Is Nomadic Retirement For You? 11 Factors To Consider (By Nomads 2025)

Embark on a nomadic retirement journey like no other! Explore life without boundaries with our expert insights and real-life experiences.

Many of us dream of a retirement filled with adventure and freedom. Yet, many find themselves stuck in the daily grind in one place, longing for something more.

In recent years, nomad retirement has become a growing trend and is gaining traction among adventurous souls. This journey isn’t just about travel; it’s about embracing freedom and flexibility in our retirement years. This lifestyle isn’t new; it has roots in ancient cultures where people roamed for resources and opportunities.

We first heard the term “nomadic retirement” or “roving retirement” in an International Living Magazine back in 2015. At this stage in our lives, we were longing to do more travel, but we were tied down with a demanding business and career. We dreamt of breaking free from the mundane and living life on our own terms.

Mid way through the year 2017, we made the big decision to just do it!  We decided to take an “Adult Gap Year” as a trial run in our early retirement plan and decide if this nomadic retirement travel life was really for us. In January 2018, we began our full time travel lifestyle and have never looked back….

Join us as we dive into our world of nomadic retirement living and discover how you too can turn this dream into reality.

1. What is Nomadic Retirement?

Nomad retirement is a lifestyle choice. It focuses on travel and exploration during our retirement years. Many of us dream of escaping the routine of a traditional life. Instead of settling down in one place, we seek adventure and new experiences.

The shift from traditional retirement to a more mobile way of living is significant. In the past, retirees often moved to quiet communities. They would spend their days gardening or playing golf. Now, we embrace the freedom that comes with being nomadic. We can explore different cultures, landscapes, and communities. This change reflects our desire for adventure rather than a sedentary life.

Ultimately, being a nomad in retirement allows us to live life on our own terms. We can redefine what it means to retire by choosing a path filled with exploration and connection. As we embark on this journey, we discover not just new places but also new perspectives on life.

2. What is a Nomad? Modern Nomad Life Without Borders

What is a nomad and what key traits do they share? Flexibility stands out as a primary characteristic. We adapt to new environments easily. This adaptability allows us to shift plans based on weather or local events. Embracing change becomes second nature.

Another defining feature of nomad life is a sense of adventure. We crave exploration and seek experiences beyond our comfort zones. This mindset encourages us to discover new cultures, foods, and landscapes. It fuels our desire for learning and growth.

Freedom Defined

We embrace the freedom that comes with a nomadic lifestyle. Living without fixed boundaries allows us to explore new places and cultures. No longer tied to a traditional home, we can choose where to go next. This flexibility opens doors to experiences we might never have encountered otherwise.

Our journey takes us from bustling cities to serene beaches. Each destination brings its own charm and challenges. We learn to adapt quickly. This adaptability leads to personal growth in ways we never imagined.

Personal Growth

Living on the move encourages self-discovery. We find ourselves in diverse environments, learning about different customs and traditions. Each interaction teaches us something new about the world and ourselves.

For instance, while exploring a small town in the Philippines, we connected with locals over shared meals. Their stories inspired us to reflect on our own lives. We realized that stepping outside our comfort zone fosters resilience and confidence.

Engaging Communities

Nomadic travel allows us to engage with various communities worldwide. From remote villages to urban centres, each place has unique offerings. We experience life through local perspectives, enriching our understanding of humanity.

Cultural immersion enriches our experiences. We visit bustling markets, try street food, and participate in traditional festivals. These activities connect us to communities worldwide. They create lasting memories and friendships.

In 2023, we attended the Lantern Festival in Thailand. The vibrant colours and sounds immersed us in their traditions. We danced, ate local foods, and made friends from around the globe. Such moments remind us of our shared humanity.

3. Pros and Cons of Nomadic Retirement Living

There are unique advantages and disadvantages of nomadic life. From the freedom to explore new places and cultures, to the challenges of constantly packing up and moving, nomadic life offers a dynamic and ever-changing experience.

Nomadic Lifestyle Advantages

Living a nomadic lifestyle offers unparalleled freedom and flexibility, allowing us to explore new cultures, landscapes, and experiences without being tied down to a single location.

