Making the jump from “work from home” to “work from anywhere” can be scary for a lot of people. In theory, traveling the world while maintaining a job and income sounds great, but in practice, not having a home base can feel be an uncomfortable feeling.

I’ve now been living the “digital nomad” life for about 5 months, and I’ve learned a few things along the way that might make it sound a little less scary. Of course, there are many ways to be a digital nomad, and I only really know about my path. I’ve talked to some friends who have gone with the couch surfing route, others who have relied on hostels and shared Airbnbs, and many who have opted for the RV/camper life. All have their pros and cons, but for me, I have prioritized location and privacy, always making sure I have easy access to restaurants, coffee shops, and grocery stores while ensuring a comfortable, reliable workspace at each location. And of course, all while staying within a budget – more or less. For anyone thinking about making the move and giving up their permanent residence in favor of the digital nomad lifestyle, here are some lessons I’ve come across over the last 5 months.

Housing

Of course, Airbnb will have the most options for short-term rentals and is the most well known, but it also comes at a premium price. If you’re traveling alone and looking to stay in major cities, Airbnb fees, taxes, and cleaning bills will add up quickly. Sometimes, staying for a week or longer will come with some price breaks, but generally Airbnb will be your most expensive option. Some alternative options I have found include:

1. Go off the books – Book a couple nights on Airbnb, then message your host and ask if you can extend your stay but pay outside of the platform. This is obviously up to the host, but avoiding Airbnb fees helps both of you. If you prove that you’re a respectful guest, you might be able to finagle your way to some off the books deals
2. 30 day minimum stays – If you know you want to stay somewhere for at least a month, you can use FurnishedFinder.com to book housing without all the fees. It’s technically designed for traveling nurses, but they also cater to working professionals looking for month to month leases.
3. Friends and family – I’ve been very lucky to have friends and family all over the country, so I’ve been able to crash in guest rooms from time to time to offset some of the excessive Airbnb fees along the way. If I spend a month living rent-free with friends and family, then pay double for a furnished rental the next month, the budget evens itself out.
4. House sitting – I haven’t personally tried this out, but if your schedule is very flexible, you’re on a budget, and you love dogs, Trusted House Sitters could be a great option for you. For as low as $129/year, you get access to a huge inventory of houses and people looking for house and pet sitters. You basically pay $129/year for free housing and a dog in some of the best cities in the world.

Setting up your work space

When people ask me what I miss about having a home base, they’re surprised when I tell them that I don’t mind the uncertainty of where I’m going to be sleeping next month or that I haven’t gotten sick of living out of a suitcase. What I do miss, however, is my external monitor. For many, they have grown accustomed to the extra real estate of having multiple monitors, but for me, as an extra tall human, looking down at a laptop screen instead of an elevated monitor can crush my neck and shoulders. So to avoid the debilitating neck pain, I’ve created a system of propping up my laptop on whatever’s available (books are usually easiest. Right now I’m using a paint can), and using my external keyboard and mouse to maneuver. Not quite as nice as the external monitor, but way more mobile.

Routine

When you are constantly changing locations, it can be difficult to maintain some semblance of consistency. To combat the constant change, I start every day the same way. Before jumping into work or checking my phone, I do a 10 minute meditation, get in some movement (50 pushups and sit-ups), and drink a cup of tea.

When the day is done, I make sure to close my work computer and relocate to a different part of the house – or whenever possible, head outside to explore a new city!

Transportation 

Not having a car as a digital nomad can be liberating; whenever I get sick of a city, or get an offer to join a friend somewhere else, I am free to book a plane, train, or bus ticket and get out of there. On the other hand, with very few exceptions, most places on my list are fairly difficult to navigate without a car. Just like Airbnb, relying on Uber and Lyft as your primary modes of transportation can push you over budget very quickly. My best tips when it comes to getting around without a car:

1. Electric scooters – I’ve become an expert with electric scooters. In towns like LA, Austin, and Denver, companies like Bird and Lime have scooters all over. Of course, the weather has to be reasonable enough to spend the time outside, but as a nomad, why would you be anywhere that wasn’t? These scooters are a great way to save some money and get to know a new city
2. Turo – The Airbnb of rental cars. If you really can’t find a ride and need to get somewhere far, Turo is a great option that will generally be cheaper than a more traditional rental car company.
3. Walk – My best piece of advice here is to just do your research on the best, most walkable neighborhoods before booking a place to stay. If you think you’ll be able to save some money on housing by opting for a worse neighborhood, the Lyfts and Ubers will more than make up for the difference.

Everything else

You’ll figure it out. Whether you follow my advice or create your own path, the best part about traveling and staying flexible is that whatever plan you start with will not be the where you end up. As the great Mike Tyson once said, “everyone has a plan, right until they get punched in the mouth.”

In the end, it’s going to come down to your priorities. Almost everyone I meet who hears about me bouncing from city to city tells me how jealous they are and how they wish they could do the same. If you have children or other responsibilities at home, then maybe the nomad life isn’t for you, but for those of you working from home and worrying about staying within a budget, living out of a suitcase, or just stepping out of your comfort zone, you can make it work if the prospect of traveling and experiencing new places and cultures is important to you. The nomad life isn’t for everyone, but if you’re thinking about it, hopefully these tips and tricks will provide that extra little push to get you over the hump.