Less is More: Living a Nomadic Lifestyle, Learn from the Pioneers of the Road.

By Steph K.

What does the term mean Nomadic Lifestyle?

If you've never heard the term before, the term "Nomadic" refers to a person who chooses a non-permanent residence and relocates from place to place.

In 2021, the number of digital nomads increased 42% compared to 2020, with 15,5 million Americans identifying as digital nomads. Although not as dramatically as in the first years of the pandemic, the number of digital nomads in the U.S increased to 18.1 million in 2024/2025, which respresents a growth of around +17% over that period.

According to recent data, approximately 11% of American workers identify as digital nomads, indicating a significant increase in people choosing the nomadic lifestyle. That means aprox 1 in 10 U.S. workers identify as a digital nomad. Globally, the estimated number of digital nomads is around 40 million people.

Nomads embrace a mobile life. Their home has wheels, and they can move anywhere the road takes them. The Sprinter van craze has been a growing trend among those who desire freedom and want to break away from the norm. Millennials and Gen Z are leading the charge in adopting the nomadic lifestyle.

The types of jobs that allow people to work remotely or travel as part of the occupation are:

• Tech & Development, Web & Mobile App Developers, Software Engineer, Data Analyst

• Writing & Content Creation, Blogger, copywriter, SEO Specialist

• Design & Multimedia, Graphic Designer, Video Editor, Photographer/Travel Photographer

• Marketing & Social Media: Social Media Manager, Affiliate Marketing, Email Marketing Specialist

• Business & Finances: E-commerce (Dropshipping, Print-on-demand), Amazon FBA/ Ebay Seller, Bookkeeper

• Operations & Support; Virtual Assistant, Customer Support Rep, Project Manager

• Education & Coaching; Online Tutor, Course Creator, Language Teacher, Life Coach / Business Coach

• Translation & Linguistics: Translator / Interpreter, Localization Specialist, Transcriptionist

• Passive Income / Side Hustles: YouTube/Vlogger, Podcaster, Printable/Etsy Seller, Stock Photo & Video Seller

While digital nomads typically work remotely from anywhere, there is another category of nomadic careers where travel is an essential part of the job. These roles require physical presence in different locations - Perfect for people who want to travel as part of their work, not just work from their laptop.

Jobs that Require Travel While Being a Nomad

• Healthcare & Wellness; Travel Nurse, Physical Therapist, Locum Tenens Doctor Physician, Medical Technician, Mental Health Counselor, Health Coach / Wellness Retreat Facilitator

• Travel & Hospitality: Flight Attendant, Cruise Ship Staff, Tour Guide / Adventure Tour Leader, Travel Agent, Hotel Mystery Shopper / Reviewer, Destination Wedding Planner.

• Performance & Entertainment; Musician / Band on tour, Circus or Performing Artist, Street / Festival Performer, Theater Crew / Production Staff, DJ / Event Planner.

• Skilled Labor & Contracting; Traveling Electrician/ Plumber, Seasonal Construction Workers, Traveling Hair Stylists / Makeup Artists, Set Designer for Theater, Movies, and TV.

• Eco & Volunteer Work; WWOOF Worker (Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms), Environmental Field Technician, Disaster Relief Volunteer, Field Researcher (Wildlife, Archaeology, Anthropology)

• Business & Consulting; Traveling Salesperson/ Product Rep, Field Consultant (IT, Logistics, Management), Corporate Trainer / Workshop Host.

• Seasonal & Adventure Jobs: Ski or Surf Instructor, Scuba Diving Instructor, Mountain or Wilderness Guide, National Park Worker, Camp Counselor / Outdoor Educator, Festival Circuit Worker (Burning Man, Coachella, Etc.)

There's more freedom as a nomad to move about in the world without huge expenses. You can sip on your morning coffee, working from your computer or at your job location in a different city or country every week, month, or season, and explore the world while making an income.

More People need to adopt this Lifestyle.

Despite wage gains from 2021 to 2025, I have seen an increasing number of people, each year, being compelled to live in their vehicles, tents, or without shelter because owning or renting has become unaffordable, as the average job wage, does not pay enough to handle the increase on everyday basic costs. Rent increases by 10% each year, while job wages remain unchanged. People are being squeezed out of their homes and onto the street.

Depending on your dire need, families with kids come first and can shorten the waiting time on getting approved for emergency shelter; however, getting approved for housing can take a few months to 4 years to receive a low-income housing unit, shelters are full, and living with relatives is not an option.

Our systems, which are designed to help people, are not functioning properly. There's not enough affordable housing to address the number of people who need a roof over their heads. The housing crisis is brutal in most places across the United States. People don't have any alternatives.

Maybe the alternative is going to be more people deciding to live the nomadic mobile lifestyle, and living more freely, lowering their own cost of living by downsizing.

We need to break the image of what we consider "what" normal is to us, and open our eyes to the possible life of a mobile lifestyle that can be the most rewarding adventures to experience.

There are many Pioneer Nomads who are paving the way to show you how nice it is to live a mobile life, giving their advice and tips, so you too can create a less stressful life, and have more freedom to make great memories while going on your nomad adventures.

... and this is where we begin the Story of How I became a Nomadic Person.

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My story of How I became a Nomad.