Nomad groups are logistics machines. Use them for logistics, and use a person for everything else.
By city#
| City | The groups are good for | Ask a local instead for |
|---|---|---|
| Bangkok | Sukhumvit vs Ari vs Thonglor rents, SIMs, visa runs | The neighbourhood walk before you sign |
| Chiang Mai | Co-working, Nimman vs Old City, burning season | Which cafés locals use, the hill villages |
| Bali | Canggu vs Ubud, scooters, villa prices | The ceremonies, the warungs, the village |
| Lisbon | Housing (hard), NIF, co-working | Which tasca, which bairro, the Portuguese |
| Mexico City | Roma vs Condesa vs Juárez, SIMs, deposits | The market, the cantina, the Spanish |
| Medellín | Laureles vs Poblado, bank accounts, safety | The paisa rules, the real nightlife |
The etiquette#
Search first. Post with a neighbourhood, a budget and dates. Answer what you asked once you've learned it. Never ask what a search answers.
The scams#
Deposits before a viewing, visa "agents", crypto mentors, co-living fundraises. Anything from a DM, no.
The person#
A Local Friend lives in the city, spends a few hours with you at a rate they set, and shows you the neighbourhood before the lease, the market, the language. Bangkok digital nomads guide, Medellín digital nomad guide and cost of living, Santo Domingo for digital nomads. Post your arrival on Roavi Community with dates: locals answer, and other arrivals on your dates appear.
More#
Best Facebook travel groups, Bangkok expat Facebook groups, Medellín expat Facebook groups, travel communities and apps.
Walk the neighbourhood with someone who lives there before you sign.
Meet a Local FriendFrequently Asked Questions
Which cities have the most active digital nomad Facebook groups?
Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Bali (Canggu and Ubud), Lisbon, Mexico City, Medellín, Buenos Aires and Da Nang. Each has a general group and usually a housing group, a women's group and a jobs group.What are digital nomad Facebook groups good for?
Apartments and rooms, which SIM and which bank, co-working reviews, visa runs and border rules, meetups, and the current price of everything. Specific questions with a neighbourhood and a budget get answered fast.What should I not post in a nomad group?
Tourist questions ('best temple?'), anything you could search in the group, and vague 'moving to Bangkok, tips?' posts. Specificity is the etiquette.What scams are in nomad groups?
Apartment deposits before viewing, 'visa agents' who take your passport, crypto and forex 'mentors', and co-living projects raising money. Never pay anyone from a DM.When should I ask a local instead?
Before signing a lease (a Local Friend walks the neighbourhood with you), for anything about the language or the culture, and for the places that aren't in any group. A few hours with someone who lives there saves weeks.