Expats vs Digital Nomads

[@chinaboytag1]

I just want to move to save money, be left alone, and live in a nice city with nice people. I remember Thailand being a great place for that. Not much of a partier. I wonder if that means I want to be an expat or a digital nomad? I'm not one to want to pick up and move every 5 seconds, myself. I grew up overseas. I've seen the world. I just want peace of mind, affordable living, and the ability to be left alone. For me, I just find that none of that is true in America and I just want to escape the political wasteland of the modern corporate work environment.

[@kaileymercy7257]

Beautifully said.

[@LeagueofEditing]

what about people who just want to enjoy the warm climate, already have their "business" running and simply want to chill in a beautiful country where it's really affordable to live? i mean i get a lot of your points but it sounds a bit like you think that every "digital nomad" goes to thailand to build up his business but i think it's more that it's simply a nice place to work at. i personally live in germany where it's just pretty boring and not really warm for most of the year but since i can do my job independent of my location, thailand sounds like a nice option to me.

[@TheIrishKiwi84]

I lived there for 6 months not working at all and loved it . Doing martial arts and yoga and motorbiking around . Go do it , it’s awesome

[@rah4254]

@@TheIrishKiwi84 did this too, amazing time. I don't know what my work life balance would be doing Web Dev, how much did you spend

[@callofdutymobile1074]

Im with you there

[@andyrbush]

There are a lot of guys trying to scratch a living in Thailand, because they have met girls and want to stay. They try and often fail with software because it seems accessible but they may have never done it independently before. However if you already have a business established and it is location independent, then Thailand can work very well. The guys that fail will likely loose the girl if he can't afford to support her. My suggestion is get the money or the business set up elsewhere then you can try it here.

[@walterbyrd8380]

You might try Bali.

[@baliyogatravelretreats]

Being an expat for more than half my life, I have felt that the digital nomad craze is another term for backpackers.

[@noblelies]

Backpackers who do webdev and travel hacking.

[@IgorYalovoi]

Some deep wisdom mate. I have to mention there is another category of people. Highly skilled professionals which work remotely so they move to South Asia for a few months just to enjoy weather, food, and culture. They don't give a fuck about neither digital nomads, neither expats. Yet, you may met them at coworkings or social venues because social interactions are fun!

[@frooots]

That's the truth. Digital nomad=you have a stable work flow but can work from anywhere in the world. That's my take for " Digital Nomad "

[@marcinros2390]

regardless if you are digital or nomad or both and regardless where you live you have to have a bit deeper sens of life than only bars and hanging around

Yeah seen a lot of that when living in Kiev. For many expats it was bars/hanging at the hostels/going on dates. That was pretty much it. And only ate dinner somewhere within walking distance. They'll see the city, sure, but usually only the hot spots. And then its 'been there, done that'.

[@RachelSmets]

The more I Travel, the more I want to travel! ALONE! I’m loving it and working remotely, inspiring others. I’ve been living in many different countries, short and longer times. I speak 6 languages and living a dream life. The experience of living abroad has transformed me to be my best self and live my purpose. It’s work, but it’s passion , and if you’re an entrepreneur or ambitious, you will love it too. All my videos on KZbin are all about adjusting and feeling home in any country, and the best part of it all is feeling free, living a fulfilled life and learning every day. If it’s your dream, then go chase it! If you have excuses not to, then talk to me. Happy journey!

[@Misanti888]

Hi. May I ask how long do you stay on the average in the country where you travel to as a nomad?

[@RachelSmets]

@@Misanti888 Sure Michael, ask me anything. Happy to share. After living abroad for many years, I was fed up with moving everything. So now I travel and stay from 1month to 4 months, I never stay less than a month because I want to have time to find a routine and get work done. Also, it depends if I have to fly and travel 36 hours, I want to stay at least 2 months. You can find my channel and comment there, I make new video's every wednesday. Just in case I miss your reply on this channel :) Are you a digital nomad or not yet?