1. We have found that nomadic living opens doors to incredible experiences. Travelling from place to place allows us to immerse ourselves in diverse cultures. Each new location brings unique foods, languages, and traditions. We learn so much more than we ever could in one spot.
2. Reduced material burdens are another significant advantage. Owning less means we can travel lighter and with fewer worries. We focus on experiences instead of possessions. This shift helps us appreciate what truly matters in life. The freedom that comes from not being tied down is exhilarating.
3. Social connections also flourish during our travels. Meeting fellow nomads or locals creates a sense of community. We share stories, tips, and adventures. These connections often lead to lasting friendships that span the globe.
4. This lifestyle has resulted in many health benefits, mainly the reduction in stress resulting from demanding careers. In addition, we now engage in more physical activity when exploring new cities and the time outdoors improves our mood and cognitive function. The fresh air and changing scenery help us feel rejuvenated.
5. Nomad life offers freedom from daily responsibilities. We can focus on what truly matters – relationships and personal growth. By stepping out of our comfort zones, we learn more about ourselves and each other.
6. The greatest benefit has been building deeper emotional connections with each other as a couple as we share experiences creates lasting memories. Whether it’s watching sunsets on a beach or exploring ancient ruins, these moments strengthen our bond.

Disadvantages of Nomadic Life

Despite the perks, nomadic life has its challenges.

1. Constant relocation can be exhausting. Each move requires us to pack up and adjust to a new environment. Deciding where to travel to next and finding a comfortable place to stay takes effort and time.
2. Emotional adjustments can also be tough. Leaving family and friends behind can feel lonely at times. At times we may miss the familiarity of home or struggle with the lack of routine. This emotional rollercoaster can affect our well-being and energy levels.
3. Finding reliable medical services when needed while travelling can be challenging.
4. Not every destination is welcoming or safe. We must remain vigilant and adaptable. Researching places beforehand becomes crucial for our safety and comfort.

Weighing the Factors

Before diving into a nomadic lifestyle, you should weigh these factors carefully. It’s essential to consider both the pros and cons before making such a commitment. Taking time to reflect on your motivations is vital.

Are you seeking adventure? Do you crave freedom? Or are you running away from something? Answering these questions helps clarify your intentions.

Creating a plan can also ease some uncertainties. Setting goals for your travels will give you direction. Budgeting for expenses ensures you don’t run out of resources too quickly.

You can also seek advice from those who have embraced this lifestyle. Their insights can guide you through potential pitfalls and help to prepare for unexpected situations.

4. Full-Time Travel as a Lifestyle: Making the World Your Home

We often think of travel as a temporary escape. However, adopting travel as a lifestyle means viewing travel as a permanent aspect of your life. This mindset shift has allowed us to embrace every destination as home.

Travel aspirations can lead us to explore places we never imagined. Each trip becomes part of our personal journey. We learn to adapt quickly and find comfort in unfamiliar surroundings. By shifting our perspective, we transform how we experience the world.

Creating a sense of belonging while travelling is essential. We do this by sharing meals with locals, joining cultural events and engaging with fellow travellers.

Embracing change is crucial for nomadic living. The world is full of surprises, from stunning landscapes to diverse cultures. Accepting this unpredictability keeps our journeys exciting. We discover new passions along the way, whether it’s trying local cuisine or exploring hidden trails.

Practical Tips

To make the world feel like home, we follow these practical tips:

1. Establish Routines: Finding small daily routines helps ground us in new places.
2. Personalize Spaces: Use familiar items, like photos or souvenirs, to decorate temporary living spaces.
3. Explore Locally: Spend time discovering local shops and parks to feel more integrated.
4. Stay Longer: Extended stays allow us to build relationships and understand the culture better.

By incorporating these strategies into our travels, we create meaningful experiences. Each location becomes more than just a stop; it evolves into a chapter in our ongoing story.

5. Slow Travel: Savouring Experiences

Slow travel is our preferred method of travel while being nomadic retirees. By taking the time to immerse oneself in the local culture and environment, we can gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for the destination we are exploring.

This allows for more meaningful interactions with locals, authentic culinary experiences, and a chance to truly relax and unwind. In addition, by slowing down the pace of travel, we save money by reducing the need and cost of transportation between destinations.

Incorporating slow travel into our nomadic lifestyle requires some planning. Here are a few strategies we use:

1. Choose Longer Stays: Instead of hopping from city to city every few days, we choose stay longer in one place i.e. 1 month. This allows us to explore more thoroughly.
2. Plan Flexible Itineraries: We leave room for spontaneity in our plans. If we find a town we love, we can extend our stay and discover new experiences.
3. Focus on Local Activities: Rather than visiting popular attractions, we seek out local events or workshops. This lets us interact with residents and learn directly from them.
4. Travel Off-Peak: Traveling during less busy times helps us avoid crowds and reduces costs. We can enjoy attractions without feeling rushed or overwhelmed.
5. Limit Destinations: Instead of trying to see everything, we select a few key locations to explore deeply.

