There was a single silver lining to 2020, and that was that both you and your boss know that you can do your job from just about anywhere. So if you’re looking to embrace the digital nomad lifestyle anytime soon, here’s a list of the top 10 cities to travel and work remotely as a digital nomad.
1. Chiang Mai, Thailand
The natural splendour and low cost of living are the main reasons Chiang Mai has become a top spot for digital nomads in recent years. As one of the best-established hubs for digital nomads, Chiang Mai offers a slow pace of life, special tourist visas that allow residents to stay for up to nine months, and incredible networking opportunities.
Cost of Living: $900 – $1,000 per month
Internet Speed: 35 Mbps
Best Coworking Spaces: Code Space Co-working Space, Punspace Wiang Kaew
Pros: Incredible weather, easy to get around, delicious food (with lots of vegan options)
Cons: Poor air quality due to smog
2. Medellin, Columbia
Medellin has left the days of Escobar behind and reinvented itself as a hot spot for digital nomads over the past decade. With new coworking spaces popping up everywhere, Medellin is a city with a vibrant community of freelancers and entrepreneurs that makes networking super easy.
Cost of Living: $1,064 / month
Internet Speed: 10 Mbps
Best Coworking Spaces: Los Patios Co-Working,Impact Hub Medellin – Noi
Pros: Beautiful landscapes, cheap cost of living
Cons: Internet speed is not great, some safety concerns particularly for women
3. Lisbon, Portugal
The reduced cost of living and European location have made Portugal a top proposition for digital nomads. Even though it’s not as affordable as some destinations in Asia, Lisbon is a steal if you’re eyeing Western Europe as your next destination.
Cost of Living: $2,067 / month
Internet Speed: 20 Mbps
Best Coworking Spaces: SecondHome, CoWork Lisboa
Pros: Amazing weather, incredible museums and culture
Cons: Lots of ongoing renovations in the city
4. Cape Town, South Africa
A multicultural city with excellent cost of living, Cape Town is one of the best destinations for digital nomads in Africa. It’s a paradise for those who prefer outdoor adventure to nightlife, with lots of opportunities for hikers and beach lovers. When you’re a digital nomad in Cape Town, you’re also just a short drive away from wine country.
Cost of Living: $1,894 / month
Internet Speed: 22 Mbps
Best Coworking Spaces: Workshop 17 Watershed, Cube Workspace
Pros: Lots of things to do, from art galleries to craft breweries
Cons: Safety concerns in some neighbourhoods
5. Budapest, Hungary
Another excellent destination in Europe, this time in the Eastern area, Budapest is the perfect spot for those who love to explore historic cities. The Internet is blazing fast here, and when you’re not working, you can enjoy an incredible food and nightlife scene.
Cost of Living: $1,532 / month
Internet Speed: 31 Mbps
Best Coworking Spaces: Kubik, Urban Lobby
Pros: Affordable city in Europe, good internet speeds
Cons: Local lingo is difficult
6. Buenos Aires, Argentina
Some of the reasons more and more digital nomads choose to make Buenos Aires their base include a surge in well-appointed coworking spaces and incredibly attractive exchange rate. There are lots of hip neighbourhoods to choose from and even though the Internet speed is not the best, the perfect weather more than makes up for it.
Cost of Living: $747/month
Internet Speed: 19 Mbps
Best Coworking Spaces: Manawa Coworking, Urban Station – Pallermo Soho
Pros: Six months of summertime a year,very easy to find great accommodation
Cons: High unemployment and financial problems
7. Berlin, Germany
The German capital has a booming start-up culture and remains one of the most affordable cities in Western Europe for remote workers. History awaits at every corner, and special residence permits are available for the self-employed. You don’t even have to speak German, as it’s super easy to get by with English.
Cost of Living: $3,056 / month
Internet Speed: 50 Mbps
Best Coworking Spaces: MindSpace, TechCode
Pros: Incredible culture to explore, great networking opportunities
Cons: Cost of living is higher than in other destinations
8. Hanoi, Vietnam
Popular with both remote workers and expats, Hanoi offers a high quality of life without the high price tag. The city is packed with digital nomads, so it’s incredibly easy to network and make friends in the many coworking spaces and cafes. Top this with kind locals, super affordable accommodation, and good food, and you can call Hanoi a winner.
Cost of Living: $996 / month
Internet Speed: 35 Mbps
Best Coworking Spaces: IHouse Coworking Space, Azumi
Pros: Very friendly locals, amazing food
Cons: Air pollution, cold winters
9. Tallinn, Estonia
Estonia has a very cool thing going on in the form of a Digital Nomad Visa, which allows you to stay for up to 12 months in the country and also travel freely in the entire Schengen zone. Tallinn is home to thousands of tech visionaries and all kinds of remote workers, who enjoy access to a ridiculous number of breweries and cool restaurants.
Cost of Living: $2,125 / month
Internet Speed: 60 Mbps
Best Coworking Spaces: Spring Hub, Lift99
Pros: Not the most affordable option on the list
Cons: Very harsh winters
10. Ubud, Bali
Bali is a tropical paradise that has been one of the first places in the world to attract digital nomads. Ubud is the right place for you if you’re into jungles, yoga, and great food. This is a peaceful place that is still vibrant and offers a great selection of coworking spaces and networking possibilities.
Cost of Living: $1,072
Internet Speed: 15 Mbps
Best Coworking Spaces: Destination Outpost, Campus Ubud
Pros: Amazing landscapes, peaceful, ideal for yoga loversCons: Wi-Fi could be better
