As you start thinking about where you'd like to live as a digital nomad, you may feel pulled toward popular tourist destinations like Paris or Rome. However, consider some lesser-known cities that are becoming popular with digital nomads due to their low cost of living and reliable infrastructure.
Here are 13 cities where digital nomads love to work in no particular order:
- Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Digital nomads enjoy Kuala Lumpur because it's developed, clean and relatively safe.
- Singapore: U.S expats in Singapore chose this city because of its warm climate and central location. It's easy to get to Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia. If you want to change locations frequently, Singapore may be an ideal place to start.
- Montpellier, France: The south of France offers an affordable and low-key vibe ideal for young people looking for a college-like atmosphere. There are coworking spaces available, but you'll need a hotspot if you want to work in cafes.
- Hanoi, Vietnam: This area of Vietnam is heavily influenced by French culture. There's an “expat side of town” where digital nomads congregate. In general, locals are friendly towards visitors. Hanoi is walkable with excellent restaurants, a low cost of living and plenty of opportunities for weekend adventures.
- Vang Vieng, Laos: This peaceful community on the edge of Southeast Asia is close to the jungle and off the beaten path. Digital nomads looking for a non-traditional travel experience enjoy river floats, jungle hikes and exotic cultural experiences. Internet speeds can be slower, here. Many digital nomads in Vang Vieng decide to stay for longer periods of time and enjoy a very low cost of living.
- Athens, Greece: With a growing digital nomad population, Athens provides everything a nomad who is ready for a city experience could want. There are thousands of cafes with free but occasionally unreliable internet service, tons of cheap and delicious food, and enough culture and entertainment to make Athens an ideal choice. If you can't compromise high-speed internet service, it's wise to get a SIM card or wifi router.
- Palermo, Italy: Digital nomads who want the experience of living in Italy without the price tag flock to Palermo for the perfect weather, less expensive accommodations, Italian food and culture, and fun nightlife. Internet connections can be unreliable, so be sure to bring a hotspot.
- Porto, Portugal: Porto provides one of the least expensive food and wine destinations in Europe. The ancient architecture and hilly terrain combine to create stunning views, and ex-pats say that Porto is the best place to settle in the country. Many people living there speak English, and locals are friendly towards visitors.
- Buenos Aires, Argentina: Sometimes called the “Paris of South America” Buenos Aires provides the food, nightlife and culture many nomads crave. Be sure to spend time in the Palermo SOHO neighborhood, which is where younger digital nomads congregate with ex-pats. Belgrano and Hollywood offer quieter atmospheres.
- Cape Town, South Africa: Cape Town provides beautiful beaches, affordable living costs and ample accommodations for digital nomads. The culture is welcoming and friendly. Internet reliability is less than perfect in some areas of town, so be sure to travel with a hot spot. English is the official language of South Africa, so communicating as you travel through the area is easy.
- Sao Paulo, Brazil: An excellent public transportation system means digital nomads living in Sao Paulo have easy access to nearly 13,000 restaurants, free museums and art shows, numerous coworking spaces, and scores of experiences to make your nomad dreams a reality. With a super-low cost of living and no shortage of glamour, Sao Paulo may be Brazil's best destination for digital nomads.
- Melbourne, Australia: Digital nomads can find everything they need to help support their career aspirations in Melbourne. Expats living in Australia find the nightlife and coffee culture irresistible in Melbourne. The city's street art is world-renowned as well. The weather can be rainy, but summers are beautiful. Digital nomads will find the infrastructure they need to succeed in Melbourne, but the cost of living can be much higher than in other areas of the world.
- Austin, Texas: Not all digital nomads are itching to get out their passports. If you'd like to travel throughout the United States, Austin is nearly mandatory. The city motto, “keep Austin weird” sums up the attitude in this smaller Texas city. Hipsters and cowboys commune peacefully, here. The warehouse and downtown districts are home to startup incubators and coworking spaces as well as Facebook and Google satellite offices. Many areas of the city are walkable, and there's no shortage of entertainment and culture.
How to Decide Where to Travel as a Digital Nomad
Your life as a digital nomad requires a great deal of planning, but it pays off. Deciding where to travel next should be your biggest problem, but nomads face other challenges, as well.
If you have concerns about safety, connect with other digital nomads living in the area and ask them about their impressions of the area. Are emergency services readily available? Is there reliable cell service? Try to imagine whether you'll feel safe and secure traveling alone, going out to run errands in the evening and living on your own there.
Here are some of the criteria that digital nomads consider as they choose their next destination:
- Accessible to outdoor activities (beaches, hiking, waterways)
- Low-cost visa accessibility that allows long stays and multiple entries
- Accommodations that are comfortable and low-cost
- Walkable with excellent public transportation
- Travel hub with major airports close by
- Healthy environment with limited pollution
- Fast and reliable high-speed internet
As you evaluate possible destinations, be sure to research the rules about getting a visa and internet access in the area. Digital nomads can't work without a reliable internet connection, so verify that you'll have immediate access to 24/7 high-speed internet before you finalize your plans.
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