I have dreamed of being a location independent guy for years. Free to be wherever I want.

Why? Maybe it’s difficult to understand at that moment of the year, but have you ever been in Estonia in November? Cold, muddy, rainy. Depressing. Then you see travel company’s advertisement to fly to the Maldives. And you just think, why was I born here? So yeah, as long as I remember, every winter I have wished it to be the last mesmerizing winter I have to survive in this cold climate.

But of course, a feeling of cold has not been my biggest motivator to pack my bags and to come to live in South-East Asia for a longer period. There are many more factors that made me want to move away from Estonia and to live location independent lifestyle.

Is there more in location independence than only living in some warm climate?

Truth be told, location independence is much more than drinking beer on Wednesday afternoon. It’s lifestyle with pros and cons. And, of course,  everyone has their own interpretation of it.

For me, it’s freedom to do everyday activities, like work, sleep, eat, do handstands, dance or buy groceries, wherever and whenever I want. It’s a freedom to move to another city, a freedom to travel. Life with almost infinite flexibility.

The list of advantages the lifestyle provides is huge:

• Travel all around the world
• Live in different countries
• Work on my own schedule
• Spend more time with family (or girlfriend)
• Spend more time with friends (if you have them)
• Do more things I would love to do
• No wake-up alarm
• Escape peak-hour madness (avoid traffic jams, waiting in line)
• Parties on Thursdays or Sundays

Attractive, isn’t it? Sound too good to be true? It is.

There is one activity that usually ruins most of the fun. The one that is holding back most people from achieving the location independence. Working.

Can I leave out the word ‘work’ from the location independence list?

No. Unless, I have managed next level of independence – financial independence. Until then I have to work. To do something to earn money.

It’s cliche, but money buys freedom.

Okay, but if I have to work, then I have to stay in one place? Bye-bye, location independence.

Luckily, in today’s world, it should not be a problem anymore. The world is full of location independent jobs. One could be a remote digital designer, an English teacher, or have their own e-commerce business everywhere around the world. Keywords: English language, computer skills, or some universal proficiency.

So location independence doesn’t mean a situation that I can do whatever I want. I still have to work and live according to my budget. Generating income is a definite part of every day. Just I can do it whenever I want. On my own schedule, and with fitting in all pleasurable activities. And did I already mention location independence?

So, have I reached my dream? Am I location independent?

Yes and no. For now, I can go wherever I would like if it stays in my budget. So I would say, that I am living a location independent life now.

But soon this freedom will diminish if I don’t find any income. Without earning any money, my saving will soon run short, and I have to start packing again. Not to the next tropical country, but to return back to a cold climate. (I have to admit, that on some days I miss the feeling of cold… But then it goes away quickly.) So, that’s my biggest goal at the moment, to find an income to stay location independent.

Although surprisingly, having enjoyed the lifestyle for more than 3 months, I see that there are more things that keep people dependent on one location than money.  For me, these are the things I miss. The things that have made me doubt if I really want to be totally location independent all my life.

What has made me question my dream in location independent lifestyle?

Oh, I could I make a list of all those things that are worse here in travelling than were at home. But that’s another article. Travelling in the unknown is in its essence much more uncomfortable than staying in a safe home.

Still, I would like to name the few factors why location independent lifestyle is not only sunshine and rainbows, and why I think it’s definitely not for anyone. Thanks to these reasons I now also understand people who don’t want to pursue it.

• First, and foremost, I can travel and live here and there, but it means I mostly leave my family and friends behind. It’s fun to meet with new travellers and make new connections with other expats. Plus there is Skype,  the company we, Estonians, are so proud of. Still, it doesn’t compromise real life interactions. Slowly with time passing, it’s inevitable that I start to grow apart from who have surrounded me before.
• Some cool jobs can’t be made location independently. Like coaching children in football, an activity that I really miss. Yes, it’s possible to coach in different countries, but if I really want to see results I have to stick with one team for a longer period.
• Hobbies. Some hobbies you can do everywhere, while others not.  For me, it’s again football.  I can’t just go and participate in football competitions around the world. I have to stick for least half a season with one team. Yes, there is a possibility to play with random people on the road, but it will never replace an adrenaline from an official competitive football match.
• Living in one place brings some kind of stability to life. Some people really need an environment that is concrete and safe. Even if you aren’t that kind of person, choosing every month where to live, what visa to buy, how to find food, where to take money out… can get very burdensome. Also, it holds down work productivity. That’s why Steve Jobs only wore black t-shirts, or why most people choose the same desk in open offices every day. Being constantly in the unknown is really tiring.
• Not the time to talk about raising children yet…

So, is this the end of my location independence dream?

No. Even if some of the above-mentioned reasons make me settle down someday, I still want to feel the potential freedom that location independence gives me. To know that I could leave at any time. That there is no job, that keeps me stranded. No fear of being moneyless beggar without a job, because I will have skills, passive income or some business that support my lifestyle.

Right now I have fears. It’s why I need to find an income that would support my dreamed location independence lifestyle. Something to give me freedom and flexibility to travel longer, as Estonian winters are still actually very cold.

What your view on location independence? Did I forget to mention something important? Let me know.