🌍 Modern Nomads: Life on the Move

Ever dreamed of quitting your job to travel the world? 🌎

Tired of routine and ready for something new?

Welcome to the age of modern nomads—people who turn the world into their home.

They work online, travel smart, and value freedom over routine. But is this lifestyle easy? What does it really take?

In this lesson, you’ll discover real-life nomads, learn practical travel tips, explore new vocabulary, and decide if the nomadic lifestyle could be for you.

🧳 Vocabulary Builder

• Nomad – a person who moves from place to place with no permanent home

• Backpack – to travel with a large bag on your back

• Afford – to have enough money to pay for something

• Settle down – to start living a stable, routine life in one place

• Put away – to save or store something for later use

• Local cuisine – the traditional food of a particular area

• Explore – to discover new places or experiences

• Routine – a fixed way of doing things regularly

• Decision – a choice made after thinking

• Journey – the act of travelling from one place to another

All vocabulary words appear in bold in the reading.

📖 Three Stories from the Road

🧕 Carly’s Journey: Trading Routine for Freedom

When you finally make the decision to sell all your things and travel the world, it can be scary—but also exciting. I remember my old routine—the same office job every day, the same sandwich at lunch, the same traffic going home.

One day, I asked myself, “Why am I not happy?” The answer was simple: I needed to explore. I sold my things, bought a plane ticket, and packed my life into a single backpack.

I’ve now been living in India for a year, and before that, I worked from Bali, Vietnam, and Portugal. I teach English online and do freelance writing. My money goes further here, so I can actually afford to work fewer hours.

The best part? Eating local cuisine, learning new languages, and waking up in a new country. The hardest part? Missing family and not having a real “home.” Sometimes I wonder if I’ll ever settle down—but for now, I’m okay with not knowing.

I put away money each month for emergencies, and I follow travel groups on social media to find deals. This nomad life isn’t for everyone, but it’s perfect for me.

🧔 John’s Midlife Move

John had worked in IT for over 27 years. He had a house, two cars, and a well-stocked retirement fund. But something didn’t feel right.

“I had everything, yet I wasn’t excited to wake up in the morning,” he said. “One day I just thought—what if I don’t wait until retirement to travel?”

He became a part-time consultant and started travelling across South America. With a sturdy laptop and some portable Wi-Fi, he visited Peru, Ecuador, and Chile—all while working 20 hours a week online.

John found that life on the move helped him slow down. “Ironically, I work less but live more. I hike more. I read more. I even started sketching.”

👩 Sara’s Family Adventure

Sara, her husband, and their two teenage daughters decided to take a “gap year” together and explore the world as a family. They sold their house, gave up their jobs, and used savings to plan a year-long trip through Southeast Asia and Europe.

“It’s been challenging,” Sara said. “Living out of backpacks with kids isn’t easy. But watching them learn languages, meet people, and try new food—it’s been life-changing.”

They used home exchange websites to afford long stays in Malaysia and France, and put away money by eating at local markets instead of restaurants. They even camped in friends’ backyards in Italy!

Their biggest takeaway? “You don’t need a big house to feel at home. You just need each other.”

💡 Smart Travel & Money Tips

Travel is something most of us will experience in our lives. Some of us love to relax on a beach in a hot country and forget about our normal routine back home. Others find excitement in adventure and might decide to backpack through the Amazon rainforest for a few months.

But for the adventurers who want to make travelling their life, they must be smart and think about their decisions carefully. Money, after all, is what makes the journey possible.

💰 Try These Money-Saving Travel Tips:

• Couchsurfing – Stay in locals’ homes for free and make new friends.

• Home exchanging – Ideal for families and retirees with a fixed stay.

• Flat/apartment rentals – Perfect for staying longer in one location.

• Camping – Free or low-cost, especially with friends or in nature.

• Social media deals – Follow airlines and travel brands for secret discounts.

• Visa-free travel – Explore Thailand, Hong Kong, or Malaysia without paperwork.

• Local food hacks – Ask locals where to eat cheaply and taste authentic local cuisine.

With good planning, your travels can be unforgettable—without breaking the bank.

📊 Interesting Facts & Stats

• 🌍 Over 35 million people worldwide now identify as digital nomads (up from 11 million in 2019).

• 💼 1 in 4 remote workers in the U.S. have travelled and worked abroad in the past 12 months.

• 🧳 Top professions for digital nomads include software development, marketing, content writing, and teaching English online.

• 🏕️ The average digital nomad stays in one country for 3 to 6 months.

• 🧠 84% of digital nomads reported improved mental health after switching to this lifestyle.

🌆 Top 8 Digital Nomad Hotspots (City & Culture Edition)

Not every traveller dreams of hiking through jungles or climbing volcanoes. Some prefer cities—full of culture, fast internet, delicious food, and networking opportunities.

If you’re a remote worker who thrives on connection, cafés, and co-working vibes, these eight cities are ideal places to live, work, and explore in 2025.

Each one offers a unique mix of affordability, atmosphere, and accessibility.

