Working abroad sounds amazing. Until you realize that making friends as a digital nomad isn’t easy. Without built-in social circles, loneliness can set in quickly while traveling. Building a community remotely through digital nomad meetups, coworking spaces, social events, and a little bit of effort can help.
Why Making Friends Is Harder When You Travel
Making friends as a digital nomad is hard. It feels like you have to start from scratch every few months. Unlike at home, where connections emerge naturally, traveling kills the routine that fosters friendship. Here’s why it’s hard — and how building a remote community helps:
The top three obstacles to friendship for nomads:
- Short-lived connections. Locals and travelers assume you’ll be leaving soon.
- No built-in circles. You miss your coworkers, gym buddies, and regular neighbors.
- Culture variances. You don’t know how to initiate plans without seeming clingy.
Use digital nomad meetups and the social life of coworking spaces. Stay in one place longer. Be the one to suggest concrete plans. Loneliness during travel disappears when you replace spontaneity with strategy.
Best Ways to Meet Other Remote Workers
Struggling to find your people? Here’s where to look:
| Where to Go | Why It Works | Pro Tip |
| Co-working spaces | Built-in social events & repeat interactions | Attend weekly happy hours |
| Language exchanges | Low-pressure way to bond over mistakes | Teach English, learn local slang |
| Facebook/WhatsApp groups | Find expat meetups instantly | Search “[City] + Digital Nomads” |
| Volunteer projects | Shared purpose = faster friendships | Try eco-hostels or animal shelters |
Digital nomad hubs like Lisbon or Bali have breakfast meetups. Backpacker hostels organize bar crawls. Even a gym class can lead to post-workout smoothies with new buddies.
Co-Working, Language Exchanges & Online Groups
Building connections as a location-independent worker requires using existing networks wisely. Coworking spaces offer the easiest way to connect on a regular basis. Many host weekly mixers, skill-sharing workshops, or casual coffee meetups. They encourage making friends as a digital nomad. It’s important to choose spaces with active communities, rather than just a workspace.
For deep cultural immersion, language exchanges solve two problems at once. Platforms like Tandem or local meetups connect you with locals who want to practice English. These settings create organic opportunities for communication. They help you navigate everyday life abroad.
Digital tools expand your reach exponentially:
- Nomad List city forums display upcoming events.
- Meetup.com filters for “digital nomads” or “expats” in your area.
- Facebook groups like “Digital Nomads of [city name]” organize regular meetups.
- Bumble BFF works surprisingly well in nomad hotspots.
They all provide structure without the awkwardness. Unlike casual hostel encounters, they attract people who are actively seeking connection, making building a remote community intentional. For those who struggle with loneliness while traveling, combining the social life of coworking spaces with targeted online groups creates common ground for developing meaningful relationships.
Staying Social While Staying Productive
Balancing work and friendships on the road requires smart planning. Unlike an office job with built-in social time, remote work means you have to create those connections yourself. How can you maintain a social life without sacrificing productivity?
Work in shared spaces
Ditch the Airbnb and settle into coworking spaces or coffee shops with shared tables. Many digital nomad hotspots have spaces designed for socializing, like Selina Cowork or local entrepreneurial cafes.
Schedule social time, like meetups
Fill your calendar with:
- Weekly language exchange meetings.
- Happy hours at a coworking space.
- Group fitness classes (yoga, rock climbing, or beach volleyball).
Go online-offline hybrid
Join remote worker Discord groups in your city to find impromptu coffee meetups. Use apps like Meetup or Bumble BFF to connect with locals and fellow travelers before you arrive.
Become a regular
Pick a coffee shop, market, or coworking space and visit it regularly. Coworkers and other regulars will start to recognize you, creating effortless daily interactions that combat loneliness while traveling.
Keep your work gear portable so you can easily switch from productivity to social mode. A lightweight laptop will allow you to go from focused work to rooftop networking events without losing your flow.
Making friends as a digital nomad takes effort, but the rewards are huge. It’s a global network ripe for adventure. Show up, be open, and use the tools around you. Your next friend could be on the same coffee break as you.