Have you ever dreamed of quitting your job and travelling the world? Or maybe starting your own business and working from home?
If so, then you have heard of the term “location independence.”
Location independence means a person is able to work and live anywhere in the world. This can be done by either having a job that allows you to work remotely or starting your own online business.
Thanks to the internet, it has never been easier to become location independent!
In this blog post, we will paint a picture of what location independence is and share some steps you can take towards achieving it.
What Is Location Independence?
Location independence is more than a career or a location; it’s also a lifestyle. This means that you can choose for yourself where you want to live and work.
You can travel the world, live in a new city every month or even just stay at home with your family! The choice is yours.
It’s also a lifestyle that allows you to make your career secondary to your life and family. That means that you can focus on personal projects and activities and schedule your work around those periods of time.
What Are Some Advantages of Location Independence?
There are many advantages to becoming location independent and this style of living may be a perfect fit for your life.
Here are some of the most attractive benefits of this practice:
Freedom
The primary benefit of location independence is the freedom that comes with it.
If circumstances in your life change, such as a significant move, a new family member, or an unexpected illness, the flexibility of location independence allows you to adapt with ease.
You Can Save Money
Once you become location independent, there are no longer any limits on where you may work or live.
This means that if you have a job or business in one country but prefer living somewhere cheaper (i.e., Thailand vs New Zealand), then all you have to do is move to take advantage of the financial benefits of geo arbitrage.
You Can See the World
While location independence doesn’t need to involve travelling the world, it certainly lends itself to that lifestyle.
If you’re location-independent, you can take your work with you wherever you go and explore new cultures while getting paid. You can save money and enjoy more stability by travelling slowly and savouring each location.
You Can Spend More Time With Family
One of the best things about location independence is that it allows more time spent with family.
You can schedule your work around your family’s schedule and take your work with you on trips.
This way, you don’t have to compromise your time spent with loved ones to support them financially.
You’ll Gain Character
Living a life of location independence takes guts, determination, and resilience. It’s not for the faint of heart!
Those who are successful in this lifestyle have learned how to be resourceful and adaptable.
These skills will serve you well in any area of life.
What Are Some Disadvantages of Location Independence?
It’s important to make sure that your personality and lifestyle are well-suited to this way of living.
Here are some disadvantages of becoming location independent:
You’ll Miss Out on the Office Watercooler
A common complaint among remote workers is the feeling of separation from coworkers and clients.
While you may have spent years building up relationships with colleagues at work, being in a different time zone or country means that it’s harder to stay in touch with them.
In addition, being apart from your coworkers means that you don’t have access to the same office perks (like birthday parties or coffee breaks) as other employees who work on-site.
You may also feel lonely being in a different location than your friends and family, especially if you aren’t particularly social when it comes to meeting new people.
You’ll Need a Stable Internet Connection
Location independence relies heavily on having a stable internet connection.
Your place of residence needs to have good internet service so that you can stay connected to work and your clients.
If the areas you would like to live in are remote and you don’t think you will have a consistent connection, then this type of lifestyle may not be for you.
You’ll Have to Be Self-Motivated
Location independence means that you’re self-employed!
This comes with a lot of responsibilities: keeping track of expenses, handling client communication, and managing your time effectively.
If you prefer not to have as much responsibility or would rather work in an office with other people around, then this type of lifestyle may not be right for you.
You’ll Need to Travel Lightly
Being able to travel lightly is a necessity when it comes to location independence.
If you’re planning on moving around frequently, it won’t be easy or affordable to constantly relocate your furniture, appliances, and other possessions.
If you’re not comfortable with a minimalistic lifestyle, this may not be the best option for you.
You’ll Need to Be Open to Change
Since you’re not tied down to any one place, you’ll need to be open to change.
If an opportunity comes up that requires you to move, it’s important that you’re able to take advantage of it without feeling hesitation or reluctance.
This means being comfortable with the unknown and being willing to make adjustments as needed.
What Jobs Can I Do Independently?
There are many different types of jobs that you can do independently. Here are just a few examples:
Freelance Writer or Editor
If you have experience in writing and editing, then freelance writing is a good option for location independence.
You can work from anywhere if you have an internet connection and computer to log into your projects.
Web Developer
If you have experience in coding and website development, there are many opportunities for you to work remotely.
This job usually doesn’t require specific hours, making it flexible around your personal schedule and best working hours.
Transcriptionist
If you’re good at listening to audio files and typing out the text, transcription may be a good option.
This type of work is great for people who pay great attention to detail and can work quickly without error.
Online Tutor
If you have experience with tutoring or teaching, then this is another option for location independence.
All you need is reliable internet access and a laptop! This job is great for those who want a social element to their remote work.
Social Media Manager
If you’re good at managing social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or Twitter for example), then this is a good option for you.
You can work remotely and take on as many clients as you need according to how much income and free time you want in your life.
Marketing Consultant
If you have experience in marketing and consulting, this is a great option for location independence.
You can work with clients remotely and help them improve their online presence and digital marketing strategies.
Many other jobs can be done independently, so it’s essential to do your research and find something that matches your skill set and interests.
Check out this exhaustive list of ways to make money from home (or while you travel).
How to Work Towards Location Independence
If you’re interested in location independence, then now is the best time to get started. You don’t need a lot of money or experience; all it takes is hard work, dedication, and organisational skills.
1. Stop accumulating new things and start getting rid of what you don’t need.
This can be difficult, but it’s an essential first step in travelling lightly and having less to worry about when moving around frequently.
2. Start freelancing or find remote work opportunities.
There are many websites (upwork.com, freelancer.com, fiverr.com, glassdoor.com) where you can find short-term or long-term projects that can be done remotely.
3. It’s possible that you can also discuss a remote work situation with your current employer.
You may be able to do your job out-of-office already, and, if not, they may have another position available for you.
4. The next step is to decide where you want to go. Ask yourself what your main goals are.
Do you want to see specific parts of the world? Are you looking to save money by living in a place with a lower cost of living? Do you want your child to be in a particular school zone?
5. Do basic research on the places you have in mind.
Gather information such as average income, housing costs, transport options, and other details. Track this in a document or spreadsheet.
6. The next steps include planning how much money you need to make each month in order for everything to work out financially.
This number can change over time depending on what happens to your finances or life circumstances. Once you have this figured out, it’s time to start saving!
7. Start saving by cutting back on unnecessary spending, such as eating out for lunch every day or buying new clothes frequently.
Choose a specific amount of money you want to be designated as your emergency savings. This money will protect you if any unexpected emergencies arise on your remote journey. Get a Wise debit card to manage your money and payments overseas.
8. It’s time to make the change!
Location independence can happen quickly by getting one remote job, or over time by building up freelancing clients or building a business.
Whichever method of remote working you’re choosing, make sure to set a reasonable timeline for yourself.
Final Thoughts
Location independence is a lifestyle that allows for freedom and flexibility in work and residence. It’s perfect for those who want to see the world, spend more time with family, or save money.
While there are some disadvantages to this type of living, they can usually be overcome by being resourceful and flexible. The most important thing is to have a plan and be willing to work hard for your goals.
Now that you know a little more about what location independence is, it’s time to start thinking about how you can make this dream a reality for yourself!
There are many different ways to achieve this type of lifestyle, so find something that works best for you.
