I would say there have been times where I’m homesick for sure, but largely the biggest downside is having to put yourself out there and force yourself to meet new people to make new friends.

Life keeps happening back home. If you have friends and family you’re definitely going to miss some stuff. And even if you make the effort of keeping in touch, long distance relationships usually deteriorate over time.

You also won’t be able to discuss experiences and problems that arise from the lifestyle on a deep level with most people. It’s getting more popular, but we’re still a rare species.

Feeling of isolation is the #1 risk but there are very effective strategies to fight it. The thing is they take work, and imo most people who end up feeling isolated just aren’t doing the work they need to be doing.

Signing up for a language class, cooking class, dance class, finding a rec sports league to join, going out and actually breaking the ice and talking to people when you’re at a bar or coffee shop, finding meetups for something you’re interested in.

They all require work and energy especially if you’re introverted and/or exhausted from work or travel it’s its own challenge. But you can be doing it and if you have thick skin and are persistent then it will work at making you meet people and feel more connected to a place.

Idk about other countries but there’s a big culture of normalizing depression/anxiety in the US and lots of memes about “when u get invited out, but stay in instead, lololol” which is understandable to an extent, but it is taken too far, and it’s bullshit and leads to a less fulfilling life.

Get out there when you have the time and be social.

I would say it might not be for everyone. It might look interesting from the outside. I am very introverted and it suits me well. I also like working alone. As a kid we moved cities every year or two. Nowadays, I move once a month or a few. Totally random. I just wander and I love it.

I’m one year in and I can’t seem to completely untangle myself from obligations to family and friends. I’m constantly having to plan my DN locations and timing around upcoming weddings, birthdays, holidays etc which all take place in my home country (U.S.). Furthermore I haven’t done a great job of managing friends’ expectations that I can just be anywhere, anytime.

I think most people on this sub will agree that the best way to do this lifestyle without burning out is to stay in each location for at least a month, if not several. But I’ve had to compromise on that on multiple occasions when traveling abroad (for example, two weeks out and then back), not to mention the sheer amount of time I’ve had to spend bouncing around cities in the U.S. I love my country, but I didn’t work my ass off switching careers to get a remote job, just to travel to a bunch of American cities I’ve already been to. It’s also expensive to do that.

So I guess my point is, depending on how connected you are to your people back home, wherever that is, you may have to make some tough decisions about how you spend your time. My closest friend that I’ve known since childhood recently became a dad. Do I want to visit them more often and be a part of his child’s life? Yes. Do I also have a never-ending list of countries that I want to visit? Yes.