By adopting these strategies, we prioritize quality over quantity in our adventures.

6. Geoarbitrage: Maximizing Savings by Leveraging Global Costs

Geoarbitrage is a strategy that involves taking advantage of the differences in costs of living and expenses between different geographic locations. By leveraging these disparities, individuals can maximize their savings and potentially increase their purchasing power.

Geoarbitrage offers a smart way to make our savings last longer. By choosing to live in countries with lower living costs, we can stretch our dollars further. This strategy allows us to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle without breaking the bank.

We can enjoy a higher quality of life by dining out more often, explore local attractions, and even take part in various activities without worrying about our budget.

We consciously balance the costs of our travels over the year i.e. we balance the increase costs of our time spent in more expensive cities in Europe and cruising, with longer times spent in more affordable cities in Southeast Asia such as Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam.

7. Minimalist Lifestyle: Owning Less, Experiencing More

We embraced the minimalist lifestyle philosophy years before starting our nomadic adventures. This helped us to get rid of everything before embarking upon this lifestyle, and made it easier to make the transition.

Owning less has allowed us to focus on what truly matters: experiences. Each item we let go of created space for new memories. We learned that less really becomes more when it comes to living life fully. This shift in focus from things to experiences changed how we viewed happiness.

Fans of minimalism know that we can let go of things — including homes — to accommodate a new season or phase of life.

Practical Tips

Adopting a minimalist mindset can be challenging but rewarding. Here are some tips we found helpful:

1. Declutter Regularly: Prior to starting a nomadic lifestyle in retirement, set aside time each month to evaluate your belongings. Ask yourselves if each item adds value or joy.
2. Prioritize Experiences: Choose activities over items. Plan trips or outings instead of shopping for new gadgets.
3. Embrace Quality over Quantity: Invest in fewer, high-quality items that serve multiple purposes. For instance, our breathable rain coats are so versatile as they are rain proof, wind proof, and we can layer clothes underneath when we are cold.
4. Stay Organized: Use packing cubes or bags to keep our gear tidy. This makes it easier to find what we need without excess clutter.
5. Mindful Consumption: Before acquiring something new, consider its long-term value and necessity in our lives. Our rule is: one new thing into our bags = one thing out!

8. Location Independent Living: Work, Hobbies and Travel

Location independent living refers to a lifestyle where individuals have the freedom to work, pursue hobbies, and travel without being tied down to a specific location.

It provides the flexibility to explore new places, immerse oneself in different cultures, and create a work-life balance that suits individual preferences. It offers the opportunity to break free from the constraints of a traditional office job and embrace a more flexible and adventurous way of living.

Our hobbies have adapted easily to fit this lifestyle. We find joy in activities that require minimal equipment or space. Jonas can still actively engage in day trading during the week from anywhere, although the times for this can be challenging as we move through different time zones.

Photography is our way to capture memories while travelling, while writing blogs allows us to share our adventures and insights with others, whilst constantly learning new skills.

9. Slow Living: Embracing a Calmer, More Intentional Life

We see slow living as more than just a trend. It’s a philosophy that aligns perfectly with being nomadic retirees. This approach encourages us to focus on mindfulness. By slowing down, we allow ourselves to appreciate our surroundings and experiences fully. Each moment becomes richer when we embrace this mindset.

At times, travelling presents choices that can feel overwhelming. We must decide where to go, what to eat, and how to spend our days. Making intentional choices in our daily routines helps us remain grounded. For example, instead of ticking off the places to visit and sights to be seen in a city, we take our time and spread these visits out. On many occasions we find the walk to or from our days outing proves to be just as enjoyable as the site itself!

10. Types of Nomads: Choosing Your Own Path / Which One Are You?

Are you someone who thrives on the freedom of a nomadic lifestyle, constantly on the move and exploring new horizons? If so, you may find yourself identifying with one of the various types of nomads that exist. From digital nomads who work remotely while traveling, to van lifers who live out of their vehicles, to those exploring the European waterways by motor boats, to the cruise junkies, to traditional nomads who follow a more traditional migratory lifestyle, there are many paths to choose from. Each type of nomad offers a unique way of life and set of challenges, but all share a common love for adventure and independence.

