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Use the 90/10 rule to decide where to base
A simple framework for making smarter decisions about where to live and work
Anna Codrea-Rado
December 05, 2023
Welcome to Borderless. Every week, we handpick the best links on digital nomads, remote work and global mobility to help you navigate the quirks of living and working on the internet.
As nomads, we have the ability to work remotely from anywhere – a bustling metropolis, a tranquil seaside town, or a vibrant cultural hub. But with so many options to choose from, how do you decide where to go next?
The 90/10 rule is a guideline for choosing where to live based on what makes your life the most comfortable. It suggests that you focus on the factors that affect 90% of your life, things like the cost of living, public transportation, and safety. By choosing a location that meets your needs in these areas, you make your everyday life easier and more enjoyable. This will then free up your time, energy, and money to focus on the things that really matter to you – the 10% of your life that makes it memorable.
Of course, anyone can use the 90/10 rule, but it can be particularly helpful for nomads and remote workers in shaping a more fulfilling lifestyle. This is because it encourages us to get specific about the aspects of life that truly matter.
This week's links include a list of the fastest-growing remote work hubs, a case for localized immigration policies, and an ethics guide for nomads.
Wherever you are in the world right now, have a joyful and productive week.
Nomad List’s latest report on the world’s fastest-growing remote work hubs is out, and the majority are in Asia. Among the top contenders, a vibrant Asian city known for combining innovation and culture, a laid-back South East Asian beach island, and an unexpected South American capital that is in the top 10 for the first time.
Nomad List
Nomads are often blamed for gentrification, and it’s true that an influx of high-earning nomads can adversely impact locals. But, are there ways to reap the benefits of travel and freedom while minimizing the impact on host communities? SafetyWing’s Lauren Razavi has thoughts …
Katie Collins for CNET
While it seems like a no-brainer to choose where you live based on the factors that impact your life the most, many people just don’t do this. Instead, they gravitate towards places that appeal to their idealized vision of what life would be like there, leaving them wondering why they’re disappointed when the reality falls short of their expectations.
Kate McKay for Art of Manliness
While national immigration policies remain stuck in a political stalemate, cities grapple with the consequences. Can place-based visas (like “heartland” visas in the US) empower cities to make their own decisions?
Elle Griffin for The Elysian
Ah, the nomad desire to explore new places while also fantasizing about the familiarity and community of a home base. But as Gen Z embraces nomadism, they’re showing us that perhaps the two things don’t have to be mutually exclusive.
Michelle Peng for Charter Works
The 9-to-5 workday–that good, old relic of the Industrial Revolution–is causing stress and unhappiness among workers, especially younger generations. Faced with climate change, economic uncertainty and ballooning student loans, is it time to reevaluate the concept of "hard work" and question whether our social structures are truly serving us?
Kayla Scanlon for Kyla’s Newsletter
🗳️ Poll: What are the biggest factors you consider when deciding where to live?Share your thoughts👇 |