Thinking about working remotely from another country? Here are my reflections after a month in Mexico City.

Ever felt the urge to store your belongings and temporarily relocate to a new country? I get it, I really do.

Last fall, as my lease was ending and my landlord offered a tempting rent increase, I found myself contemplating why I wasn’t taking advantage of my remote work setup to explore the destinations I’ve always wanted to visit. This sparked a whirlwind of research into digital nomad-friendly locations.

It felt like the perfect moment to pack up, store my belongings, and immerse myself in a new culture (with a company managing the logistics) before deciding on a long-term home.

I picked Mexico City partly because it shares a similar time zone with my work hours, partly for its vibrant reputation filled with amazing food, art, and activities, and mostly for the beautiful weather in January.

This is my second long-term experience living abroad, but it's my first time working remotely for more than just a few days. Here are some thoughts on my journey for anyone considering a similar adventure.

There are numerous logistics to handle, but it's definitely worth the effort.

First, determine your destination and the duration of your stay. While planning, I highly recommend checking out Joel Balsam's detailed guide to digital nomad-friendly countries, which covers costs and, crucially, internet reliability. His insights from a decade on the road are invaluable. (Dinogo Planet also provides a digital nomad handbook to assist with your planning.)

Preparing for this adventure involves quite a bit of work. For me, it meant storing my belongings, arranging care for my dog, pausing some subscriptions, forwarding my mail, checking if my SIM card would function in Mexico, determining visa requirements, securing medical and travel insurance, understanding tax regulations, selecting the best neighborhood for my lifestyle, ensuring reliable high-speed internet, booking flights, and deciding what to pack—just to give you an idea.

I also suggest reflecting on what you need to thrive while working and living in a different country. Will you need to maintain your home hours? What type of accommodations will make you feel at ease? Is this your first experience traveling internationally? Are you comfortable with a language barrier, or willing to learn the local language? What amenities are essential for your comfort? (For me, access to a gym and nearby grocery stores are must-haves.)

It may seem overwhelming, but there are services available that can assist with the planning—I'll share more about one I used later in this article.

Review your employee handbook and have a discussion with your employer.

Even if you’re not entirely remote, don’t lose hope! You might still have the chance to embark on a working trip abroad. Check your company handbook for policies, as some employers offer working sabbaticals after a certain period or at specific seniority levels. This could enable you to work remotely for a few weeks before heading back to the office. If your company doesn’t have such options, it’s worth discussing with your employer about potentially negotiating it as a benefit or combining it with your paid time off. Several people I met in Mexico City weren't fully remote, but their companies allowed them to work remotely for 6 to 8 weeks each year from outside their home country.

If you're fully remote, don't want to rain on your parade, but it's crucial to review your company policies and discuss this with your employer. I work for a travel-focused company and still felt it was important to have a conversation with my bosses. Here’s why: working while abroad could trigger international business taxes, breach international agreements your company may have, and potentially conflict with sanctions your country imposes based on your chosen work location.

You might think you can leave the country unnoticed, but trust me—the tech gods will find out. I've heard countless stories of individuals losing their jobs or being forced to book an expensive last-minute flight home. To avoid stress, familiarize yourself with your company’s policies before departing.

Prepare for culture shock.

Whether you're an experienced traveler or this is your first time living abroad, you will likely encounter some level of culture shock. You'll face numerous new experiences, and you might find language barriers or currency issues challenging. Housing conditions could differ from what you’re accustomed to. Living in another country requires flexibility, especially as you adjust to everyday life.

Remember, culture shock doesn't always show up as 'homesickness.' The most common symptom is fatigue or difficulty sleeping. (For me, I’m usually excited to embrace all the new experiences, but then fatigue from staying alert to everything often kicks in.)

You may experience anxiety or discomfort at times, and you might feel irritable. These reactions are completely normal and human. Acknowledge these feelings and learn from them while ensuring you take care of yourself.

Take the chance to learn a new language.

