Lewis Smith: The Itinerant Developer

February 3, 2016 |

A honeymoon in Thailand led Lewis and his wife, Jenny, to quit their jobs to start traveling, which turned into more than three years on the road. They have recently returned to the UK, where Lewis has taken on a six-month contract job, and they’re finding that just as travel gives you a better perspective on your home country, being home gives you a better perspective on your travel!

Most Memorable Location-Independent Experiences
House sitting in New Zealand for a couple while they went on a reality TV show. It was memorable for so many reasons: We got to stay in a beautiful old house in New Zealand’s most beautiful town. We got to watch our hosts on TV every night, on their own TV. We made some wonderful friends there and loved looking after their animals.

Also memorable, but for the wrong reasons, was when one of their cats was diagnosed with and died of cancer in our care, which was one of the most emotional things I’ve ever dealt with. After that house-sit ended, we took a six-week trip around New Zealand by campervan, which is probably the best travel experience we’ve had.

Biggest Surprise along the Way
Having been back home for a few weeks and effectively working a normal job, I’m a little surprised at how much I miss the digital nomad lifestyle. It’s always a fear that you will just fall back into the old way of life, but I really can’t see that happening in the foreseeable future!

headphones icon

In this episode

  • Why Lewis took a contract job back home and what it’s been like so far
  • How Lewis and Jenny turned their professional skills into remote work
  • Tips and info on getting into app development and programming
  • Top apps and tools Lewis recommends
  • Creating an ergonomic work setup on the road
  • Dealing with a sick pet while house sitting
  • And so much more
directions sign icon

Resources we talked about

Note: Links with an asterisk are affiliate links, which means you may receive free credit or another bonus and I may earn a small commission or other benefits if you sign up/purchase using that link. There’s no additional cost to you, of course!

tablet

Get the resources and connection you need

Join the nomadtopia™ Collective, a hub of information, inspiration, and community for building—and thriving in—the location-independent lifestyle that's right for you.

Welcome to Nomadtopia®

a hub of resources, inspiration, and community for building—and thriving in— the location-independent lifestyle that's right for you.

The Nomadtopia Collective is a global online community for all nomads — aspiring, newbie, and experienced alike. We’re here to not only help with complicated logistical questions related to nomad life, but also to support you at every step of your journey with a vibrant community of people who understand you, your dreams, and your lifestyle.

Get the Top 10 Logistical Things You Need to do before becoming a nomad

(That Aren't What You Think)

When you download the guide, you’ll also be subscribed to the Nomadtopia newsletter. Your email is safe with me and you can unsubscribe anytime. View our Privacy Policy.

Get the Top 10 Logistical Things You Need to do before becoming a nomad