What Do Nomads Do? Guide to Traditional and Digital Nomads.
🧭 What Is a Nomad? A Simple Guide
Have you ever heard the word “nomad” and wondered what it really means? Maybe you picture someone walking across the desert with camels, or maybe someone with a laptop sitting in a beach café. Both ideas are true — but there’s a lot more to it.
Nomads don’t live in one place forever. They move around, either with animals to find food and water or with a laptop to work from anywhere. This guide breaks down the two main types—traditional and digital nomads—and what their lives are like.
Types of Nomads in 2025
There are two main types of nomads: traditional nomads who live off the land and digital nomads who work online while traveling. Here’s a closer look:
🐪 Traditional Nomads: Life with Nature
Traditional nomads have been around for thousands of years. They move with the seasons to find food and water for their animals, living a simple life closely tied to nature. Ascendancy
- Take care of animals like goats, sheep, cows, or camels.
- Travel across deserts, mountains, or fields to find food and water.
- Live in tents or small huts they can pack up easily.
- Cook over fire, use natural resources, and live a simple life.
Examples: The Bedouins in the Middle East, Mongolian herders with yaks and horses, and the Sámi people in Northern Europe who herd reindeer. Their lifestyle is tough but rich in tradition.
💻 Digital Nomads: Work and Travel
Digital nomads use the internet to work remotely, often as freelancers or online business owners. They might stay in a city for a month before moving to places like Bali, Lisbon, or Chiang Mai, working from cafés or coworking spaces.
- Work on a laptop or phone.
- Live in short-term rentals, hostels, or Airbnbs.
- Spend time in cafés or coworking spaces.
- Explore cities after work—beaches, hikes, markets, etc.
- Make friends with people from all over the world.
💼 Common Jobs for Digital Nomads
Digital nomads often have flexible, location-independent jobs. Here are some popular ones:
- Writer: Write blog posts, websites, or books.
- Web designer/developer: Build websites and apps.
- Social media manager: Help companies post on Instagram, TikTok, etc.
- Virtual assistant: Help with emails, bookings, or data entry.
- Online teacher/tutor: Teach English or other skills online.
- YouTuber/content creator: Make videos and earn through ads or sponsors.
- E-commerce seller: Sell products online via Shopify or Amazon.
🌍 Why Do People Want to Be Nomads?
The nomad lifestyle is appealing for many reasons, offering unique benefits that attract adventurous spirits.
- Freedom: Choose where to live and when to move.
- Adventure: Explore new cities, try new foods, and meet new people.
- Cheaper living: Some countries are more affordable, stretching your income.
- Learning: Gain new languages, cultures, and perspectives.
- Less stress: Escape the pressure of a 9-to-5 office life.
⚠️ Is It Always Easy?
Being a nomad is exciting but comes with challenges that require planning and resilience.
- Loneliness: Hard to make close friends when moving often.
- No steady income: Freelance work can be inconsistent.
- Time zones: Odd hours for client calls across the globe.
- Visas: Some countries limit how long you can stay.
- No routine: Constant travel can disrupt health or focus.
❓ FAQ: Common Questions About Nomads
Q: Can anyone become a digital nomad?
A: Yes, if you have online skills (like writing or coding) and are okay with moving around. Being organized and having savings helps.
Q: Do traditional nomads still exist today?
A: Yes, many, like the Bedouins or Mongolian herders, still live traditionally, some using modern tools like phones.
Q: How do digital nomads afford to travel?
A: They earn through remote jobs or online businesses, often choosing affordable countries to stretch their income.
Q: Is it expensive to be a nomad?
A: It varies. Traditional nomads live simply with low costs. Digital nomads save in cheaper countries, but travel and visas can add up.
Q: How do nomads deal with healthcare?
A: Traditional nomads use local or natural remedies. Digital nomads often get travel insurance or pay for healthcare abroad.
Q: Can nomads have families?
A: Yes! Some travel with partners or kids, planning for schools or family-friendly stays.
🧠 Final Thoughts: Nomads Choose a Different Path
Nomads choose movement over settling down, whether trekking through deserts with animals or working from laptops in airports. They live life on their own terms, creating their own unique path.
📌 Key Takeaways
- A nomad is someone who moves from place to place.
- Traditional nomads live off the land and care for animals.
- Digital nomads work online and travel the world.
- Nomads enjoy freedom, adventure, and learning, but face challenges like loneliness and income instability.
- Nomad life isn’t for everyone—but for those who want it, it can be life-changing.
✅ Want to Try the Nomad Life?
If the nomad lifestyle sounds appealing, here’s how to get started:
- Learn online skills—writing, design, coding, or marketing.
- Start working remotely—try freelancing or remote jobs.
- Save money—have a safety net before you travel.
- Pick a country—start with beginner-friendly places like Thailand or Portugal.
- Join a nomad group—connect with others for tips and support.