In the world of digital nomads, I’ve come to realize that this lifestyle isn’t one-size-fits-all. The digital nomad community is as diverse as the destinations we explore, and I’ve identified five distinct flavours of these digital nomad lifestyles: the home base nomad, the base-to-base nomad, the fast-travelling nomad, the slowmad, and the van and boat life nomad.
Each one offers a unique blend of freedom, adventure, and challenges. I’ve dabbled in a few, but for the last four years, I’ve embraced the slowmad lifestyle, staying in one place for one to six months before moving on to the next adventure.
Recently, though, I’ve felt the winds of change nudging me toward a new chapter. Now, I’m transitioning to the base-to-base nomad lifestyle, where I’ll have two home bases I hop between, with the occasional holiday adventure sprinkled in for good measure.
My chosen sanctuaries? The sun-kissed island of Koh Samui in Thailand and the rolling hills of Tuscany in Italy. Let me take you on a journey through the reasons behind this shift and what life is like in these two vastly different, yet equally enchanting, corners of the world.
Why the Shift to Base-to-Base?
The reasons behind my transition to a base-to-base lifestyle are as practical as they are personal. For starters, the costs associated with the slowmad life have skyrocketed in recent years.
The rental market for one to six-month stays has become a battlefield, thanks to algorithm-driven platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com, which have jacked up prices to compete with seasonal tourist rentals.
Gone are the days of affordable, cozy stays; now, you’re more likely to end up shelling out a small fortune for a place that might not even have the comforts of home. And let me tell you, after four years of living out of a suitcase, those comforts start to matter—a lot.
Speaking of comforts, let’s talk about the challenges of finding a place that meets the needs of a digital nomad. Fast internet, a washing machine, and a proper kitchen setup aren’t just nice-to-haves; they’re essentials.
But in the world of short-term rentals, they’re often in short supply. After too many stints in apartments with dodgy Wi-Fi and kitchens so tiny they’d make a shoebox blush, I decided enough was enough. It was time to plant roots—albeit shallow ones—in places where I could create a space that truly felt like home.
The final straw was my children. As much as I loved the adventure of hopping from one place to another, I wanted to give them a sense of stability, something familiar to come back to.
They weren’t exactly thrilled about the idea of six months here, six months there, but with two home bases, they could at least start to grow roots in both places and who knows, maybe even start to appreciate the dual lifestyle.
My First Home Base – Koh Samui, Thailand
Koh Samui, my little slice of paradise in Southeast Asia, became my first home base for several reasons. Property prices in Thailand are relatively affordable, especially compared to the soaring costs of long-term rentals.
The buying process in Thailand is surprisingly straightforward and comes with low transaction costs, which was a huge plus for me. So, I took the plunge and bought a house with a sea view in a condominium complex.
I was drawn to the idea of a condo because, let’s be real, managing a pool and garden in a country where I don’t speak the language didn’t sound like my idea of fun.
Plus, condo fees in Thailand are a fraction of what they’d be in other countries. Another perk? I could rent out my place when I’m not there, making it a solid investment.
I refurbished the house to cater to the needs of long-term digital nomads like myself. I’m talking desks with ergonomic chairs, additional monitors, a scanner-printer combo, and fast mesh Wi-Fi that blankets the entire house.
My working environment in Koh Samui Thailand
My internet connection is a blazing 500 Mbps fibre line—because who has time for buffering? I also decked out the place with plenty of storage, a spacious European-style kitchen, and, of course, a washing machine. After all, even paradise needs a bit of practicality.
Life in Koh Samui isn’t all smooth sailing, though. The weather, for one, can be unpredictable. The island’s notorious downpours can lead to local flooding faster than you can say “monsoon season.”
And then there’s dengue fever—trust me, you don’t want to mess with that. Traffic is another beast altogether, with motorbikes zipping around like they’re in a real-life game of Mario Kart.
After one too many close calls, I decided to buy a car. It’s not exactly the most eco-friendly choice, but it gives me peace of mind in the chaotic streets.
But for every challenge, there’s a reward. The cost of living in Thailand is refreshingly low, especially when it comes to food. Whether I’m having meals delivered or dining out, I’m constantly amazed at how little I spend.
And don’t even get me started on the massages—I treat myself to two a week, and at these prices, why wouldn’t I? The beaches are just a five-minute drive away, and let me tell you, there’s nothing like ending a workday with a sunset stroll along the shore.
Sunset walk at Choengmon Beach
The Thai people are incredibly friendly, and the service always comes with a smile. Ordering essentials online is a breeze, with Lazada delivering right to my doorstep.
My Second Home Base – Tuscany, Italy
Tuscany, on the other hand, is a whole different ballgame. Initially, I thought I’d buy a place here too, but after three agonizing experiences with Italian bureaucracy and all the hidden legalities that come with it, I threw in the towel.
Long-term renting turned out to be a better option, though finding a rental in Italy isn’t exactly a walk in the park. The rental culture here is practically nonexistent.
In the province of Arezzo, with a population of 340,000, there might be 20 properties with three or more bedrooms on the market at any given time. And of those, 15 are likely to have dated furniture that looks like it came straight out of Nonna’s attic.
So, you’re left with about five viable options, and even then, three of those landlords might be hesitant to rent to a foreigner. The struggle is real.
To improve my odds, I cast a wide net, searching across half of Tuscany and all of Umbria. Eventually, I struck gold: an 18th-century farmhouse with a pool and over 100 olive trees. It was unfurnished, which was perfect—I wanted to decorate it in my own style.
Time for a dip between the olive fields
The only downside? It’s pretty rural. I have to navigate a two-kilometer dirt track to get to the house, the last stretch winding through olive fields on a single lane. Despite this, I’m not entirely isolated—there are eight other houses on my road, and the nearby castle sells its own olive oil and wine. It’s the stuff of dreams, really.
The internet in rural Tuscany was a challenge, but I found a solution with Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite internet service. Sure, the initial setup was pricey, but the monthly costs are manageable at 40 euros, and I’m not tied to a contract. I can pause the service when I’m away and restart it when I return. The download speeds are impressive at 250 Mbps, but uploads are a different story, crawling along at 20 Mbps. It gets the job done, though.
My road, dating back from Roman times.
The dirt road—named after God knows how many centuries—is both a charm and a curse. Deliveries can be a nightmare, and in the eyes of Google Maps, it’s still just an unnamed road.
And then there’s August. Ah, Italy in August, when the entire country goes on holiday and getting anything done is like pulling teeth. Shops close at random, and deliveries slow to a snail’s pace.
Prosecco anyone?
But the food, the wine, the scenery—they make it all worth it. Even during tourist season, my corner of Tuscany remains blissfully quiet, offering the perfect backdrop for winding down after a busy day.
Italy Digital Nomad Visa
Do you dream of staying longer in Italy beyond the 90 days per 180 days of a Schengen Visa? At the start of April 2024, Italy launched its long-awaited Italy Digital Nomad Visa. You can read more about it here:
Italy Digital Nomad Visa – Requirements and Application Process
Final Thoughts
Looking back on my journey, I realize I’ve spent so much of my life on the move that I now choose my destinations based on the lifestyle they offer.
Thailand and Italy couldn’t be more different, but they each give me something I need—a balance of adventure and tranquillity, familiarity and excitement.
As I settle into this new rhythm of life, I’m excited to see how this base-to-base lifestyle unfolds. It’s not just about the destinations anymore; it’s about crafting a life that feels right, no matter where I am.