[@Ayquehambre]

What about learning the local language and build relationships with locals

[@tento3555]

"successful" and "drop shipping" , if you here these two words together run as fast as you can, the real and almost only money on drop shipping is the courses the they will sell you. there are a million ways to make money online.

[@I.KUchiha]

Tentō really? Like what

[@drummerboy737]

@@I.KUchiha lol

[@Chris-fz5kf]

You can become successful by dropshipping tho

[@MuzzaHukka]

List some.

[@Oluffemi]

That made me laugh 😂

[@dougm3037]

Brett are you mad! You obviously have no idea of travel. The whole point of going overseas is to isolate yourself in a tiny western bubble and prevent any cultural contamination. My God! Next you'll be advocating learning the local language and eating the local food. Where will this madness end? This is a dangerous and foolish course. You realise the consequences, you may end up with unique memories of this foreign land. Can't have that. Bland out, join a tour group. Visit tourist cliches in a massive tour bus and never, never, never interact with the locals. That way your trip overseas should end up being about as challenging as popping down to your local shop. That's the way travel was meant to be. Bland and safe.

[@dougm3037]

Tongue planted firmly in my cheek. I'm an independent traveller who hates package tours, and sanitised travel. I shop at Thanin market in Chiang Mai when I visit. Rarely a farang in sight and the food is tasty, authentic and cheap. I try to get a feel for living like a local as much as possible.

[@RevStickleback]

That said, I have a particular dislike for backpackers who play at "living like a local", as if eating, drinking and living as cheaply as possible is some kind of game, like an endurance test, knowing full well that even if they are scraping by for cash, one phone call to daddy will have that credit card reloaded, and they'll be out of there in a shot.

[@improver1849]

Doug M Obviously, you jest. (I’m surprised anybody asked!) Quite hilarious, really. Thanks for posting this, hahaha Yet, sadly, millions of NPCs do make this joke real every day, evidenced by the countless McDonalds all around the world.

[@dougm3037]

Remember how jarring it was to see a Mcdonald's outlet in central Paris. Those majestic golden arches ruined by alleyways dripping with history and culture. lol

[@UltimateBargains]

That's exactly why I never leave my place without fully encasing myself in bubble wrap. You never know what you may bump into, so be safe! ;)

[@alexrahr]

Personally I agree that it's a far richer experience to integrate with local cultures. But I really don't think that anyone has the right to state how or why someone should travel (or to be annoyed by it). Everyone has different priorities and values in their life at different points in time and we all change over time. To me this video is just an arrogant point of view based on your current priorities and values.

[@cseeger1]

Exactly. The guy is a narrow minded elitist. Worse actually. He's attempting too define what is acceptable behavior through his own lens. If everyone just thought and acted as he does. What an asshole.

[@stevm7974]

Alex Rahr I think the thing he is trying to say in this video is to not expect to become a successful professional being a digital nomad and that it takes hard work. He isn't being an asshole, he is being a realist. It's enough hard work NOT traveling and working a 9 to 5 grind in one place!

[@larrywheels762]

I just took what he was saying as what he's observed and deflected on. He's lived there 3 years, so I feel he's knowledgeable.

[@rah4254]

@@cseeger1 he is not being an asshole lmao. Its true, hang around with drunken twats who follow some dude like Alex Becker on KZbin and have an idea they're going to make it with 0 skills and 0 plans and then go out every night wasted. Wtf you think is going to happen? Absorb in the culture, get inspired by expats, older people, veterans and you can make it and absorbing culture over hanging out with people from your own country is one of the differences between tourism and travelling

[@Oluffemi]

You totally missed the point of the video. He is not judging anyone, it's basically a spot on a Realistic aspect of DN

[@StudyandlifeinIndia]

So now i know that I’m digital nomad. I have been working online for 2 years but idk how to call my job lol

[@raymundo7983]

I regard the DN scene as similar to the church scene. It is a venue for socializing, and nothing more. If you accept that for what it is, then you won’t be disappointed.

[@IamDavidGauthier]

A lot of good points. Unfortunately, lots of digital nomads only travel to get away from high cost of living and shit weather and not to actually experience new cultures and countries. I personally think it's all about balance. Living and hanging out with locals, going to digital nomad meet ups, partying with backpackers.. There's room for all of it.

