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Are you thinking about moving to one of the best places for digital nomads? There are so many different options that it can be hard to know where to start. But don’t sweat it because here you will learn about all the hottest spots around the world with an established digital nomad community.
If you are just curious about being a nomad, brand new, or already living the life it is always nice to discover new digital nomad cities. Connecting with like-minded people who share your love for adventure and experiences over material things will enrich your soul in ways you never knew possible.
Everyone’s experience is different and people have their own levels of comfort, and budgets, and as sad as it is a diplomatic privilege too. Keep that in mind when you are scanning this list of the best places to live for digital nomads.
This all depends on what kind of experience you are aiming to have. If you want a cheap beachy destination you could aim for South East Asia or even Turkey. Another one of the best locations for digital nomads looking for a sunny escape is South America. Europe is also a big one, it is all up to you. We started in Europe mainly because we wanted a new experience. I have met a lot of Europeans who start in South America.
It is estimated that around 35 million nomads are working digitally. In 2021 there were over 15.5 million digital nomads from America, like me, alone. The majority of other countries with the most workers are Portugal, Germany, and Brazil.
In my experience though who you meet all depends on which digital nomad places you visit. I am currently in Turkey and I have met plenty of different types of people and very few Americans.
Yes and no. I have only personally ever stayed in a hotel for an extended time once. We were “lucky” enough to be doing a collab for a company and they put us up with free board and food. Some nomads like hostels, where you can meet people. There are even hostels aimed at nomads. I think that you should try and find yourself somewhere where you can focus on work and live your life peacefully.
It is much better to find yourself a house, flat, apartment, co-living situation, hostel, or something that you can call home. For me, at least one of the most important factors in finding the best places to digital nomad is I need a kitchen, a separate living and sleeping room, and my big fluffy dog has to be allowed to come.
Up first is the best place for digital nomads in Europe. As an American, my first trip to Europe back in 2018 was really what inspired me to start my journey. I loved the laid-back culture and the beautiful architecture, and honestly, people seem to mind their own business more. Plus I LOVE the coffee culture in Europe. This list of the best places for digital nomads to live is in no order whatsoever.
Up first is Portugal, and it is one of the best countries for digital nomads. Here you will find so many different communities spread across this seaside country. Some of the more popular spots for digital nomads to live in is the amazing and unreal island of Madeira. This is where I started my digital nomad journey and it was just the eye-opening experience I needed.
Ponta do Sol in Maderia is where most of these adventurous people gather. You will find a working space and an established digital nomad community. You will never get bored with the island because there are so many different things to experience. Plus it is just a quick hour plane right back into Libson.
A few more of the best cities for digital nomads in Portugal are Lisbon and the Algarve. Lisbon is an amazing city full of culture, nightlife and the food scene is unmatched. You will find nomads here from all over the world.
The Algarve is on the southern coast of Portugal. If you fancy seaside cliff hikes, beautiful beaches, and a stunning coastline the Algarve will deliver all of this and more. I was lucky enough to spend 2 months here and have been itching to go back. If you are a beach-loving, dessert-eating girl like me, Portugal is one of the best places to be a digital nomad.
You can live comfortably in Portugual for $2060/Month
Croatia is next up as the best place for digital nomads to live. It is changing soon but this was a popular place to pop out of the Schengen zone, and I was lucky enough to spend 3 uninterrupted months here.
But no need to worry about the whole EU situation because they have introduced a digital nomad visa. You can find more info here on how to apply for this visa. If you qualify you should be able to stay for one year.
The most popular cities for digital nomad communities to gather are Split, Zadar, and the capital Zagreb. We spent time in the Work Remote Croatia community in Zadar and it was amazing. Here you can enjoy the dalmatian coast, island hop, and explore everything that this beautiful country has to offer.
We found the people of Croatia warm and welcoming. We became friends with many of the locals and they were so happy we were in their country.
Croatia should cost you about $1700 a month as a digital nomad.
You may be surprised to learn that Hungary is one of the best countries for digital nomads. More specifically Budapest. Here you will find beautiful castles, world-class architecture, and plenty of thermal baths to take your stresses away.
There are quite a few different places for co-working and of course, you can always choose to go to a cafe. The wifi throughout the country is never an issue and you will quickly learn that it is one of the cheapest places for digital nomads.
One of the hardest problems of being a digital nomad is securing accommodation but so far Hungary is still plentiful and affordable. Budapest should be high on your list of the best digital nomad cities in Europe to check out.
