Maybe I will relocate to Thailand, after all, I really can go anywhere!
My blog post today on the 30 Day Blog Challenge answers the question,
"What is your definition of location independence?"
I can define "location independence" as the life I am already living. I am truly location independent, and I can tell you that it is not easy. I smile at all the young blogging 'nomads' out there, claiming they are location independent, because I know they are not. In the end, most of them will go running back to their safe, secure home, which they haven't really left as they are just away travelling. They have a constant address, a place to which they can always return.
The main problem with location independence is that, once you are earning an income, where do you pay your tax? You can be sure that someone will want it! If you sign up with PayPal, they want to make you open a new account when you change countries (and they cannot be linked). It's hard to buy online if your bank account is in a different country from where you happen to be (they can track your whereabouts). My biggest nightmare is trying to buy software. For example, Adobe will allow me to download trial versions, but they refuse to sell me the product if I am in a different country from my bank account. Amazon is the same. At the moment, I am in Turkey, and Amazon will not send software there, although they will send other goods. These are just a few of the problems I have encountered with location independence, and believe me, there are many others!
It can be really difficult not having a permanent address. For most of my working life, I taught in international schools, changing location after each contract. Now I have retired, I am fortunate that my husband is still working, for the moment, and we are living in a company apartment in Istanbul. But that is only a temporary address. Years of travelling the world with our children resulted in having one living in Italy, one in South Africa, and one in Australia, none of whom are permanently based yet.
We haven't quite decided where we will go when my husband finally retires. His retirement plan is to travel the world, following test cricket. Mine is to go to live in Thailand, as it would be equidistant for travelling to my daughters' homes. It's a dilemma! I would happily go from one test cricket venue to the next (although not to watch cricket), as long as I could generate an income while travelling. So, what is the definition of location independence? In business terms, it's being able to work from anywhere in the world, and still generate an income. BUT, true and permanent location independence is very difficult if you really are nomadic.
Perhaps Natalie has answers to my problems, I do hope so!
Love your realities you've written about here - the good and the more challenging. It certainly does come with challenges not having a fixed abode until more people and companies catch on that we're a growing minority and it becomes mainstream. I talk about how to handle some of this in Chapter 6 of my book as it's pretty important
ReplyDeleteThen it's time I bought the book! I'd love some answers to these problems. I agree that the world needs to wake up to the fact that a new nomadic tribe is growing, and their needs have to be addressed.
ReplyDeleteAnother great post! I love reading your blog, thank you for your honesty!! I can't wait to hear where you end up :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for that, zenfitathletics, it's as much a mystery to me as it is to you. At the moment, I have no idea! Thanks for reading my blog, though!
DeleteI love your honesty Elizabeth & just a taste of the problems true nomads face, even in this world of fabulous technology & IT! Good luck & I hope you're happy wherever you go :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Nancy. I am sure I can overcome them somehow. I have bought Natalies book, and I am hoping for some answers there. I love my nomadic life, I just wish governments and corporations wouldn't keep putting obstacles in my way!
DeleteThat's a very good point. I think behind the beautiful dreams there is always some harsh reality. Natalie, rightly reminds in her posts that this lifestyle is not all rosy. There is no shortcut to hard work.
ReplyDeleteEven in this era of globalization there are many challenges that exist and make cross country lives difficult.
Thanks for the post, Elizabeth
Thanks for the comment, Dharmesh. Perhaps when there are more of us out there, things will change. I am sure they must. Global nomads are a growing band, and there needs will have to be met.
DeleteHi Elizabeth,
ReplyDeletethanks for pointing to some of the real-life challenges faced as a nomad. As a mom to a yet growing child (he is in elementary school), I am not quite as nomadic now as I used to be. Even so, I would like to take my business on the road two or three times a year, and maybe relocate for a year at a time to a different location. Being a multilingual family makes this so much easier in many ways. I am really excited about making a living with a business I can take to other places temporarily.
Johanne
I think this whole exercise is amazing. It makes you clarify your thoughts about how you can achieve location independence, and fund it at the same time. God luck to you, I am sure you will achieve your dreams.
ReplyDelete