[@weelynn1862]

Agreed! this happens so often. When I lived in Australia so many Irish people (I'm Irish) would just hang out with Irish people, drink in Irish bars and just work to get pissed up at the weekend - which is the exact same thing they would do back home. What's the point in living in another country if you're not going to immerse yourself in the culture? don't get me wrong it's nice to hang out with people from your own country but you can't learn about another culture unless you go out of your way to surround yourself with locals. It's the best way to learn, understand and open your mind to another insight into how other people live.

[@theChrisCroft]

Surely expats can also avoid integrating, probably often do - while DNs might well integrate, though to be fair it's harder for them because they won't be in the country as long, being nomads. But I don't see what your point is - are you criticising the lack of integration of DNs or are you criticising the fact that DNs aren't as rich as they claim (or you think they claim) they are? the two messages are not connected at all yet you mix both up in this video, I think.

[@DawnDelVecchio]

Thanks for this insight about the CM DN scene. As a former, Thailand expat who still spends my winters there most years, I come because I love Thailand and Thai culture. Even though I can work from anywhere, I never felt drawn to the DN community in CM and I think you’ve just explained why. Mostly I work from my services apartment and hang out with other expats. Partly it’s an age thing, I suppose, but the other part is to your point about connecting with or appreciating or learning about the culture one is nomading in - to me that’s the joy of being able to live and work anywhere! It’s what I had dreamed of doing years ago when the only option for living and working in Thailand was a work permit and a job, which I was fortunate to have had back then. Thanks for teasing out some of these points.

[@AlpineDividends]

I'm a backpacker I think. I've been travelling on my own for about 2.5 years, I like staying in hostels the most, but occasionally rent houses with locals/expats too, and once spent 2 months straight in none of the above, just seeping on the ground in Africa. But I also have an online business that pays enough for me to keep travelling. I've been in and out of a few co-working spaces but I'm not crazy about them. So maybe I'm a digital nomad. But I've also stayed for several months in several.countries. I don't know what my label is, but I enjoy a good adventure, and all things that come with travelling outside my home country 👌

[@travelingtimothy]

A very different perspective from what I thought thanks for sharing

[@guerrillaim]

Really appreciate this video. I am full time freelancer in UK thinking about going to Chiang Mai so I can live like a king instead of living mediocre in UK. I already got as much work as I need as have been a web dev for 14 years. How do I find other people who are a bit more established when I go out there?

[@I.KUchiha]

Guerrilla research

[@theamethyst93]

I personally think depending 100% on a platform you dont own to run your business is too risky. Amazon could change their rules tomorrow and put people out of business.

[@Don19941]

What's the definition of a digital nomad?

[@DLVRYDRYVR]

Quite frankly, a "digital nomad" is transient with a laptop. The term was appropriated by mainstream media when waves of digital migrating began to appear across oceans. It became a buzz word on social media with post Gen Xers (Millennials, etc). The delusions of grandeur manifested into a lifestyle perpetuated by "klout" and app platforms like IG or YT. Today, the term has detached itself from a once inspiring forethought. Now it's just a meme of flabby bits. Don't get me started on s3xp4ts 🤢

[@gredarthd5292]

Hey Brett, I am planning on moving now I plan to rent a Condo and take a year or so and travel the country and see where I feel the most comfortable. I'm an older man and I do like the computer and things I can do on it but mainly I am just looking for a nice warm place with beautiful place's to go and spend time at and be able to read. Yeah I know boring right but I have always felt a deep connection to the Asian culture and have seen alot of videos and think that Thailand is for me. Once I find a place that I like I plan to take classes to try to learn the Thai language or at least be able to speak some of it. Any suggestions on places I should check out?

[@levi_lcl]

Its great you shine issue on this topic! Good to hear people talk about DN integrating with expats. Its the logical next step, travel wide then travel deep.

