Is nomading a sustainable lifestyle?

Hey Freaking Nomads,

I had a moment last week that really got to me this week.

I was sitting in a café in Larnaca (Cyprus), scrolling through my bank statements, when it hit me: I've been living this lifestyle for over five years now, and I still don't have a proper emergency fund of at least 6 months' worth of expenses.

I mean, I've got investments, stocks, businesses, but not some actual cash sitting there in my bank account, being ready to be used if I need them.

Not because I'm broke. But because every time I save a decent amount, something happens. A visa run that costs more than expected. A laptop that dies in the worst possible moment. Medical insurance gaps. Currency fluctuations that eat into my savings.

And then I started thinking about my nomad friends. Most of us are in our thirties now, some pushing forty. We talk about freedom and flexibility, but honestly? Half of them are burnt out, constantly hustling just to maintain this lifestyle.

The other half are starting to talk about "settling down" like it's some kind of defeat (spoiler: it isn't).

Here's the truth nobody wants to admit: the way most of us are doing digital nomadism might not actually be sustainable.

We've romanticized the struggle. We wear the chaos like a badge of honor. No fixed address, no routine, no long-term planning beyond the next three months.

We call it adventure, but really, sometimes it's just expensive procrastination.

The Instagram version of nomadism sells us on perpetual motion, but real lifestyle sustainability requires the opposite. It requires roots, even if they're digital ones. It requires building systems that work regardless of your WiFi situation or time zone.

I see nomads jumping from city to city every few weeks, burning through money on flights and Airbnbs, never staying long enough to build real connections or find their rhythm.

They're not nomads, they're tourists with laptops.

And then there's the emotional toll. The constant decision fatigue. The loneliness that hits when you realize you don't have anyone to call in an emergency. The impostor syndrome of never quite belonging anywhere.

So, what does sustainable nomadism actually look like, you may ask?

It means staying places for months, not weeks. It means building multiple income streams that aren't location-dependent. It means having real savings, real health insurance, and a real plan for when you can't or don't want to travel anymore.

It means being honest about the costs, both financial and emotional, instead of pretending it's all sunsets and coworking spaces.

Maybe most importantly, it means defining what "enough" looks like for you because the nomad lifestyle should enhance your life, not consume it.

The nomads who've been doing this successfully for a decade are not the ones posting daily travel updates. They're the ones who've figured out how to build a sustainable life that happens to be location independent.

That's the kind of nomadism worth aspiring to, in my opinion.

And I'm pretty sure many of you have started this process and are on track to get there. So, keep going.

Until the next one,
Luca

🌍 What's happening in the nomad world?

• Slovenia joining EU nomad boom

Slovenia becomes the next EU country to roll out a dedicated nomad visa. Starting November 21, 2025, non-EU citizens can apply for a one-year permit to live and work remotely from scenic spots like Ljubljana or Maribor, without jumping through hoops or worrying about work legality.

Slovenia rolls out a dedicated digital nomad visa

Slovenia launches a digital nomad visa for remote workers starting November 2025, offering 12-month stays for non-EU freelancers and entrepreneurs.

Freaking NomadsIrene Wang

• North Korea is opening a beach resort (yes, really.)

Kim Jong Un has inaugurated the Wonsan‑Kalma coastal resort, complete with hotels, restaurants, and a water park. Private domestic tourism begins July 1, and limited access may open soon to Russian visitors and maybe to Chinese tourists after that. It’s a striking pivot for the isolated country, but for now, it's more of a geopolitical statement than an option for digital nomads.

North Korea to open beach resort as Kim Jong-un turns to tourism

North Korea opens Wonsan-Kalma resort to boost tourism, aiming to attract future foreign visitors despite tight travel controls.

Freaking NomadsLuca Mussari

• Carry-on fees could be history in the EU

European Parliament committees just backed a proposal banning airlines from charging for small carry-on luggage (under 7 kg and 100 cm). This means your cabin backpack, and the personal item under your seat, could soon fly free on all EU departures. Budget carriers are pushing back, warning fares may rise, but passengers are celebrating the move.

EU to end fees for small carry-ons and family seating on flights

Starting 2025, EU flights must offer free small carry-ons and ensure families sit together, ending years of complaints over hidden fees.

Freaking NomadsLuca Mussari

💼 100% remote jobs handpicked for you

Who is hiring this week? Here are some top roles to check out:

• Middle+ SMM Specialist at Genesis
• Senior Amazon Brand Manager at GNO Partners
• Senior Leadership and Workforce Development Programmes Manager at Premierleague
• Senior Growth Product Designer at Hospitable.com

💡 The Nomad Resource of the Week

I talked earlier about how currency fluctuations keep eating into my savings. Fortunately, I’ve been using Wise for a while now, and it’s saved me a ton on exchange fees.

We talked about Wise, a deeper hands-on review on our site, but that's why I personally think it’s a must-have for any nomad in a nutshell:

• Low-Cost Currency Exchange: Wise uses the real mid-market rate with ultra-low fees, so you’re not losing money every time you get paid or move funds across borders.
• Multi-Currency Account: You get local bank details in over 9 currencies (like USD, EUR, GBP, AUD) and hold over 40. It's perfect for getting paid by international clients like a local.
• Instant Transfers: You can move money between countries in seconds (not days) and skip the frustrating delays that come with traditional banks.
• Easy to Use: Their app is clean, intuitive, and built for people on the move. Set up transfers, convert money, and even order a physical debit card without a fixed address.
• Transparent Fees: No hidden charges, ever. You see exactly what you’re paying upfront, and it’s usually a lot less than PayPal or your old home bank.

I’ve used Wise in over 40 countries now, and it's become one of the most essential tools in my digital nomad toolkit. I've never switched since.

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We'll see you there, Freaking Nomads 👋

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