The big nomad hubs don't need you anymore
Hey Freaking Nomads,
Back in 2021, it was COVID time, and I remember vividly how digital nomads were treated back then.
I used to slip into cafés with my laptop, order a coffee, and nobody batted an eye. I would simply go around and blend in as just another foreigner in the crowd. No one even noticed me.
They would even ask me how I could afford to travel and stay there for a month on "vacation". I was a guy who "works from his computer" because they had no clue what a digital nomad was.
Just a few years later, the situation is completely different.
Now, those same cafés plaster signs reading “No laptops here” and even disable Wi‑Fi to drive us out.
And there are plenty of these stories ...
In Bali, the provincial government is weighing a moratorium on new hotels and nightclubs to curb congestion, crime, and cultural disrespect in the wake of 3.5 million visitors this year alone. In Cape Town, after a surge of remote workers driving up housing costs, some locals started likening the gentrification to apartheid‑era exclusion, calling on nomads to “go home”.
In Lisbon, locals openly blame digital nomads for skyrocketing prices and a gentrification wave that they believe is pricing out Portuguese families.
Same story in Mexico City, where the city is now forcing regulations on Airbnb and Booking rentals, hoping to cool a 70% surge in newcomers that’s squeezing long‑term tenants out of historic barrios. From Palermo to San Telmo (Buenos Aires), locals there worry that nomads and tourists are gobbling up affordable housing, fueling a displacement crisis across Argentina’s capital.
Things went even crazier in Barcelona, Valencia and the Canary Islands where it's not rare to see revolts, street protests and water‑gun ambushes aimed at fighting the housing crisis caused by nomads and tourists.
This shift stings because it forces us to face an uncomfortable truth: our footprint seems to be overwhelming the very communities we love.
As digital nomads, we thought we would arrive seeking connection and inspiration, but we ended up draining local resources, driving rents sky‑high, and diluting neighborhood character.
And although they indeed are blaming us for things that are often caused by tourists who are escaping from their 9-5 and spending a little too much because "they deserve a break", it's also true that we also have our responsibilities in this crisis.
What can we do about it?
We don’t have to abandon the nomadic dream. We just need to be smarter about where and how we travel. Here are some solutions I would like to propose:
1/ Champion struggling regions. Consider countries facing demographic challenges or economic slowdowns like Japan, Italy or South Korea, where nomads can make a real difference with their presence by populating dying towns and villages.
2/ Explore under‑the‑radar hotspots. Give a boost to destinations where digital nomads are welcome and can spark positive change, such as Cambodia, Turkey, El Salvador, or the Philippines, which are all launching some interesting digital nomad visa initiatives in response.
3/ Be a responsible nomad. Choose longer stays, hire local services, support small businesses, and learn at least a few words of the local language. Your footprint can uplift, not erode, the places you love.
We’ve shaped our journey by where we go, now let’s shape it by how we go. If we travel thoughtfully, we can ensure the future of nomadism remains bright, authentic, and sustainable.
Thanks for reading—and for being part of this mindful Freaking Nomad community.
Until next week,
Luca
🗞️ What's new in the nomad world
- Taiwan is doubling down on digital nomads. Great news if you're planning your next adventure in Asia: Taiwan is extending its digital nomad visa from one year to two. The country aims to attract long-term remote workers looking for an ideal balance of vibrant city life, stunning nature, and advanced infrastructure, making it easier than ever to settle in and explore this beautiful sub-tropical island.
Irene Wang
👀 What else...
- If you’re heading to Kuta, Lombok and wondering where to get some work done, that's the list for you. We just shared our favorite laptop-friendly cafes around town: places with solid Wi-Fi, good coffee, and relaxed vibes to make working a little less painful.
Angelina Bertoni
- Finding a doctor as a nomad is never easy (we know that). Getting sick while traveling sucks, especially when you don't know where to turn for help. We went on a hunt for a service that connects digital nomads with vetted doctors worldwide and found Air Doctor. To help you decide if it’s the right fit for your travels, we’ve put together an in-depth review covering what it is, how it works and whether it’s worth your time (and money).
Jessica Saabor
✨ Our favorite nomad quote for this week
“Travel sparks your imagination, feeds your curiosity, and reminds us how much we all have in common.” — Deborah Lloyd
💼 100% remote jobs handpicked for you
Who is hiring this week? Here are some top roles to check out:
- Project Manager at Confluence
- Social Media Manager at Rainfall
- Senior Go Software Engineer at Synthflow
- Senior Accountant at Author Health
- Creative Content Writer at Homify
- Principal Design Engineer at GrowthX Labs
💡This week's pick (to make your life easier)
Last year, I discovered an awesome device for my evening entertainment in Airbnb and hotels across the world. I'm talking about the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K. It's a compact and lightweight streamer that has turned every hotel and Airbnb's old TV (especially those that aren't that "smart") into my personal cinema. That's what it can do:
- Stunning 4K UHD quality – You can watch Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, and more in crisp Dolby Vision and HDR10+.
- Wi‑Fi 6 support – You can stream smoothly on even the busiest hostel or café networks without constant buffering.
- VPN‑friendly – You can easily sideload apps or route through your favorite VPN and access your movies and series from anywhere (I use it every time).
- Ultra‑portable & plug‑and‑play – Just plug into any HDMI port, power via USB or wall adapter, and you’re set (no extra cables to fuss with, which is awesome for me).
- Alexa Voice Remote – Launch apps, find titles, and control smart devices hands‑free with simple voice commands.
Want more travel tech inspo? Check out our full gear guide or see all our recommended resources here.
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We'll see you there, Freaking Nomads 👋
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