[@Uworld17]

Everyone is free to define his/her own travel experience. You can choose to go deep in the experience or just have a fast trip experience (#digitalnomads). I have met expats who also evolve in expat bubbles which are not much opened to the local culture. #freedomtochoose

[@vecasuena]

You have some good points. However one point I would tweak is how You talk a lot about foreigners needing to hangout with other expats(foreigners). Ive found in my travels that the best way to enjoy and understand a new country is to hangout with the locals. Try not to even hangout with other foreigners. Im a Canadian that grew up in South America and I noticed how some foreigners only hangout with other foreigners (I wouldnt group up all the digital nomads in this category) and other foreigners would only hangout with the locals for the most part.The ones who hang out with the locals naturally adopted alot of the culture and became very interesting people. The foreigners that hangout with mostly or only other foreigners usually a very typical people that I find to be a little on the boring side.

[@RoleyChiu]

This is very valuable insight. Thanks for sharing this Brett!

[@3mmavn]

Bret, where would you suggest or how would you suggest going about integrating and meeting up with both expats and locals? As someone who has been in CM for over 3yrs what advice would you give to someone who plans to stay for 1 year who came with the purpose of learning about and experiencing Thailand and what it has to offer?

[@RealSuccessfulYouTubeChannel]

Funny, I've lived abroad for 10 years and I feel the same way about the Expats... lol I avoid them at all costs.

[@apollolarosse7541]

Interesting video man.. I was actually worrying about that, that Chiang Mai/Ubud/Canggu are eventually not the way I see it in my dreams. I'm ready to take my first flight here, but not sure where to go first.. What city/hub do you recommend to find the most successful people around you?

[@ErikBlair]

I never thought going to Chiang Mai was about meeting successful people. I thought it was about learning about and enjoying a new culture, having fun, meeting other people traveling around and working remotely. I don't think most people are looking to find your definition of a "digital nomad" in Thailand. I think most people are just doing their own thing--not fitting into someone else's idea of success.

[@ErikBlair]

I don't have 'expectations', I have an empty cup to fill with whatever Thailand has to offer.

[@Halonablack]

One of the reasons why I enjoy your videos is because you cover some of the non DN areas of Chiang Mai. But this really is an important issue. It was important to me to have a stable before leaving for Thailand (I leave in February) so that I can not only take advantage of living in and learning about Thailand, but I can also continue to travel when my visa is up.

[@americanpaintprocom]

Halona Black hi checked out your website I like your copy and dynamic writers conversation ...new ....here ...josefla.com. If you could take a look....let me know what you think....it’s very helpful.....also wish you fruitful travel and experiences....j

[@jsunh98]

I honestly don't get the point. Most people that travel want to travel. There's no desire to stay for years. I understand trying to get out of the tourist bubble, but most people don't have the time to stay for years. They have other places they want to go.

[@sambass4478]

I think he is referring to people who are moving out there, he just used a different choice of words.

[@markkling2]

good points. Notice how rarely the DNs mention visa troubles. I guess if they actually stayed more than a few months they would know how difficult it is.

[@grzegorz__]

Thanks, actually this is kind of an eye opener, for a person who works in a corpo (with actually great people i learn from every day) and thinks about working remotely somewhere in digital nomad paradises (Bali etc)

[@ridgemondhigh4891]

What everyone really *HATES* is the dog-eat-dog, rat-race: grooming, commutes, traffic, bosses, selling, promotions, office politics, gossiping, overtime, weekend work, deadlines, quotas, back-stabbing.

[@LaurelPapworth]

Part of the fun is finding a group of people with similar aims and lifestyle and sharing "adventures" with them. I have no problems with Digital Nomads. Theyve found their Tribe and having a great time. Yes they are "Backpackers who don't want to do bar work in an expat bar" but "work for themselves". But I've mostly been an expat and do roll my eyes when I have to go to work each morning and get things done and they are wandering in from the night before - again - and no sense of urgency or grown up commitment. LOL I do think there is a bit of jealousy on both sides.... (successfully living full time overseas vs partying and being free for a few months).

