The Challenges of Living as a Digital Nomad
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- čas přidán 7. 04. 2024
- It's better to stay in one place at a time. Maybe I'm too old for this.
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It's called "grass is greener on another side syndrome".
When you're bouncing too long, you wanna settle. When you settle too long, you wanna bouncing.
When you stay in one state too long, the entropy law will kick in and it drives your mind crazy. So do both and balance out.
"Pleasure is by definition a feeling of being pleased, and hence incomplete and intermittent satisfaction of desire." Tibor Scitovsky's book "The Joyless Economy: Basically - you are happy at the beginning but your happiness declines over time called "hedonic treadmill" or "hedonic adaptation."
I'm the opposite of Forrest. He's still in his 30s and he feels old. I'm 60 and I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up. 😅
Exactly, he’s acting like a washed up wuss. I think he just wants a good lady and wants a family and feels like the clock is ticking. This sums it all up, I’m old and I don’t like doing those young things anymore and I’m ready to settle down.
No matter where you go, there you are.
Buddy, i dont dare to tell you: you challenge the same issues like i am doing. You are getting older. A new era begins, embrace it and enjoy.
Going to disagree. Most guys in their 20's and 30's can't afford to travel, they are stuck in their jobs or maybe they might take a few months or a year to travel and they are stuck back at their 9-5 jobs. Most guys travel in their 40's or 50's when they are established but have some financial freedom to afford traveling or even leave their stable jobs for a year. They might even travel with their wive/girlfriend who has been dying to do it as well. It has nothing to do with maturity or stability. It's obvious you want to start a family and have babies but you can still do that traveling. If you're a guy in the US, you should find a girl who wants to move to Asia and live there for years. Home prices, rent prices and cost of living is out of control in the US. So moving to asia and living there for a few years is a great alternative to the whole buying a home and "settling down".
It is in fact male nature to want to spread your seeds to different women. There are villages in the Philippines that have customs for men to have up to 3 wives. Might find yourself much happier in such arrangements rather than the traditional marriage which more than likely ends in divorce and a broken home.
Tell me more about these polygamous villages in the Philippines....
8:50 - Absolutely. Go and travel and move from place to place until you get bored, tired then find a base to call home, even if its not long term. Then travel more or less. Whatever suits you. Eveyone finds their level at some point and you dont need to think too deeply about it. I know people well into their later years are travelling for a few months each year. That suits them while others just need a week away. Do what makes you happy. Keep it simple!
100% agree about being a digital nomad. Exciting at first but got old fast. Lasted a year, it was very lonely being so transient. Prefer being a longterm expat.
The thing about the people who you are being judgmental about is that by the time they reach that age they should no longer care what anyone thinks about their lifestyle. You do you, boo, but so should everyone else.
Moving all the time just gets annoying. It's better to find a good residence, and then only move very 1-2 years if you find a better destination.
E.g. I just lived in Bulgaria for 1 year, and now I'm moving to Georgia. After that I may go to Dubai, but will see. My goal is to stabilize my biz, just save as much as possible, and then I'll choose living destination more freely later on, focusing on other factors than taxes.
My Chinese merchant great-great grand-father left Hong Kong in early 1800s due to the eventual decline of the British Empire-- increasing debt, decline in revenue, and less focus on family governance. Every city will change -- for good a bad. Go where you're best treated and best for your family.
1800s?
@@bunnystrasse Yes, early 19th century
Getting old sucks. Im just now 45. I cant hop around evety 3 weeks to a new countries. But the logistics of that are exhausting but now, i take meds for blood pressure ect. I cant re-establish a new doctor every 3 weeks and its just lonely. You start longing for stability. I want to wake up and have MY stuff. Cook a steady diet with MY spices and my kitchenware and just be able to go to the gym regularly ya know. Looking to move to thailand as well and gtf out of the U.S. again but for good, like you did
Wow, I am 47 and I *can* hop around to different countries every few weeks if I want, my health doesn't stop me. I don't need such a set "routine" either... age really depends upon the individual
It definitely gets lonely I 100% agree
Not if you have a gf and friends
It’s your opinion brother, I’m 48 and would love to keep traveling seeing different places, seeing new people etc. I’ll get so bored if stationary. I’ll settle when I die.
