Is global nomadism the new face of expat life?

The new kids on the expatriate block are global nomads, moving from country to country as the mood strikes them.

For decades, expats moved overseas for reasons such as reassignments, relocation, retirement or the chance to start a new business in a less highly-regulated destination. Digital nomads were unheard of, as was digital anything for those born just after the end of WWII. In the main, overseas postings were short and time-dependent, and using qualifications and experience as an aid to seeing the world was too scary to contemplate. The even newer kids on the block nowadays are the global nomads, those who map out their country-to-country routes but change their destinations as opportunities present themselves.

Most of this new breed now regularly roaming between continents as well as countries are looking for adventure and a better life, no matter where they land and what work they’re able to get. The expansion of international companies’ branch offices helps a lot, with human resources departments eager to move people around as if they were pieces on a chess board. Other global nomads stick to the do-it-yourself strategy of moving on and taking life and work as it comes. If it doesn’t, there’s always another destination to try.

Some consider themselves as economic migrants, moving on when a better deal appears and using excuses such as world politics, exchange rates, visa problems and suchlike to justify yet another departure. However, they’ve always had choices and shouldn’t need to justify their lifestyles. However content they are, when a new job surfaces with a higher salary and more benefits in a land with better weather, the next flight out isn’t soon enough.

A good number start off as expat singles and pick up partners and even children along the way, making relocating on the wing tricky at best, especially as regards continuing education. The kids may love their changing realities, but annually interrupted schooling may have negative results in adult life. Eventually, the chaos of getting visas, new accommodation and adjusting to new cultures may become too much for singles as well as those with families in tow. Many do settle down eventually, using their experiences to write or blog objectively about the entire package with its pluses and minuses.