Show HN: NomadHouse – A network of houses around the world for nomads • Hacker News Board

Re: Show HN: NomadHouse – A network of houses around the world for nomads

#81

Post by nnd » Tue, Feb 17, 2015, 4:15 AM UTC

O____________O wrote: post #76

nnd wrote: post #50

I'm getting sick of this whole nomad thing. Brand it for "nomads" and you have another way to sell stuff to travellers. Even more ridiculous is the idea of building an online community for "digital nomads". What could you possibly have in common? The fact that you work online while travelling to a foreign country?

The fact that you work online while travelling to a foreign country? That alone represents a huge swath of possibilities. Which countries have no problem with foreign workers on tourist visas? Where are co-working locations? Who's a good, affordable tax accountant who can deal with the intricacies of money earned while outside the country? Where are the best locations for connectivity vs. price? You'll find heavily t…

Which countries have no problem with foreign workers on tourist visas

Working on a tourist visa is illegal in most countries I've been to. If you talking about working online on a business which is not tied to the country you are staying in, then you can do that on a tourist visa for a short period of time, but eventually if you are staying longer you are no longer a tourist and need to somehow justify your presence in the country. As much as those laws don't make any sense to people working online, that's the current legal framework in most of places.

Where are co-working locations?

I don't see a point of working in a coworking space. Wouldn't you rather explore nice cafes in the area? The only benefit of a coworking space for me is networking, and this is huge, this is what distinguishes a "I'd rather go to a coffeeshop" coworking spaces from "I belong to this community" type of coworking places. Those are extremely difficult to find, and in my experience are impossible in high-traffic nomadic locations, due to their nature (travellers just pass by).

Where are the best locations for connectivity vs. price?

You look at the spreadsheet at nomadlist, and some places look like paradise - live by the beach, very cheap, etc. But in my experience everything comes with pros and cons. For example, SEA is cheaper than Mediterranean countries, but the climate is nowhere near as good. USA is better when it comes to networking, but it's also more expensive. Everything comes with a cost, and there is no magic bullet.

Re: Show HN: NomadHouse – A network of houses around the world for nomads

#82

Post by archagon » Tue, Feb 17, 2015, 6:02 AM UTC

kristiandupont wrote: post #22

joshcrowder wrote: post #2

I'm loving the whole Nomad theme going around at the moment. Its made me really think about where I want to be and I have a feeling its going to be anywhere and everywhere. What I haven't seen much of is horror stories on working remotely -- specifically from people traveling around the world. Does anyone have any links?

I don't know if this qualifies as "horror", but I think it's a pretty good description of some of the negatives. I was sort of semi-nomadic for a while and I definitely recognize those feelings. http://www.computerworld.com/article/2492064/mobile-wireless...

That's a very accurate article. One downside that he didn't mention, which is actually the same as one of his upsides, is that you're always a visitor — especially if you have the Schengen problem like he described. It's hard to feel comfortable, acclimated, at home, when you change cities so often. Now I take particular relish in coming back to places I've been before, and I hope I can find an easy way to attain residency in Europe so I don't have to do the UK-Schengen-Balkans thing every 3 months.

Re: Show HN: NomadHouse – A network of houses around the world for nomads

#83

Post by archagon » Tue, Feb 17, 2015, 6:06 AM UTC

nnd wrote: post #50

I'm getting sick of this whole nomad thing. Brand it for "nomads" and you have another way to sell stuff to travellers. Even more ridiculous is the idea of building an online community for "digital nomads". What could you possibly have in common? The fact that you work online while travelling to a foreign country?

Ideally, the common factor would be that you're all people who wanted "out".

Re: Show HN: NomadHouse – A network of houses around the world for nomads

#84

Post by hackerboos » Tue, Feb 17, 2015, 7:56 AM UTC

benologist wrote: post #77

atudoute wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thanks, I'll add it now. It's a legal gray area for sure and it will take some time for the law to catch up on the reality that many more of us will start traveling and working from different places.

Customs and immigrations everywhere provide official processes people can follow for living and working in a country. Enforcing this stuff happens on a country-by-country basis and detecting it can be slow and difficult or not even close to a priority but that does not make it a gray area. Here in Costa Rica they've made many steps in the last few years to address "perpetual tourism", it used to be easy to live here…

As in your example, I don't see the situation as the law playing 'catch-up'. At least not in the sense that Nomads wish - which is legality.

It's more likely that Thailand will continue to tighten the tourist visa rules in order to prevent people staying more than a few months.

People should remember that Thailand is protectionist, xenophobic and cares very little of it's foreign population.

Re: Show HN: NomadHouse – A network of houses around the world for nomads

#85

Post by doctorfoo » Tue, Feb 17, 2015, 12:10 PM UTC

In case you are still watching this and want more feedback, let me quote someone else here:

> it's like airbnb but with less privacy?

A lot of these "nomad" ventures have a huge focus on networking, socialising... I'd like to see something catering for introverts as well. Something that ticks all the boxes - self contained room + kitchen, Wifi. Desk, with chair.

Kind of like Airbnb apartments but with a more razor focus, a place with quality control where I know I can get work done. The Airbnb of (small, low budget!) serviced apartments.

General "serviced apartment" facilities might fit this, however they all appear to focus on the premium end - large spacious apartments fit for well salaried business travellers, not freelance tech guys just scraping by.

Heck, all I want is a sound proofed box with Wifi, bed, and a tiny Kitchen. Somewhere I can work in absolute peace, self cater if I wish, but also venture out from now and then.

I understand this is not what you are aiming for, but if you ever need any other ideas... ;)

Re: Show HN: NomadHouse – A network of houses around the world for nomads

#86

Post by O____________O » Tue, Feb 17, 2015, 7:19 PM UTC

nnd wrote: post #81

O____________O wrote: post #76

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The fact that you work online while travelling to a foreign country? That alone represents a huge swath of possibilities. Which countries have no problem with foreign workers on tourist visas? Where are co-working locations? Who's a good, affordable tax accountant who can deal with the intricacies of money earned while outside the country? Where are the best locations for connectivity vs. price? You'll find heavily t…

Which countries have no problem with foreign workers on tourist visas Working on a tourist visa is illegal in most countries I've been to. If you talking about working online on a business which is not tied to the country you are staying in, then you can do that on a tourist visa for a short period of time, but eventually if you are staying longer you are no longer a tourist and need to somehow justify your presence…

Working on a tourist visa is illegal in most countries I've been to.

It was just discussed the other day that Thailand now allows remote work on a tourist visa. You've provided a pretty good example of why such a site would have value in disseminating information.

I don't see a point of working in a coworking space.

Uh. Okay? How is that relevant to the discussion in any way? And what makes you think that cafes would somehow be excluded from consideration? You wouldn't find value in knowing what connectivity a cafe offers before traveling there?

Everything in your final paragraph just further supports the need for sites dedicated to providing information on these topics.