Some people think the digital nomad lifestyle is only for young adults who are fresh out of college. Sure, traveling when you’re younger has its perks, but you can travel at any age! I started my digital nomad journey at 29, and now that I’m in my 30s, I’m still loving this lifestyle.
I’ve been living as a digital nomad with Landing since October 2021, traveling with my dog and cat. So far, we’ve lived in five different states around the U.S. I’m able to work as a freelance digital marketing specialist to support myself from anywhere in the world.
If you’re considering living the digital nomad life but aren’t a young college student anymore, here are five reasons why you should absolutely still do it:
1. You’re probably more financially stable
When I first graduated from college, I hardly had any savings. I don’t know many young 20-somethings who do have much money tucked away.
In your 30s, you’re probably more financially stable than when you were weighed down by student loan debt, car payments, and a running bar tab. Having money in your savings account and being able to make wiser financial decisions is incredibly helpful when you’re traveling around the world.
If you’ve saved up a nest egg, you can enjoy the digital nomad life more lavishly. For example, I have been able to dine out at nicer restaurants and stay at hotels on weekend excursions, rather than going to dive bars and sleeping in my car. No offense to dive bars or sleeping in your car, though—these are great! But it’s good to have other options, too.
2. You’ll appreciate it more
When I traveled in my 20s, it was usually a blur of drinks, friends, and scrambling to take cool pictures. Now, there’s still plenty of drinks, friends, and cool pictures, but they come with a newfound thing: responsibility.
I’ve found that being responsible is actually kind of refreshing when traveling. I still go on plenty of wild adventures, but there’s more planning and structure as opposed to just chaos. For instance, when I studied abroad in London my sophomore year of college, I didn’t plan much of anything. I stepped out of Heathrow Airport with a cripplingly heavy backpack and just started wandering the streets—not the brightest moment on my part.
Now, I make sure to have some kind of itinerary when I travel to a new place. I look up the best things to see and find activities that I’ll enjoy. But I also go with the flow and try not to stress about seeing and doing absolutely everything. I’ve learned that trying to pack everything in leads to stressful times and underappreciation. I do what I can, when I can, and save the rest for later.
3. You may miss your friends, but you’ll make more along the way
I have a really close group of friends back home that I’ve known since elementary school and high school. It was really hard saying goodbye to them so I could follow my dream of being a digital nomad.
But because I waited until 29 to follow my dream, I was able to spend so many years with them doing all the typical 20s things, like staying out late partying, watching their relationships grow, and figuring out our lives together. I don’t feel like I missed out on spending quality time with my best friends, which is really important to me. Now, my friends always have an excuse to come out and visit me wherever I’m traveling!
I’ve also been able to make some incredible friends along my journey. New friends? In your 30s?! I know it sounds impossible, but it’s actually been far easier than I expected. I’ve met so many like-minded travelers in their 30s, and we always have so much to talk about.
The Facebook group Outsiders, Together: Singles and Solo Travelers has been a great resource for finding new friends and local events. There’s a great mix of younger and older members all over the world, so I highly recommend joining this group.
4. Confidence comes with age
It seems like some people are just born confident. But with others (like me), it comes with time.
Now that I’m in my 30s, I’ve survived so many awkward phases and situations, and I feel more self-assured in who I am and what I want out of life. This has allowed me to live my digital nomad journey to its fullest. I’ve met all sorts of new friends and tried experiences I never thought I would (like flying a plane and eating cow tongue tacos!).
If I had tried living this lifestyle back in my shy, hesitant 20s, I think I would have failed miserably. I would have snuck from city to city, trying to avoid talking with anyone or doing anything reckless. That’s just the way I used to be.
If you’re still working on your confidence, becoming a digital nomad is a great way to take a step out of your comfort zone and into an adventurous life.
5. No regrets!
Just because you didn’t travel in your younger years doesn’t mean you can’t still do it now. It’s never too late, no matter your age. Just have fun and do what feels right for you!
Want to try out the digital nomad life?
Living the van life is easier when you’re younger, so enjoy a more luxurious travel experience with Landing! With a Landing membership, you can stay in furnished apartments all over the U.S. (375+ cities!). Each apartment comes with everything you need, like towels, dishes, smart tv’s, modern art, and everything down to a pizza cutter! Just bring your essentials, and you’re ready to move in—and out—anytime.