Working online, with the freedom to work from anywhere can be exciting but also daunting. With so many places to choose from, it can be difficult to decide where you want to go.
Not only this, but you have to take into consideration internet connection, living costs and visa regulations, things that you don’t have to think about when you’re just backpacking or going on holiday.
To help, we’ve curated a list of the best cities for digital nomads, using experiences from the author of this post, Megan, and fellow digital nomads she’s met along the way.
We’ve included a mix of popular digital nomad destinations, as well as some that are lesser known, where you can escape the crowds and enjoy more affordable living costs.
So let’s get into it!
What is a Digital Nomad?
To put it short, a digital nomad is someone who makes money online, giving them the location independence to live a nomadic lifestyle.
This means they can travel frequently and work from anywhere, whether that’s at the beach, by the pool, in the mountains or in cute cafes in cities across the world.
The Best Cities for Digital Nomads
1. Medellín, Colombia
One of the best cities for digital nomads is Medellín in Colombia. In recent years there’s been an influx of people heading to this city and it’s fast becoming a hotspot for those who work remotely.
Reliable internet connection, a variety of coworking spaces and friendly locals, are a few of the many things that have attracted the now well-established digital nomad community. This, coupled with year-round sunny, warm weather, and a vibrant nightlife and salsa scene, makes for a great work-life balance.
Though living here might not be quite as cheap as it once was, it’s still much more affordable compared to Western Europe or the USA. However, these costs will vary greatly depending on where you decide to live, eat and how much you spend on activities.
While one digital nomad might be able to live off less than $1000 USD per month, eating locally, and living in shared accommodation or a more modest neighbourhood, another might need closer to $2000 USD for a nicer apartment and fancy dining.
Most digital nomads reside in the popular neighbourhood of El Poblado. However, Laureles and Envigado are also home to a number of digital nomads and expats and are much more affordable.
2. Dahab, Egypt
Dahab has a thriving digital nomad community, attracting those that are seeking a laid-back life by the beach. Perched on the Red Sea, Dehab offers a variety of water sports, including world-class diving. And with desert mountains as the backdrop, it’s not short of incredible scenery.
Dahab has its own unique liberal bubble that feels separate from the rest of Egypt. It’s true locals are the formally nomadic Bedouins that don’t consider themselves Egyptian, and retain their own set of unique customs and values.
This attracts Egyptians from other parts of the country that tend to have more progressive views than the average. With almost half of the digital nomad community being local, it’s easier to immerse yourself in the culture.
Dahab is also one of the most affordable destinations for digital nomads. Rent here ranges between $200-$800 USD per month for an apartment or villa, depending on its location and proximity to the beach. With food and activities included, the average cost per day is just $17 USD!
One downside is that the internet connection is not quite as reliable as in more built-up, metropolitan cities. However, there are many amazing cafes and co-working spaces to base yourself, such as Mojo Dahab and El Coworking Dahab. Though we do recommend getting a good SIM card with a large data package as a backup in the event of a wi-fi outage.
To connect with other digital nomads, joining the Dahab Digital Nomads Facebook group is a great place to start, as weekly gatherings and events are often posted on here.
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3. Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon is a city that consistently pops up as one of the best places to live for digital nomads. The city's great weather (even during the winter months), colourful architecture, tasty food and close proximity to picturesque beaches, are a few of the many reasons why so many people base themselves here.
With an influx of digital nomads, Lisbon has become more expensive over the years. But it still remains one of the cheapest capital cities in Western Europe. Spending a month here is likely to cost between $3000-$4000 USD, however where you live and eat will massively impact this.
Lisbon isn’t short of co-working spaces and cute cafes to work from and of course the internet connection here is very reliable, making it the perfect digital nomad city.
4. Tbilisi, Georgia
A lesser known, up-and-coming digital nomad city is Tbilisi in Georgia. If you’re someone who likes to get off the beaten track, but still live somewhere with a good community, this city is a great choice.
In recent years more and more co-working spaces and creative cafes have started appearing across Tbilisi, and the wi-fi here is fast and reliable. Alongside this, it’s extremely affordable, with average living costs of just $600-$900 USD per month.
This, along with friendly locals, delicious wine, beautiful historical cobblestone streets, spacious green spaces and a progressive, welcoming atmosphere, makes Tbilisi a great place to live.
If this isn’t enough, if you take a short bus ride out of the city, you’ll find yourself in the Georgian countryside, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, sipping wine in rolling vineyards, or by the sea.
