Travel Pacing: How Long to Stay in Each Spot?
The length of time digital nomads spend in each location varies greatly. Some of us hop around every few weeks, while others stay put for up to a year at a time. Most experienced nomads move around about once every 1- 3 months, often using each destination as a home base for local day and weekend trips around the region. Finding the right pace might take some experimenting.
Moving faster lets you see more locations in a shorter time. It's especially common for new-ish nomads to move more quickly: naturally, people who haven't seen as many countries yet tend to want to move faster in order to get the lay of the land.
On the other hand, moving frequently (more than once a month) can eventually get tiring, especially if you're working full time as well. "Moving day" is typically the most exhausting time as a nomad, since you'll be lugging everything you brought from one spot to the next. If you just have one backpack and are fairly mobile, it might be easy enough, but if you have a few suitcases or heavy gear/equipment, carrying all your things from one place to the next can be quite tiring. (On the plus side, you'll get a workout every time!) You may find that you want or need a day or two for relaxation after each bigger move.
Staying longer allows you to settle in more and get to know a place. You'll find a favorite local cafe, and start to recognize some of the locals around the neighborhood. You'll start to feel more like a temporary local instead of just a traveler who is passing through. Furthermore, longer stays are usually more cost-effective, on a per night basis, since you'll be renting an apartment by the month rather than by the night or week.
Finally, there are environmental costs to moving, especially in cases when moving involves a plane flight. Moving a little less often and prioritizing shorter distances between locations is a simple way to reduce our impact.
Do you have advice on how long to stay in each destination as a digital nomad? Send us your suggestions here.