In Forrest's eyes, you're "pathetic." Wanderlusting in your 40s...what were you thinking? lol
I'm 47 and feel the same!
@@ellvtv2314 old man attitude
W comment
55 yo here and have 7 yo child and I am full of life, energy, and vitality. Forest’s clock is ticking
I have been a digital nomad and the fun kind of wears off after a few years😢
Where did you go?
@@diggingmystyle Thailand, Lao, Cambodia, Vietnam
Nice to see you posting again. I was in BKK this winter just gone, its a great place. I hope to spend 2-3 months there every year now going forward. I travel most of the year. The only issue with being a "digital nomad" is that many countries (Thailand included) are catching onto it and making it more and more difficult. But you can work around it. The world is a very small place in 2024. Enjoy it whilst you can!
I find many countries are tightening visa rules especially Thailand recently!
Working on a tourist visa is never a good idea, get the right visa!
@@mlgneo2855 I am fortunate that I am retired. So, so long as I stay clear of the new 180 day rule I am set. But I know many aren't.
I’m glad I’m not the only one that has felt Hong Kong has changed for the worst. I went in January and it was dead, in comparison to what it was like before.
and expensive!
@@tookay5 Expensive for no reason.
dude sounds grumpy and bored with life. It's up to you to find the spark.
100%. Like forrest video but he often view himself as old old old. If you think that way, you sure gonna act like an old man. Its jut mindset
@@RingoSG In his defense, he does have a boomer's view on life.
@@ellvtv2314 as long as he enjoy his life
I am 80 years old. An Australian living in Phuket. Been retired here for 10 years.
Yes, your whole outlook on life changes as you age. I am fit and strong and healthy. After a life time of raising a family and running a business it is nice to spent time alone and do your own thing.
I gym every day..like time alone. Like having carefully 😮chosen friends. I live alone.. but far from lonely.
I enjoy lots of time alone. But far from lonely.
You only 37.. soon 40. Then 50 and so on.. the years pass very quickly.. enjoy every day.
I had this conversation with myself the other day, this video is great and I think a lot of people can relate to this 👏🏻
Thanks Forrest, keep growing!
Great to see you back..I always look forward to your video's...As stated before by me your quarantine video's were my favorite...
Cheers for sharing Forrest
Facts 💯 Thank you for another excellent update, brother Lee. Most other vloggers recklessly glorify the digital nomad lifestyle without providing the full context and truths, and they do not reveal the legal and financial risks and realities.
that's because the people who aren't digital nomading anymore don't feel the need to post about it. they have better things to do. meanwhile the digital nomads have to post to try to justify their life choices.
Late Thirties? You are so damn young. You don't even have any children. Wait until you are in your late 50s than say you are old. If you lack the feeling of feeling excited, you may want to check on your T level. 😄 I will be in Bangkok nest week. I am hoping to run into you. 🙂
right, dude musta had a bad week.
@@PMW10probably argument with gf 😅😅
Some people act old even when they are young. Forest is one of them.
@@fs5775 That’s acting mature rather than acting old. There’s a difference. Regardless, not wanting to go have some fun and seek excitement does not mean you are old or mature. That’s just his personality of wanting a chill life.
@@coolworl no, maturity about your psychological development, your perspective of the world and treatment of others. "acting old" is about your behavior - complaining about noise, always talking about your age, not trying new things, sedentary lifestyle, avoid taking risks, etc.. VERY different than "maturity"... Forest ain't "mature," he OLD.
Good to hear back from you. What do you do as a day job in Thailand?
I've been stuck in the same area and the same job all my life, so now in retirement I have wanderlust and want to discover new things. I'm kind of glad I didn't do it when i was young, because I feel I can appreciate it a lot more now.
Huh? ""It's better to stay in one place at a time?" How many places can you stay in at one time?
I've been a DN for 8 years now in Asia. You start to miss home a lot after a while, thinking of kids also makes you want to head back for the education.
