The Top 5 Cities for Digital Nomads
The rise of the remote work lifestyle has given way for digital nomad hotspots to arise. These are cities that are known within the DN community for being ideal places to live and work - due to their low cost of living, good weather, fast internet, and great communities.
I know the location independent life can sound like a fairytale - but it isn’t always as easy as showing up to a city and working. We often obsess over finding fast wifi and it’s easy to end up totally alone if you don’t chose a city that caters to nomads. This isn’t always a bad thing…sometimes it’s nice having a solo adventure. But too much of that and you will start to find yourself burnt out. That’s why I highly recommend digital nomads hotspots….espeicallly for those just starting out. It’s an easy way to learn the ropes, and make friends (who you can later travel with)!
Here are a few factors you should consider when choosing a city to settle in for a while while working remotely….
Main Factors to Consider as a Digital Nomad
Fast Internet
Working remotely requires high-speed internet. Without a 3G or 4G internet, you are like a nomad with no powers or a cab-driver without a cab. So, before selecting your next city to live and work in, you should research the available option of telecommunication in the town. Find out about the internet packages and read users’ reviews to see which one is the best.
Cost of Living
Not all nomads have the same financial situation, but there is a tendency for the digital nomad hotspots to have a low cost of living. Remote workers are generally more thrifty with their money and like to choose places where they dollars will go further. From accommodations to lodging, to activities and transportation within the city - you need to have a full idea of the costs and budget necessary. This will help you watch your spending and not run into surprises that eat into your savings and effect your trip.
Weather
All the best nomad hotspots have good weather. One thing remote workers lover is being able too work outside! Otherwise, what’s the point in having the flexibility to work anywhere if you can’t enjoy the great outdoors! We also generally love to get outside when the weekend rolls around and make the most of our days off. Work hard, play hard baby!
Things to Do
Nomads are drawn to cities with lots of activities and things to do nearby. Beautiful scenery for hiking, great nightlife, art museums to wander, gorgeous architecture around the city, walking tours, and day trips nearby are all things that remote workers will look for when deciding to visit a city long term. They want to make sure there will be plenty of activities to do when they aren’t working.
Community
One of the most important things for digital nomads is a sense of community. You’ll quickly learn that if you’re planning to travel long term, you’re going to need stints in areas with social atmospheres and ease meeting people. No one can be an island for too long! When you find people who are in a similar work / life setup as you, it makes the journey much more fun!
Now, let’s check out our list of the top 5 cities for Digital Nomads.
Best Cities for Digital Nomads in 2020
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is a great city for expats and remote workers - where you’re sure to find many trainings, seminars, dinners, social outings, meetups, and networking opportunities. There are free and open networking opportunities which do not require any subscription fees like the Tropical MBA Podcasts ‘Dynamite Circle ($588 per year) and Nomads List (one-off $49).
The city has many new accommodation buildings going up. And long term condo leasing (6-12 months) is easily found. Shorter-term (3 months) are also available, but you need to work hard for it. You can also opt for a monthly accommodation, which is readily available in the low seasons. During high seasons you should book ahead of time.
There are many expats who have made this city their home as well. So you’ll find a wide variety of foreigners present in this city - and lots of potential friends and communities to chose from.
In your accommodation, if you are sharing the internet, it can be a little slow with 2 to 10 Mbps speed. It is more advisable to get your internet subscription, which is quite cheap. Unlimited downloading internet plans start from 550 baht per month.
Bali
Country: Indonesia
Currency: Rupiah
Best Cafes for Digital Nomads:
Bali is an amazing place for nomads with is MANY co-working spaces, year-round good weather, beaches, cheap eats & activities, and welcoming local population.
Canggu is the trendy part of town that is full of expats….start here if you’re looking to make friends. There are loads of cute cheap eateries, beach bars, and restaurants. Ubud is the cultural center with rice terraces, laid back yogis, and overpriced bohemian shops. You can rent condos, villas, and even guest houses for 3, 6, and 12 months. The longer your stay, the cheaper the cost will be. To give you an idea, a beautiful place in Bali would cost you under $800/month.
You’ll find that every villa, hotel, cafe, and restaurant has a Wi-Fi connection so you can work from anywhere. You can easily get a sim card with an internet package from the two leading telecommunication services, including XL and Telkomsel. It won’t cost you more than $5 a month.
Medellin
Country: Colombia
Currency: Columbian Peso
Best Cafes for Digital Nomads:
Café Internet Punto In
Café Internet Juanda
Medellin has a dark history of rampant violence and drug crime. However, the city has changed a lot in the last couple of years, and now it has become a hub for digital nomads. Technological advancement is tremendous, and infrastructure has gradually improved over the years, making it an ideal place to visit and work.
The people are friendly, and the cost of living is very reasonable. You can rent a beautiful place to stay in $500 to $1000 a month. Internet speed is good too. You can get a WiFi connection anywhere you go in the city. An Internet package will cost you $25 a month with unlimited downloads.
Lisbon
Country: Portugal
Currency: Euro
Best Cafes for Digital Nomads:
Lisbon has more digital nomads than any other region and is one of the best places in Europe to live for affordable prices. Rich with Portuguese culture, historical monuments, beaches, and museums, Lisbon has something for everyone and makes for an unforgettable traveling experience.
You can find a variety of luxurious office spaces, bohemian cafés, and cowering spaces. There's also the emergence of 'Creative Artistic Hubs,' which aim to stretch your creativity to the limit. You can visit art galleries, museums, pubs, and even teach Parkour and go for a run through historic buildings in your spare time.
If we compare the cost of living in Lisbon with the cities we mentioned earlier in Asia, Lisbon is on a higher side - however, it is still very low for Europe. If you are a digital nomad from the USA, Canada, or any European regions, it won’t affect you that much. Digital nomads from Asian countries might find it struggling to adjust the budget.
The 4G & 5G internet is available on every corner of the City. You can sip a cup of coffee and do your work using free Wifi. Even the barbershops have internet facilities available.
Gran Canaria
Country: Spain
Currency: Euro
Best Cafes for Digital Nomads:
LOS MOLINOS INTERNET CAFE & MONEY TRANSFER
Gran Canaria is one of the most historic places in Spain. If you want to experience the real Spanish heritage, this is the city you should plan to spend a few months. Although this is going to be the most expensive option on our list, you’ll no doubt love every second in this city.
Small villas and cottages with Spanish heritage will remind you of medieval times. You can rent a beautiful place from $1200 to $3000 a month, depending on the amenities included. Internet speed is outstanding. You can also get a sim from leading telecommunication companies for just $20 a month with unlimited internet.
I hope you have found the list helpful to decide your next destination. Keep traveling, keep enjoying your life!
xoxo