5. Chiang Mai, Thailand
It’s not a surprise that Thailand makes this list, being extremely popular with backpackers, expats and digital nomads alike.
Chiang Mai is perhaps the biggest hub for remote workers in the country, and one of the largest in Asia, if not the world. So, if you’re looking for somewhere with a well-established digital nomad community, this is a great city to consider.
Just outside of the city, you’ll find some of Thailand's most beautiful landscapes, made up of mountains, rice paddies, jungle and waterfalls. When you’re not working, you won’t be short of things to do here, which creates the perfect work-life balance.
Though it’s a common theme, Chiang Mai has become busier and more expensive over the years, but still remains very affordable, costing anywhere between $800-$1500 USD per month in living costs.
As a bonus, Chiang Mai has a lively street food scene, serving some of the best food in Thailand, internet is fast, and you won’t be short of co-working spaces and remote work-friendly cafes.
6. Oaxaca, Mexico
The colourful, colonial city of Oaxaca is one of the most popular digital nomad destinations in Mexico. Its reliable, fast internet connection and variety of co-working spaces, coupled with the vibrant, street art covered buildings, rooftop bars and world class restaurants, makes for the perfect work-life balance.
It’s also more affordable than other digital nomad hotspots in Mexico like Tulum and Playa del Carmen, costing on average $900-$1500 USD per month for all living expenses.
If you’re not much of a city person, the state of Oaxaca offers other options for digital nomads. Though its quaint mountain towns are still pretty disconnected and lack a solid wi-fi connection, its coastline attracts many remote-workers.
Puerto Escondido and Mazunte are two great beach towns that have a thriving digital nomad community, alongside great surfing, an amazing food scene and lively nightlife.
7. Sibiu, Romania (Transylvania coliving)
At the heart of Transylvania, a region known for the legend of Dracula, is the beautiful city of Sibiu. Though it’s much lesser known than other cities on this list, it’s one of the cheapest and best remote working locations in Europe.
Unlike much of Europe, Romania still uses its national currency, Leu. As it’s weaker than the Euro, money stretches much further here, making living costs very affordable. On average, a digital nomad will spend around $600 USD per month living here, with a full meal in a restaurant costing just $6-$7 USD.
Alongside this, Sibiu has one of the fastest internet speeds in the world, and there are various coliving spaces and welcoming cafes to choose from.
All this, combined with its picture-perfect historic mediaeval architecture, cobbled stone streets and chic wine bars, make for a perfect place to live. In fact, it was ranked the 8th most idyllic place to live in Europe by Forbes!
Things to consider when choosing your digital nomad city
• Internet Connection: Reliable WI-FI is a must for digital nomads, so always check reviews and ask your accommodation host about internet speeds before renting. Poor WI-FI can seriously impact productivity, so always have a backup plan, like a local SIM card with data.
• Cost of Living: Before settling in a new location, make sure the cost of living aligns with your budget, as major expenses like accommodation, food, and transport can add up. Low-cost destinations allow you to save or reinvest more into your business while enjoying a comfortable lifestyle.
• Visa Regulations: Understanding visa requirements is essential for digital nomads, as each country has different rules for remote work and long stays.
Many countries now offer digital nomad visas, which allow extended stays, so check your options before booking your trip. You can read our useful guide on the 67 countries offering visas for digital nomads. We also discuss the cost implications and requirements.
• Community: Connecting with a local or expat community is key to avoiding loneliness and settling in, whether through coworking spaces, social media groups, or meetups. Having a supportive network makes living abroad more enjoyable and can help you get insider tips from fellow travellers.
• Places to Work: Co-working spaces and co-living arrangements are great for productivity and community, offering shared workspaces, high-speed internet, and a chance to collaborate. Cafes are also a popular choice, giving you the flexibility to work with a change of scenery.
• Safety: Safety is crucial for digital nomads, so always research your destination thoroughly before arriving, avoiding high-risk areas. While most digital nomad hotspots are generally safe, it's important to consider the specific needs of women, minorities, and the LGBTQ+ community, as local attitudes may vary.
Final Thoughts on the Best Cities for Digital Nomads
There are endless places to base yourself as a digital nomad. Which destination you choose really depends on what lifestyle you’d like to have, your budget, ability to get a visa and how much of a community you’d like to have around you.
We hope that this article has given you an insight into the best cities for digital nomads and will help you understand what to consider when choosing where to live.
Useful Travel Guides:
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Moonsand receives a commission if you decide to make a purchase through one of our trusted affiliate partners, at no extra cost to yourself.
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