I love hong kong man. Whenever you get off the plane somewhere it hits you immediately and hong kong is such a good vibe. Way too expensive to live, but I like it. I wish I had the same feeling in Taiwan as it’s such a good residency with the gold card…
You offer such interesting perspectives that many can relate to. Experiences definitely matter, and that's why food, travel/culture, and adventure are what I live for. While settling down sounds great, I think I actually prefer moving around every few months if only to force myself to experience more. My ultimate plan is to travel to different countries every few months, then return home to San Diego to see family and friends, and repeat. Every adventure would have changed me, giving me greater appreciation for all that I have and newfound zest for all that is about to come.
Good to see you back on a video Forrest, appreciate the insights as always. You have lots of life experience to share and I can say I have gained alot of value from your videos since i've been following!
I like your perspective Forrest
I used to go to bangkok and enjoy the nightlife but now I have a gf, I am so grounded 😅. I am not sure being single is any better. There's advantages and disadvantages to both cases. 😂
Spot on. 100% spot on.
I settled here in Thailand for one main reason: the cost of the states became absurd. Hate to use the word, but I'm an Economic Refugee, of sorts. On the positive: life is SO much less stressful being here. On the negative, it is REALLY lonely. I make friends here and there, but there is no replacing old lifetime friends. Just no way to do that. It puts people like me between such a rock & hard place. Inevitably I'm going to go back to the states, because as Forrest says here (I paraphrase) .. "What's the point of having experiences if you can't share it with friends and loved ones". He's absolutely correct.
Definitely many challenges still ahead Forest. The journey we travel through life has so many unexpected turn of events_ but you learn to be flexible and non- judgmental and keep going. I think Bangkok has a little something for everyone and many expats are doing extremely well there. I hope to revisit my plans for semi-retirement over there. Cheers ! 🤩
I'm one of those wanderlust 50 yo guys. Don't have to act like a 20 year old when you travel in 50's. The travel wanderlust lifestyle isn't for everyone. Most people do get tired of the travel and i do settle in a place from time to time.
Nice video to watch, it felt like a concise summary of many feelings I've experienced from being a digital nomad (with the beautiful city of Bangkok in the background), but given that I'm only in my mid-20s I must really be an old soul 🤣
Great vid man.
It only gets lonely when you are in bad company when you are alone
Great video, will be visiting Bangkok (from Pattaya) on Saturday. Are you doing Songkram? Would love to buy you a beer and give you a story/content.
good points! there are visa issues, far from family, internet connection issues to work remotely, in some areas there might be crime issues. overall, i compare it to my 9 to 5 before retirement and just laugh. its a way better life. returning to my family for holidays .. otherwise.. i love to travel the world. give me a little room in south east asia and a fresh pad thai noodles for a dollar anyday :-) thank you for your great videos.
Definitely not retirement age, only in my 30s, like your videos too!
@@RingoSG enjoy life in every stage :-)
All the best to you and have a great day
The eclipse is today !
@@RingoSGI concur. I retired early at 50 years old and went to Thailand 🇹🇭 Twelve visits in twelve years. Part time ExPat.🙏🏼
Hey Forrest. Your morbidly opinionated videos are interesting and opens up some insight to this life of expats.
Just make videos . Period
Local exploration of different pockets of Thailand neighborhoods was fun.
Do what makes you happy, Bro. Some of us don’t have the luxury to travel, and when we do, is just to recalibrate
Many of us relate to what you say. Its natural evolution of maturity and critical thinking
Another great video. Miss you bud.
Enjoyed the video, and agree with many of your points. I prefer slow travel as well, staying in one place for at least a few months. Then I can take shorter trips as well if I feel like it, but have a home base to come back to. I do seasonal work in the US, and have a few months off between seasons, if I play my cards right. Haven't been able to find decent paying remote work, but the seasonal option is working well for me now. Some people I've met who are doing this, work half the year and take the other half off. Not a bad arrangement. Still connected with your home country, friends and family, but have plenty of time off to scratch the travel itch
I'm retired military. Retired August 2021. I've been traveling ever since. Straight loving retirement and traveling. I'm 41. I do plan on slowing down, but not anytime soon. I love my new found freedom. I can go where I want and do what I want and enjoy the retirement life.
