Has the digital nomad dream turned sour?

In this episode, the host interviews Alex Holder, a journalist who relocated from London to Lisbon, exploring the realities of living as a digital nomad. After feeling stifled in London's toxic work culture, she and her family moved to Lisbon, seeking a better quality of life, only to find the city undergoing significant changes due to an influx of digital nomads. Initially benefiting from lower living costs, they soon noticed rising prices and a growing wealth gap affecting the local population. They opened an English-language bookshop, which further exposed them to local sentiments about the changing dynamics of the city.

As Lisbon's rental prices soared and locals felt pushed out, Holder grappled with feelings of guilt regarding their financial advantages, including tax breaks designed to attract wealthy migrants. The episode delves into her reflections on personal responsibility and the broader implications of remote work culture, including cultural dilution and economic disparity.

The conversation also addresses the role of digital nomads in gentrifying cities, with insights from other locals about both the negative impacts and the benefits of increased cultural stimulation. The episode raises critical questions about the sustainability of such lifestyles, the responsibility of migrants towards local communities, and the potential need for policy changes in Portugal as it navigates these challenges.