1. Lisbon, Portugal 🇵🇹

Lisbon is a favourite among European digital nomads, thanks to its sunny weather, relaxed Mediterranean vibe, and coastal beauty. The city is full of cobbled streets, colourful buildings, and endless viewpoints over the Atlantic.

• Highlights: Alfama district coworking spaces, famous food markets, and nomad meetups in the Cais do Sodré neighbourhood

• Cost of living: Moderate

• Pro tip: Apply for the D7 or Digital Nomad Visa if you want to stay long term

2. Chiang Mai, Thailand 🇹🇭

Known as the digital nomad capital of Southeast Asia, Chiang Mai offers the perfect mix of affordability, peace, and productivity. With temples on every corner and fast Wi-Fi in most cafés, it’s easy to see why so many freelancers choose this peaceful mountain city.

• Highlights: Weekly networking events, local night bazaars, peaceful temples

• Cost of living: Very low

• Pro tip: Base yourself in Nimmanhaemin—the city’s hub for digital nomads and creatives

3. Medellín, Colombia 🇨🇴

Nicknamed the “City of Eternal Spring,” Medellín enjoys pleasant weather all year round. It’s a popular spot for tech workers, online teachers, and digital entrepreneurs looking for a vibrant culture and value for money.

• Highlights: Coworking spaces with views of the Andes, bilingual exchange events, and a growing expat community

• Cost of living: Low to moderate

• Pro tip: Stay in the safe and social neighbourhoods of Laureles or El Poblado

4. Tallinn, Estonia 🇪🇪

Tallinn is a tech-forward European capital with fairy-tale charm. Estonia leads the way in digital services, and its digital nomad visa and e-residency programs are perfect for online business owners.

• Highlights: Free public Wi-Fi nearly everywhere, charming medieval Old Town, and modern coworking hubs

• Cost of living: Moderate

• Pro tip: Use Estonia’s e-residency to start and manage an online business from anywhere

5. Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam 🇻🇳

Fast, loud, and alive 24/7, Ho Chi Minh City is for nomads who like energy. It’s a place where you can find a $1 meal on the street, work from a stylish café, and connect with other digital workers in a matter of minutes.

• Highlights: Round-the-clock food, fast internet, and a strong entrepreneurial vibe

• Cost of living: Very low

• Pro tip: Stay in District 1 or District 3 for the best café culture and coworking options

6. Mexico City, Mexico 🇲🇽

Mexico’s capital is an explosion of colour, culture, and creativity. It’s perfect for remote workers who enjoy art, music, and amazing food while still having access to modern coworking spaces and good infrastructure.

• Highlights: Trendy Roma and Condesa districts, live music, coworking, and world-class street food

• Cost of living: Moderate

• Pro tip: Check out popular coworking spaces like Homework or WeWork for stability and strong internet

7. Tbilisi, Georgia 🇬🇪

Tbilisi is one of the most overlooked gems for digital nomads. This ancient city offers unique architecture, warm hospitality, and an easy visa process. Many travellers fall in love with the culture and stay much longer than planned.

• Highlights: Surprising mix of Eastern Europe and Asia, mountain views, wine country, and friendly locals

• Cost of living: Low

• Pro tip: Live and work in artistic spaces like Fabrika, a co-living community in an old sewing factory

8. Dubrovnik or Split, Croatia 🇭🇷

Croatia is quickly rising as a digital nomad hotspot, especially since launching its Digital Nomad Visa. While Dubrovnik is picture-perfect with its medieval walls and sea views, Split offers a more affordable and year-round option for remote workers.

• Highlights: Gorgeous Adriatic coastlines, coworking hubs, UNESCO World Heritage sites

• Cost of living: Moderate to high (cheaper in Split and Zadar)

• Pro tip: Try Saltwater Nomads in Split or Tink Tank in Zagreb for workspaces near the sea

• Visa bonus: Remote workers under the digital nomad residence permit don’t pay local income tax

📌 Why Cities Work for Digital Nomads

In a city, you can often find:

• Fast, stable internet connections

• Coworking spaces and remote work communities

• Access to healthcare and modern comforts

• Cafés, culture, and activities to balance work with play

Choose wisely—and you may find your next “home” somewhere unexpected.

🧠 Reading Comprehension Quiz

True or False

• Carly worked in Portugal.

• John waited until retirement to travel.

• Sara’s family stayed in hotels every night.

• Couchsurfing is expensive.

• Visa-free travel is only available in Europe.

Answers

• ✅ True

• ❌ False

• ❌ False

• ❌ False

• ❌ False

💬 Discussion Questions

• Which of the three nomads do you relate to most?

• What challenges do you think digital nomads face?

• What skills would you need to work while travelling?

• Do you prefer nature, cities, or culture when travelling?

• Would you try long-term travel? Why or why not?

🧭 Final Reflection

The modern nomad lifestyle is not just about movement—it’s about intention.
Whether you're like Carly, John, or Sara, or still deciding if this life is for you, remember:

Freedom doesn’t always mean escape. It often means finding new meaning in unexpected places.

Your life is a journey—what’s your next step?

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