Summary
The jump to remote work for many during the pandemic removed geographical barriers and provided greater flexibility in how and where we do our jobs; ushering in a new type of digital nomad: the anywhere worker.
It has meant that a wider range of conventional workers, not just freelancers, can take their jobs anywhere provided they have a laptop and a strong WiFi connection. Older workers and people with families have been able to work and travel during the pandemic too, not just carefree young adults hopping from hostel to hostel. Moreover, several countries are now issuing long-term visas and digital nomad schemes specifically for people who can take their jobs on the road.
In a recent survey of more than 1,400 respondents—made up of 67 different nationalities across six countries (including the US, Mexico, Portugal, Indonesia, and Spain)—conducted with freelancer services marketplace Fiverr, more than half (54%) said they now consider themselves to be anywhere workers. That is the new generation of workers that has emerged since the pandemic began—the people who have been traveling and working for the past year or so, without being tied to a specific place.
Who is the anywhere worker?
Essentially, they represent a post-pandemic digital nomad. The majority of anywhere workers can be found in digital-based industries, most commonly IT, engineering, consulting, business intelligence, architecture and interior design, and digital marketing. While digital nomads have traditionally been freelancers, more than half of anywhere workers (61%) work full-time and the majority (84%) believe their line of work supports their ability to travel. The people who can access this lifestyle generally earn a comfortable salary, with over 50% of US respondents making $2,000 a month.
About 70% of people who consider themselves to be anywhere workers are aged between 24 and 44 years old, and 35% are between 45 and 54 years old. It’s almost an even split between genders at 56% (male) and 44% (female). Almost half (45%) are married, and unlike the typical digital nomad who tends to travel solo, 70% are parents taking their families along when they move around.
In the past, digital nomads faced criticism for their oversized carbon footprint and failure to engage meaningfully with local communities by moving locations every few days or weeks. The anywhere worker appears to be doing things differently. They prefer staying in new destinations longer to better experience local culture; about a third of anywhere worker respondents say they prefer to move to another destination every month or every three months. However, 55% of people, known as ‘slomads’, enjoy working in one location and traveling every three months or more.
Anywhere worker challenges
The anywhere worker lifestyle isn’t for everyone. Loneliness is one of the main challenges, as traveling can make it difficult to establish proper social connections, particularly offering fewer opportunities for face-to-face interactions with co-workers. Almost 90% of people surveyed reported feelings of loneliness during their travels.
Even though 90% of respondents said their earnings either increased or remained stable since becoming anywhere workers, the financial implications of this lifestyle were considered barriers as well. Flights, taxes, and visa costs accumulate quickly; in the US, about 28% said they spend between US$500 and $1,000 per month.
Struggling to adapt to local culture and nuances, isolation from friends and family, and living out of a suitcase were among the least attractive aspects of the anywhere worker lifestyle.
Where are anywhere workers traveling to?
Digital nomads often travel far from home, but according to our Fiverr survey, while anywhere workers want to travel, they don’t necessarily want to go very far. Almost half say they chose this lifestyle for more autonomy and flexibility over their lives and careers. They typically seek locations that provide greater opportunities for families and education. Interestingly, a third cited a better cost of living as their primary reason for relocating to new places.
Some of the popular destinations for anywhere workers surveyed include Thailand, the US, Spain, Japan, and Portugal, all known for their established digital nomad cultures. These countries are also conveniently located near where we surveyed respondents.
Furthermore, respondents from the US largely agreed that domestic destinations currently offer the best options for traveling workers, particularly populous states like Texas, followed closely by California and Florida.
Despite the challenges and the shift back to the office or hybrid models in many workplaces, the anywhere worker trend is likely to persist. Nearly every respondent (98%) expressed a desire to continue working and traveling in the foreseeable future. This is especially prominent now that programs are emerging to support them, facilitating places to live, co-working spaces, and connecting them with local guides for networking, community insights, and sightseeing tips.
Moreover, more countries continue to issue special long-term visas aimed at attracting international remote workers. Destinations such as Barbados, Aruba, Estonia, Norway, and Croatia have all introduced similar schemes recently. Additionally, Italy has hinted that it may introduce a program soon for non-EU citizens, including American and British digital nomads, who wish to live and work in Italy, thereby bypassing complex immigration barriers and tax deterrents while keeping their jobs.