[@LaurelPapworth]

I find the retired nomads fascinating. They can't afford to live at home anymore so they migrate to communities in South America and become retirepreneurs. Thats that beauty of open outsourcing I guess.

[@no834]

Spot on about us older people. I have been going back and forth to Chiang Mai since 2005 and the changes over the years are dramatic in a bad way. I love Thailand and the westernazation is destroying it for everyone. You definitely come across as a level headed dude. And you've spurred me on to learn about becoming a full stack developer. I say that right ? Definitely to anyone else please meet the people of Thailand. Respect others and be mindful.

[@meentaalmaan]

Hi, can you describe the dramatic changes, I'm looking forward to coming back soon after not being there for a about 5 years, and before that was about 10 years, I don't even remember Nimman or anyone mentioning it. Cheers

[@larrywheels762]

Its kind of sad in a way. What you say is true, its right there in front of our eyes. There is a good side that westerners bring in money, but the Thai people may get the short end.

[@Angelsk007]

Good video! When i was lived in Thailand I wanted to stay away from expats. So many at that time were there for the sex trade, drinking, taking advantage the the Thai people, so I avoided those scrnes (this was before internet meetups). It is good to see people wanting to live in Thailand and do business over the internet. That is great I just hope that people would come to Thailand to get to know Thai people and their language this coming there and spending your time with you know expats you're missing an amazing experience with this culture. Thai people are so special and like anyone at where else there's problems like heat and humidity and bags and stupid people haha but the Thais have enhance my life every day since I was there and I want to give back to them. Have a heart of service and love and patience and you will find great treasures of friendship and knowledge.Dive in and find every opportunity to serve and you will receive more than you give.

[@Angelsk007]

I meant "bugs", not "bags", lol

[@cleoharding]

Hoping to find a somewhat secure remote digital marketing job and then take the leap to Asia, any advice?

[@omantel147]

fugedaboudit

[@soulfullmystic]

Amen to everything you said in this video.

[@SilverfoxJB]

Wise words. If you can't make it at home what makes you think you will make it in Chiang Mai?

[@nickdanforth]

Spot on man. Good on you for making this video.

[@brett_dev]

Thanks Nick

[@damo7667]

Can't agree more, my travel experience was always best when I got to integrate with the locals. Otherwise it's just a long vacation. Looking forward to integrating in Phuket in a few years..... My next adventure 🤞

[@marlak4203]

That's what i said. As he was talking about what they were doing I was saying they were there on a long vacation. To keep yourself isolated from the locals and go to everything that is catered for tourists/western people is just a vacation tourist spot.

[@boogaloo_frog8410]

Digital nomad = like expats, except with no money. Most of these nomads have VERY LITTLE experience, don't REALLY know how to code (they dont even know that they dont know), and end up taking a holiday in Chiang Mai instead of creating a business. I was actually IN Chiang Mai when this video was created (december 2017)..But I assure you I was staying NOWHERE NEAR Nimman. In fact, I've been coming to CM since the late 1990's and only went over to Nimmon maybe twice. Except 20 years ago it was just the CMU area..now its ground zero for fake entrepreneurs.

[@michaelmulvania6060]

Do you know any people there that play online poker. Is that a thing there?

[@TalesFromThailand]

Spot on accurate for sure. A lot of the nomad culture in Chiang Mai is anti-productive but tries to appear as hyper innovative. I really do struggle to find much substance in Nomad meetups I join. Learn Thai, integrate a little and enjoy this great place. Life shouldnt be perpetual holiday in order to avoid growing up and I say that as someone in my mid twenties who has been here for six years.

[@stephaniedanforth2833]

Couldn’t agree more. Thanks for sharing!

[@brett_dev]

Thanks for watching :)

[@JesseStLouis]

Love the real talk! Explorers on tour groups, lol

[@taylorjohnsonct]

What is FBA?

[@sexerri]

Chris Johnson Fulfilled By Amazon.

[@DELTASECComputer]

Fulfillment by Amazon.

[@jamesch9331]

I am a remote working and have been for 2 years. I have no interest in these social clubs either. I absolutely agree with you.

