One of the Greatest Benefits of Working from Home
Posted by Holly in Blogging, Interesting, Travel
…Is the Freedom to Live Wherever You Want! Where would you live if you could pick and choose the location to create a home? Not everyone has such a choice. Entrepreneurs and “digital nomads” are discovering this is one of the greatest benefits of working from home. What would you do if you could live anywhere, grab your laptop and setup work from any location? Would you stay where you’re at – or start planning your new life right away? (Please share your comments below)
With an increase in online work, and many positions become “remote” jobs that provide you the freedom to work from home – options are opening up to live wherever you want. I’ve 
taken advantage of this numerous times, since I started working online. I have lived in Milwaukee, Wisconsin – Chiang Mai, Thailand – Malta – and now in Las Vegas, Nevada. I know some people may think Las Vegas would be an awesome place to live at – but you don’t all see what happens behind the glitz and glamour of the strip. This is such an odd place to live, with such a culture of its own. Although I’ve lived in a variety of cultures, the “culture” of the actual citizens and locals of Las Vegas is the most interesting, strange and diverse. I sometimes feel as though I’m part of a TV show and my neighbors are all “characters.” It’s a fascinating place, and I’ve had this opportunity to experience life here, because of my freedom from working from home.
If you’re in the position to move away and start a new life, with laptop in hand – just be prepared before you move. I know it’s common sense, but sometimes people let their emotions get the best of them and move to a new city, state or country without ever visiting it prior! What type of insane person would do such a thing? I did that. 
haha.
When my son Josh and I were living in Thailand a couple years ago (he was about two at the time), I started researching other locations or places to live across the globe.
I searched online for an ideal place: with beauty, safety and a real tight-knit community. My Aunt began to tell me about a retirement group she is a part of, and how they were talking about how ideal of a retirement community Malta would be. I read all about it – it sounded so charming and picturesque, an Island on the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily. I ended up moving there, without ever visiting it beforehand – and ended up only staying for three months. It was beautiful there – but it was difficult as a single mom. I had no idea what their culture was truly like. And, although the people are probably sweet – I think you need to live there for quite a while before people really open up to you and let you into their community. I didn’t know that divorce was illegal in Malta, and so to be a single mother was almost unheard of. Josh and I lived in a flat, just three blocks from the Sea – but even with the beauty, I didn’t feel a love for the place and didn’t want to stay longterm.
It’s not easy to move all that you own, from country-to-country – so avoid what I did and visit a place before you move there! You live and you learn, right? I would never do something like that again, but I am happy we did it. It was a little wild and spontaneous – and in the end we walked away with new experiences and understanding of a new culture. I am grateful that I can work online and live anywhere.
If you’re thinking about making a move, and are working from home – for the regular readers, you know about Honest Riches already. If you are new to the blog, I first recommend Honest Riches – a complete Internet Marketing guide I wrote to help you work from home and be your own boss. For people who have already read Honest Riches, and have a firm grasp on marketing online – if you are interested in being a traveling entrepreneur – you may want to read “The Four-Hour Work Week,” by Timothy Ferriss (see banner below).
20 Responses to “One of the Greatest Benefits of Working from Home”
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Davin - The Viral Sanctuary
13. Jun, 2009
A very well written and inspiring post Miss Holly. The dream of working from anywhere in the world is exhilarating and you have certainly seen more places already than most people do in a life time.
Your whole story is what inspired me in the beginning as you know, and led to many great experiences along the way. I always enjoy seeing how more and more things unfold as working from home has became my reality.
Although I still live here in beautiful British Columbia, Canada I still have the vision of that awesome chunk of land in the mountains (hmm, well guess I’m surrounded by them here!) with a beautiful log home on it. I’m not sure where it will be yet, but…in time I know it will be reality.
Thanx for your continued inspiration Holly, and for always striving to help others realize their dreams to…..
Davorski
Holly
14. Jun, 2009
Thank YOU Davorski. I totally understand your log cabin dreams – as I have some of my own. For now, though,I just enjoy visiting my mom in northern Wisconsin – as she has a beautiful quaint log cabin there. I’m looking forward to seeing how things turn out for all of us – with our online endeavors and life in general. Thank you for commenting Davin..it’s great to hear from you.
Anna
14. Jun, 2009
Hmm … well I don’t live in a log cabin but I suppose I could build one next to the barn if I wanted
No, seriously Davin, if you get a log cabin in the wilderness, try not to have a satellite internet connection!
Davin - The Viral Sanctuary
14. Jun, 2009
haha…your funny Anna! No, I don’t think I’ll go that far out Anna. I just always wanted a nice place around the outskirts of a town or little city somewhere.
Far enough out that I’m away from everything, but close enough that town is no more than a 10 to 15 minute drive perhaps.
Davin – The Viral Sanctuarys last blog post..Utility Poster – Makes Serious Blogging Easier
David
14. Jun, 2009
I have thought much of living anywhere I want when that time arrives Holly but over the past couple of years I have also learned what you spoke of. It’s the people that make the place…not the location.
I am happy to say that I love the people in SC here and and very content here. Though I will probably opt for a nicer house when able.
David in SC
Holly
14. Jun, 2009
David – I completely agree with you. It is so much more about the people than the location and all the other details of the place. David do you live in a small town? I’m just curious and fascinated with small towns – always wondering if the communities are tight-knit and look out for each other, and everyone knows one another, etc. A lot of people in small towns want to move away but if I found a homey little small town where people were really close like a family I would love to live there forever.