As a part of our ‘Life Chapter 2’ series, we have posted a number of inspirational retired nomad stories that have been shared by fellow nomadic travellers. These are motivational and inspirational stories about international travel, early retirement, minimalism, financial freedom, and how you can do it too! For example, meet:

• John and Bev at ‘Retirement Travelers’ are documenting their journey on YouTube.
• Brent and Michael at ‘Brent and Michael Are Going Places’ joined the digital nomad community.
• Chris and Steve at ‘Eat.Walk.Learn’ travel the world chasing 72⁰F / 22⁰C.
• Howard and Whitney at ‘D2 Detours’ are fulfilling their retirement dream of no fixed address!
• Nicky and Andy at ‘Retired and Inspired’ travel with Gus, their gorgeous dog, around Europe in a van.
• Bonnie and Trinity at ‘43bluedoors’ retired early and have been travelling the world ever since.
• Karen and Myles at ‘Motoroamers’ travel around Europe in the lovingly named van ‘Scoobie’.
• Ali and Alison at ‘All Options Considered’ have an online business on financial coaching.
• Susan and Blair at ‘blairandsusan’ are living a home-free nomad life.
• Diana and Mike at ‘Living Chapter 2’ are living a roving retirement lifestyle.
• Julie and Jason at ‘Ourtour’ who are motorhome touring in Europe and North Africa.
• Michelle at ‘Michelle Wild The Planner’ travels the world as an international touring specialist and festival producer.

If you would like to share your story with our readers, feel free to CONTACT US HERE!

11. Nomadic Lifestyle Planning: Preparing for the Journey

Whether it’s travelling the world in a van, living abroad in different countries, or simply exploring new destinations regularly, preparing for a nomadic lifestyle in retirement requires careful financial planning and lifestyle considerations. From budgeting for travel expenses to finding healthcare solutions on the road, there are unique challenges and opportunities that come with this unconventional retirement lifestyle.

Some of the key strategies for nomadic retirement planning and ensuring a smooth transition into this exciting chapter of life include:

• Financial Considerations: You will need to assess your financial lives before taking the leap into becoming nomadic retirees. This means reviewing your savings, investments, and potential income sources. Your budget will reflect your travel lifestyle.
• Logistical Steps: Planning the logistics of your travel can at times be time consuming and stressful. We need to decide on our destinations and how long we will stay in each place. Creating a flexible travel plan allows us to adapt as situations change. Sometimes, plans may not go as expected due to weather or other issues. With flexibility in our itinerary, we can handle these changes more smoothly.
• Emotional Preparation: Transitioning to a nomadic lifestyle requires emotional readiness. Leaving behind familiar routines can be challenging. We had to prepare ourselves mentally for this change. It’s important to embrace uncertainty and view it as part of the adventure. We found that connecting with others who have made similar transitions helped ease this process i.e. Facebook groups focused on nomadic living.
• Health and Safety: Our health and safety is paramount during our travels. We do most of our regular health check-ups before leaving home. This ensures we address any medical issues beforehand. Our #1 recommendation for anyone considering this lifestyle is to purchase a good travel / medical insurance policy to protect you against unexpected health costs abroad.
• Staying Connected: Staying connected with family and friends is vital for emotional well-being. Regular calls or messaging can help maintain those relationships. Sharing our adventures on Facebook and in our blog posts keeps loved ones involved in our journey.

Nomad Retirement Travel FAQs

Planning for retirement and considering a nomadic lifestyle? Here are some of the most common nomadic retirement living FAQ’s to help guide you on your journey.

In Summary: Is Nomadic Retirement Right for You?

Living a nomadic life after retirement isn’t just a trend; it’s a lifestyle choice that can redefine your golden years. We’ve explored the freedom of living without boundaries, the thrill of slow travel, and the joy of embracing minimalism. Each adventure offers us unique experiences and valuable lessons. We can create our own path, blending hobbies, travel, and leisure in ways that resonate with our dreams.

So, is nomadic retirement right for you? It’s all about what you want from life. Weigh the pros and cons, plan wisely, and take that leap into the unknown. Your next adventure awaits!

Are you planning a nomad retirement or are you already living a nomadic retirement lifestyle? Do you have any questions, or have we missed anything we should add to this post? Feel free to contact us on Facebook or via email and let us know.

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