Live a wonderful life here for about $800 a month.
Bulgaria is a Balkan country and borders Turkey, Greece, North Macedonia, and Serbia. The city of Bansko is a super popular digital nomad destination. It is in the Pirin mountain range and is a perfect nature escape. Here you will also find CoWorking Bansko, which has rave reviews from people that I have met recently.
Okay, so pretty much everyone knows that Bali is one of the best places for digital nomads to live, right? Well, I have never personally been there but I have heard that there are perks and disadvantages of living in Bali. Just like everywhere else.
There are plenty of reasons why Bali is one of the best locations for digital nomads. There are endless beaches to discover, volcanoes to climb, rice fields to explore and so so much more. It is also a very affordable area and you could get away with spending as little as $1,000 a month. Making Bali one of the cheapest places for digital nomads in the world.
For the co-working side of things, there are plenty of coworking spaces all around and some even have co-living arrangements as well. The most popular towns are Kuta, Canggu, Seminyak, and Ubud. There has recently been an announcement that Bali is welcoming digital nomads for up to 6 years tax-free. Check out more about that on the official tourism site.
From what I have heard it is getting overcrowded with parties and there is always ongoing construction, turning the local dining into trendy cafes. But, like I said I have never been, but I will update you once I make it out there.
You can get away with as little as $500 a month if you plan right.
If you are looking for a laid-back, spiritual escape from the west, then Thailand would be a perfect place for you to go. Here you will find natural beauty in the cities and on the shores.
Thailand has a few digital nomad places throughout the Country. The most popular cities are Chiang Mai, Koh Phagan, and of course Bangkok. There are quite a few different visas that you can apply for depending on how long you would like to stay.
Chiang Mai is the 2nd largest city in Thailand but still has a laid-back type of vibe that digital nomads are so often looking for. It should not be a problem to find fast internet, coworking spaces, and friendly cafes to set up shop in.
Bangkok is another popular digital nomad city in Thailand. This is obviously going to be busier than Chiang Mai. But you will still find plenty of nomads running around. There is no shortage of amazing food and plenty of coworking spaces. Bangkok seems to have a love or hate relationship so you must go for yourself and see if it is one of the best places to be a digital nomad for you.
The average monthly cost in Thailand is $1,277/per person
Vietnam is growing more and more every year with the digital nomad community. This is because here you will find good and cheap mobile data and free wifi throughout cafe culture. The cost of living is low and it is easy to find long-term accommodation. And, last but definitely not least is the easy visa option.
Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam is one of the best places for digital nomads. This is the largest city in Vietnam has about 9 million residents and 24 different districts to live in. It is the business hub of the country and you will easily be able to get around town.
District 1 is the most popular and best place for digital nomads. There are several places to co-working including the Hive, CirCO, Dreamplex, Toong, and Spiced Coworking. There is so much to love about Ho Chi Ming City in Vietnam that many people extend their stay.
Enjoy being a digital nomad in Vietnam for $905 / month.
It is no secret that South America is one of the most popular and best places for digital nomads and ex-pats alike. The low cost of living and warm weather are two of the biggest perks and it brings people from all over the world. It is so much more laid back than North America too.
First up is Costa Rica. The best places for digital nomads in costa Rica are endless. This is such a popular destination because of the gorgeous beaches, ample national parks to explore, and the lovely and laid-back locals.
People are loving the brand new Digital nomad visa that was just approved by the president. There are a few requirements that must be made, but after that, you can stay stress-free for one year. Without applying for the visa there are other options where you can stay for 3-6 months too.
San Jose, Santa Teresa, Playa Hermosa, Playa Samara, and Puerto Viejo, Limon are the top five best places to live as a digital nomad. It all depends on what kind of life you are trying to live and what your budget is.
2600 USD/month is a good starting out number if you are planning on moving to Costa Rica.
Argentina is another hot spot and is quickly becoming one of the best places to be a digital nomad. They recently introduced a digital nomad visa in the summer of 2022. This will allow you to stay for one year and really immerse yourself in the culture.
Buenos Aires is one of the most popular digital nomad cities. And the highest population of nomads in the neighborhood of Palermo. Here you will find a wide variety of people from all over the world.
If you are looking for a co-working spot then you should defently check out Urban station, Origen Coworking, Or Manawa Coworking. There is also an amazing cafe culture here that you can work from.
You can live comfy for about $1000 a month.
