Baby Boomers: Some of the Benefits You'll Get From Roaming

The term "digital nomad" refers to a person who works remotely while traveling and living a location-independent lifestyle. We prefer the term "roamer" since many people have a preconceived image in their heads that digital nomads are 20-somethings sitting on a beach with their laptops. That's certainly not our experience.

My wife and I - both boomers - are coming up on our 1-year roamiversary. We started roaming in March 2022 and it's been a great year. We've loved our experience so far and we're ready to continue our adventure.

If you've ever considered roaming, I highly recommend it. Not just for the adventure, but because of the benefits being location-independent brings. Some potential benefits of being a digital nomad include:

1. Flexibility: As a digital nomad/roamer, you have the freedom to work from anywhere with an internet connection, allowing you to choose your workspace and adjust your schedule to suit your needs. Some people chose to roam outside the US while others stay domestic, at least part of the time. For the time being, we are staying at Airbnb properties around the continental US, though future trips to Canada, Mexico, and beyond are not out of the question.

2. Travel opportunities: Being a digital nomad allows you to explore new places and cultures without having to take time off work or worry about being away from your job for an extended period. That's the first thing that appealed to us about roaming. As management consultants, we traveled around the world for clients but never really had time to visit the art galleries, museums, and attractions that made those cities famous. Now we take time to explore and get a taste of the local scene.

3. Reduced cost of living: Depending on where you travel, you may be able to save money on the cost of living, especially if you're coming from a high-cost-of-living area. I have friends that are traveling to Bali, Argentina, and Portugal and live on a fraction of what they spent here in the US. One of my goals was to travel the US, stay in Airbnb properties, see the cities and states we've not explored before, and save money on our monthly living expenses, and we've been able to do that pretty well so far. It takes some research and discipline, but it's totally doable.

4. Increased productivity: Some digital nomads find that the flexibility of their work schedule and the ability to work from different locations can increase their productivity and creativity. This has certainly been my experience. I always get up early, but I feel much more productive because I'm in a new place, seeing and experiencing new things. I find that I don't get bored like I used to at home.

5. Enhanced work-life balance: By being able to choose your work environment and schedule, as a roamer, you may be able to create a better work-life balance and take time for hobbies, family, or travel. My wife and I end our days usually around 3 PM and then we make it a point to get our of the house. Our weekends are definitely spent exploring, trying local restaurants, hiking, kayaking, or attending sporting events (like the Savanah Bananas in Daytona last year) or music venues (like seeing Larkin Poe in Daytona and Garth Brooks in Orlando).

6. Expanded network: As a digital nomad, you'll have the opportunity to meet new people from different backgrounds, both online and offline, which can help you expand your professional and personal network. There are a lot more people roaming than you might imagine and you may be lucky enough to find a meet-up wherever you are. These are great for making new friends, sharing tips, destinations, etc.

7. Personal growth: Traveling and experiencing new cultures can be an enriching experience that can broaden your horizons and contribute to personal growth and development. Even traveling domestically, we are experiencing US history, art, and culture that we hadn't experienced before. It's all about mindset. When we decided to become roamers, we made the decision to NOT watch television so we had more time to explore, walk, hike, etc. One of my passions is history, so visiting historic sites, archaeological sites, and places of historic importance take precedence over sitting on the couch.

The bottom line for me is this: If you're able to do it - even for just a few weeks or months each year - becoming a digital nomad or roamer is worth it. Take the leap, pick a destination, and try it on for size.out