As a 31-year-old digital nomad, Kaitlin Wichmann made a life-changing decision in 2019. She quit her traditional 9-to-5 office job in Los Angeles and radically changed her life. Since that first trip, she has traveled the world, explored new cultures and perspectives, and developed a thriving freelancing career. She currently resides in Lisbon, Portugal. This allows her the flexibility to work about 20 hours a week and to spend plenty of time cultivating a rich, rewarding life outside of work.
Wichmann’s path began when she moved to Los Angeles to attend college. There, she not only earned her degree, but launched her career. As she began her journey, she became aware that the conventional model of work was not conducive to what she wanted. “I didn’t want to be chained to a cubicle from 9 to 5,” Wichmann said. This epiphany set her on fire. So she made a leap of faith and courageously pursued a lifestyle outside the walls of a corporate cubicle.
After leaving her agency job in LA, Wichmann dove head first into this thrilling journey. Her journey began in Bali, Indonesia, where she took classes before heading to Chiang Mai, Thailand and making short trips to Vietnam. Her journey ultimately led to a two-month home visit to Buenos Aires, Argentina. Each destination opened doors to fascinating new experiences that deepened her understanding of both the world around her and herself.
In June, she made the trip to England, where she’s been able to spend time with her boyfriend, Henry Breheny. Their paths crossed during her formative LA years in college. This relationship deepens the joy in her life overseas and supports her intentional roving lifestyle.
Now settled in Lisbon, Wichmann has just renewed her visa for another three years. The city’s thriving arts community and energized commitment to an active outside lifestyle align well with her passions. “I just love being in a community of active people,” she stated. When not working on transportation, Wichmann enjoys playing tennis and padel. She studies Portuguese, enjoys some time on the beach and easy access to other countries.
Wichmann has found freelancing to be a lucrative and fulfilling career. In reality, today, she makes more than when she was employed through a saving agency in Los Angeles. This new financial independence gives her the confidence to take a regular monthly salary from her business of $3,000 – enabling her to pay all her essential expenses. For this household, the student loan payments and excess income are fully directed into savings and investments.
It costs Wichmann about $34 a month in co-working space usage fees. She’s able to work with her buddies, but they know that when they’re in the studio, it’s work time. Being around this many creative people has helped increase collaboration and social interaction, which has improved her overall digital nomad experience.
Wichmann’s curiosity about life abroad began at a young age. Upon her 18th birthday, she took her first trip abroad, visiting and staying with these same former exchange students in Europe. This formative experience would lay the groundwork for her forthcoming adventures. It fed her desire to make international living a constant presence in her life.
Despite getting bogged down in COVID-19 regulations, in 2023, Wichmann was still able to fill out most of the application for her D7 passive income visa from abroad. This visa has facilitated her residency in Portugal and aligns with her long-term outlook: “I don’t see myself moving anywhere else, at least outside of Portugal,” she stated confidently.
Financially prudent, Wichmann has maintained a six-month emergency fund and saved more than $200,000 in retirement and investment accounts. This extraordinary level of planning speaks to her commitment not only to fiscal health, but to quality of life.
As such, as a digital nomad, Wichmann embodies the potential of a flexible work model. He finds personal and professional fulfillment as he travels the world. Her story is one common among a younger cohort of movers who are more focused on experiences than defined career tracks.