Remote Roundup: Bangkok & Oaxaca, Remote Career Trends, Missing Out at Home, Practical Holiday Gift Guide (November 2025)

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Nov 27, 2025

Explore the challenges of remote living across two vibrant locations: Bangkok and Oaxaca. Discover the unique café culture and affordable lifestyle in Bangkok, along with insider travel hacks. In Oaxaca, dive into the rich traditions of the Day of the Dead and the local culinary delights. The hosts also discuss the rise of unexpected remote careers like therapists adapting to digital work. Personal insights reveal the emotional trade-offs of travel, especially during holidays. Plus, find the perfect gift ideas for fellow nomads.

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ADVICE

Allow Extra Time For Airport Transfers

When booking multi‑airport transfers (e.g., Istanbul), allow at least six hours between flights.
Confirm whether airports provide direct transfer services before buying the ticket.

INSIGHT

Why Bangkok Works For Remote Life

Bangkok's scale, cheap transport, and massive mall & cafe culture make it extremely nomad‑friendly.
Frequent meetups and wellness options create reliable social and work routines for remote workers.

ANECDOTE

Experiencing Day Of The Dead In Oaxaca

Janessa stayed in Oaxaca for Day of the Dead and joined co‑living events that deepened local cultural understanding.
She emphasizes booking six to eight months ahead for Dia de los Muertos accommodations.

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How do you choose where to live, what to do, and when to go home when your life is fully remote?

Remote Roundup is a monthly series hosted by Zero To Travel’s associate producer, Caitlin Sunderland, and partnerships manager, Janessa Klatt. Explore what's new in remote work and travel, including helpful tools and resources, need‑to‑know trends, destinations, and insight into what it really means to live and work around the world.

In this episode, they’re reporting in from two wildly different corners of the world with stories, struggles, and insights about what it actually looks like to live and work abroad right now, plus a practical holiday wish list.

Caitlin and Janessa open up about the hard choices digital nomads face around holidays, family, and missing big life events. They talk about the growing trend of unexpected remote careers and explore how people are adapting traditional jobs to fit this lifestyle, a conversation about the myth of the laptop-on-the-beach image that won't die, and more.

What has been your biggest struggle being away from home when you travel? We’d love to hear about it, and hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message.

Tune In To Learn:

Why Bangkok’s scale, café culture, and mall scene work so well for remote living
How Oaxaca brings together community, creativity, and tradition, especially around Day of the Dead
How Caitlin pulled off a cheap(ish) last-minute flight to Asia with an airport transfer hack
What it’s really like to grieve major life moments from abroad, and insight into deciding when going home makes sense
Thoughts on how to take traditional skills and repurpose them into location-independent careers
An honest take on the “laptop on the beach” stereotype (and why it’s still everywhere)
A holiday gift guide with digital nomads in mind
Two travel fail stories that involve passports, bowel movements, and a nearly missed bus in the Italian countryside
And so much more

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