With the growth and evolution of the digital nomad lifestyle, life has become a lot easier for remote workers. The world is filled with amazing places, each unique in its own way. While some may find appeal in the colorful streets of Chiang Mai, others may be attracted to the historical layout of Rome.
In addition to your personal preference, the “best” digital nomad destination is defined by a number of specific features. For instance, if a city has fast internet, a good local community, a low cost of living, and a range of activities, it’s a good destination.
5 Best Digital Nomad Cities
Upon popular opinion, the following cities are considered the best destinations for digital nomads and remote workers.
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Chiang Mai is undoubtedly one of the best digital nomad destinations and the biggest remote-worker hub out there. Located in Thailand, this vibrant city has everything a remote worker could possibly need. From fast internet and an abundance of co-working spaces to delicious food and great weather, digital nomads can enjoy a bunch of benefits. In this city, you’ll be surrounded by stunning landscapes, beautiful temples, and friendly locals who’ll make you feel right at home.
Thailand’s accommodating visa options such as the Thai-Long-Term-Visa (Thailand Golden Visa) certainly make it easier for remote workers to go and settle there.
Chiang Mai is the largest city in northern Thailand and the second largest overall. It is located in upper northern Thailand, in a mountainous region known as Thai highlands. This city is situated on the Ping River, about 700 km from bangkok.
Medellin, Colombia
Located in South America, Medellin is another one of the best digital nomad destinations. This tech-focused city offers remote workers a great chance to explore hip dynamics and a modern environment. If nothing else, you’ll certainly enjoy the amazingly developed and well-connected transportation hub of this city.
Especially famous for its nightlife and party scene, Medellin is one of the most famous digital nomad hotspots in Colombia. You can expect to find a thriving expat and digital nomad community here!
Medellin, the capital city of Antioquia province, is a beautiful place located in Columbia. It lies in the famous Aburra valley (Andes Mountains) in the northwestern region of South America.
Lisbon, Portugal
If you are looking for a good destination in western Europe then Lisbon, Portugal is the perfect place for you. With its affordable cost of living and budget-friendly rates, Lisbon attracts digital nomads from all over the world. This great place is cheaper than a lot of major cities and European capitals but suitable nonetheless.
Digital nomads will certainly enjoy its warm weather, live music, delicious food, and bustling environment. Lisbon is famous for its entrepreneur scene so make sure to consider it if you are new to the business world.
Lisbon is the capital city of Portugal, located in the western part of the country. It is situated on the northern shore of the Tagus River. Lisbon is also the largest city in Portugal It sits on the western coast of western Europe and overlooks the Atlantic Ocean.
Oaxaca, Mexico
Packed with colorful buildings, scenic landscapes, and mind-blowing street food, Oaxaca is a sight to behold. Generally, all of Mexico is considered to be a good place for digital nomads but Oaxaca is one of the best places there.
Thanks to its convenient location, it provides easy access to the rest of the country and the United States. This means you can set your base here and explore the rest of Mexico, enjoying day trips and getaways. Oaxaca in itself is a beautiful city that promises a great level of safety.
Digital nomads will be happy to learn that there is a range of activities they can engage in. From sightseeing and outdoor activities to dinners and the world-class mezcal scene, Oaxaca has got it all.
Located in Southern Mexico, the city of Oaxaca de Juarez is located in and is the capital of the state of Oaxaca. It is situated west of Guerrero, Northwest of Puebla, north of Veracruz, and east of Chiapas.
Mexico City, Mexico
Mexico City is another one of the best options in Mexico. The capital of Mexico is the epitome of perfection and an excellent place for digital nomads. With its low cost of living, coworking spaces, and abundance of cafes, it invites people from all over the world. Mexico has always been famous among short-term travellers and tourists but things have changed over the recent years. The city has been gaining popularity among remote workers and turning into a digital nomad hotspot.
Mexico is the largest city in the western hemisphere and the capital of Mexico. This major city is located in an inland basin known as the Valley of Mexico. It lies within the high Mexican central plateau, situated 2300 meters above sea level.
5 Things to Consider When Picking Out a Digital Nomad Destination
Before choosing a destination, you must keep some things in mind.
Internet speeds
As a digital nomad, you’ll be required to work remotely- mostly online. Hence, it is important to ensure that your desired city has good internet connectivity and a reliable internet connection. A decent wifi and coverage can enable you to maintain a good work-life balance and meet those last-minute deadlines.
You can always buy local SIM cards and get data packages but that won’t be much useful if the city itself doesn’t have a well-developed internet infrastructure. Make sure to do proper research before traveling and consider calling your place of accommodation for accurate estimates.
Cost of living
The cost of living is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a digital nomad destination. We recommend you track your income, estimate your expenses, and make a proper budget. After doing so, compare it with the average cost of living in your desired city and see if you can afford to live there.