Wherever you go, it’s all still planet Earth.🌏
We’re all briefly sharing this tiny rock floating on the edge of incomprehensible space. While I can appreciate the reflective exercise, it doesn’t make sense to generate too much angst about what part of this tiny pebble we choose to spend our very brief lives on.
Sit full-time in a western suburb, get a desk job, shop at Walmart and enjoy friendly neighborhood BBQ’s, or bounce around the tiny blue marble staying weeks or months or longer in beautiful and/or interesting locations,… or do a combination of both if you seek a balance of both stability and variety before you are dust.
There is no right or best path in this regard. There is simply conscious experience.
It does make sense which part we live on when some parts of this tiny pebble are unnecessarily unaffordable. You go from one side of tiny pebble to the other and your same money allows you to live like a king rather than a pauper. I choose living like a king, why wouldn't you?
Forest !
It’s better to rent or buy a condo in Thailand?
Good to see you back TIM, PERTH AUSTRALIA
So much terrace seating, park benches, rooftops and what not in Bkk and yet you can use them only when the sun is down.
The thought of traveling to different countries often is appealing, but some of my hobbies & activities really wouldn't be possible while constantly moving. Hoping to move & settle down with my wife in Thailand in the near future, just trying to have a good plan in place.
I wanna be in Thailand too, I was there in Chiang Mai last month. Thailand is a beautiful country and the people are equally beautiful. It was so refreshing.
You could be stuck in America doing a 9-5 sitting next to Karen and Bob, paying 2k a month for a studio apartment
I'm 38 with gray hair and want to start traveling like crazy next year so.
I don't think that it is necessarily being a digital nomad all the time going from country to country, I think doing it alone is the thing that gets old .. I think that if it is done with a partner that you truly enjoy her company you might have a different perspective. Having said that, if someone is older , late 30s or late 40s , the most ideal way would be to have a " base " and travel often. I did it this way many many years when I lived in China, I picked Shenzhen as my base, lived there for 14 years and travelled extensively to other countries during my stay in China, was the best thing ever..!
leaving China was always the best thing about living in China for me too LOL
FOREST LEE you're too young to feel that way, wake up, go out and have fun also no worries in digressing it is all fun to listen to, ok???
imagine how old he will sound when he actually gets old... gotta put the dude in a home by age 50 ffs
You are being a realist coming to a realization of life not in fantasy world of lala land. you know there is a saying, even a bird that flies high up in the sky keep changing its nest. It will lose its feathers.
You're absolutely right about HK. That's why I'm thinking of moving to Thailand.
Things change, People change, YOU change too. That’s just life 🎉 Understand and accept the present but keep moving forward.
I am interested in how the new tax regime is working out in Thailand from a practical standpoint. It seems that even the tax pros are confused. Thanks for your video.
Eventually how many malls and coffees shops can you enjoy
Can you imagine BKK in 25 years, if the many of the malls follow the American path of near-complete obsolescence?
People will still need the aircon and the food.
I like that you speak candidly. I may not always agree with you, but I respect your candor.
Give him credit. Although that was an annoying video, he did it.
I am so happy to see that you are maturing Forrest, best wishes!
that ain't maturity, it's just "getting old" vibes. no one but other old dudes like to hang around ppl like that.
@@fs5775 you are a funny dude who looks like a lady!
Happy Songkran 2024 to Forrest and 59K subscribers!!!
Hahaha.. Forrest! I LOL when you talked about the purposeless guys in the bar.. I live in downtown Vancouver, Canada and see tons of these guys walking around.. The west seems to create it's own brand of mediocrity that also doesn't age well.. A local radio DJ in our city commented about himself.. He said I'm 30, already look finished & the cafe I've been going to daily for 7 years has NEVER recognized my face! 🤣 (Citing he looked so typical) Lolol...
At 40 I'm at the same stage of life that you're going through. I've finally found a city here in Canada that I like, I've done some traveling and occasionally get wanderlust but....I'm finding I want to be more settled too, I'll probably just travel once in a while on vacation -- at least till I'm retired.
I live in quiet Jomtien. Low season is coming. Were I to move, it would be to even quieter Hua Hin
Had no idea you were so young but man it sounds like you’re right on track
def settle down man !
yes sir!
