Many digital nomads came back to their countries during the pandemic, and some have been hit harder than others by the new economic realities, particularly those with work related to or directly centered around travel. But how do digital nomads deal with leaving their lifestyle? Are they willing to return to their home countries?
Covid-19 circumstances
Some digital nomads attempted to return to their old lifestyles, either following the initial major wave in the first half of 2020 or following the vaccine roll-out, which began to gather pace in early 2021. Even during peak periods, there have been countries willing to take in nomads and travellers, so it's not as though it has been completely impossible to be a digital nomad in the past three years.
However, for those trying to travel and work remotely, it has still been something of a constant guessing game of trying to avoid major waves of Covid-19 and the restrictions that come with it. Those that have continued to work and live abroad have largely opted for longer stays in new countries than they might previously have done with a combination of entry restrictions, testing requirements and quarantines, making the prospect of regularly entering a new country considerably less hassle-free. Last year still, many countries introduced digital nomad visas, making it easier for people to go to a new country and base themselves there for a longer period than was previously possible.
For most pre-2020 digital nomads, though, the pandemic has resulted in them returning home and spending more time in their own country with perhaps the odd trip abroad if and when the Covid-19 situation allowed. Aside from the ethical argument that a lifestyle of continuous travel wasn't exactly the most responsible way to respond to a global pandemic, being based in one country has made life simpler when it comes to getting vaccinated and having access to healthcare for those concerned about health conditions that made them more vulnerable to the worst of the virus itself.
Digital nomad returning home
Matt D'Avella a documentary filmmaker from Philadelphia, US, decided to become a digital nomad with his partner, Natalie, in Sydney. One day, they decided to sell most of their stuff, give up their lease in Los Angeles and live a more flexible lifestyle. They wanted to split their time between Sydney and Philadelphia to be closer to their families, and they knew renting a long-term flat probably wasn't realistic. They're glad about their choice, although they share on their YouTube channel that “it's not the easiest neither the cheapest way to live.” They also comment on some difficulties they experienced in having medical attention. “The world wasn't made for people who are living a digital nomad lifestyle, in the Australian health system, we didn't have the required papers, insurance, or fixed address as we're living in an Airbnb.”
The entire reason they moved to Sydney as digital nomads was to get closer to their families. Since Natalie's family and friends are from Australia. For both, the most challenging part of coming back to the US coast is dealing with the pain of leaving family and friends abroad. “We had been trying to find a way in the digital nomad world for us, we experienced it, and there are several things we were uncomfortable with. If we could have come back, we wouldn't have sold all of our stuff. As returned and settled down, we regret some of the decisions that we made.” Matt and Natalie decided to buy a new flat in Philadelphia, and they had to get new furniture. However, they plan to rent the place in the future and go to Sydney again.
Are digital nomads willing to return to their country?
Paul, who prefers not to share his last name, is a US digital nomad living in Japan for some years now. He works remotely for a Japanese company. As he shares, he likes the digital nomad life. “I've enjoyed working from so many places, and the country is so huge that it's difficult to give general recommendations for other expats.”
The digital nomad doesn't plan to return to his country anytime soon as he's glad about his journey. I'm based out of Osaka, so I enjoy working from Okinawa and Hokkaido the most. Although nowhere has been bad, “some places have had poor internet in the countryside”. Paul usually rents Airbnb or stays at cheap business hotels or hostels. But, he avoids capsule hotels, “although they are super cheap, many of them don't have a good shared space to get work done, though there are exceptions to the rule.”
Considering the Covid-19 pandemic, Paul is glad about the reopening of Japan. Many of my friends want to come to visit me, and honestly, sometimes I've missed meeting random tourists!"
