[NN2] A Digital Nomad’s Budget in Da Nang
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Hey there, Wanderers!
I’m writing to you from Da Nang, Vietnam, where I just moved from a studio apartment to a 1 bedroom.
It’s in the same building, so I didn’t have to go far, but it still was a bit stressful because I had to pack everything up and cram it as best I could into my luggage (a carry-on suitcase and a daypack) and a few tote bags. I’ve gotten quite a few new kitchen things since I first moved here, plus a floor fan!
Luckily the staff here are wonderful and they helped me move to my new place. I’ve since gotten settled in, and I’m ready for the second half of my stay here in Da Nang.
And since it’s the beginning of the month, it’s time for me to work on updating my budget spreadsheet. That got me thinking about finances, and I thought I’d share with you the cost of living as a digital nomad in Da Nang:
Rent for studio apartment: $445 USD
Water: $4 USD
Electricity: $75 USD (*includes air conditioning and everything else)
Groceries: $130 USD
Eating out/delivery food: $75 USD
Transit (Grab): $10 USD
TOTAL (1 month): $740 USD
These are preliminary numbers and I’ll have my full budget posted on the blog once I leave Da Nang in November, but so far I’m very happy! Add in the extra stuff (like coffee classes and big jugs of drinking water) and I’m probably under $800 USD for the month.
Sure, there’s ways to live cheaper here– like, staying in an older building, not using air con at all, or only eating local foods from street stalls– but I love this building/location, I eat a lot of Western food and I’m very happy with my spending this month.
To compare it to the other cities I’ve lived in this year:
Kuala Lumpur was $1,200 USD for 1 month.
Tokyo was $1,313 USD for 1 month (in a TINY studio apartment btw).
Daito (Osaka metro) was $1,281 for 1 month.
A significant difference! How much does it cost to live in your location for one month? Hit reply and let me know!
Happy Wandering,
Anastasia Finch
New Adventures on the Blog
Here’s what’s new and updated on Just Gone Wandering this week!
- 10 Apps to Download Before Traveling in Southeast Asia – Get these downloaded and set up before you arrive, and you’ll have a much easier time getting around, talking to people, and staying connected.
- Guide to Southeast Asian Hostels for First-Time Backpackers – Hostels here are a little different from other places, so if you’re wondering what they’re like (and what you may or may not need to bring), here’s a guide!
- International Garden Hotel, Narita, Japan (Review) – I’ve stayed here twice now, and it’s a really nice place to relax and get over jetlag when you first get into Japan.
- Exploring the Borneo Cultures Museum, Kuching – One of my favorite museums I’ve visited!
- All About Packing Cubes – Do you need them? What kind should you get? All questions answered here…and if you have more questions, leave ’em in the comments and I’ll answer as best I can.
- Unique & Small Souvenirs from Japan – Short on luggage space but still want some fun souvenirs? I’ve got you covered.
- Le Creuset in Japan – For collectors, family of collectors, and people who just want to know what they have available in Japan vs. the rest of the world.
- UPDATED Visiting the Plain of Jars, Phonsavan, Laos – An UNESCO World Heritage Site and an off-the-beaten path adventure. Highly recommend visiting if you can get over there!
Wanderlust Finds from Around the Web
Looking for more nomadic lifestyle inspiration? Check out these awesome reads from fellow travelers:
- Thailand to Laos – The Bangkok to Vientiane Express Train by Adventures of Jellie – This is a new train route just opened over the summer!
- Las Vegas Speakeasy Guide – Gambling on the Secret Drinking Scene by Sisbehaving – I’ve never been to a speakeasy but now I have GOT to try it sometime!
- The Full Guide to Arts Travel for Independent Travelers by Trip Scholars – Arts travel is a thing rarely talked about compared to other travel niches, but if you’re passionate about the subject then you’ll for sure want to read this guide.
- A day in the Alfama District: Lisbon’s historic neighborhood by Wandering Works for Us – There’s so much to see in Lisbon!
- How to Visit the Peruvian Amazon by Wild Junket – A very thorough guide to the area, including accommodation recommendations and a packing list.
Podcast of the Week
I recently discovered Articles of Interest, a fashion history podcast by Avery Trufelman. It covers a range of topics related to fashion and how we interact with it; I listened to an episode of the history of plus size fashion, for instance, and another about pockets. There’s episodes about wedding dresses, children’s clothing, the American Ivy style, and corduroy. They’re long-ish episodes, 30 minutes long or more, but they go by quick because they’re the fun kind of informative that’s entertaining.
Listen to episodes here. The plus size fashion episode is Season 3, from September 13, 2023.
Quote of the Week
Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime. – Mark Twain
(Thank you, Quote Garden.)
Travel Resources for the Road
Here are some of my favorite travel tools for life as a nomad:
- 📱 Airalo for eSIMs, especially if you’re traveling very quickly through a region and just want 1 SIM instead of 4
- 🗺️ Get Your Guide for tours, attraction tickets and more
- 🚂 RailEurope for booking train tickets (in Europe obviously)
- 🐈 Trusted Housesitters for petsitting in exchange for accommodation
- 🧑🌾 Workaway for free accommodation in exchange for helping out (mostly in rural places)
- 🧑⚕️ VisitorsCoverage for health and trip insurance
