Are you a digital nomad? 12 resources for working on the road

Today there’s an article in the Los Angeles Times detailing some success stories for digital nomads, “With wireless devices, telecommuters cut the cord.” I’ve been working from home and abroad for a long time, and have some additional resources to offer those who are new to working from the road. Let’s start by saying it is definitely possible.

Still in the office? If you are still working in the corporate world but dreaming of working from the road, these two books will provide plenty of inspiration and practical advice for how to make the change: Escape from Cubicle Nation by Pamela Slim and The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss (which has been very popular in travel circles for years).

Hotel WiFi: Most hotels have WiFi. In fact, I can’t remember the last time I stayed in one that didn’t. Lots of hotels even offer free high-speed Internet access. I like HotelChatter’s Annual Hotel WiFi Report of their favorite WiFi hotels. I also use TripKick’s amenity search to look for the kind of hotel I want that also has WiFi, whether it’s for business or if I want to take my laptop on a holiday. BlueHippoTravel also has a terrific amenity search with many more options. On this site you can search for accommodations with WiFi at the beach, pool, in public spaces or in your room. The cost of WiFi varies. Again, HotelChatter has a great chart showing which major hotels offer it free, which make you pay and which offer it free in your room (not just the lobby). When on a solo road trip, I’ve often stayed at Best Westerns because of their free WiFi and reasonable rates. Just last weekend I signed up for Kimpton’s In Touch membership (free) so that I didn’t have to pay for Internet access once I got to my room (Hotel Allegro in Chicago). Otherwise, it would’ve been $10.

Work from home - but outside the house: If you are already working at home, it can be a challenge to stay focused. I find that leaving the house to work can be helpful for increasing focus, creativity and getting out of a rut. The article mentions places with WiFi to work such as Panera, Starbucks and coffee shops and talked about this new trend in working from home:

“Nomad life is already evolving. Those who want co-workers gather in public places or at the homes of strangers. They work laptop-by-laptop, exchanging both business advice and idle chitchat with people who all work for different companies. The gatherings are called jellies, after a bowl of jelly beans the creators were eating when they came up with the name.”

If you are interested in co-working outside your home, I found CoWorking to be an incredible resource for finding a workspace and getting involved in this independent community. Their CoWorking Visa section is a good reference for workspaces across the country (and a small number around the globe) even if you’re just looking for places to drop in. If you are looking for a work space in Los Angeles, check out Blankspaces and Where.

Use the #coworking hashtag on Twitter for your own news and events and to find others via Twitter Search.

Working abroad: The hardest thing I’ve found about working in other countries is not finding Internet access, but using foreign keyboards at Internet cafes (France is especially tough). Sure, you can bring your laptop, but even when I’ve done that I’ve also popped into cafes on outings just to check e-mail. If you need to respond to a work e-mail, the “@” sign can be hard to find. Don’t hesitate to ask an attendant, or familiarize yourself with the AZERTY keyboard if traveling to France or Belgium. It’ll save you time and money in Internet use fees — not to mention frustration. Some people even bring their own keyboards, but that sounds bulky to me.

Getting out of the coffeehouse: I enjoy working at coffeehouses and restaurants with reliable WiFi, but did you know that you can also find WiFi at California State Parks?

Tools: As a writer, I just use my laptop and/or iPhone. But these days, the tools of the trade are getting even smaller. Here’s a recent review of netbooks from our Travel section.

Let’s keep the discussion going. Are you a digital nomad? Share your favorite resources and tips for working abroad.

– Jen Leo, Los Angeles Times Travel & Deal blogger

[Photo: Working from Vilnius, Lithuania, at a cafe in front of the Philharmonic buiding; Credit: Jen Leo]

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 29, 2009 at 11:37 am by Jen Leo and is filed under Los Angeles, News, Tips & Advice, Travel Insider, Travel Technology. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a comment, or trackback from your own site.