[@fbnx4219]

Awesome video, as usual! The only thing I was curious about all the time: Why not try to socialize with locals? You said it would be important to meet other expats that have been here for a long to time and I totally agree with that. There is a lot of experience to be gained from them. But I think if you can't interact with the locals then there is not much point of living in a foreign country. So that is what I would focus on.

[@lblampmanjr]

Automatic Neckbeard -- I think you missed the bit where he encouraged foreigners to get to know the locals and make some Thai friends. Also, since the DN groups can be insular and tightly bound, he was suggesting stages of independence. For instance, break away a bit from the DN group and talk to some expats (perhaps a more comfortable first step), and then, because expats generally know some locals, there's a path of introduction to locals.

[@Sam.Woolfe]

Great video Bret - this feels quite relevant to me right now. I've been living in Chiang Mai for 2.5 months and love the city - the food, weather, culture and closeness to nature. But I haven't really connected with other digital nomads. I don't know, maybe that's because I haven't met the right people or because I'm not interested in talking about drop shipping (I still haven't met any fellow freelance writers). I'd definitely like to meet more expats and locals. So far, I've found the language exchange meetups here to be a good way to get to know Thai people, but if you have any other recommendations (besides Tinder) it would be great to know :)

[@colorday01]

Very well said!!

[@michaelschnittker7388]

I have no idea what digital nomads are or what they do. If they hang out in Chiang Mai and don't break any laws and spend a lot of money in restaurants and such that is good for Thailand, they need the money. I met my first Thai on my first day of engineering university in 1972. From knowing her I met dozens more in the States. Visited first time four years later, 1976. Moved to live there in 1978 and stayed 5 years, not many farangs on the local economy then. Returned in 1993 and stayed for 3 years as a USA diplomat. Been married to a Thai for 41 years and I cannot claim to understand any women, especially Thai women, but that is part of their fascination. Mine puts up with me and for that I am very grateful. I speak the language better than almost any farang I've ever known and it has proven an absolutely invaluable aid to understanding how Thai think as they think in Thai, obvious perhaps. Thailand has become relatively well known in the USA during that time and Thailand has developed a lot economically and become more international from those days of disco. My interest in Asia became my profession so it all worked out pretty good. Do I know a lot about Thailand and Asia? Yeah. Do I know it all? Hardly, some small fraction, but it is all relative. It does give me insights that helped my government better understand. I will eventually spend many months at a time in Sukhothai, can't see living there permanently, want one foot in both places, though the Internet will make it easier to withstand those days when Thailand gets too much. Undeniably, Asia gets in your blood and Thailand is a special part of Asia and the world. Not perfect by any means but unique and continually fascinating. Thank goodness they find us farangs interesting. Amazing Thailand! 555!

[@FABIOh1976]

Thanks for the different perspective

[@ricomikearroyo975]

Great perspective here as my personal opinion is that travel should truly be experienced by emerging yourself within that culture. There's nothing wrong with going out and getting drinks but if that's you're only experience in another country then that is really no different and drinking at a local bar with other people that may speak a different language. I appreciate the insight as I am looking to start traveling to Thailand and Vietnam later this year.

[@squatordie1245]

A 'digital nomad' meet up in Chiang Mai is my idea of hell. Only Kao San road would top it for a place that's more full of clueless total twats.

[@slerickson01]

Digital nomads and their scene. Sounds like a millennial thing. Try Bali. Really. Please.

[@jxixikiki2374]

I totally agree with the video, digital nomad is just another way to get ideas from the local for free of no charge. Especially backpackers who travel to Thailand where they do not integrat with locals, but trying to stay in their own circle of trust.

[@RealityServedCold]

Stone Cold Truth!! Great Video Brett

[@blackenedblue5401]

"the meetups are essentially... where you get a group of foreigners, just hanging out, where they go to bars that cater to Westerners" ... you do realize this has been happening for 50 years now right, LMAO?

[@tomsandroy]

Why people want to go to Chiang May???... there is no beaches...so I really don't understand what are so many digital nomads doing there...

