I’ve been roaming the globe as a digital nomad for seven years, and one thing I’ve learned is that the best spots often aren’t the ones everyone’s posting on Instagram.
They’re the underrated gems — the places I almost don’t want to tell anyone about. These are the places with character, community, and costs so low you’ll double-check the menu.
Today, I’m about to spill the beans on 9 destinations where you can live well on the cheap.
Let’s dive into my secret list, from mountain hideaways to beachside escapes, and see what makes each of these spots a beloved haven for those of us working from anywhere.
1. Tbilisi, Georgia
Ever been offered a one-year visa on arrival?
Georgia practically hands them out, which is one reason I planted myself in Tbilisi for a while.
This Eurasian crossroads has an old-meets-new vibe: cobblestone streets and ancient fortresses on one side of the river, funky cafes and co-working spaces on the other.
The cost of living?
Let’s just say my wine budget here is embarrassingly low — Georgian wine is world-class and dirt cheap. I wake up to views of hilltop churches, grind through client work at a modern workspace, then unwind in a sulfur bath or a hidden wine bar.
Tbilisi’s community of nomads and creatives is growing, but it still feels like an insider secret.
The local hospitality means you’ll quickly have friends who treat you like family, and with rent and dinners often half of what I’d pay back home, I feel rich in more ways than one.
2. Medellín, Colombia
“Isn’t it dangerous?”
That’s what a friend asked when I first mentioned heading to Medellín.
Fast forward a couple of months, and I’m answering emails from a rooftop pool, gazing at the green Andes surrounding this city of eternal spring.
Medellín has shaken off its old reputation and transformed into a vibrant, innovative metropolis – one that digital nomads secretly adore.
Why? The weather is perfect, the fiber internet is fast, and an Uber ride across town costs less than a fancy latte. I live in a neighborhood (El Poblado) where trendy coworking spaces sit next to arepa vendors. The blend of affordability and modern convenience is unrealthefabryk.com.
Weekends, I’m hiking to waterfalls or riding the cable cars for panoramic city views. And the best part: the supportive expat and local entrepreneur community that makes you feel at home.
Medellín taught me not to judge a city by its past – and now it’s one of my all-time favorite bases.
3. Bansko, Bulgaria
“I came for the winter, stayed for the Wi-Fi.”
That’s my cheesy way of explaining how a Bulgarian ski town became my productivity paradise.
Bansko is a small mountain town where you can rent a cozy apartment for as little as $300 a month, leaving plenty of cash for skiing in winter or hiking in summer.
By day, I’m tucked into Coworking Bansko, a hub that attracts nomads from all over; by late afternoon, I’m on the slopes or soaking in a spa. This place mixes Eastern European charm with digital nomad practicality.
Think cobbled streets, traditional taverns serving hearty , but also reliable high-speed internet and a tight-knit remote work community.
One fellow nomad told me, “Bansko transformed my productivity – mornings coding, afternoons skiing, evenings networking over rakia.” I couldn’t agree more.
Affordable living, an inspiring alpine backdrop, and a bunch of like-minded folks… Bansko is the secret sauce for getting stuff done while loving life.
4. Guanajuato, Mexico
Forget Cancún — let’s talk Guanajuato.
Tucked in Mexico’s highlands, Guanajuato is a colonial city splashed with color and culture. I wandered here almost by accident and felt like I’d stepped onto a movie set: tunnels winding under the city, vibrant facades, mariachi music in the air.
It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site that also happens to be a digital nomad’s delight. Rents are low, street food is ridiculously cheap (and delicious – I may have developed a serious tacos al pastor habit), and there’s a small but welcoming crew of remote workers tapping away in hidden cafes.
My morning commute?
A stroll through alleys so picturesque I have to pinch myself.
Between work sessions, I might tour an old silver mine or catch a live band in a plaza. Guanajuato proves you can enjoy a rich, culturally immersive lifestyle on a startup budget.
It’s the kind of place nomads fall in love with and quietly hope it never gets too popular.
5. Penang, Malaysia
I sometimes joke that I moved to Penang “for the Wi-Fi” but stayed for the food.
This island in Malaysia is the full package for a digital nomad: affordable cost of living, English widely spoken, modern infrastructure, and heritage charm.
In George Town, I’ll work from a hip café inside a 19th-century shophouse, sipping kopi peng (iced coffee) that costs a dollar.
By lunch, I’m feasting on world-famous street food – char kuey teow, laksa – each plate maybe $2, and bursting with flavor.
Penang’s appeal isn’t just its low prices; it’s the lifestyle.
After wrapping up client calls (Malaysia’s time zone is super convenient for collaborating with both Asia and Europe), I can hit the beach, wander through street art-lined lanes, or take a funicular up Penang Hill for a breezy view.
The city has a growing nomad community, drawn by the mix of city comforts and island vibes. Penang proves that affordable doesn’t mean sacrificing quality.