Colombia is one of the best places to be a digital nomad in Latin America. This is for many reasons but one of the most important is that they have a reasonable digital nomad visa. If you do not qualify or do now want to apply for the nomad visa most people can easily stay for up to 180 days.
Medellin is one of the most popular digital nomad cities in Colombia. It is the second largest city in the country and is full of art, culture, and coffee. (DUH) Another perk is that you will easily be able to get around using public transportation.
The weather is almost always sunny and there are plenty of hiking and trekking spots around town. Wework is one of the best coworking spots in Medellin and they have three different locations to check out.
The other best places to live as a digital nomad in Columbia are Cartagena, Bogotá, Cali, And Santa Marta. They all have their own pros and cons. You can enjoy wonderful weather all year long here with the rainy season being between April and November. The months with the heaviest rainfall are September and October. Be sure to put Columbia on your radar.
$1500 a month is a good place to start your budget.
Mexico is always on the list of the best places for digital nomads. They have an easy 6-month visa, a low cost of living, and an amazing food scene. Who doesn’t love a good taco?
Mexico City is easily the most popular place for ex-pats and nomads looking for a new home in Mexico. They were one of the first cities to have free wifi! Check out the trendy neighborhoods of Roma, La Condesa, Reforma, and Polanco inside Mexico City.
One of the best coworking places is the impressive 20-story wework building. Coffice and HomeWork are also popular places where you can set up shop for the day.
Oaxaca is up next for digital nomads in Mexico. Often called the foodie capital of Mexico, Oaxaca is a vibrant city full of culture with a chilled-back pace of life. Wifi can be hit or miss in Oaxaca. Check out Convivio Coworking for a reliable connection and to meet up with other digital nomads. It is easy to see why Mexico is one of the best locations for digital nomads.
Start with $1000 a month and see where you go.
For me, Turkey is one of the best places for digital nomads to live. It is not in the EU or Schengen zone so it is also a popular destination for people who need to spend time outside of that. That is why we ended up here.
There is an easy visa to apply for and we are currently waiting to hear back about how long we can stay. It is usually 6 months to 1 year. This is one of the cheapest places for digital nomads to live. And we get by for two people on a budget of $1300/month.
If you are looking for a coastal, cost-effective, culture-rich place to call home Antalya is the perfect place for you. One of my favorite things about living here is the Coworking Antalya location. It is right in the heart of the city with incredible views of the old town and the sea. There is so much to love about Coworking Antalya.
You can work here with views of the old castle walls one way and when you gaze the other way you see the beautiful sea with mountains in the background. You will also find a lively ex-pat group with people from all over the world. Many people come here and expect to only spend a week or two, and end up applying for a long-term visa.
You cannot talk about Turkey and not mention Istanbul! This is one of the most unique cities in the world because it is in both Europe and Asia. This is where the east meets the west.
If you are staying in the east you will want to check out Kolektif House Ataşehir. This is a great spot for coworking. In the west, you have more options. Check out Impact Hub, Workhaus, or DAire. You will love the bazaars, local markets, and beautiful mosques here as well.
Turkey has surprised me and has so far been one of the best places to be a digital nomad that I have found on my journey.
Did you know that there was a digital nomad visa in Dubai? If you qualify you can stay for a year. But, it is also one of the most expensive places to live as a digital nomad. Since it is such a modern country you will find so many places to work from. And new coworking places pop up all the time.
The weather is always warm and sunny and the architecture is the best in the world here. Two metro lines cover the main sections of town and a 24-hour bus you can hop on. Staying here would be like living in another world for a while, it just might cost ya an arm and leg.
I couldn’t find a good number to budget for Dubai, the visa requires you to make at least $5000 a month to qualify.
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22 Responses
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Ohh these are some really interesting places, thank you for the summary!
Thank you!!
This is such a great list for those planning to move abroad and work as digital nomads! I’ve lived in Vietnam before and can highly recommend it.
I cannot wait to go to Vietnam!
This is a perfect guide to the best places for digital nomads. Greatly appreciate all the inside tips, recommendations, and how to get visas.
Thanks so much!!
It’s my dream to be a digital nomad! I’m interested in Thailand, because I went to Vietnam and enjoyed my trip there a lot.
Yes! Thailand is amazing 🙂
Being a digital nomad sounds like THE LIFE! All of these places are so great and would be fun to explore and write about.
Yes! I cannot wait to check out all of these amazing cities 🙂
Being a digital nomad is the dream! Thanks for an interesting post