Certainly, learning the local language can help you feel more at ease. (It’s also a respectful gesture toward your host country.) I hired a language tutor to brush up on my rusty Spanish and dedicated three hours each week to lessons. Having someone to consult when I faced challenges, like saying, 'I encountered this situation and didn’t know how to respond,' was incredibly beneficial for future encounters.

Some friends opted for Walk Spanish, a language course that combines city tours in the morning with Spanish lessons. Everyday activities like shopping, attending gym classes, or working in a café became excellent opportunities for me to practice my language skills. Check out what’s available in your destination country.

A highlight: daily adventures.

In addition to exploring museums and tourist attractions after work and on weekends, I discovered new panaderías for breakfast following my spin class and visited a fantastic bookstore called Cafebrería de Péndulo. I had the luxury of waiting for a coveted reservation at Pujol while enjoying a walk-in at the bar for the famous tuna tostadas at Contramar. I was present for the city's Sunday bike rides, which opened up the streets, allowing me to wander through markets I found in my daily explorations.

Rather than cramming my itinerary, I could sprinkle in activities and experience more of the city at a comfortable pace.

That said, take a few days off to truly enjoy being a tourist.

I wish I had taken more days off. Balancing a full-time job while trying to explore a new city can be quite tiring. I must admit, there were days when I had to push myself to go out, as all I wanted was to relax and watch Netflix after work. I felt a wave of guilt just ordering from Rappi (Mexico's food delivery service) while an exciting city awaited me just outside my door.

Moreover, while you might feel like you’re on vacation when working, it’s not quite the same. I recommend taking some time off so you can genuinely enjoy exploring without feeling drained. (But remember, don’t be hard on yourself if you need to rest.)

Services to handle all your bookings.

As I mentioned earlier, there are numerous logistics to think about. With everything happening in my life at that time, I chose to utilize one of the services that have emerged to assist remote workers in planning their digital nomad journeys. While I could have organized everything myself, it was a relief to focus on moving out of my apartment while someone else managed the logistics.

Similar to a vacation package, they arrange all the essentials for your trip – including a short-term apartment, communal workspaces, and social events or tours.

I opted for a company called Remote Year, which offers one-month stays as well as 4 to 12-month journeys where you explore a new country each month. (I should clarify that Remote Year did not invite me, nor were they aware of my affiliation with Dinogo Planet when I organized my stay, which I funded myself.)

A quick review, as I know others are curious about Remote Year: I signed up for a one-month program, which turned out to be fantastic for me personally, streamlining the planning process and allowing me to connect with a social network right away.

My group had around 25 participants, varying in age from their 20s to late 60s, with diverse nationalities and interests, making it easy to find someone to spend time with. The group chats were always lively, buzzing with people looking to explore the city together. Since we saw familiar faces on each tour, it felt natural to forge friendships.

Before my trip, I filled out a questionnaire to help determine my housing and participated in a few prep webinars. I ended up booking a solo apartment that met my preferences: a cozy studio in the lively Roma Norte area, featuring a nice kitchen and plenty of attractions nearby.

However, this means you're putting your trust in someone else to choose based on that questionnaire. If that feels uncomfortable, you might prefer to arrange your own accommodations. With Remote Year, I only found out where I would be staying five days before my arrival, without any photos or details about the amenities beforehand.

Some individuals I talked to—many of whom had traveled with the program previously or were on the four-month journey and had experienced various housing options—shared that their accommodation experiences varied widely: some were fantastic, while others fell short. One person mentioned that the company seemed initially aimed at early-career workers but, post-pandemic, had been slow to adapt to the needs of a new clientele of more seasoned professionals seeking higher-quality living arrangements.

Overall, it met my expectations, and among my fellow travelers, I encountered many who were returning users of Remote Year. I appreciated the convenience of handling all logistics in one go. It was a clear example that traveling solo doesn't mean being alone; I felt a sense of community within my first week.

In summary, I think it’s a valuable option depending on your situation. If you're pressed for time to plan or exploring a new country, leveraging local insights and joining a ready-made social network can alleviate some stress, helping you adjust and connect with others more quickly.