[@ksoccer32]

I mean obviously they must be doing something because how can they support themselves in another country??

[@Oluffemi]

They may be rich or have savings from previous jobs, deal drugs, live on social aid by their origin country... List goes on...

[@gregh_777]

Great insight man!

[@CabinStormASMR]

Hello friend I am from Thailand . Thanks for sharing

[@bradenwoodward7881]

Brett, this video is exactly what I've reflecting on since I've arrive in Chiang Mai! I'm currently visiting to get a feel for this beautiful city, but I totally feel that many of the "Digital Nomads" just stick to themselves and never integrate into the actual culture here! I'm not going to pretend like I know anything about Thai culture and it's ridiculous how other people who claim to be this "Holier-than-thou" yogi that doesn't contribute much to the community! I'm glad I wasn't the only one that realized this.

[@ynotbutcher1891]

insightful

[@seadd1]

Soooo true! Everything!

[@JPowerMMA]

Nice rant

[@stephenschneider5644]

Seem they are in love with the idea of it rather than actually implementing successful strategies to achieve financial freedom.

[@babibrain]

The problem is because the environment is not suitable to work. The investment is concentrated in Bangkok instead of Bali. It is not productive, everyone is in holiday mode, how to work?

[@sonyshooter8212]

how do you make a living there?

[@marcellclark8585]

Can you do a video recommending your tips on how to get involved with the expats and the local community?

[@kenmystro]

Learn the skills involved in spotting a good bar!

[@larrywheels762]

Good insight. I'm a Thai holiday traveler. Just getting away for a 30 day holiday visa is my thing. I try and learn nit noi Thai speak, but your right, the westerners will go drink beers, shoot pool with a Thai lady, and become experts in 1 week.

[@Globaler]

I have met more Canadians travelling in Thailand than living in Canada for 20 years.

[@jxixikiki2374]

Especially guys from Europe who think of themself as womanizer, there was a guy who I talk to last time when I went there, he literally told me that he was so impressed how easily he slept with many Thai women, As you know there are huge sex industry in Thailand. I assume some european are there for sex not culture, because they always think of themself ahead of everyone else. It's that snubish attitude they pre-conceived or told by their parents, they are better than everyone else.

[@thevahandbook]

One of the biggest mistakes I've seen is people trying to set up a business while travelling. It's far better to take an existing business on the road otherwise you either never get any work done or see the place you're visiting.

[@Salvadorrius]

haha thank you for the reality check! I feel a lot of Digital Nomads are actually modern hippies that are lying to themselves.

[@isobignugget7497]

I was thinking the same thing. The successful folks are probably at home on the computer making money. They don't have time to be out at coffee meetups everyday just talking about making things happen. They're already doing it. It's really quite simple: Learn a skill, then put it to use. There's never gonna be some type of easy walk in the park that just gives you loads of free cash. It's just not how the world operates. Good video.

[@dcarbs2979]

Can they even earn enough to afford the flight back home?

[@thijsjong]

Thats why they stay.

[@prfolkler]

Brett even Chang Mai is a more western location. Your videos are great, I have lived in thailand for a year, and I wish I had found you 18 months ago.. would have saved me a lot of stress. You should explore the various college towns away for BKK chiang mai and pattaya and do a video on each one.

[@Janika-xj2bv]

The way I see it, an expat is likely older and wiser, is grounded and has or creates long(er) attachement to places and people. The world is a very big place, there's room for all DN, but some places may get spoiled and crowded by them to the point they're no longer interesting spots.

[@SaadonAksah]

this is interesting to know! 😍

[@macinhiodasilva]

I would call myself a Digital Nomad and even partly agree with you! I love to (slow) travel and explore a new country as good as I can. I work online since two years and have never been working in any Co-Working Space wherever I travelled to. Just because I dont really want to be surrounded by so called "like minded people" who are trying to convince me from their online courses. I wanna get work done (mostly at home or in Coffeshops), go out, explore and meet new people - doesnt matter what they are doing or in what kind of community they are. Sad, but true what you say that many of them live in bubbles. But not all Nomads are typical Backpackers traveling on a Budget. I like to travel with a Backpack because its convenient and minimalistic, but never really living on a Budget as I dont need to. So dont just judge people on having a big Backpack :D Heading to Chiang Mai soon. Excited already for the North and new experiences and people - such as expats, nomads, locals and whatever more ;)

[@stephenhockley]

Really interesting. I'm just starting out but I almost don't want to use the term digital nomad! I have seen the same thing a million times with backpackers and am really betting on getting a freelance and remote job, that's all I really want. Awesome video man.

