As the world becomes more interconnected and technology continues to advance, more and more people are choosing to live a location-independent lifestyle as digital nomads. This lifestyle allows individuals to work remotely from anywhere in the world, as long as they have access to a reliable internet connection. With this in mind, we have put together a comprehensive list of the best cities for digital nomads in 2021.
1. Chiang Mai, Thailand
Chiang Mai has been a popular destination for digital nomads for years, and for good reason. The city has a low cost of living, a vibrant expat community, and plenty of coworking spaces and cafes with reliable internet. Chiang Mai also offers a unique blend of modern amenities and traditional Thai culture, with plenty of temples, night markets, and outdoor activities to explore.
The city’s cost of living is very affordable, with a meal in a local restaurant costing around $2 and a one-bedroom apartment in the city center costing around $300 per month. The city also has a great transportation system, with plenty of options like tuk-tuks, songthaews, and motorbikes. Chiang Mai is also known for its delicious food, with plenty of street food vendors and restaurants offering traditional Thai cuisine.
The city has a great community of digital nomads, with plenty of coworking spaces and meetups for remote workers. One of the most popular coworking spaces in Chiang Mai is Punspace, which has two locations in the city and offers high-speed internet, meeting rooms, and a community of like-minded individuals.
Chiang Mai also offers plenty of cultural and outdoor activities, like visiting the Doi Suthep temple, exploring the night markets, or hiking in the nearby mountains. Overall, Chiang Mai is the perfect destination for digital nomads looking for an affordable and vibrant city with plenty of amenities and a great community.
2. Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon has become a hub for digital nomads in Europe, thanks to its affordable cost of living, mild climate, and stunning architecture. The city has a growing startup scene, with plenty of coworking spaces and networking events for entrepreneurs. Lisbon also offers easy access to other European destinations, making it a great base for exploring the continent.
The city’s cost of living is very affordable, with a meal in a local restaurant costing around $10 and a one-bedroom apartment in the city center costing around $800 per month. Lisbon also has a great transportation system, with a network of buses, trams, and trains connecting the city to other parts of Portugal and Europe.
Lisbon has a great community of digital nomads, with plenty of coworking spaces and meetups for remote workers. One of the most popular coworking spaces in Lisbon is Second Home, which offers high-speed internet, meeting rooms, and a community of like-minded individuals.
Lisbon also offers plenty of cultural and outdoor activities, like visiting the Belem Tower, exploring the Alfama neighborhood, or relaxing on the nearby beaches. Overall, Lisbon is the perfect destination for digital nomads looking for an affordable and vibrant city with plenty of amenities and a great community.
3. Medellin, Colombia
Medellin has undergone a transformation in recent years, from a city plagued by violence to a vibrant and welcoming destination for digital nomads. The city has a low cost of living, excellent weather year-round, and a thriving expat community. Medellin also offers plenty of cultural attractions, from museums to street art, as well as easy access to nearby natural wonders like the Andes Mountains.
The city’s cost of living is very affordable, with a meal in a local restaurant costing around $5 and a one-bedroom apartment in the city center costing around $400 per month. Medellin also has a great transportation system, with a network of buses, metro, and cable cars connecting the city to other parts of Colombia.
Medellin has a great community of digital nomads, with plenty of coworking spaces and meetups for remote workers. One of the most popular coworking spaces in Medellin is CoWorkLatam, which offers high-speed internet, meeting rooms, and a community of like-minded individuals.
Medellin also offers plenty of cultural and outdoor activities, like visiting the Botero Plaza, exploring the Comuna 13 neighborhood, or hiking in the nearby mountains. Overall, Medellin is the perfect destination for digital nomads looking for an affordable and vibrant city with plenty of amenities and a great community.
4. Bali, Indonesia
Bali has long been a popular destination for travelers, but it has also become a hotspot for digital nomads in recent years. The island offers a laid-back lifestyle, stunning beaches, and a low cost of living. Bali also has a growing coworking scene, with plenty of spaces catering to remote workers. And with its unique blend of Hindu and Buddhist cultures, Bali offers a truly unique experience for those looking to immerse themselves in a new culture.