Rather than living in expensive cities that have less to offer, you can consider cheap cities that promise a high quality of life. That way, your money will have a great value and you’ll be able to enjoy modern amenities at lower costs.
You can check the average cost of living in a certain city online.
Activities
If you have made the decision to embrace the digital nomad lifestyle, you might as well do it the right way! Make sure to choose a place that intrigues you in terms of activities and opportunities.
The best idea is to choose a place that has a rich history, cultural heritage, and an appreciation for art. That way, you can spend your time exploring museums and galleries while having the time of your life.
For those of you who prefer the outdoors and natural beauty, consider choosing a place with mountains, beautiful beaches, or other natural wonders.
Transportation
Transportation is certainly one of the main aspects of living in a city. In addition to food and accommodation, transportation is a primary and day-to-day need for digital nomads.
You need to learn about your desired city’s transportation system and evaluate a couple of things including but not limited to the following:
- The reliability of public transport
- The availability of public transport
- The costs
- The variety of options
- The most common options
Upon finding answers, you can see whether you’d need to buy a personal vehicle or access the local options on a general basis.
Sense of community
Whether you realize it or not, the community is an extremely essential part of the digital nomad lifestyle. Be it the local one that surrounds you on a day-to-day basis or an online one that keeps you company, a strong sense of community can prevent feelings of loneliness.
Before choosing a digital nomad destination, do some research on the type of people that occupy that city. Learn about their local culture and values so you can try to remain respectful. In addition to that, consider joining WhatsApp groups and Facebook groups for companionship. Remote workers and digital nomads can find like-minded people and share their experiences in such groups.
Safety
Safety should be one of your main concerns. Make sure to choose a place that has a low crime rate and a high safety ratio for tourists. Other than that, solo travelers should always do research on the statistics before moving around. Countries like Mexico and Columbia have a lot to offer but their questionable safety situation (drug cartels) can make them pretty scary.
However, remember that as long as you stay cautious and vigilant, you’ll be good to go.
Additionally, it is always a good idea to follow the general safety tips that every tourist is recommended to abide by.
- Look out for tourist scam
- Trust reputable companies
- Stay away from isolated areas
- Stay on your guard
- Stay away from shady neighborhoods
- Don’t carry large amounts of cash on hand
- Don’t carry flashy items
Visa policy
One of the most vital things to consider is the specific country’s visa policy and options for digital nomads. Most governments have seen the evolution of remote workers and launched accommodating programs/schemes to remain more attractive.
Since visa procedures can be complex and tedious, it is best to choose a country that won’t pose a lot of difficulties. Make sure to cross-check the eligibility criteria for the digital nomad visa program and see the availability of better alternatives (tourist visas).
Work-life Balance
It is important for every digital nomad to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Rather than spending all your time working, make sure to explore the city and see all that it has to offer.
Most remote workers and digital nomads are their own bosses which means they can decide their work hours on their own. The best way to ensure steadiness is by setting a routine or perhaps defining your goals.
That way, you won’t get bombarded by deadlines and you won’t have to worry about working all the time. In short, moderation is the key.
Frequently asked questions
Which countries have the easiest digital nomad visa?
Spain Digital Nomad Visa, Portugal Digital Nomad Visa, Estonia Digital Nomad Visa, Croatia digital nomad visa, Georgia digital nomad visa
Which top destinations have a low cost of living for digital nomads?
Mexico, Chiang Mai, Medellin, Vietnam, and Bulgaria are some of the best digital nomad hotspots that happen to have an affordable cost of living.
Which digital nomad destinations have the fastest internet? Top 5
1. Thailand
2. Mexico
3. Chiang Mai
4. Hungary
5. Estonia
6. Ho Chi Minh city
Which digital nomad destinations have the best coworking spaces? Top 5
1. Lisbon
2. Bali
3. Canggu
4. Tbilisi
5. Bansko
Digital nomad destinations with the best nightlife?
Bali, Prague, Buenos Aires, Indonesia, and Bangkok offer some of the best nightlife for party-goers and tourists.
Digital nomad destinations with the most history?
If you are someone who wants to delve into history and be surrounded by stunning architecture then consider visiting Prague, Budapest, Valencia, Seoul, or Istanbul.
What is the most expensive digital nomad destination?
The most expensive digital nomad destination as of now is Barbados. You are required to earn at least 50,000$ annually in order to become valid for their digital nomad visa i.e. the welcome stamp.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we can establish that there is no shortage of great digital nomad spots in the world. Every country and city has something special to offer and once you know what you are looking for, you can find a perfectly adequate place.
With the digital nomad lifestyle getting more and more popular, countries are focusing on that and targeting the niche market. By doing so, they are ensuring great facilities and advantages for remote workers.
We hope this article answered your questions and helped you evaluate some of the best digital nomad cities as of now. If you have any further queries or doubts, feel free to contact us and we’d be happy to help.
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