Best Cities to Live for Digital Nomads

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the way we work has completely changed. Many employers have seen that their employees' duties can be carried out at home with a decent internet connection and a laptop.

With that came a rise in remote working, and when the world opened up, some of the employees were on the first flight out of there to do their work in exotic destinations. These people are called digital nomads, and there are a lot of them around at the moment.

Maybe you're a digital nomad looking for your next base to work from or considering negotiating with your boss to try out the lifestyle. If so, here are some of the best cities for digital nomads to live.

Mexico City

In recent years, Mexico City has become a major digital nomad hub. It really does have everything if you're a remote worker: fast wifi, great food, affordability, and decent weather for a good chunk of the year.

Cute neighborhoods like Roma and Condesa are favorites among nomads as they have a nice variety of trendy coffee shops, fancy restaurants, and cool bars for when you've signed off.

Bangkok

No digital nomad city list would be complete without the Thai capital, Bangkok. If you can manage to put the humidity and pollution to one side, you'll begin to love this place for its trendy co-working spaces and seriously cheap costs, especially if you stick to street food. Pad Thai, anyone?

On your off days, you'll be enjoying visits to majestic temples like Watt Arun, parting on Khao San Road, or taking weekend trips to the majestic north of Chiang Mai.

Tbilisi

Georgia is a hot topic on the nomad scene right now for its generous visa policy (for some nationalities), wonderful cuisine, and welcoming people. And what better place to enjoy it all than the beautiful capital, Tbilisi?

If you want to live somewhere with a mild climate, low prices, a cool cafe scene, and amazing wifi connectivity, Tbilisi will be right up your street.

Medellin

Situated in the beautiful Aburrá Valley, the Colombian city of Medellin has a lot of digital nomads talking at the moment.

Say your home country is the US, or somewhere in Western Europe; your money will go pretty far in Medellin with things like coffee, groceries, and meals at local restaurants, all priced at much less than you're used to.

However, since a lot of digital nomads have come here, the prices of long-term rental Airbnbs have significantly increased, so be aware.

Ubud, Bali

Some would say Ubud was where the whole concept of a digital nomad started even before the pandemic. Those who caught the trend well before it began to rise saw this stunning gem in the uplands of Bali at its purest, but it has by no means lost its charm.

The digital nomad community here is thriving with specific nomad-style coffee houses and weekly meet-up events. Since Indonesia has a tropical climate, the weather can be hit or miss for some parts of the year, resulting in power cuts, so just be mindful.

Lisbon

Lisbon may not be as affordable as it once was, but if you're someone willing to pay a premium for fado dancing nights, port tastings on a Saturday, and all the seafood you can ask for, you'll be welcome with open arms.

EU citizens, in particular, take a liking to Lisbon because of the freedom of travel agreement. However, Portugal has a Digital Nomad Visa for anyone who fills the requirements.

Sadly, there's a huge accommodation crisis in Lisbon; every second place available to stay seems to be priced through the roof, so it might be just a little too late unless you've plenty of money to spare.

Buenos Aires

The Argentinian capital of Buenos Aires is another fantastic option for digital nomads considering relocating to somewhere in South America.

You'll get a lot of bang for your buck here. Think cheap studio apartments in the city center, delicious Argentinian steak dinners complemented by fresh wines from Mendoza, and a favorable digital nomad visa that lasts for 180 days with an option to renew it. Sounds like the dream lifestyle, right?

Istanbul

How does living at the crossroads between East and West sound? Istanbul is an incredible city with so much to offer remote workers, including great global connectivity, a relatively low cost of living, and a unique blend of traditions and customs that you can immerse yourself in.

Istanbul might not be for anyone who doesn't like big and busy cities because it's chaotic at the best of times, but that's why some people love it.

The main areas in Istanbul where digital nomads tend to base themselves are Üskudar, Kadiköy, Beşiktaş, and Beyoğlu. You'll find all kinds of lovely Turkish coffee shops, co-working spaces, and upscale accommodation there.

Ho Chi Minh

Ho Chi Minh is undoubtedly one of this list's cheapest digital nomad spots. The southern Vietnamese city is a hit among remote workers seeking an inexpensive, high-quality lifestyle.

Districts 1, 2, 3, 7, and Binh Thanh are popular among nomads who want to immerse themselves in Vietnamese culture and set up a base remotely.

Ho Chi Minh is also Vietnam's financial center, with many business opportunities for skilled workers. You'll love this city if you like networking and attending business-related events.

So, Digital Nomads, Where Will Your Next Office Be?

With the rise of the digital nomad lifestyle, governments around the world are starting to take advantage of this trend, offering visas to those who can contribute to society and pay their taxes there. When you think about it, it's like having a long-term tourist in your country contributing.

Some negatives come with digital nomads, too; if there are too many of them, their presence tends to drive the cost of living up for local people who might not be earning the same amount of money.

So, if you're a digital nomad based in one of these cities, it's essential you do so ethically and responsibly.