Jesse Schoberg, co-founder and CEO of software startup DropInBlog, has lived and worked abroad for 14 years, dividing his time between more than 40 countries.
“I think being an entrepreneur and being a nomad go hand in hand because both types of people are looking for adventure and freedom in their lives,” the Wisconsin native told CNBC Make It. “I’m excited to be both in my life.”
Between his travels, Schoberg, 41, now calls Bangkok home. He moved to Thailand in December 2021 and shares a one-bedroom apartment with his fiancée Janine.
Exploring the world while working remotely is an experience “like no other,” Schoberg emphasizes, but it’s not without its challenges.
Whether you’re thinking about becoming a digital nomad or planning a life of travel, consider these three tips from Schoberg to help you succeed:
Get the most out of your short-term rental
As a digital nomad, you will likely spend a lot of time living in an Airbnb or other short-term rental.
Schoberg recommends booking rental properties for “at least a month,” as platforms like Airbnb will offer discounts for longer stays.
Before you book your stay, contact the host to negotiate weekly cleanings if you’re staying at the property for an extended period of time, and ask about an additional discount, he adds, if you plan to stay for a few months.
Be sure to confirm the property’s internet speed and reliability, adds Schoberg, especially if you plan to work from your new temporary home. Or bring his own supplies: Schoberg started traveling with his own router a few years ago, which can cost anywhere from $60 to $200.
Schoberg also budgets a couple hundred dollars each month for items she might need that are missing from the apartments she stays in.
“Often an Airbnb [apartment] maybe you don’t have a big frying pan, a bedside reading lamp, or a good extension cord that allows you to work in the best spot,” he says. “Don’t be afraid to buy some of these things on day one, as It will make your entire stay that much more enjoyable.”
Jesse Schoberg and his fiancee, Janine.
Photo: Jesse Schoberg
Learn the local language
One of the most important qualities a successful digital nomad possesses is an open mind, which includes a willingness to learn the local language no matter where you travel, even if it’s just a couple of phrases, like “hello” and “thank you.”
Understanding different languages can help you more easily order food, find directions, read menus, and negotiate in markets, among other benefits. “It also shows appreciation and respect for the locals,” adds Schoberg.
She takes two Thai classes a week and has found that “you can really get involved in the culture and have a better life” in Bangkok if you can understand Thai.
Jesse Schoberg in Bangkok
CNBC do it
Find new friends online
When Schoberg first left the US for Panama City, Panama, in 2008, it was a difficult adjustment: he didn’t speak Spanish, he didn’t know much about the city, and most importantly, he didn’t know anyone there. .
“It’s easy to feel lonely while traveling, especially when you’re in a new place for the first time and don’t have any friends yet,” he says. “But the more you travel, the more you tend to flex that muscle of meeting locals and other travelers…then you can build a community that makes you happy.”
The best way to make friends as a digital nomad, Schoberg says, is to browse different groups and pages on Instagram, Twitter and other social media platforms. “I usually start on Facebook and search for ‘Expats in [insert city name here]’…at least one or two groups will show up, which is a great starting point,” he notes.
Schoberg also suggests checking out the Nomad List, a website that organizes online meetups and chats between people in different cities around the world.
While making friends abroad is a “hard skill that takes time to develop,” she adds, it can help you discover more fun local activities; open the door to new job opportunities; and ultimately make the new place you live in “feel more like home.”
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This 41-year-old left the US for Bangkok and lives a “luxury lifestyle” on $8,000 a month.
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Source: www.cnbc.com