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Digital Nomadism: Why now is the time for change

Digital Nomadism: Why now is the time for changeĀ 

Digital Nomadism is on the rise. The chances are that, if youā€™re reading this, you either are, were, or are considering becoming location independent. Itā€™s a lifestyle that allows you to explore the world, experience new cultures, and live a life untethered to your desk, often whilst also paying no tax locally. Iā€™ve been a digital nomad for 2.5 years, and I canā€™t recommend it highly enoughā€¦ With one exception.

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Iā€™m currently in MedellĆ­n. According to Nomad List, there are around 7,500 of us here at the moment. Thatā€™s a lot of Airbnbs to fill, and a lot of new buildings being constructed in the most desirable areas. Itā€™s a lot of bars and restaurants jacking up prices to take advantage of foreign money. And itā€™s a lot of residents finding that they canā€™t afford to live in the area they grew up in. In the long term, I donā€™t see this as being sustainable, when we visit for 3-6 months, and then leave; reaping all the benefits a city has to offer, whilst facing none of the consequences.

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Something’s got to give. With New Yorkā€™s Local Law 18 coming into effect, Airbnb has been de facto banned there; Italy may soon have a law to curb short-term rentals across the country; and Portugal has stopped issuing licences for Airbnb. The way digital nomads exist at present is under threat.Ā 

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Why Change?

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As it stands, there is no real way for nomads to positively contribute directly and consistently to the cities they live in. There is a definite sense that foreigners donā€™t really care about their neighbours. Visiting a new place is a means to an end: a way to save money, with an elevated quality of life. People are sick of hearing ā€œOMG itā€™s so cheap here!ā€, when what the person saying it means is ā€œOMG itā€™s so cheap here for me!ā€.Ā 

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Why Now?

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Weā€™re at a tipping point: the world is either going to have nearly a billion nomads by the end of 2035, which according to Worldometer, will be 11% of the planetā€¦ Or the bubble will burst, cities and countries will say ā€œScrew this, the increase in tourism doesnā€™t offset the negative impactā€, and itā€™ll be over. I believe that nomads can be a force for good. We need to show that thatā€™s true, before that opportunity is taken away from us.

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Why Us?

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DNfG is just a start, but itā€™s a good start. Our platform is not an all-encompassing solution, but it is a way to make a positive impact in the cities in which weā€™ll operate. We canā€™t undo gentrification, and we canā€™t fix poverty. But with your help, we can provide funds to charities working with those most affected by inequality; we can show that digital nomadism can be beneficial to cities that accept us; and we can all feel a little better about what weā€™re putting out into the world.

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