I first ventured into remote work in 1997, a time when the concept was far from mainstream. This journey kept me tethered to the United States for over two decades, allowing me to navigate the intricacies of working from a distance. The tides turned in 2020 when I decided to venture beyond my home country and embrace the life of a digital nomad in Latin America, a decision that brought me closer to my girlfriend who joined me on this exciting journey.
Together, we traversed the vibrant tapestry of Latin American cultures and economies. Over a period of a little more than two years, we moved from one country to another, creating temporary homes in each. Yet, the transience of our lifestyle, while exhilarating, created a fleeting connection with these communities. Our contributions, though not insignificant, were transient as well.
Being a digital nomad came with a blend of impacts. While the foreign income we brought stimulated local economies, especially in the hospitality and service sectors, our presence inadvertently escalated the cost of goods, services, and rents, often leading to economic disparities.
In 2022, the digital nomad chapter of our lives came to a beautiful close as we tied the knot in Cozumel. After our marriage, we decided to shift our lifestyle from constant movement to settling down in a place we could call home. My wife’s hometown, Pereira, Colombia, became our chosen destination. A city less frequented by digital nomads, it offered us the chance to connect deeply with the local community.
As resident expats, our impacts became more profound and long-lasting. We now contribute more significantly to the local economy, paying taxes in both the United States and Colombia. My wife, with her prior experience of living in France and the United States on work and student visas, brings an additional cultural depth to our journey. This collective experience aids us in embracing and respecting local traditions and customs, adding to the rich diversity of our adopted community.
Our personal journey from digital nomads to expats mirrors the larger global dynamics and evolving definitions of work, home, and community. It underscores the importance of recognizing and managing our impacts, whether we are digital nomads in transit or expats laying down roots. Above all, it’s a reminder that every lifestyle choice comes with the responsibility to respect and contribute positively to the communities we become a part of.