It’s easy living here – in every sense – and that’s a secret we nomads are happy to keep for ourselves.
6. Hoi An, Vietnam
Lantern-lit streets, French colonial architecture, and my ultra-modern laptop lifestyle — all in one place.
Hoi An is a Vietnamese gem that often flies under the radar compared to Hanoi or Saigon.
I set up shop here and found a town that moves at a blissfully slower pace. In the mornings, I bike to a nearby café with garden seating and fiber internet (yes, even in this historic town, the Wi-Fi is solid).
By night, the ancient town is aglow with lanterns, and I join the locals and a handful of nomads for street food that costs pocket change.
The cost of living is so low it became a running joke—“Did I really just pay $1 for this bowl of cao lầu noodles?” Hoi An has a few co-working spaces popping up, but often I just work from a riverside tea house with no issues.
On weekends, the nearby beach or a scooter trip into the lush countryside beckons.
Hoi An strikes that rare balance: it’s peaceful and picturesque, yet I’m as productive here as anywhere. If you crave culture and calm (and crazy cheap eats) while you work remotely, this town might steal your heart like it did mine.
7. Essaouira, Morocco
In Essaouira, I traded corporate buzz for the sound of Atlantic waves and gnawa music.
This bohemian seaside town on Morocco’s coast is a secret haven for nomads who want something different. Picture yourself typing away on a rooftop terrace as seagulls swoop over the old city walls.
When I need a break, I wander through spice-scented lanes of the medina or watch kite-surfers dance with the wind (Essaouira’s nickname is “City of the Wind,” after all).
The cost of living is a pleasant surprise — local seafood dinners, mint tea in cafes, and a nice apartment won’t dent your wallet much. Plus, the town now has a couple of coworking spots tailored to remote workers like us.
The vibe here is laid-back and artsy; Jimi Hendrix hung out in Essaouira back in the day, and that counterculture spirit lives on. Evenings often find me chatting with a mix of artisans, expats, and travelers over cups of sweet tea.
It’s hard not to be inspired in a place where history, art, and affordable living collide so beautifully.
8. Almaty, Kazakhstan
Who knew that Central Asia’s biggest city would feel like a breath of fresh European air?
Almaty, Kazakhstan’s former capital, shocked me in the best way. Imagine wide leafy boulevards, chic cafes, and snow-capped mountains on the horizon.
Living here, I get the cosmopolitan perks—a growing tech scene, great public transit, even English-speaking meetups—without the price tag of a Western city. My modern apartment costs what a closet might in London.
Every day, I’m torn between work and the call of nature: trailheads and ski slopes are just a short drive away. Almaty has been quietly building up its remote-work cred — I found coworking spaces and plenty of entrepreneurial energy, yet it remains off most nomad radars.
The cultural scene is a cool blend too: I can co-work with local startup folks by day, then hit a traditional Kazakh music performance by night.
When I tell other nomads about Almaty’s affordability and awesome lifestyle, I get looks of disbelief. But it’s true—this city is a hidden oasis for those of us craving something novel, affordable, and invigoratingly different.
9. Weligama, Sri Lanka
Some areas of Sri Lanka remind me of Bali 15 years ago, and Weligama might be the epitome of that throwback vibe.
This chill beach town (its name literally means “sandy village”) has become my sanctuary when I need to slow down and recharge. Mornings, I’m up with the sun to catch a few waves—the surf here is perfect for all levels.
By mid-morning, I’m at a café with my laptop, feet sandy, sipping on fresh coconut water. You’ll find a few co-working spots with surprisingly solid internet and backup power (goodbye, worries about outages).
The cost of living? Insanely low.
Local curries or kottu roti lunches are just a couple of bucks, and I share a big, breezy villa with other nomads for a fraction of what we’d pay in Southeast Asia’s more touristy spots.
Weligama’s DN community is growing, but it still feels like a secret—we bond over sunset beers on the beach and weekend trips to nearby temples or tea plantations.
With its friendly locals and no-hurry, no-worry atmosphere, Weligama has a way of reminding me why I chose this nomad life: freedom, affordability, and a damn good view while I work.
Conclusion
In sharing these nine underrated destinations, I feel like I’m giving away pages from my personal diary. Each of these places has challenged the notion that you need to be in a big, expensive city to thrive as a digital nomad.
Affordable living doesn’t mean skimping on experiences — in fact, it often opens the door to a richer daily life.
Whether it’s the community vibes in a Bulgarian mountain town, the creative spark of a Mexican colonial city, or the sheer joy of balancing work and surf in Sri Lanka, these spots have shown me that you can have it all on a budget.
The world is wide and full of welcoming corners where your dollar (or peso, or lari) stretches far.
So here’s to carving our own paths, finding the hidden gems, and quietly loving them into our home-away-from-homes. Just do me a favor: if you visit, keep the secret among friends.
Happy nomading, and maybe I’ll see you out there in one of these beloved little corners of the world.