The island’s cost of living is very affordable, with a meal in a local restaurant costing around $3 and a one-bedroom apartment in the city center costing around $300 per month. Bali also has a great transportation system, with plenty of options like taxis, motorbikes, and car rentals.
Bali has a great community of digital nomads, with plenty of coworking spaces and meetups for remote workers. One of the most popular coworking spaces in Bali is Outpost, which has two locations on the island and offers high-speed internet, meeting rooms, and a community of like-minded individuals.
Bali also offers plenty of cultural and outdoor activities, like visiting the Uluwatu Temple, exploring the Ubud Monkey Forest, or surfing in the nearby beaches. Overall, Bali is the perfect destination for digital nomads looking for a laid-back lifestyle, stunning natural scenery, and a great community.
5. Tbilisi, Georgia
Tbilisi may not be as well-known as some of the other cities on this list, but it has a lot to offer digital nomads. The city has a low cost of living, a growing startup scene, and a rich history and culture. Tbilisi also offers easy access to other destinations in the Caucasus region, making it a great base for exploring this part of the world.
The city’s cost of living is very affordable, with a meal in a local restaurant costing around $5 and a one-bedroom apartment in the city center costing around $300 per month. Tbilisi also has a great transportation system, with a network of buses, metro, and taxis connecting the city to other parts of Georgia.
Tbilisi has a great community of digital nomads, with plenty of coworking spaces and meetups for remote workers. One of the most popular coworking spaces in Tbilisi is Impact Hub, which offers high-speed internet, meeting rooms, and a community of like-minded individuals.
Tbilisi also offers plenty of cultural and outdoor activities, like visiting the Narikala Fortress, exploring the Old Town, or hiking in the nearby mountains. Overall, Tbilisi is the perfect destination for digital nomads looking for an affordable and vibrant city with plenty of amenities and a great community.
6. Budapest, Hungary
Budapest is a beautiful city with a rich history and culture, and it has also become a popular destination for digital nomads. The city has a low cost of living, a growing startup scene, and plenty of coworking spaces and cafes with reliable internet. Budapest also offers plenty of cultural attractions, from museums to thermal baths, and it’s a great base for exploring other destinations in Europe.
The city’s cost of living is very affordable, with a meal in a local restaurant costing around $10 and a one-bedroom apartment in the city center costing around $500 per month. Budapest also has a great transportation system, with a network of buses, trams, and trains connecting the city to other parts of Hungary and Europe.
Budapest has a great community of digital nomads, with plenty of coworking spaces and meetups for remote workers. One of the most popular coworking spaces in Budapest is KAPTÁR, which offers high-speed internet, meeting rooms, and a community of like-minded individuals.
Budapest also offers plenty of cultural and outdoor activities, like visiting the Buda Castle, exploring the Jewish Quarter, or relaxing in the nearby thermal baths. Overall, Budapest is the perfect destination for digital nomads looking for an affordable and vibrant city with plenty of amenities and a great community.
7. Mexico City, Mexico
Mexico City is a vibrant and exciting destination for digital nomads, with a rich history, delicious food, and a growing startup scene. The city has a low cost of living, and there are plenty of coworking spaces and cafes with reliable internet. Mexico City also offers plenty of cultural attractions, from museums to street art, and it’s a great base for exploring other parts of Mexico.
The city’s cost of living is very affordable, with a meal in a local restaurant costing around $5 and a one-bedroom apartment in the city center costing around $400 per month. Mexico City also has a great transportation system, with a network of buses, metro, and taxis connecting the city to other parts of Mexico.
Mexico City has a great community of digital nomads, with plenty of coworking spaces and meetups for remote workers. One of the most popular coworking spaces in Mexico City is WeWork, which has multiple locations in the city and offers high-speed internet, meeting rooms, and a community of like-minded individuals.
