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Remote Work & Nomad Lifestyle Labels: 25 Fun Terms for Life Without Borders
- Jenn & Leon
- Mar 27
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 30
For the past four years, we’ve been living life with a “no fixed address” stamp on our souls.
Whether you’re answering emails from a beach in Bali, road-tripping with your WiFi hotspot, or hopping between European cafés, remote work is redefining how we live, work, and travel.
From beachside workdays with sand between our toes or sitting seaside to chasing sunsets in far-flung corners of the world (think Chiang Mai, Thailand), we think we’ve mastered the art of blending work with our biggest passion: wanderlust.
But the big question is, what exactly do we call ourselves?
Are we digital nomads? Borderless adventurers?
Slowmads with a sprinkle of wanderpreneur?
Honestly, we get asked so many questions about our lifestyle and what our ‘job’ is it can at times be rather difficult to answer! It got us thinking about the topic.
In this post, we’re diving into the fun and ever-growing dictionary and vocabulary of remote lifestyles.
Whether you’re a laptop warrior on the move or dreaming of ditching the cubicle for good, you’re bound to find a term that fits your current style.
With more and more people deciding to ditch the 9-5 grind and try alternative living lifestyles, we thought it was high time to explore this wide, wonderful world of work-anywhere wanderers!
More Resources
What Will YOU Decide?
Perhaps you have already heard of 'location independent' or 'alternative living', which are awesome terms to describe ditching the 9 - 5 for the freedom of being wherever you want to be in the world.
These terms may describe a lifestyle, but do they describe you? We have used them plenty of times ourselves, but maybe they are too broad?
Perhaps you will identify with one of the terms below... let us know in the comments below if you do! We cannot decide on one... can you?
The OG Nomads (and Their Cool Cousins)
These are the classics - but with a twist!
Digital Nomad
The tried-and-true label for remote workers traveling full-time with a laptop and a dream.
Slowmad
A nomad who takes it slow, spending weeks or months in each location. No need to rush when the WiFi’s good!
💡 Road-tripping with your WiFi hotspot? Check out GigSky or Saily for flexible eSIM options that keep you connected anywhere.
Workcationer
Blending work and play at dreamy destinations. Morning Zoom calls, sunset margaritas.
Anywhere Worker
If you’ve ever worked from a hammock, a camper, or a train station bench, this one’s for you.
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Flexpat
A flexible expat who hops between countries with no real home base. Think expat vibes but without the ties.
The Adventurous & Alternative Crew
For the wild, free-spirited, and off-the-beaten-path wanderers.
Backpacker Nomad
Living out of a backpack while running your online empire (or freelance gigs). Minimalism = freedom.
Vanlifer
Working from your decked-out van while chasing the next scenic sunset spot.
Off-Grid Worker
Remote with no reception? No problem. These folks live and work in the wild with solar panels and satellite internet.
Dirtbag Nomad
Low-cost, high-adventure. Working from campsites, eating ramen, and chasing the next thrill.
Green Nomad
Traveling and working with sustainability in mind—eco-lodges, low-impact travel, and reusable everything.
The Global & Borderless Tribe
For those who truly can’t be tied down by borders.
Expat
Classic, but still cool. Living and working abroad, semi-permanently or for a while.
Global Citizen
No borders, just vibes. You see the whole world as your home.
Perpetual Traveler (PT)
Forever on the move, often country-hopping to avoid taxes or visa limits. Genius or madness? You decide.
💡 Don’t forget to protect your adventure. We recommend SafetyWing Nomad Insurance – designed with global wanderers in mind.
Nomadic Expat
A hybrid breed: half-settled expat, half-rolling stone. Long stays, but no roots.
Borderless Worker
Remote pros with no fixed address. Their office? The world.
The Creative & Quirky Labels
For the artists, entrepreneurs, and free spirits doing it their way.
Wanderpreneur
Building a biz while wandering the world. CEO by day, explorer by night.
Hometrotter
Exploring your own country like a tourist with a remote job in tow.
Busker Nomad
Traveling musicians, artists, and performers earn their keep on the road while working online.
Spiritually Rooted Nomad
Blending travel with spiritual practices—yoga retreats, meditation sanctuaries, or plant medicine journeys.
Burnout Escapee
You ditched the corporate grind to find your soul on the road. Hello, freedom.
The Final Five Nomadic Titles
WiFi Wanderer
A true internet chaser — always checking the speed before booking the stay. If it ain’t strong, it ain’t happening.
Cloud Commuter
No traffic, no stress. You live in the cloud — logging into meetings from rooftops, boats, and jungle huts.
Base-Hopper
Part-time nomad, part-time nester. You rotate between 2–3 “home bases” around the world depending on visas, seasons, or vibes.
Tap-Tap Traveler
Your keyboard’s the ticket, and your browser’s the boss. You build websites, write code, or blog your way across borders.
Zoomad
Zoom call in one timezone, sundowner in another. Your life is a patchwork of virtual meetings and real-world adventures.
So, Which One Are You?
Are you a slowmad, a borderless worker, or maybe a low-key dirtbag nomad?
Or perhaps you’re inventing your very own label (bonus points for creativity!).
Found your label, or invented your own?
Drop it in the comments below and share your remote lifestyle!
💡 Don’t forget to explore our Travel Hub for Nomads & Remote Workers for essential resources, gear, insurance, connectivity, and more.
FAQs
Q1: What is a digital nomad?
A digital nomad is someone who works remotely using technology while traveling to different locations, often living with no fixed base.
Q2: What’s the difference between a digital nomad and a slowmad?
While digital nomads often move frequently, slowmads prefer staying in one place longer—weeks or even months—to immerse themselves in the culture and enjoy a slower pace.
Q3: What are some creative names for remote workers?
Creative terms include wanderpreneur, burnout escapee, spirit-rooted nomad, busker nomad, and hometrotter, each reflecting unique remote lifestyles.
Q4: Can I work remotely while traveling?
Yes! With internet access, remote-friendly jobs, and tools like eSIMs and travel insurance, you can easily work while exploring the world.
Q5: What tools do remote workers need on the road?
Essentials include portable WiFi/eSIM (like GigSky or Saily), international insurance (like SafetyWing), a solid laptop, and task management tools.
Our Lifestyle Blog
Since deciding to sell our houses, let go of 90% of our possessions, pack up our remaining things, and head for the airport, we have learned a lot. We mean A LOT!
This full-time travel journey is now entering its fourth year, and we are almost transitioning from travelers to alternative living.
In our lifestyle blogs, we want to share our journey with you, along with everything we have learned, the ups and downs, the tips, tricks, and recommendations that can help you change your life if you are done with the 9-5.
Closer Lives Travel Hub
Destinations, Tips & Essentials
Head over to our Travel Hub – it’s packed with free country guides, helpful travel blogs, videos from the road, and tips to help you travel smarter (and cheaper!).
Whether you're dreaming, planning, or already out exploring, we've got resources to help you every step of the way.
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Been meaning to collate these terms for most of the 4 years we have been traveling... well we finally did it!