I started my nomadic life in 2010. It has been a gift that keeps on giving and has taught me more about myself than any great teacher could. True to the constant change that characterizes nomadism, you will also learn over time that a nomadic lifestyle is hard to define. It changes constantly and is highly personalized to you and the phase of life you are in. In some ways, it might not even exist as a fixed concept.
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In any case, it is not all roses—because life is not all roses. There are some wonderful advantages and a few painful disadvantages. Is it worth it? Maybe.
Let’s be honest about one thing. Life and humanity are constantly changing at an accelerating pace. Living a nomadic life 50 years ago is very different from living it today. In some ways, it was better before. In other ways, it is much better now.
In any case, the rapid pace of technological advancement has nearly eliminated many traditional nomadic ways of life, since modern systems create more reasons to settle down. On the other hand, the internet allows people to work remotely and become digital nomads, a lifestyle that enables anyone to work online while enjoying the flexibility of constantly changing locations.
Here are some of the major characteristics of a nomadic lifestyle:
- A nomad constantly changes locations. How often? It is hard to define. More than anything, it is the deep understanding that when you arrive somewhere—even if you truly love it—you know and accept that you will be leaving soon. “Soon” usually means less than three months. In that sense, it may even be easier for nomads to understand the concept of death, since they embrace everything as temporary. They see temporality as a feature, not a bug, as part of the design.
- Most nomads have some kind of place they can call home, usually where their family or childhood friends are located, but they would not spend more than a few months a year there. For nomads, “change is home.” Not many people can sustain this lifestyle long term, since most of us need stability and clarity in our lives.
- To be a true nomad (I stopped being one in 2026 according to this definition), the nomadic lifestyle is more important than anything else, including career, relationships, or assets. A nomad avoids attachments that tie them to a specific location. If you decide that nomadic life is your first priority, you will need to make sacrifices to keep it sustainable. Many nomads find Buddhism appealing, since it emphasizes non-attachment and letting go. A nomad lets go and effectively clicks an imaginary “reset button” when moving between locations. There may come a time when you still incorporate a nomadic lifestyle even though your priorities have changed, but this increases the likelihood that the lifestyle itself will also change.
- Avoiding attachments: A nomad breaks away from attachments before taking the nomadic path and continues to avoid them while living as a nomad. What is an attachment? Anything that prevents you from living a nomadic life. It is anything you have—or think you have—that you cannot give up. This could be a perfect job that would be impossible to get back after quitting, a dog you love and cannot leave behind, or a partner who is unwilling to become a nomad. One important insight: if you have these things and they make you happy, keep them. But if they are not truly fulfilling, let go of false attachments and either find better ones or choose the nomadic path instead.
- Nomads often become smart, easygoing, and interesting people. The reason is simple: they are exposed to many lifestyles, cultures, and constantly changing situations. This ongoing process of change becomes a teacher. If you are ready for it, it can make you a better person.
- Nomads don’t take life too seriously. Think about it: if you keep losing everything you had—friends, home, and familiarity—every time you move, a basic realization eventually emerges: “Everything is temporary, and nothing is truly yours.” Once you understand that, it becomes difficult to take life too seriously. There is nothing to defend.
- Nomads travel light and adopt a minimalist mindset. This means prioritizing experiences over possessions. Life is short, and the only things we are guaranteed not to lose are the meaningful moments we experience. Those who overconsume and accumulate possessions will eventually find it frustrating to carry everything while constantly moving.
- Nomads usually travel slowly. Even for the rare few who can live without a fixed home, it is important to create emotional stability by staying longer in each location—typically one to three months—in order to establish routines and build meaningful friendships.
- Nomads are generally respectful, smiley, and above all, curious. If this were not the case, why choose a life of constant change? Positivity also helps mitigate one of the greatest disadvantages of nomadic life: loneliness. We are social animals, which means that without connection, we wither and disconnect from ourselves. Since nomads must constantly rebuild their social circles, being open and positive is essential. One of my favorite nomadic quotes is: “If you are lonely when you are alone, you are in bad company.” Nomads spend a lot of time alone and should learn to enjoy it.
- Digital nomads often deal with the lack of social life by choosing digital nomad hubs. This significantly increases the chances of meeting like-minded people.
- Nomads think and adapt quickly. When constantly changing locations, everything is new. You must actively figure out what you need, and you often cannot speak the local language. This forces you to trust your intuition and make fast decisions.
- There are many different types of nomadic lifestyles, and each person should customize their own. For example, over time I have developed a set of nomadic routines and rules that I follow and continuously adjust.
