A 21-year-old computer science graduate faces a dilemma that captures a generational shift: travel for six months through Europe and Asia, or stay put to build career foundations?
The response from digital nomad communities? Travel now. The career can wait.
The Setup
Graduating in June 2026 with a remote CS job that allows international work, the young professional has the rare opportunity to travel while earning income. But the startup employer plans to exit by year-end, creating job uncertainty.
The real question isn't travel versus career - it's whether to keep paying $1,300/month rent on an empty apartment back home for "peace of mind," or use that money to extend the trip.
The Math of Fear
Paying rent on an empty apartment for six months: $7,800. That same money could fund:
- Two additional months in Southeast Asia - Comfortable accommodation upgrades across the trip - Emergency fund buffer for job hunting upon return - Flights, experiences, and memories that don't depreciate
As one commenter noted: "I wouldn't rent an apartment for 6 months but rather save that money and come home with $8,000 extra in your account and the chance to refresh your life."
The Digital Nomad Consensus
Responses on r/digitalnomad overwhelmingly supported the six-month trip:
"You will have your whole life to live 'normal life', but this is a once-in-a-lifetime event that you might not get to do again," one experienced nomad advised. "No one wishes they would've worked more in their deathbed."
Another perspective: "You can always get a new apartment when you go back though. Sure, it won't be the perfect apartment, but honestly even the apartment you're at might not be permanent."
The Career Angle
For CS graduates in 2026, the job market remains competitive but accessible. Remote work opportunities continue expanding, and six months of travel while employed demonstrates:
- Self-direction and independence - Adaptability across time zones and cultures - Project management and remote work skills - Global perspective valuable to international companies
A travel gap doesn't hurt CS careers the way it might in fields requiring continuous certification or practice. If anything, the experience differentiates candidates in a crowded market.
The Peace of Mind Question
The emotional pull of keeping an apartment represents security theater - the illusion of stability in an inherently unstable situation. The startup is exiting. The job is temporary. The apartment lease will eventually end.
"Nothing in this life is for sure, so take things as they come," advised one nomad who'd faced similar decisions.
The Alternative Nobody Mentions
What if the graduate travels for six months, the startup exits as planned, and finding a new remote job takes longer than expected? The worst-case scenario involves:
- Returning home with $8,000 saved from unpaid rent - Six months of remote work experience on resume - International experience and cultural competency - Clear head to approach job hunting - Memories and connections from half a year abroad
Compared to staying put, paying rent, and still losing the job in December - the travel option offers better ROI even in worst-case scenarios.
The Generational Shift
This decision point reveals changing attitudes about career paths. Previous generations were told to:
1. Graduate 2. Get a job immediately 3. Prove yourself for years 4. Maybe travel during short vacations 5. Retire and travel when old
The new model: Travel while young, healthy, and flexible. Build career during prime working years. Integrate remote work with location independence.
As one commenter summarized: "100% don't do it later, do it now while you can, 'cause sometimes 'later' actually becomes 'never'."
The Verdict
The digital nomad community's advice proved nearly unanimous: take the six-month trip, let the apartment go, save the $7,800, and invest in experiences instead of empty rooms.
The best travel isn't about the destination - it's about what you learn along the way. And what this graduate is learning is that sometimes the scariest decision is also the right one.
