Best Places to Live for Digital Nomads


Written: Vagabondist Staff| February 9, 2023

Working remotely as a digital nomad has many benefits. It gives you the freedom of choice to work from anywhere, with your home base being a city of your choice rather than an office space. It also allows you to immerse yourself in new cultures and work alongside people from different backgrounds and nationalities.

However, as a digital nomad, you’d also have to keep in mind practical things like internet speed, cost of living, safety and access to amenities. That is why it is important to choose the best digital nomad city for your needs. In this blog, we will tell you about cities that are ideal for digital nomads who love the digital nomad lifestyle. We’ve created a list of cities where you can work remotely with great internet speed and access to world-class amenities like gyms, cafes, co-working spaces and nightlife spots.

Expat- and digital nomad cities

If you’re looking to live as a digital nomad abroad, cost of living shouldn’t be the only factor to consider. There are cities all over the world that offer great quality of life, access to amenities, and great job opportunities for digital nomads. Before settling on a city as a destination, it’s important to research the local digital and tech culture and job opportunities. You can do this by reading blogs and forums dedicated to digital nomad life or searching online for relevant information.

Another factor to consider while living as a digital nomad abroad is the overall safety and security of the city. You can start by researching recent incidents or incidents of concern in the area before making your decision. This way, you can decide which city best suits your lifestyle as a digital nomad.

The benefits of working remotely

Enjoy a better work-life balance and more freedom to travel. Explore new cultures, meet new people, and grow professionally. Leverage technology to stay connected with colleagues and clients. Benefit from lower living costs in some of the best places for digital nomads around the world. Enjoy a work-from-anywhere lifestyle. Get up and go as per your convenience without worrying about office space or other work needs.

This lifestyle offers a great deal of flexibility as you can work from anywhere that best suits your frame of mind and schedule. Moreover, digital nomadism opens up an opportunity of living in remote places like tropical islands or rural areas where cost of living is low. Thus, it is easy to save money through cost of living as well as living space in remote areas.

Besides, working remotely opens you to work with leading internet companies that can provide you with access to the internet anywhere and anytime on a laptop. This has led to a shift in working style for people who have access to internet at any place, on a laptop as well as access to internet anywhere as well as anytime on a laptop.

It is evident from the above discussion that digital nomadism has its positives as well as negatives and there’s no perfect choice in this regard. However, you can consider it as an option if you seek a lifestyle of freedom and flexibility while enjoying a work-from-anywhere lifestyle with low cost of living

The Best Cities For Digital Nomads To Live

There are many cities around the world that have a great lifestyle for digital nomads. When living as a digital nomad, the cost of living is one of the most important factors to consider. But don’t just focus on the cost of living without considering access to amenities as well. You can learn about cities’ infrastructure and technology as well as their safety, health care, and visa requirements in order to make an informed decision.

Also, internet speed and quality are also vital considerations while evaluating coworking spaces available in a city. Lastly, you can research the city’s nightlife, food scene, and other culture-specific activities as part of your overall digital nomad lifestyle.

Canggu, Bali, Indonesia

Canggu, Bali, is a great destination for digital nomads. It has year-round warm weather and stunning scenery. Other perks of living in Canggu include an array of cafes, co-working spaces, and affordable accommodations.

One of the best things about living in Canggu is the community of other digital nomads and expats. Living in this community allows digital nomads to share best practices, develop new skills, and connect with like-minded people from around the world. Additionally, it can help digital nomads save money by sharing dining and accommodation costs. Overall, Canggu is a great place for digital nomads to live and work as they explore the world from one location.

Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne is a great city for digital nomads as it is filled with vibrant culture and plenty of job opportunities. The cost of living in Melbourne is low compared to other major cities, making it an attractive option for digital nomads. This city has excellent public transportation, making it easy to get around without having to rely on a car. There are plenty of activities for digital nomads in Melbourne, including yoga classes, museums and galleries, as well as outdoor activities like hiking and surfing. If you’re looking for a place where you can relax and enjoy the city’s cultural scene, then Melbourne is sure to be a great choice.

Melbourne also has a strong coffee culture and offers many craft beer bars and restaurants, so you can always find something tasty to eat when you aren’t working. Overall, this city offers everything digital nomads need to work and live successfully.

Chiang Mai, Thailand

Chiang Mai, Thailand is a popular destination for digital nomads due to its low cost of living and easy access to the rest of Southeast Asia. The city offers a vibrant nightlife, plenty of outdoor activities, and world-class food. It also has a thriving digital nomad community and numerous co-working spaces for entrepreneurs. With its low cost of living, great work and living spaces, and access to recreational activities, Chiang Mai is an ideal place for digital nomads looking for a place to call home away from their desk.

The city’s relaxed atmosphere makes it an ideal place for those seeking to break away from the hustle and bustle of more busy cities. Whether you’re looking for a city with an affordable cost of living and access to nightlife or an inspiring place to work and live, Chiang Mai has everything you need to truly thrive as a digital nomad.

Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon is a popular destination for digital nomads due to its affordability, cost of living, and access to great sights to explore. The city has excellent mass transit options, making it easy to get around. Besides, it offers coworking spaces and digital nomad communities, which make it easy for digital nomads to make friends with people who share the same work-from-anywhere lifestyle. Additionally, the city has a vibrant nightlife scene that offers great opportunities for socializing and networking. Overall, Lisbon offers a great living and work environment for digital nomads looking for a place to call home.

Ubud, Bali, Indonesia

Back to Bali, Ubud is a popular destination for digital nomads due to its affordability and access to various activities and attractions. The city offers an array of cultural activities, from yoga classes and art galleries to street food markets and nightlife. It is also located in a lush tropical jungle, which makes it a perfect place to explore nature. Additionally, Ubud has affordable living costs and plenty of coworking spaces to work from. This makes it easy for digital nomads to stay productive during their stay. In addition to these benefits, the city’s fast internet speeds make it perfect for staying connected and productive while living abroad. Overall, Ubud is a great city for digital nomads looking for a place to work from from that offers affordability, access to local amenities, and diverse activities and attractions.

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon, is a great destination for digital nomads. It has a vibrant and diverse culture as well as affordable living costs. The city offers excellent internet connections, making it easy to stay connected to work and family. Moreover, the city has plenty of co-working spaces and cafes perfect for getting work done on the go. As a digital nomad, you can easily plug into the city’s thriving nightlife and explore local restaurants and attractions.

Ho Chi Minh City is a great place for digital nomads who are looking for an exciting adventure. It offers both work and life balance, making it a great place to live and work.

Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town is a popular destination for digital nomads due to its affordability, diverse social scene, and robust tech and startup community. The city is home to a growing tech and startup scene, which makes it an ideal place to launch a business or find remote work. Cape Town also has a thriving nightlife and cultural scene, making it a great place to unwind and explore the city. There are plenty of outdoor activities in Cape Town, such as hiking, surfing, and kitesurfing. Overall, Cape Town offers a great living and work environment for digital nomads.

Budapest, Hungary

Budapest is a great city for digital nomads due to its cost of living, reliable internet, and vibrant culture. The city offers beautiful architecture, a thriving nightlife, and plenty of outdoor activities. It also has numerous coworking spaces that offer digital nomads the opportunity to connect with other like-minded professionals.

Budapest is easy to get around, with efficient public transportation and bike lanes. Whether you’re looking for work or pleasure, Budapest has something to offer digital nomads of all interests and professions. From cultural activities to nightlife options, this city has something for everyone. If you are looking for a unique cultural experience, Budapest is an ideal choice.

Río De Janeiro, Brazil

Río de Janeiro is a city with a great digital nomad community, offering coworking spaces, cafes, and bars to work from. It has cost-effective living costs and a diverse cultural scene to offer something new to explore every day. The city of Rio de Janeiro is home to some of the best beaches in the country, making it an ideal place for digital nomads who love spending their free time outdoors.

Rio de Janeiro is also known for its nightlife, with many popular nightclubs and bars. Whether you’re looking for a laid-back night out or prefer more upscale options, there’s something for everyone in this city. In addition to all of these great features, Río de Janeiro is also home to some of the country’s rich cultural heritage, making it a great place for digital nomads who enjoy exploring different cuisines and cultures.

Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Spain

Las Palmas is an ideal destination for digital nomads, due to its laid-back lifestyle and excellent weather. The city of Las Palmas has a vibrant tech scene with coworking spaces and cafes offering access to some of the best local talent. The city also offers affordable accommodation, with a range of options to suit any budget. With all these factors in place, Las Palamas is a great place for digital nomads to live and work.

The cost of living in Las Palmas is lower than other European cities making it an attractive option for digital nomads. Besides, the city has plenty of outdoor activities and nearby beaches to enjoy. Overall, Las Palamas offers great living conditions and opportunities for digital nomads looking for a location that suits their work-life balance and lifestyle preferences.

Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona is one of the most popular cities for digital nomads looking to live abroad. The city offers a great balance of work and leisure, with plenty of cafes, bars, and restaurants to explore. Plus, it has an excellent public transportation system that makes it easy to get around. Plus, living cost in Barcelona is relatively low compared to other cities of its size in Europe. This makes it an ideal place for digital nomads looking to save money while living abroad.

One of the great things about Barcelona is that it has an internet connection that is fast enough for remote work. This makes it a great place for digital nomads who need access to high-speed internet from anywhere in the world. Whether you’re working from your home office or traveling for business, Barcelona has the perfect location and environment to support your digital nomad lifestyle.

Berlin, Germany

Berlin is a popular destination for digital nomads, due to its affordability and high-quality of living. The city provides access to a wide range of job opportunities as well as ample public transportation and co-working spaces, making it easy for digital nomads to work from anywhere in the city. Additionally, Berlin has a thriving nightlife scene as well as cultural events and green spaces to explore. With so many digital nomads living in the city, there is always someone to hang out with or seek advice from. This community of like-minded people can help make working from Berlin a rewarding experience.