Mexico City also offers plenty of cultural and outdoor activities, like visiting the Templo Mayor, exploring the Zocalo, or hiking in the nearby mountains. Overall, Mexico City is the perfect destination for digital nomads looking for an affordable and vibrant city with plenty of amenities and a great community.
8. Berlin, Germany
Berlin is a vibrant and exciting city with a thriving startup scene and plenty of coworking spaces and cafes with reliable internet. The city also has a rich history and culture, with plenty of museums, galleries, and historical sites to explore. Berlin is also a great base for exploring other destinations in Europe, and it’s a popular destination for digital nomads looking to network and collaborate with other entrepreneurs.
The city’s cost of living is relatively affordable, with a meal in a local restaurant costing around $10 and a one-bedroom apartment in the city center costing around $700 per month. Berlin also has a great transportation system, with a network of buses, trams, and trains connecting the city to other parts of Germany and Europe.
Berlin has a great community of digital nomads, with plenty of coworking spaces and meetups for remote workers. One of the most popular coworking spaces in Berlin is Betahaus, which offers high-speed internet, meeting rooms, and a community of like-minded individuals.
Berlin also offers plenty of cultural and outdoor activities, like visiting the Brandenburg Gate, exploring the East Side Gallery, or relaxing in the nearby parks. Overall, Berlin is the perfect destination for digital nomads looking for an exciting and vibrant city with plenty of amenities and a great community.
9. Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona is a beautiful city with a rich history and culture, and it has become a popular destination for digital nomads in recent years. The city has a low cost of living, a growing startup scene, and plenty of coworking spaces and cafes with reliable internet. Barcelona also offers plenty of cultural attractions, from museums to stunning architecture, and it’s a great base for exploring other destinations in Europe.
The city’s cost of living is relatively affordable, with a meal in a local restaurant costing around $15 and a one-bedroom apartment in the city center costing around $900 per month. Barcelona also has a great transportation system, with a network of buses, trams, and trains connecting the city to other parts of Spain and Europe.
Barcelona has a great community of digital nomads, with plenty of coworking spaces and meetups for remote workers. One of the most popular coworking spaces in Barcelona is MOB, which has multiple locations in the city and offers high-speed internet, meeting rooms, and a community of like-minded individuals.
Barcelona also offers plenty of cultural and outdoor activities, like visiting the Sagrada Familia, exploring the Gothic Quarter, or relaxing on the nearby beaches. Overall, Barcelona is the perfect destination for digital nomads looking for a beautiful and vibrant city with plenty of amenities and a great community.
10. Buenos Aires, Argentina
Buenos Aires is a vibrant and exciting destination for digital nomads, with a rich history, delicious food, and a growing startup scene. The city has a low cost of living, and there are plenty of coworking spaces and cafes with reliable internet. Buenos Aires also offers plenty of cultural attractions, from museums to tango shows, and it’s a great base for exploring other parts of Argentina.
The city’s cost of living is very affordable, with a meal in a local restaurant costing around $8 and a one-bedroom apartment in the city center costing around $400 per month. Buenos Aires also has a great transportation system, with a network of buses, metro, and taxis connecting the city to other parts of Argentina.
Buenos Aires has a great community of digital nomads, with plenty of coworking spaces and meetups for remote workers. One of the most popular coworking spaces in Buenos Aires is La Maquinita, which has multiple locations in the city and offers high-speed internet, meeting rooms, and a community of like-minded individuals.
Buenos Aires also offers plenty of cultural and outdoor activities, like visiting the Recoleta Cemetery, exploring the San Telmo neighborhood, or visiting the nearby Tigre Delta. Overall, Buenos Aires is the perfect destination for digital nomads looking for an affordable and vibrant city with plenty of amenities and a great community.
Conclusion
In conclusion, these are just a few of the best cities for digital nomads in 2021. Each of these destinations offers a unique blend of affordability, culture, and connectivity, making them ideal for remote workers looking to live and work anywhere in the world. Whether you’re looking for a laid-back beach lifestyle or a vibrant urban experience, there’s a city on this list that’s perfect for you.