Thanks for sharing 😅
The desire to find new discoveries at any stage of life is not pathetic …….to settle and stagnate is akin to being married to your meme coins ! Becker would be pissed 😅
You are obviously going through a phase where "you have settled in Thailand, but you have not settled in Thailand". That is normal.
My suggestion would be: stop thinking too much about age. I would not judge others based on how old they are and how they come across (in terms of what they have done with their life) - we never know someone's life story. There is nothing wrong with Chang beer! 😜When I am in Thailand, I drink only Chang or Singha.
Love your videos - keep up the good work (even if you sometimes overshare 😀)
HK where they serve Gin Tonic at Starbucks 😊 I demand SaengSom at SBX Bangkok !
How often is it windy like that in Bangkok?
Pretty often when you are on the roof of a condo tower.
Why not have a home base but travel when you want so you can meet someone? There’s nothing wrong with having the ability to travel and do videos
Forrest, you should change your channel name to: "Aging with Forrest: A Depressing Journey"
You've been in an aging funk for awhile now! You're in your 30s and you talk like you're in your 70s, mate.
He's the oldest acting young guy I know
100%
Daffy Duck in real life. Slobber slobber!
Still planning to stay in Thailand with those new taxes? I'd love to live there but if they are going to take 35% of my worldwide income then its not worth it IMHO.
It might be another law that will not actually be enforced.
Been here in Bangkok for 8 months now, ended up getting a corporate job and moved in with my girlfriend. Not sure what would get me to leave again... maybe the pollution xD
Hey Forrest, not sure you’ll see this just wanted to let you know that every one of your videos make me laugh, and always keep me entertained no matter the topic! I hope you’re able to keep uploading and look forward to more :)
Forrest what is your work?
What am I thinking coming back to Thailand in May! 😂
😘 Bring back videos w/ SOPHIE! if i was in thailand...i would ask her for dinner!
Funny but you mention something I noticed 40 years ago.....there was no point in my having success if I didn't have a loved one to share it with...For myself anyway I found that to be very true 😉
I wish I could be like u but I have work in my country to take care of my retired parents btw good luck all the best!
whens the wedding? please invite us, would love to share the special moment with you!
GF's can really change your perspective. Thx for the update.
life's what happens when your busy making other plans -John Lennon
The digital nomad lifestyle is NOT sustainable at any age. It's something that should be done for a few years at max. Those who are doing it should be looking to settle down... Regardless, it's not an ongoing vacation.
you may have shared this before...and it you don't want to share and keep this private I totally understand...but you mentioned you don't make money from youtube as you refuse to filter and go with sponsors. You said you want to focus on work. Now I am curious...what does Forrest do to get an income and maintain his life in Thailand? I always thought it was youtube
I believe he said investing in REITs
This part is speculation but working with/in CZcams may be illegal for him if he doesn't have a work permit. I don't know if he does/doesn't.
If you catch this comment let us know.
Every man must determine his own purpose...
It's the same reason why elders like to stay home 😅
blah blah blah poor little thing, seems 2 luv 1 thing...the sound of his voice 🥱
Someone commented this guy has Leonard Ellerbe nose. I don't know who should be offended, Leonard or Forrest? What do you think?
know what ya mean... HK has been going downhill since around 2010... there was supposed to be a 50yrs agreement to not change anything but that was obviously thrown in the bin.... I been going there since 1998 and lived there for a while and it was still like the old HK and was awesome.. now its just not the same anymore... I just left uk and am currently in Vietnam and likely gonna end up in Thailand as its more developed than here.. I love Vietnam, but it just doesn't have what I am looking for... not to mention the food in Thailand is just epic and my main reason for coming there.. it deffo gets harder to travel and move around as ya get older... tolerance of peoples bs just becomes lower I guess.. lol
The days of traveling will soon be over, traveling will be only for the rich, the matrix is calling.
What I find funny is that Forest never talks about the type of visa he’s on or how he generates income 🤔 I know he gets a pension from the military but what else do you do to fill your days bud?
If you want the know the secret sauce, you've got to pay him for it.