Austin, Texas, United States

Austin, Texas, is a great city for digital nomads to live in due to its vibrant and inspiring culture. The city offers plenty of job opportunities, especially in the tech industry, which makes it an ideal destination for tech-savvy digital nomads. Austin also has a thriving arts and music scene that attracts creative minds from all over the world. The city is home to numerous outdoor activities, such as hiking and biking trails, swimming holes, and nature parks. Additionally, the cost of living in Austin is relatively affordable compared to other cities in the US.

Medellín, Colombia

Medellín is a city known for its affordability and diverse culture. It has a cost of living that is significantly lower than other cities around the world, making it an ideal location for digital nomads. Besides cost of living, Medellín also offers reliable internet speeds and plenty of coworking spaces and safe housing options. The city also has many attractions to explore such as parks, museums, and restaurants. Overall, it is a great choice for digital nomads looking for an exciting experience in a vibrant city.

Santa Teresa, Costa Rica

Santa Teresa, Costa Rica is an ideal destination for digital nomads looking for a laid-back lifestyle. The city has a low cost of living, as well as access to a variety of outdoor activities.

Santa Teresa is known for its beautiful beaches and contains some of the world’s best. This makes it perfect for those who are looking to relax and enjoy their time off. digital nomads can enjoy the city’s nightlife and cultural offerings while living cost-effectively. Santa Teresa also has a vibrant digital nomad community that provides networking opportunities as well as support for living and working abroad.

Mexico City, Mexico

Mexico City is a great place for digital nomads. The city has affordable living options and a thriving cultural and culinary scene that makes it an attractive destination. Mexico City offers a variety of coworking spaces, cafes, and amenities to help digital nomads work from anywhere. It is also well-connected with the rest of Mexico and the world, making it easy to travel from here.

Besides, cost of living in Mexico City is lower than in many other popular digital nomad destinations. Overall, Mexico City is a great place for digital nomad travelers looking for a cost-effective and comfortable place to work from remotely.

How to Choose The Right Digital Nomad City For Your Needs

Finding the best digital nomad city can be a daunting task. There are many factors to consider when choosing a city for your nomadic lifestyle, ranging from the cost of living and availability of affordable housing to internet connection and digital infrastructure. In addition, it is important to research the culture, weather, and recreational activities available in the city. Finally, it is vital to assess visa requirements for digital nomads in a given city as this can help you decide where you will feel most comfortable and secure as a digital nomad. By taking the time to consider all these factors, you can find the best digital nomad city for your lifestyle needs.

Communication Issue

When choosing the best city as a digital nomad, communication infrastructure is of utmost importance. A good internet connection and reliable mobile phone coverage are essential for any nomad. Aside from this, it’s also important to research the cost of living in each city, as this can vary greatly from place to place. Besides, checking out the local culture and attractions can help you get the most out of your digital nomad experience. Looking at all these factors will help you find the perfect city to work and live from as a digital nomad.

Time-zones

When selecting a digital nomad city, you should consider the time zones of the area. If you are planning to work with colleagues across different time zones, it can be challenging to coordinate work. It’s also important to research the local laws and regulations, as well as the availability of internet access in each location. This will help ensure that you can work from anywhere in the world. Besides, you must take cost of living and amenities such as co-working spaces into account when choosing your digital nomad city.

Ultimately, it is vital to think about what type of lifestyle you want to lead and what kind of city best meets your needs. When looking for the best digital nomad city for you, consider your work schedule and preferences as well as the cost of living and amenities available in that particular city.

Affordability

When choosing the city to live in as a digital nomad, cost of living and affordability should be among the top considerations. Cities where the cost of living is low and the available amenities are suitable for digital nomads can save money and make life as a nomad easier. For instance, cities with free co-working spaces or easy access to public transportation can save digital nomads time and energy by allowing them to work from anywhere easily. Additionally, cities that offer special discounts and incentives for digital nomads, such as tax breaks or free co-working spaces, can save money while still providing valuable benefits to their community. The availability of public transportation, affordable housing, and other amenities should also be taken into account when deciding on the best city for digital nomads.

Choosing the best digital nomad city for your lifestyle and work-life balance is as much of an art as it is a science. We’ve discussed some of the best digital nomad cities around the world, as well as their pros and cons. They have been chosen keeping in mind factors such as cost of living, internet speed, nightlife, weather, and safety. While each city has its own unique set of advantages, it boils down to what place works best for you. To make things easier for you, we’re giving you access to a PDF ebook that gives you an in-depth analysis of 39 digital nomad friendly cities around the world—their cost of living, weather, nightlife, safety, and internet speed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some of the best cities to live as a digital nomad?

Good digital nomad cities include: Chiang Mai, Thailand; Berlin, Germany; Bali, Indonesia; Budapest, Hungary; Lisbon, Portugal; Miami, United States; and Bangkok, Thailand.

What are the pros and cons to living as a digital nomad in a certain city?

Pros may include ease of travel, access to resources, affordable living costs, and vibrant cultural experiences. Cons may include lack of access to certain services, language barriers, and difficulty securing accommodations or a job.

How can digital nomads find the best city for them?

When researching prospective digital nomad cities, consider factors such as cost of living, healthcare access, safety, internet speed, ease of travel, and level of cultural immersion. Also, consider your own professional goals, desired lifestyle, and budget. If possible, it may also be helpful to visit the city before making it your home.