity came up.

It’s great money and a fab way to make local friends and get the lowdown on local life really quick!

12. Vicky Smith, Founder of Earth Changers

I started my career in the travel industry having studied International Business and French.

My dream:

To spend a season working in a ski resort — as practical experience for my degree and newly acquired fluency — followed by six months of travel.

As an excellent academic student expected to go into a great profession, I was told it would ruin my career.

So what did I do?

I followed my heart, and it turned out to be the absolute core and making of my career.

I was employed as a resort manager for a United Kingdom ski tour operator called Crystal Holidays in the French Alps.

It was far from frivolous:

I was in charge of overseeing the experience of a couple of hundred guests a week, staff management, logistics, accounts, supplier management, chalet operations, childcare operations, ski guiding.

Of course, I also had to deal with problems — including guest insurance and accident matters.

Luckily, it wasn’t all work and no play, as I also got to ski and socialize.

I loved it, and undoubtedly learned more than my friends in blue chip careers.

So I carried on another winter.

Then a summer season, for hiking and activity holidays in the lakes and mountains.

And another winter.

Then went into helping with company recruitment.

And eventually, went to working in their UK head office.

Without that on the ground experience, I would never have gotten the jobs I have gone on to have:

• In tourism marketing
• As a volunteer charity challenge guide
• Qualifying as a safari guide
• Working in tourism for conservation and community development
• A sustainable development charity Trustee

And now, setting up my own start-up, Earth Changers, to enable me to work from anywhere.

In the name of work, I’ve:

• Lived and traveled in Europe, Southern and Eastern Africa, Asia and Latin America
• Kayaked down the Zambezi
• Hiked up Kilimanjaro, to Machu Pichu, and across the Sahara, the Himalayas and rainforests,
• Done conservation work in the Galapagos
• Monitored lion populations in South Africa
• Lived for months on private 5-star game reserves
• Fished with locals in the South China Sea off Borneo
• Visited the Taj Mahal at sunrise and the home of the Dalai Lama at sunset
• And more!

This is all thanks to a travel job that was “going to ruin my career.”

Thankfully I didn’t listen and continue to have the most extraordinary life of work and travel.

Vicky’s Advice:

The salary doesn’t matter.

It’s a priceless experience — personally and professionally — for any career.

13. David Blank, Tour Operator & Guide

I’ve been working as an adventure guide since 1993.

I was a tour leader, ski instructor and raft guide — and have owned my own tour company for over six years in the Republic of Panama.

My latest venture:

Opening a tour company in the USA, Happy Tails Canine Adventure Tours, focused on taking dogs and their humans on amazing life transforming adventures.

Our new venture is great for traveling and working because we’ll have tour departures from cities all over the world and be marketing regionally.

David’s Advice:

For others that want to do this, the first step is to work as a tour guide and learn the business.

You have to find out if this is really something you love.

Once you have the experience, you can either travel around and guide anywhere in the world, or even start your own venture.

14. Wendy Werneth, Niche Tour Leader

After four years of blogging about the vegan food I eat on my travels around the world, I was offered the opportunity to lead vegan tours for a vegan travel company, The Nomadic Vegan.

Combining my two greatest passions — travel and the vegan lifestyle — this is my dream job!

Earlier this year, I led a tour of Lisbon and the surrounding areas of Portugal, and I am now in Rome getting ready to meet my next group of tour participants for our vegan tour of Italy.

It looks like I will be leading even more tours next year, so I am really excited about future possibilities.

Wendy’s Advice:

If you’d like to become a tour leader yourself, look for a company that offers tours for a particular niche that would be a perfect fit for you.

Is golf your favorite sport?

Look for a company that offers golfing tours.

Is hiking more your thing?

Then approach companies that focus on outdoor and adventure travel.

This job is best suited to someone who enjoys meeting new people, can think quickly on their feet and knows how to take control of the situation when something unexpected happens.

15. Lesley Logan, Pilates Instructor

I so badly wanted to be able to travel the world more, especially after my first trip abroad alone.

My job was as a Pilates instructor — with clients in Los Angeles — and I began to wonder how I could take this experience and turn it into a location independent lifestyle.

The answer:

I started creating global retreats and teaching workshops around the world through my own brand, Lesley Logan Pilates.

After two years, I now lead four-to-five weeks of retreats in places like Siem Reap, Cambodia and Hawaii, and am working on adding in Costa Rica, Jamaica and even St Croix.

As a Pilates teacher, I’m also hired to travel around to Pilates studios in London, Australia, Brazil, Florida and more to lead workshops.

Lesley’s Advice:

If you want to be hired to go around teaching, find your niche and really explore it.

Become the expert in that area, and then create workshops or trainings that people can hire you to come and present.

16. Teare Mariteragi-Nofziger, Boat Captain

Since I started traveling more regularly in 2015, I’ve worked several different jobs while abroad.

Crewing on boats has definitely been my favorite.

Actually, I cover this topic with my partner, Martin — who I met on a 100-foot gaff-rigged schooner — on our blog, Sea Our Travels.

The best part of crewing:

Most positions include room and board — and pay!

Teare’s Advice:

If you’re interested in crewing, there are several ways you can get into it.

For those who prefer education before jumping into it, I would suggest taking a simple boating class and an STCW Safety certification class at your local maritime school.

This gives you a basic understanding of maritime terminology, crew titles, and general responsibilities, as well as how a boat works and what to do in an emergency.

Many workboats and most yachts will only hire crew with the STCW certification, but some do not require it.

If “figuring it out as you go” is more your style, the best way to start crewing is walking the docks!

I’ve been asked numerous times by strangers walking the docks if we could use crew, and I’ve done this myself, too!

The last time I walked the docks, I secured a crewing position on a 40’ Hunter Sloop from Papeete, Tahiti to Brisbane, Australia.

So there you have it, if this is your calling, get out there and find your boat!

17. Michael Alexis, Food Safety Trainer

As a hospitality student in Canada, I had summer jobs that included management, event planning, and food safety.

When I started traveling, it seemed natural to use these skills to find work and earn an income abroad.

It turned out that not only were businesses open to working with me, but they were also excited.

Here’s an example:

While traveling in China, I helped a number of restaurants improve their food safety operations, because they wanted to rise up to the Canadian standard which was higher than their local regulations and training.

Michael’s Advice:

I think this format — sharing the training from your home country with those you visit — is an uncommon but strong way to become location independent.

If you’d like to pursue a similar path, I recommend looking for an element of your current job that does not directly serve the customer. Some instances might include processing payroll, automating systems and washing the floors.

The fact that your business already pays you to do this work is an indication that other businesses may also be willing to pay for it.

Then, approach larger businesses in your target country and make the offer.

I recommend going in person, because phone calls and emails often go unanswered.

Michael also documents his life lessons and passion to end child slavery on his blog, Important Life Lessons.

Resources For Finding Remote Jobs:

Wondering where to find digital nomad job ideas?

A few of my favorite resources include:

Travel Blog Prosperity Opportunities VIP List via Jessie on a Journey. Every Monday at 8am, I send out five paying and growth opportunities for bloggers. Think paid writing gigs, press trips, brand collaborations, high-paying affiliate opportunities and more.

Flexjobs (affiliate link). This one has really high-paying digital nomad careers and part-time work, both with smaller startups and large companies.

AngelList. While I haven’t personally gotten a remote gig from this site, I know people who have. Note that the location independent work you’ll find on here is with startups.

Do you have other ideas for location independent jobs that support a digital nomad lifestyle? Please share in the comments below!

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