I’m a dreamer.
Jesus Pina
14. Jun, 2009
Hi Holly,
I perfectly relate to what you are saying given that this has been one of my dearest dreams for the longest time.
I do nothing but dream with the day I have the freedom to do whatever I want, whenever I want without the constraints of depending on a work that I despise and that pays me peanuts and that keeps me “busy” for 40 hours a week.
I have accomplished many of my dreams in my life but I don’t know why this dream of being absolutely non dependent of a JOB has been the one that has eluded me the most.
I hope that soon I can come back here and scream of the top of my lungs that I am finally free and that you inspired me in part to continue to pursue my dream.
BTW I am reading Tin Ferriss’ book right now and it is amazing.
Holly
14. Jun, 2009
Hi Jesus – you have a lot of passion and with that you can achieve anything! Your comment inspired me and made me excited for you – and for hearing from you again when you are FREE!!! Keep us posted!
Louis Burns
14. Jun, 2009
Holly, I’ve been thinking of moving to Ireland. Best I can tell, no visa requirement, English speaking, modern conveniences in the cities, easy access to travel in Europe and consistently ranked high in the index of economic freedom.
I do think about moving around sight unseen. Two of my favorite places I’ve lived was agreeing to move in with friends before I’d even seen the place. And then in the Army, you never really saw the place before you got stationed there, right? How’s moving to Italy and Afghanistan sight unseen for you?
I guess it’s all in degrees of risk and comfort. Don’t burn your bridges so that if you get there and it’s not what you hoped for, you can do something else.
I’m definitely a fan of Tim Ferriss too. Life is way too short to be tied to one location for extended periods.
Thanks for the post. I hope more people talk this up too. It’d be cool to be able to relocate knowing there was a community of digital nomads already there wherever you happen to land.
Irish Tom
14. Jun, 2009
Well Holly
This is a great post and as I have said before, you have an amazing experience with lots of “near misses”.
I have taken the time to read some of your older posts and for someone so young and with a son like Josh, I have to admire you. You ar an inspiration.
I am now starting my “Internet Journey” and know exactly what I want to do.
My American wife Cheryl loved Ireland so much she would return with me in the morning. However, she has a daughter and sister with their families in CA and her son and his family is in the military at Fort Lewis in WA, so after a short time in Ireland she would want to come back for a visit.
I have offered her the best of both worlds, lets get my Internet business up and running and make a decent regular income and “have laptop will travel”…so we can run our business from anywhere.
I have had the good fortune to do a lot of travelling doing work I absolutely loved, stabilising historic buildings in Ireland, UK and parts of Europe.
I will fill you in later of some of my exciting experiences, maybe do a special Holly Blog for our site.
Anyone wants to look at Ireland a little closer, go to
http://www.goireland.com. If you think you have a family name which is Irish, put it in the browser and it will tell you where they originated from and also show you their coat of arms and maybe the family motto.
Have to run, going to a Graduation BBQ.
Have a wonderfull day all.
Kind regards
Tom
Bill Jones
14. Jun, 2009
Hi Holly,
I am very fortunate to reside in rural Tennessee. This is beautiful country. Would never exchange it for city life.
Moved here from Orlando, Florida. Too crowded, too much traffic and crime. Don’t miss it at all.
It is good that having an online business allows you to live anywhere you please, but I like it where I am.
Thanks for installing wordpress on my site for me.
Wishing you the best,
Your wrinkled, old adopted Grandpa
Mike
15. Jun, 2009
I have been self employed for the past two years. I didn’t start out in internet marketing but kinda stumbled on it after having to build a website myself and learn how to market a service. As it turns out these days I spend MOST of my work time internet marketing which provides the most wonderful flexibility and a substantial income.
Internet marketing is AWESOME!!!! and the $$$$$ keep rollin!
CHA CHING!
Normal Joe
15. Jun, 2009
Great post Holly as usual. The freedom is definitely a blessing, and I agree, visit before you go. I would have too lol, picking up and moving my wife and kids better have some research behind it lol….
But your story is amazing as usual, and inspirational.
Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah.
Normal Joes last blog post..Twitter Porn: The Sexiest Twitter Client Around
Holly
15. Jun, 2009
Thanks JK – I agree the freedom is a big blessing. I am grateful for every experience. I’m ready to settle down now but the traveling will never end as long as I still have this freedom. Thanks JK
Miss Nguyen
17. Jun, 2009
Hello Holly,
Thank you for the post, I will try Honest Riches
Miss Nguyens last blog post..Baked Stuffed Crab Shells
Holly
18. Jun, 2009
Thanks Miss Nguyen
I am glad it could help you. Enjoy the book!
Jenny
19. Jun, 2009
Holly
This is a great post, it is so interesting to learn about you and all the places you have lived.
It is funny you mention the 4 hour workweek , I just finished reading it for the second time. I love it and it is very inspiring.
Holly
20. Jun, 2009
Thanks Jenny! I love the book also – the author is an interesting person who has also had a lot of life experiences and travels. It’s an inspiration!
Alexa
21. Jul, 2009
The best country I have travelled in as regards being a female traveller is Thailand. It is the only one where I have never experienced sexual harassment.
Richard
09. Dec, 2010
Hello Holly,
Am from Africa, but can’t just imagine what you have to offer in your story as truth, since we in Africa have never believed in financial freedom, how i wish i can prove it and become an ambassador for your sales as a living testimony here in Africa. Sorry but need more assurance. Keep it up and Kind regards