Now it is time for you to decide whether a nomadic life could be a beneficial experiment for you—and, if so, to make it happen.
Hi there friends, nice piece of writing and nice arguments commented at this place, I am really enjoying by these.
Means a lot, Reece! Really glad this stuff is hitting home with you 🙂
& Just want to echo my comment above – check out our BecomeNomad pod if you haven’t! Eli and I are really working to up the content frequency there.
Thanks again!
Very interesting life.
40 years old, have lived a somewhat divided life between Nomadic and “normal” I moved 9 times in 7 years back between 2004 and 2011, but since then have been on one spot. I feel my wife is willing of living Nomadic, but we have a 6 year old and he is our everything, i feel the right thing to do is raise him in one spot and let him have his social group and wait and go back to the nomadic life after he is on his own…. does anyone have any advice on this? would prefer advice from people with actually experience with some situation similar to this
I know its a bit late for a response but just think your child is mostly likely 10-11 years old now. Enjoy your family in nomadic lifestyle. He will meet and be social in frequent encounters to advance his honing skills. You only live once…. JUST DO IT
Hi there.
I’ve been looking to begin such a lifestyle for a while now, I’m just not too sure on how/where to start. Any tips besides the obvious (quit job. End rental accommodation. Prepare/be aware before committing etc…)?
Hey Chelsea! Thanks for reading.
Check out our “Getting Started” section: https://becomenomad.com/category/nomad-knowledge/getting-started/
–> Has a bunch of articles on what you might be looking for as well as some useful external resources
Hope it helps!
Snow is my name jam wanting to do this too
Ok so I’m a minor, I’m not gonna say how old cause the Internets a weird place but I’m at that point where my future is approaching and I don’t know what to do. Financially college isn’t a good option, trade school would be ideal, but I’m obsessed with this lifestyle. I study psychology if that explains my hobbies (that’s a joke) so I don’t even know what I would do in college. I’ve thought about this a lot but I’d love insight, should I at least wait and start some kind of career. I know I wouldn’t travel alone but what other things should I consider
I got seperated this year, lost my joband have moved twice, will be moving again, not by choice. I am really curious of the lifestyle and think it would suit me now as Iam alone with my dog. Iam just wondering how to go about doing it. Iam still unemployed right now, but iam a inter provincial journeyman plumber. I really would like to do this. But Iam a little hesitent.
Hey Brad — great to hear from you. Sorry about the tough last year or so, but if you want to learn more, our “Getting Started” posts may be able to help. Check ’em out: https://becomenomad.com/category/nomad-knowledge/getting-started/
I’ve been nomadic for many years as a single mother and now as an elder. Keeps me young at heart and now I could t go back if I wanted to. Stopping long enough to work and moving on in my little travel trailers.
Jodi — Sounds awesome! Congratulations to what you’ve achieved & thanks for sharing 🙂
I’ve been nomadic living in a school bus (@thedigitalnomadguy) for 3 years now and it’s life changing. I wouldn’t live any other way and the nomadic community, in general, is so inviting and free-spirited. Nomads are my people. Nice article. Peace & Love
I am a 63 yrs. Women. Just had knee replacement and might have to have other. Copd
God has blessed m with a 35yr. Daughter and 2 grands. Non of them or other family members have no time for me
Soo i thought about this going nomatic. Own 2011 zuv. 200.000 mi. In good shape. Have my. Bird. Thzts it im so lonely. I also have a 18ft fish and ski that i would like to tzke with me. I love to fizh and anything outdoors that im capable of. Also halve small ck. 800 dollars mo. Thats it. Problem is, im scared to death to do it. Im not scared to travel somewhere, but to actually live in my car and tent off not knowing anyone r where to go. What if i get in trouble? Get sick or car breaks etc. Mostly i could take care of it. And i guess very sick nursing home. And i know theres mechanics and food delvery. I have good mediczl soo i dont know how far 800 dollars a mo. Could carry me. Bit again Im scared. Not to stay in car or tent but u know a old women not knowing where to go or knowing anyone. Im from no I live in Adel Ga. 4hrs south of Atlanta. Any advice would sure be nice and helpful. Thks everyone and hope all r well nomads. Terry
Nice write up and you pointed on a every major aspect of a nomad. I got to understand my self more after readimg this. I have changed 3 locations I the last 3 years and always not bothered.
Nice write up and you pointed on every major aspect of a nomad. I got to understand my self more after reading this piece. I have changed 3 locations In the last 2 years and always not bothered and not considering marriage in my 30s already.
hi, I’m 55 years old and kind of embraced the idea of living a nomad lifestyle. Is there an age limit of starting to live as a nomad