Start Here: Your Roadmap
Overwhelmed by all the logistics of becoming a nomad? This page will guide you through exactly what you need to do, in the right order.
Becoming a digital nomad isn't just about booking a flight or building out your rig and buying a laptop sticker. It's about designing a sustainable life that works for your brain, career, and circumstances. That's where we come in.
This roadmap is based on a drive to help others by sharing our real life experiences. Whether you're just considering the nomad life or ready to make the leap, this guide will walk you through the essential steps in the right order.
Phase 1: Foundation
Define Your Why
Before diving into logistics, clarify your motivation, timeline, and constraints. What's driving your desire to go nomadic? What are your non-negotiables? Understanding your "why" will inform every decision you make.
Read: The Nomad Mindset →Assess Your Situation
Evaluate your current career, finances, and obligations. What's your risk tolerance? Do you have a remote job or freelance income? Any family, pet, or health constraints? This assessment will help determine your timeline and approach.
Work With Us: Nomad Escape Strategy Session →Choose Your Domicile
Establish a U.S. mailing address and voting residence in a nomad-friendly state. We recommend Texas, Florida, or South Dakota for their tax benefits and flexibility.
Read: Domicile & Mail Forwarding Guide →Phase 2: Systems
Set Up Mail Forwarding
Choose a mail forwarding service to ensure you receive important documents wherever you roam. We recommend vetted providers with digital scanning capabilities. This becomes your official U.S. address for legal, financial, and government purposes.
Read: Domicile & Mail Forwarding Guide →Banking & Finances
We'll suggest nomad-friendly banking solutions, including a checking account, credit cards with no foreign transaction fees, and strategies for managing currency exchange.
Read: Money & Banking Guide →Healthcare Coverage
Secure travel health insurance and understand your options for maintaining U.S. healthcare coverage while abroad.
Read: Healthcare Guide →Phase 3: Route Planning
Research Destinations
Start exploring potential destinations based on visa requirements, cost of living, internet reliability, and lifestyle fit. Consider seasonal factors and your personal preferences for climate and culture.
Read: Destination Research Framework →Plan Your First Trip
Whether it's a 2-week trial run or a 3-month launch, plan your first nomad experience. Test your systems, validate your assumptions, and adjust your approach before fully committing.
Work With Us: First Trip Planning Session →Establish Travel Routines
Create ND-friendly routines for travel days, workdays, and rest days. Build in buffer time for overwhelm and unexpected delays.
Read: ND-Friendly Routines Guide →Phase 4: Sustainability
Launch Your First Trip
Put your systems to the test with a short-term trip. Validate your assumptions and refine your approach before committing to longer stays.
Read: First Trip Checklist →Monitor & Adjust
Track what's working and what's not. Adjust your systems, routines, and routing plan based on real-world experience. Build in regular review cycles.
Work With Us: 30-Day Check-in Session →Scale & Evolve
Once you've found your rhythm, scale your nomad life to match your evolving goals. Add complexity gradually and maintain systems that prevent overwhelm.
Read: Long-Term Nomad Life Guide →Next Steps
DIY Approach
Follow this roadmap independently using our free guides and resources.
Browse All Guides →For Neurodivergent Readers
Throughout this site, you'll find "ND Notes" sections that highlight:
- Likely sources of overwhelm or sensory triggers
- Decision shortcuts and recommended defaults
- Checklists and scripts to reduce decision fatigue
- Tips for managing executive function challenges
The goal is to make going nomad feel less chaotic and more sustainable for ND brains.