'We spent £2,100 a month in London rent so we gave it up to move 5,000 miles'
Before Covid, moving abroad permanently was a dream for most - but as working from home became more popular, one couple gave up the rat race for more tropical climes.
One couple escaped the rat race and gave up their London life for a more tropical climate.
Luca Mussari and Irene Wang had their Battersea rent put up to £2,100 a month. Fed up with their extortionate outgoings, they decided to pack up and move 5,000 miles away instead, to Central America.
Luca and Irene have been living as digital nomads for many years and even founded a community and publication for like-minded people. Freaking Nomads is for those who want to learn, connect, and share their stories and tips about their nomadic lifestyle.
After leaving London, they first moved to Madeira, an autonomous island off the coast of Portugal.
Speaking exclusively to Express Online, they said: "Madeira attracted us with its lower cost of living and stunning natural landscapes, perfect for hiking, which is one of our passions."
When asked what aspects helped inform their decision on choosing the next place to live, Luca and Irene said that factors including cheap rent and internet speed were “crucial in our decision-making process”.
“Affordable rent, reliable internet and mobile speed, and overall cost of living are key considerations. Additionally, we look at where other digital nomads are gathering to ensure a supportive community.”
They also chose Madeira because of its well-established reputation as a digital nomad hub, “providing a great community and networking opportunities”.
In their “Ultimate Guide” to Madeira, Luca recommended the island as it was easy to explore, far from the noise of the big cities, relatively affordable and perfect for those who love nature, like Luca and Irene.
He described the capital, Funchal, as “the most equipped place” for digital nomads, with accommodation close to the coast and all the required services situated there.
He also recommended Ponta do Sol, where a free co-working space and the famous “Digital Nomad Village” are located. This village, according to Luca, represents “one of the most successful digital nomad initiatives between local governments and digital nomad entrepreneurs”.
Luca and Irene currently live in Nicaragua, in Central America, saying: “Nicaragua appealed to us because it's a hidden gem growing in popularity among digital nomads. It's cheaper than Costa Rica (and London, of course) but equally rich in natural beauty and culture.”
The pair added that like Madeira, Nicaragua offered cheaper living costs and vibrant cultural experiences, making it “an emerging destination for digital nomads”.
The pair’s daily lives today would make any intrepid explorer jealous. “Despite being digital nomads, we maintain a routine,” they said.
The pair added that like Madeira, Nicaragua offered cheaper living costs and vibrant cultural experiences, making it “an emerging destination for digital nomads”.
The pair’s daily lives today would make any intrepid explorer jealous. “Despite being digital nomads, we maintain a routine,” they said.
“We usually stay in one place for around a month to practise slow travel and immerse ourselves like locals. Our day starts early with coffee at our accommodation or a local cafe, followed by yoga. We then work from a cafe after breakfast, take a lunch break with a walk, and work for another four hours in the afternoon.
DON'T MISS:
Italy's game-changing immigration tactic to push 'talented' Brits to move there [REPORT]
Beautiful country that is encouraging Brits to move there with new visa [INSIGHT]
‘Incredible’ country crowned best in world for expats [LATEST]
“Evenings are often spent at the beach (if available) or socialising with other digital nomads. Weekends are dedicated to exploring the local area, hiking, visiting the beach, or experiencing cultural sites.”
When asked if they had any regrets, they said “Yes, not becoming digital nomads sooner!”
Obviously, to achieve the nomad lifestyle, one must have a job that allows for such travel. When asked if it was easy to do their jobs from such exotic locations, Luca and Irene said: “Our work isn't tied to any specific location; we collaborate with various companies worldwide.
“Asynchronous communication fits our workflow perfectly, so being away from a traditional office setup is not an issue at all.”
“This lifestyle suits those who seek flexibility, can manage their freedom to remain productive, and enjoy adventure and stepping out of their comfort zone. Digital nomadism offers unparalleled freedom for personal and professional growth for those who can handle it.”
“Anyone interested in becoming a digital nomad can achieve this lifestyle. The primary requirement is finding a remote job; everything else simply depends on one's mindset and goals.”
Yet Luca and Irene are not the only ones to take up the digital nomad lifestyle. Graham Hill first moved to Sapporo, Japan from the US, and is now a real estate professional.
“I was doing advertising work for clients, working from Starbucks, and I loved it. So I moved here,” he told Express Online.
“I left San Francisco… to come to Sapporo, in part as [places such as] San Francisco, NYC [and] LA all have issues with drugs, crime, homelessness. The quality of life has deteriorated compared to 10 years ago.
“All across Japan, everyone is impressed by how clean and safe it is here... In my real estate practice, the safe, clean, stable climate of Japan makes it a great investment opportunity. That also makes it a great place for tourists and digital nomads.
“I would encourage [anyone] to consider Sapporo, Japan,” Graham said, as it has “much lower” prices than Tokyo, “excellent” public transportation at as little as £1.50 per ride, and “the exchange rate for the Japanese yen is ideal for UK nomads”. He said that currently, long-term rent is about £200 to £400, while a dormitory stay could be as little as £127.
As an added bonus, Graham said, Sapporo has the “best powder snow in the world”, making it “perfect for a three-month travel visa and nomad work”.
Working From Home Research (WFH) found that 12.7 percent of Americans employed in full-time roles worked remotely as of 2023, a figure which is expected to increase to 22 percent by 2025.
Hoi An, Vietnam, Delhi, India, and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, were chosen to be the three top countries for digital nomads, according to the index created by Freaking Nomads, taking into consideration factors such as internet speeds, availability of co-working spaces, accessibility to remote working visas, cost of living and rent.