[@skum73]

I agree with what you are saying. I have stayed at a few coworking places and been to a lot of cowowking cafes. Full of people with useless ideas that dont work hard and expect everything in return. I go to these places because they are cheap, not because I want to learn from others, because all I seem to learn is what not to do.

[@mkuc6951]

But I just started a travel blog?

[@VagabondLifestyles]

Really awesome view, but the funny thing is that it is the same in any industry and any city that people choose. The software engineers don't hang out with the Marketing guys in Silicon Valley. And the people that live in Boulder don't hang out with the people in Denver (Colorado)

[@empireprotege]

You're describing Bali. It basically is the Asian silicone Valley.

[@douwe4549]

Great video, lived in the south of spain for a 2,5 years.. I was suprised by the amount of foreigners that did not interact with any of the spanish.. People are lazy and usually arrogant. What a shame, you missed out of the thing, that really could have broadend your mind..

[@AbroadHub]

Many thanks, very inspirational, thanks! 👍😊🙏

[@BP-fe5vb]

Hi. how to attend digital nomad pool party? I like to be Bitcoin millionaire.

[@michaelwinkler7841]

I don‘t get it... becoming a nomad and leave the system, then do the same thing again?? Isn‘t the point of becoming a digital nomad the lone wolf self reliance thing?

[@JamieBanksTravel]

Interesting points but I do think we should respect other people’s travel styles, even if it’s different than our own. I always want to integrate with locals and experience their culture in a more authentic way, but it can be difficult to do so especially if you are in a place for only a short time.

[@Cb138inRs]

Makes me want to go back to chiang Mae and chiang rai. Explored the cities and areas under my own direction and got a very strong sense of the areas. Visited schools in povershed areas and donated supplies and just chatted with people. 10/10 would recommend. If you want your western culture. Fly down to trat and take a ferry to koh chang and be pampered at the many resorts

[@marieaustin10]

This was really insightful :) I've been working online as an English teacher for around 8 months now and love the DN lifestyle. Not ventured to Thailand yet... Honestly I do a mix of online work (teaching and writing) and house sitting as well as causal backpacker work on the side... It' working out well so far. Launching a real online business is a future goal. Your videos are really helpful and hopefully paint a realistic picture for others wanting to live the DN life :)

[@vecasuena]

You teach English on the webcam? Where can I find info on how to be a online language teacher?

[@pingugnip8913]

Good points. Nice video

[@mannymedina1132]

I'm Mexican and I'm about to start my Digital Nomad journey. I already have a stable online income and my country is cheap enough for me to "bootstrap" and get something built if I wanted to. So for me the Digital Nomad lifestyle is more about the travel and meeting different people from different places. I don't expect to meet successful people anymore than anywhere else really. From my perspective saying that you get more out of a country if you merge with the locals is not true, it is just one side of things. You can also learn a lot from other cultures by meeting other digital nomads/backpackers/expats. The experience is different. For me going to Chiang Mai and going to meetups would be exactly about hanging out with other people and make friends and not about networking.

[@maxon150]

Yep! Well said. It seems a lot of people come to Chiang Mai thinking that within a couple of months they will find out WHAT they can do online, and plus, they will scale it up so much they wont EVER have to work but for a couple of hours a week. It ain't happening. It's a lifestyle niche that has been sold a couple years back to gullible people. Hence so many Digital Nomads/non-traveling backpackers in Chiang Mai. P.S. If you come to Chiang Mai and stay a couple of months or more, all the while spending your life savings… than you ain't no Digital Nomad.